Mystery quilt

Recently, things have been very busy on the Project Linus front - I have had several visitors bringing quilts and generally helping out, and have made visits to collect quilts etc. This has resulted in me spending time sorting, labelling, sewing bindings etc, and if you would like to see some of the results, look here.

Meanwhile, I have been getting on with the mystery quilt blocks in 'Quiltmaker' magazine. Here they are, all ready for the grand reveal.

How will Bonnie Hunter put them together? I can see how the star blocks might go,

and how the red blocks might go,

but can't begin to see how they will go together to make a top! Luckily, I don't have to worry about this, as I think I'm in very safe hands!

Finished (and started!)

Hooray! I have finished quilting the Baltimore 9-patch! Tonight I am seeing the lovely friends who advised me that I needed an appliqued border, so I hope they approve of me completely ignoring their opinions!

I must admit, I'm pleased with it, and I think the plain borders throw the eye into the central busy part quite successfully. In any event, it's finished! (What a lovely word that is!)

Here are a couple of close-ups of the feathers round the border. Maybe it was a mistake to make them curve round the corner and meet in the middle (the other option was to go all along each side) but it's too late to worry about that now!

Naturally, I've started another project. After the success of the mystery quilt I completed at Rocheberie Quilters earlier this year, I decided to try another. This time it is a pattern of Bonnie Hunter, which is being published in 'Quiltmaker' magazine. The first instructions were in the July/August edition, and I've not yet completed them despite the fact that the current instructions are now out! This is my progress so far.

Black print and neutral half square triangles.

Gold and neutral half square triangles.
Black, green and neutral triangles waiting to be assembled. I still have a million four-patches to make too. I need to get a move on, as it's a Christmas quilt, and Bonnie suggests that it can be finished by Christmas. Well, I suppose it can if you keep up with the instructions!

Mystery quilt traumas

When I examined my Mystery Quilt after the June Tailor quilting transfers had been washed away, I found, to my horror, that some of the red fabrics had run! I always wash my fabrics when I bring them home, but since my stash is extensive, and dates back (in some cases) 10 or 15 years, there are obviously scraps which didn't get washed before I instigated this rule. Here are the two offenders.

This fabric was actually a Rose and Hubble, so it's a bit surprising that it ran so badly.

I searched out the remaining few pieces of this fabric and washed them in the sink - the water went dark pink!


I can't remember where this one came from, but I don't seem to have any more of it left - and if I come across a piece, I'll be very wary of using it!

I went over to my local hardware shop, looked amongst the washing stuff, and bought some Dylon 'Colour Run Remover'. It was only £3.50 for two sachets, so I thought it was worth a try. You soak the fabric in the product dissolved in water for an hour, and to my amazement, hey presto! it does exactly what it says on the packet! The colour runs were removed!

Gone!

Gone!

Gone!

Here is the completed quilt, which I'm calling 'Feathers'. It was interesting (as ever) to see other completed quilts at the meeting of Rocheberie Quilters last week. Have a look for yourself, and soo what you think.

The mystery revealed!

I have been working hard all week to complete my Rocheberie mystery quilt designed by Jane and Chris. I sewed together the first quarter,

and then realised that there were quite a lot of component parts in my 'little blocks' box. This is where I put all the leftover half square triangles, four-patches and anything which has been joined together, but isn't yet a block. I was able to save myself a lot of time and cutting, as there are quite a few half square triangles needed for this design. I quickly got half way.

Then I was on a roll. With the end in sight and so many components all ready to use, it was very straightforward. Here is the completed top.

Doesn't it look good? Many thanks to Jane and Chris for designing and organising this. Now I'm going back to the dogs! (Literally, not metaphorically!)

Lovely day

Yesterday at Rocheberie Quilters was lovely. We're never sure how many people will turn up, and since this was the first Mystery Quilt Day, there was even more uncertainty. However, we needn't have worried, as there were over 50 people there, some making the quilt and others content to chat and do hand sewing. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to take any pohotos, but Jane did, so you can look at her blog if you're intrigued. Unfortunately, Jane had to leave early to take her daughter to a party, so didn't take any pics of the finished quarters. Here's mine so you can get the idea.

The little triangle at the top right hand corner is the centre of the quilt. I haven't joined the sections together yet, as I've decided to make the other quarters and mix the fabrics up to make the colours more even.

I have finished my Jelly Houses quilt, and took the instructions along to the meeting, and sold them for donations to Project Linus. Half a dozen people were kind enough to buy them. Thank you for that.

A few other people brought jelly roll quilts, one a lovely log cabin star, a Chinese coins and a rail fence. I'll look forward to seeing what people do with these strips of fabric!