My first American quilt

[girlyswot]

So-called, not so much because I did the quilting in America but because of the patchwork method I used (even though I did that bit when I was in England with my sewing machine handy).   I've always done English paper piecing before, which takes forever and is very unforgiving if your cutting is even slightly out.  This was much quicker and easier.

 

I made the patchwork top in one evening and one morning - having decided less than forty-eight hours before the plane left that this would be a good idea.  So I cut lots of 4 inch squares and began sewing.  No time to really think about colour or pattern.  I made the 4 by 3 blocks, then decided to add the plain strips and join these into the pinwheels.  Then I discovered I didn't have the plain navy fabric I thought I did for the borders, so I used a variety of different stripey fabrics with the yellow squares at the corners.

Then I brought it back to America, hand-quilted it in a simple design and added the binding.

For so little pre-planning or overall time, I'm amazed how much I like the finished article.  And now I want to do another one...

Comments

[ravenedgewalker.livejournal.com]

it's gorgeous!

so what is the American method????

[girlyswot.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

The American method is to make up blocks (larger squares) which are then sewn together (sometimes with borders or sashing between) to form the whole. In the English method you cut out paper templates for each piece which you tack the fabric to, before sewing piece by piece to the whole. The English method, done well, gives a very precise patchwork, but it does take forever.

[tdu000.livejournal.com]

That's gorgeous! I've never done patchwork despite having tried my hand at most sewing-based crafts. The patchwork itself looks quite basic with just the squares but the use of colours and the actually placing of the different patterns makes it look very complex. I know you're a long way from home at the moment but I'm sure that makes your flat look, and feel, a lot more "homey".

So what's your next project?

[girlyswot.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It was pretty simple due to the time constraint. And having things that I've made definitely makes me feel more at home somewhere.

Next is socks. I've been wanting to try proper knitting in the round for a while and I just got a really good pattern and some fun self-striping wool. I've just turned the heel on the first one and I think it's going to be good.
I'd love to make another quilt but without a machine it's not going to happen. Plus I really don't need another one here!

[nicolap.livejournal.com]

Beware, socks are horribly addictive. I have kitted the whole family out. Though of course you can diversify into gloves, mitts, hats...

The quilt is bee-yoo-ti-ful. You're tempting me.

[girlyswot.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yes, I'm already thinking about the next pair I want to make and I'm only halfway through my first one. Oh well, there are worse things to be addicted to!

[sibtrelawney.livejournal.com]

Wow!You did this while you were on vacation? Fantastic. Quilting from any continent is one of the crafts I've never tried--yet. ;-) I used to be quite the knitter 'back in the day' but I never attempted socks. Good luck with that!

[girlyswot.livejournal.com]

Yes, I had a sudden burst of post-flu energy so I started at 10pm on Boxing Day and finished the patchwork by lunchtime the next day (and yes I did sleep!). The quilting took a little longer since I had to do it by hand, but still not too bad. I'm enjoying the socks too, though I think that's going to be more of a long-term project now I'm back in the studies.