Forest Quilt {Finished}

You might be sick of seeing this one, considering it's had quite a few blog post over the last week - but this is the last one. It's done! 

My Forest Quilt (sorry, that's the best I can do for the name!) finished up at about 36" x 50" - I ended up trimming a lot off to square it up once it was quilted. I think part of that was the fact that the edges warped a bit during the quilting because of all the long bias edges (it doesn't sit particularly flat - it might be my first quilt I block I think?) - and also I'm not sure how square it was to start with ;o) 

The idea for the layout for this quilt was to make it look like three pages of a sketchbook sitting on a table. 

 This was SO much fun to quilt - I had a lot of fun using different FMQ motifs in the different blocks. Pebbles in the background of the Aspen Grove.

Feathers around the feathers.

 Swirls (air currents?) around the Woodpecker - and tiny woodgrain in the woodpecker's tree (a bit hard to see here - I used a 40wt Aurifil that matched the woodgrain print almost exactly.) This is my favorite block in the quilt I think.

The brown background was a no-brainer quilting wise - I did a woodgrain motif, using a variegated Signature pinkish/brownish thread. I'm pretty sure no wood ever has had that many knots in it - but I got a bit sick of doing wavy lines, and it adds a bit more interest to the background. The woodgrain is very organic (in other words not evenly spaced. At all.) - which was a conscious decision, believe it or not. I did try to keep my curves smooth, but varied the spacing quite a bit in an attempt to mimic actual woodgrain. I actually found this really hard - I've spent so long trying to keep spacing etc consistent, it was against all my instincts to quilt it like this. But, I'm really happy with how it turned out :o)

 Linking up with the Forest QAL linky part at Shapemoth.

Also linking up with Kristy's Paper Piecing Party, and Free Motion Quilting Friday.

I'm off to finish off my July bee blocks - and then make a few bits and pieces for the impending third birthday next week!

xx Jess

Quilting a forest

Thanks for all your lovely feedback on the Forest QAL quilt top - it is now basted and I've started quilting the first block. I decided to start with the Aspen Grove, as I had a bit of an idea what I wanted to do with it (and I want to quilt the 'pages' before I tackle the background).

I decided to quilt the grey ground sections with micro pebbles - most of these are about 1/4" or 1/2" in diameter. My arms were SO sore after doing these! I think tiny little movements in quilting are much more demanding on the muscles than larger ones. I used a variegated Aurifil (4670) 40wt thread, and the texture is gorgeous. I also love the variation from really light grey pebbles through to darker ones - to me it really suits the block. For the green, I've just quilted in the ditch along the seam lines, so the trunks and leafy sections really pop against the grey.

I'm not sure about the rest of the block. I've quilted vines and leaves across most of it which looks okay (not brilliant though - although it blends so well it won't really be noticeable whatever I do.). I might go back and do some dense quilting around the vines later, but I'll wait until I've done some of the other sections before I decide.

I'll be leaving the rest of this for a little while, so I can work out how to tackle the other pages. And so I can catch up on the last three months worth of bee blocks!!

Hope everyone has had a great weekend!

xx Jess

Aspen Grove {Forest QAL Block 3}

This is another project I've been working on slowly over the last week (I lost count of how many hours it took - maybe 8?) - the amazing Aspen Grove block designed by Caroline of Trillium Designs. Living in Australia, I've never seen an actual aspen grove, so I had to do a bit of googling to find some images as inspiration. Some of the tree trunks in the pictures I found were mostly white with black markings, which is why I used the Madrona Road text print for the trunks. It is a little warped from all the long, thin pieces, but I think once the paper is off it should flatten out with a good helping of steam.

The background is quilter's linen, which I love - it gives a really subtle texture without distracting from the trunks and leaves. I really love this one :o)

I'm really happy I'm keeping up with the QAL so far - although I'm now going to be rushing to get my March bee blocks done over the next few days. Whoops. This paper piecing thing is totally addictive though, and I can't wait to get started on the next block.

xx Jess

Feathers {Forest QAL}

Over the last week I've been working on the second block in the Forest QAL - feathers. I honestly think this is one of the most beautiful paper pieced patterns I've ever seen. If I thought I could do it with my sanity intact, I'd make a whole quilt of these.

Fabric selection for these was so very tricky. I looked at countless feather photos online trying to decide what palette I wanted to use, but nothing really clicked for me. I decided to make up a feather (not based on a real bird feather) but use colours that could be found in nature.

I'm pretty happy with how it came out - it doesn't sit especially flat, but I think once I remove the paper (after piecing it into the quilt top) and lots of steam, it (hopefully) should be okay.

xx Jess

Woodpecker {Forest QAL}

I've decided to join the Forest QAL hosted by Julianna and Joanna as I adore their designs. There are twelve blocks in the QAL, all paper pieced and the sneak peeks are spectacular.

The first block is a woodpecker (cause of much sniggering in our house. Yes, we really are that mature.) My points are a little askew in places, but overall it came together really well. There are some incredibly tiny pieces in it, but the detail is just amazing. The fabric I used for the body is really fine cotton (almost like a lawn), so I don't have too much bulk where the seams meet. I've been working on this over the last few nights, and finally put it together tonight.

I'm looking forward to seeing the other blocks they design!

xx Jess