Wildabon Quilt Top

I am starting the new year with a finished quilt top.  While it’s only about 44″ square, it’s wholecloth and entirely hand stitched.  I last shared an update in early September, and I’m grateful that the darker evenings provided time to sit and stitch in the last quarter of the year.  Here she is, my Wildabon quilt top.

This project is from a pattern by Carolyn Friedlander, designed as a collaboration with Leah Duncan.  Both women are artists and designers I admire.  I followed the pattern closely in color and fabric choices, except for the addition of Liberty lawns.

I dearly love the classic Wiltshire print, so I used a few colors that include neon, in several places.  They delighted me so much that I added numerous extra flowers to the overall composition.

Betsy is another favorite print, and I added a few little pieces of it, as well.  Again, with neon!

Stepping back, I love the way the needle turn applique creates such bold and distinct lines between the seams.  It’s a little abstract, but so obviously flowers.  And who wouldn’t love a garden like this in the winter!?

The Liberty capel print also makes appearances in several colors.

But really, it’s all of the pieces together that makes me smile.  While it would make a gorgeous baby quilt, I think my Wildabon quilt top is destined to hang on a wall.  Part of me wants to hand quilt it, so it’s entirely by hand.  But that also means putting it in a long line of other projects requiring hand work.  I work on them regularly, but they are slow stitching projects, and I’m not sure how long I want to wait to enjoy this one daily.  What would you do?

For now, Wildabon hangs and awaits a decision.  I enjoy looking at it every day, pondering quilting.  And I’m thrilled to have one less applique project to work on.  Finishing this reminds me that I will eventually finish all the others, too!

In fact, it motivated me to return to what might be my oldest unfinished applique project.  I’m getting so close to finished with it!

Pink + Blue Lone Star Tree Skirt

As part of my ongoing effort to squeeze in a little sewing during December, I am finishing old Christmas themed projects.  I started this pink + blue lone star tree skirt as a class sample for my Lone Star Christmas Tree Skirt pattern.  I had several sections in various stages of completion and it didn’t take long to complete.  In fact, if I ever add a Christmas tree to my guest room, this tree skirt will coordinate nicely.

I always feel a rush of satisfaction when a lone star is completely sewn together.  All that work, and you finally see what it really looks like finished.  I never tire of these stars, or stars in general, I suppose.  The possibilities are endless!  This color scheme was a fun one to use.

The prints are from a Christmas collection by Liberty fabrics, printed on quilting cotton and distributed in the US by Riley Blake.  That cute aqua print with little colorful houses on it is my favorite, hence it’s placement in the star.  What is it with me and little houses?  I love sewing my HOME blocks, but my first tiny house project was probably this cute pillow many years ago.

I’m not sure if this pink + blue lone star tree skirt will get quilted in 2024, but at least it’s no longer in pieces!

I hope you’re successfully crossing things off your list as the days fly by!

Christmas test block

Playing with old projects and digging through fabric scraps lit something in me.  The “candy shop” sort of Christmas color scheme with lots of pink and mint made me want to sew more!  I settled on stripes, started sketching, and then got sewing.  The result?  My Christmas test block, an idea I definitely want to chase further.

I started sewing with the pale pink (surrounding the star) mixed in with the green stripes.  But the pale pink couldn’t hold it’s own.  Sometimes the best ideas come from what’s within sight – the Elea Lutz floral was nearby and I cut strips on a whim.  And ta-da!  I love this floral mixed with solids.

The moment of truth is always when a design goes from sketch to real life.  I am really pleased with this block.  It was fun to make, and much faster/simpler than it might appear.  I keep walking back to my sewing room between other holiday tasks to look at it.  I’m SO curious about putting multiple blocks together; the secondary pattern will be fun!

The block did require two partial seams in order to set the star in the center.  Gratefully I dealt with plenty of those back when I made My Heart, Today, so it was no big deal.  Partial seams are one of those skills that really only slow you down a tiny bit, but are so useful to master.

On a whim, I also hung the block on point.  It’s pretty like that as well.  So many thoughts swirl in my head for this one!  Okay, deep breath.  I’m hoping to get most of my list knocked out today so I can sew some more.  I would also love to work on this project, just for fun.   I’ve got company coming next week and am running out of time!

Hope you’re doing well and that the sun is shining where you are!

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