Maple Leaf Quilt now finished

My Maple Leaf quilt has been an extremely long drawn out affair.  It all started way back in 2001 when I took part in a Birthday Block swap with members of the Australasian internet group Southern Cross Quilters.  We were put in groups of 12, and each month we made and sent off blocks to the person celebrating a birthday that month.  For my birthday, I requested a 12in Maple Leaf block, and posted out the pattern and supplied the fabric for the background.   Most of the blocks arrived in time for my birthday, so it was exciting opening up the envelopes to see what was inside.

The blocks then sat in a box for several years until 2006 when I finally stitched the blocks together, and made the half square triangles for the borders.  It was sandwiched together and I started machine quilting around each block.  Then just prior to Christmas that year I received my cancer diagnosis, which put paid to any quilting for some time as my life was taken over with months of treatment and recovery.  As I slowly got my life back on track again, the Maple Leaf quilt, together with my Christmas Stars quilt, which I had been working on as well, held too many memories of this upsetting time, and I couldn’t bear to look at them.  I did finally return to quilting again, but worked on other projects.

I finally completed the Christmas quilt late last year, and started work again on this quilt last month.  With most of the quilting already done, all I had left to do was to quilt the borders, and inside each leaf, then attach the binding.  So after all this time, it is finished at last.

My Maple Leaf quilt

Most of the blocks came from Australia, one from Corpus Christie in Texas, and I stitched the final one.  The quilt glows with autumn shades of red, russet, brown and green, and it is now residing on the back of the couch.  Many thanks to all the ladies who took part in this birthday block swap.

Looking good on the couch

Stitching and Food required for a weekend away

We are off and away for a weekend in the caravan tomorrow, so some packing needs to be done.  In went a bag containing my Maple Leaf quilt, with the binding all pinned neatly in place, matching thread, and my container of pins.  I’m hoping for a nice sunny day or two when I can sit outside, attend to my stitching, and chat away with our caravan buddies.  Ever hopeful, I’ve also packed some “secret squirrel” stitching for upcoming birthday gifts, maybe I’ll have time for some of that as well.  And mustn’t forget my library books, there’s nothing better than reading an exciting book in bed, is there?

The caravan club members have been asked to bring a contribution for a Pot Luck meal to share on Saturday night.  I’m making a Cottage Pie and have simmered the mince for this today.  I’ll take the topping with me and assemble it on the day.  Not sure if dessert is required, but just in case, I’ve whipped up some chocolate balls, yummy.  Must remember to pack a pretty dish to serve them in.

Just made – chocolate balls

Binding!!

Now I’m up to the binding stage of my Maple Leaf quilt, the end is in sight.  I didn’t have any of the exact green fabric left that I used in the quilt, but had some that was almost the same colour.  So that would do nicely.  After a quick measure up, I then made a whole lot of green binding.

Lots of dark green binding

Usually I trim the extra batting and backing from the quilt before stitching the binding on, but I stitched first, then trimmed, this time.  What do others do?

Sewing the binding on

I always have trouble stitching the last mitre to join the ends of the quilt binding together.  This is where you work out where to join the binding after adding in the measurement of the width of the binding, put pins in two places, draw a line, then stitch.  Does anyone know what I mean?  I often get my diagonal seam running the wrong way, so have to rip the stitches out and try again.  Can anyone point me in the direction of a fool proof tutorial please?  Sometimes I get it right first time, but more often than not it is wrong!

With the binding finally stitched on, (with a couple of tries to get that last bit to fit), it is all pinned down in place ready for the final hand stitching.  I’m a great pinner, and liked to have it all pinned ready to go.  We are going away in the caravan to Himitangi over the weekend, so will take it with me and stitch it down then.  That’s the plan, anyway.

Maple Leaf quilt almost finished

I’ve been working away quietly at the Maple Leaf quilt, trying to get the quilting finished.  Since my Bernina has come back all nicely serviced, it has certainly been busy again.  The serviceman Barry showed me a couple of pointers on free motion quilting that I must have known at one stage, but had completely forgotten.  With my new found, or should I say, remembered knowledge, the quilting went very well.  My maple leaf blocks now have “leaf” quilting in them, all done freehand.  Not too bad, if I do say so myself, and I’m rather pleased with my creativity.

  Maple leaf quilting

This quilt is another one that has been languishing half forgotten for much too long.  But the next step is the binding, so I’m getting there!

Selvedges in the Mail

How exciting – there was an unexpected parcel in the mail today, and it was addressed to me!  Sent from quilting buddy Roz from Dannevirke, it was chocker-block full of lovely selvedges all all hues.  I know that Roz does a lot of sewing for charity, and all these selvedges show just how busy she has been.  Thanks so much Roz, I really appreciate your kindness.

Lots of lovely selvedges to play with

I’m currently half way through doing a selvedge project, which I will show shortly as soon as it is completed.  And now I have plenty more to replenish my supply!

Sew Wot Tuesday Morning

It was my turn to be the hostess for yesterday’s Sew Wot get-together, so I spent Monday afternoon with my head in the oven.  After all, I had to cook some home baked goodies for morning tea, didn’t I!  The rain came down and the guests shed their damp rain jackets as they arrived.  There was a major birthday coming up, and Rae didn’t know if she was coming or going as she was presented with cards, small gifts, and a lovely pot of chrysanthemums.

Happy Birthday Rae

Heather had been busy sewing at home and had several bags to show us.  One in particular took my fancy, and Heather used an existing low cost shop bag as the base, then turned it into a thing of beauty.  Such a pretty garden scene viewed through a wrought iron gate. 

A plain shopping bag made pretty

Rae had something to show us too, which certainly raised a few giggles as she lay it on the carpet.  This play rug had been made for a new grand-child.  And after I wondered just what it was, we were told it was a dog, anyone can see that!  I can just imagine a little one crawling all over the rug, hugging that big doggy head, and chewing on it’s ears.

Doggy play rug

Once morning tea was underway, I whipped back into the kitchen to stick some candles into the cream sponge, (thanks to Moira for bringing this)  and carried it out to the unsuspecting Rae.  Then we all sung Happy Birthday while she valiantly tried to blow the candles out.

Heather and Rae with the blazing candles waiting to be blown out

Throughout all this excitement, Muffy was quite happy perched on top of the couch above Pam and Mary, keeping an eye on things.  She settled down and snoozed off after a while

Muffy with Pam and Mary

It was a lovely get-together, catching up with the Sew Wot ladies and seeing what they had been working on.  Everyone was busy chatting so I don’t think much stitching got done.

More Coach House Quilts

There were so many lovely quilts made by members of the Feilding Kowhai Quilters exhibited at the Coach House Museum, that I just had to show some more photos.  Like this “Raggedy Jeans Quilt” made by Marion Hamilton.  Her inspiration came from the book “Cut, Sew, Quilt as you go” book.  Can you see the wooden wagon wheel peeping out at the side?

Raggedy Jeans quilt by Marion Hamilton

The white horse looks very cosy with “Red Hot” draped over him.  Mary Lloyd made this quilt from a kit from local shop Cherry Pie and it has been commercially quilted  by Paula Shailer.

Red Hot quilt by Mary Lloyd

The chooks would be quite at home in this farmland setting, no doubt.   Norma Dugmore stated that she smiled from beginning to end while she was making this quilt.

Here, chook, chook, chook, by Norma Dugmore

“Stripes”, by Dulcie Stantiall was a very striking quilt indeed, with the innovative striped background piecing.  It is very clever, and I certainly wouldn’t have thought of using stripes this way.

Stripes, by Dulcie  Stantiall

“Morning Glory”, a Michelle Hill design, was lovingly hand appliquéd by Stella Allerby, and quilted by Jenny Allen.  What a lovely quilt, with the designs inspired by William Morris.

Morning Glory by Stella Allerby

There was a nice story behind this pretty hand embroidered Afternoon Tea Cloth.  It was started then donated to the club by Mrs Margaret McDonald of Ranfurly Manor, Feilding.  Rosalie Stead then finished the embroidery.

Hand embroidered Afternoon Tea Cloth

Another item in a “just right” setting.  Tractor cushion by Rhondda Berg was displayed on a bright and shiny John Deere tractor at the museum.

Tractor cushion by Rhondda Berg

And lastly, I just couldn’t go without another peep at Elvis.  I’m a real Elvis fan, and fell head over heels in love with him at quite a young age when I first heard his song “Love me Tender”.   Liz Gates screen printed the Elvis heads, then finished the piece off with free motion quilting.

Colourplay 2 by Liz Gates

This marvellous exhibition was a little different in that it was not judged at all, and the show did not have a Viewers Choice.  Kowhai Quilters can be very proud of their wonderful work on display.  There were vendors galore, including several I had never seen before, so there were plenty of goodies to look through.  Refreshments were provided as a fundraiser for the Manawatu Riding for the Disabled.  I had a great day out, thanks very much ladies.