Saturday, 7 June 2008

Urban Garden Quilt...

It seems I have the quilting bug good and proper.



I found the pattern for this quilt here and used my own selection of fabrics. I wanted something to use in the garden for the chilly evenings, when it is still nice enough to sit outside but would be nicer if you were snuggled under something.

Most of the fabrics on the front came from the Cotton Patch, which I visited a while back while staying with my friend in the Midlands. They carry a brilliant range of fabrics and I could wander around the shop with my bolts stacked on top of one and other to see if they would work together.

The fabrics are predominantly floral and leafy, with a few scattered fruit and vegetables to fit in with the overall garden theme. Then I used Martha Negley's vegetable stripe, which was on sale at Glorious Color, and at $7 a yard (about £3.50) it was a bargain! Some of the pieces were tiny - an inch and a half by 3 inches - so worked well with the little sprig fabrics, whilst I used the big prints for the staggered bigger pieces. I hand-quilted along each stripe and around each big piece.

The quilt measures 54" x 57", so is not massive, but just big enough to cover you up on the sun-bed! The trouble is, I have 2 sun-beds...I can feel another quilt coming on. To save any arguements, of course. Luckily, I have enough fabric left to make another. I haven't decided which pattern to follow yet, but I think that two complimentary quilts will look very House and Garden!

Being Miss Co-ordination, I also crocheted this cushion. It was a doddle to make as it used a huge 7mm hook. It is based on the popcorn cushion in Vintage Crochet, but I didn't do the popcorn stitches and added the ruffley edge instead. I used Debbie Bliss cashmerino chunky.

Now all we need is some sun...

No2 is off on a Weekend-on-Water with Scouts. He is staying on the Lord Amory and I am not looking forward to bags full of Thames-soaked clothes that will accompany him home tomorrow, but I know he will be having the time of his life. Like a fool, I had tears in my eyes as I drove home from dropping him off last night. I think maybe because, despite being in front of about 50 or so Scouts from his district, he came and gave me a kiss goodbye. Twenty quids worth of Haribo does wonders for mother/son relationships...he could barely carry his rucksack...

Off out in the garden now...

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Your comments on my last post are very special to me, thank you. I've tried to reply to everyone who left a comment, but for those of you I couldn't contact, this is for you!

17 comments:

  1. There is no turning back now, you appear to be a quilter!

    What a beautiful qult you made.

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  2. It Is FABULOUS - what a perfect garden quilt.

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  3. it's beautiful Tracy, and yes I fear you may now be addicted!
    love the tale of your son, you must be so proud of him, and he obviously loves you to bits!

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  4. How lovely. I so admire people who have the patience to quilt - especially if they have wonderful colour sense as you obviously have.

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  5. Wow, the quilt is lovely, the fabric makes it "pop" right off the page.
    Vicki

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  6. That's a wonderful quilt - and another would make it doubly gorgeous.

    Did you know that Cotton Patch do a fabulous mail order service? They send out quarterly catalogues, which have me drooling, and are always professional and efficient. A great company to deal with.

    x

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  7. Lovely quilt and lovely links. I think I need to become a celebrity in order to afford all the fabric I would like to buy!!!

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  8. Your hand quilting looks amazingly perfect!!

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  9. You put all my crafting efforts to shame! Your quilt and cushion are so beautiful. And is that really your backyard? It looks so lovely. That photo could be in a posh quilting book or design magazine!

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  10. GORGEOUS, Tracy...Love the fabrics, all the juicy, bright colors, this a very happy quilt! Funny you showing this, as I have been thinking of making up the Urban Garden quilt pattern as well--it's a great choice. Oh, and just love your little cushions! Just beautiful...Happy weekend ((HUGS))

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  11. You're obviously born to be a quilter - love your fabric combinations and the turnip fabric on the back is awesome even before you know the bargain price - I'm really sorry to have to break this to you, but I'm afraid I think you're hooked! Welcome to Quiltland - here's to many more!

    As for your previous post I didn't comment when I read it - I just didn't know what to say, I'd followed the link from Alice's Magpie family blog and read of your family by reading back. I was widowed at 29 and that was so hard but I can't even begin to imagine how much more difficult it must be to outlive one of your children - as Alice said in her comment it can only be one step at a time :o)

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  12. You are a fantastic quilter! That quilt is far too nice for the garden! I love the cushion too. You are very talented and have a good eye for colours and combinations.

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  13. The quilt is perfect, T, I love the colours and the turnips!! Really brilliant. The cushion is brilliant too-think you should make some more and get them on Etsy- I would be first in line to buy one!x

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  14. I love your quilt, and am in awe of your speed at making them!

    I have some of the Martha Negley fabric - an incredible indigo-purple one with aubergines and turnips on it. So far I have not been able to bring myself to cut into it I love it so much.

    Well done!

    N. xx

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  15. That is a gorgeous quilt and the collection of fabrics is perfect. Well done and good luck for the next one!

    Also wanted to say, I loved your last post. Thanks for sharing such a personal part of your life.

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  16. i see so many quilts around blogland but this is one is the prettiest I have seen in a while.

    It may be that I am influenced by the beauty of the crochet cushion - I do love crochet!

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  17. Oooh! Stunning quilt, such vibrant colours.I'd just been admiring come of that wonderful vegetable fabric at my sister's....she was wondering if she could bear to cut into it!

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