a quilt story

As promised my mini quilt from start to finish.

I'm calling it french window...

This is my first quilt designed from scratch.

It originates from this chateau in Josselin France.

I immediately thought of patchwork as I peered through the lovely lead windows.

I made a quick sketch of the block...

...and then put together a design for a quilt,

I do love the 3D aspect of the one on the left.

I must say at this point with my shoulder already sore

I had thoughts of machining this quilt.

And it is quite possible by using half square triangles and rectangles.

That said I much prefer my shapes to be one solid piece of fabric,

so as not to spoil the design.

As this was also a mini quilt I thought I'd English paper piece it

I am a sucker for it!

So one evening I sat on the floor and with the help from my husbands mathematical skills
I scaled the design up to the size I wanted keeping the same ratio.

Choosing the right balance of colours was a bit tricky as so many had to meet.

I tried out a few until I found the balance I liked.

I knew that I wanted to keep the blocks all the same,

and not just mix them up.

After stitching them to their templates I still had a couple of days switching them about,

with the help of my digital camera!

Now you may remember how I thought it resembled a cream egg colour scheme,

tempting as it is to call it creme egg,

the theme actually grew from my anthropologie bowl.

With my shoulder in mind I did a little stitching every few days,

and soon I had sewn the top, with great satisfaction.

Woo hoo naked of it's papers!

When it came to the backing I was at a stand still,

I knew that I wanted to do some red hand quilting 

so I needed the backing to work with that.

Then as per usual 'eureka'

I found this piece which seemed perfectly made just for this project.

It's part of a pillowcase that I bought just for patchwork,

and the red stitching works too...JOY!

To tie in the navy from the front I've used Joel Dewberrys modern meadow

(my all time favourite design and excellent blender)

Before I hand quilted,

 I machine quilted inside each piece,

I like how it looks more like the original window,

when the light catches it just right.

So there you are the makings of my french window.
I can say hand on heart I loved every bit of this quilt.
I think the fact that because it's a mini (23'x 17')
I could see the end in sight within a month.
I realise this quilt isn't going to appeal to some..
I do prefer to inspire with my quilts than to make something pretty for pretty sake!
Now that said I have a new quilt-along up my sleeve
for beginners...
 and probably very pretty!!

 One anonymous comment

Surely you can't actively decide to inspire? Inspiration is something that either hits the viewer or not. I like pretty things so am likely to be inspired by them. I don't like geometrical shapes much and prefer very simple shapes or applique. Colour and fabric choices matter more than any design as the less the design the more likely I am to like it aesthetically. Piecing is of course clever but I like the look less as it takes away from the fabrics and colours.

Edited in response to the above comment

 Of course I don't make quilts just to inspire others.

I make quilts that challenge me and if they inspire when they are finished then thats a bonus,

If you had read my last sentence then you would have realised that.

Why are the quilt police always anonymous?

ps. piecing is not clever it's actually quite simple,

maybe you should join in my next quilt along

it's for beginners?