Portholes

I made this quilt during the Easter holiday.  I finally managed to get a couple of days to sew and I'm glad I did, as the painted fabric sat on the table staring accusingly at me every time I walked through the dining room. The inspiration came from a metal clad building with round windows (and round air conditioners, too!) at a boatyard I visited.  The original photos which I used were taken by Ian Britton (www.FreeFoto.com) and are his copyright.

I traced, painted with watercolour and then with thread on separate circles of fabric which were then attached with some sheer which came wrapped round a bouquet of flowers and finished off with pelmet vilene portholes with furniture protectors (do not try to get a needle through them; it's impossible unless you have a hammer).  Anyway I enjoyed myself tremendously although the workmanship leaves something to be desired (and I cannot measure, either, as it is a little too long).  My friend Bren has a spot waiting when she finally gets it :)

Chris trying to hold it level whilst keeping out of the way

Deckchairs are at the bottom as they are on the beach and thus the foreground

Sailing boat at the mid point

And the seagull at the top for obvious reasons LOL

Region 3 Challenge Quilts

The Quilters' Guild Region 3 Committee (Hants, Wilts, IoW and CIs) chose an unusual measurement for this year's challenge quilts - 10" x 50".  They were shown at the Regional Day in April 2012.  They were judged by Janet Twinn and Gill Turley, who were the speakers that day. The last photo shows the 3 chosen 1st on the left, 2nd middle and 3rd right.  They are due to be hung at the Quilters Guild Museum in York in the Autumn, I believe, in the small room where the videos are shown.  A very interesting set of quilts, worthy of study when you get to see them!  I found it very difficult to pick a favourite as each one had a lot to look at either in content or technique.  I think all the makers should be very pleased with themselves :)

Breakaways May and June 2012

Christine packing away her machine, having attached the binding to her lovely dresden plate quilt

Beautiful colours and Quilt as You Go

Quilting detail of Lesley's finished sampler

Isn't it beautiful?  I think this was also QAYG

This is the back

Not content with that, she then began to make a bag....

Linda's new venture.  You start off with a circle, add a square (with or without a square of wadding behind it), fold the circle over the square and sew the curves down.  Voila, one unit which you can then join to others and go as big as you want and then it's finished.  No more to do! Here is a tutorial for this type of patchwork http://frayedattheedge.typepad.co.uk/frayed_at_the_edge/2010/05/tuesday-tutorial-18.html

This is Christine's beautiful quilt, binding sewn and now finished

Linda's finished Jubilee quilt - just in time!  This has a lovely, old fashioned feel and looks gorgeous

Dawn's seaside block looks quite exotic, don't you think?.  The starry sky and red clouds look very tropical....