Tuesday 31 December 2013

"simple" Simon border and a new project

After not posting for many weeks this is my second post in one week.
Well it's that time of year - no work, Christmas rush is over and a few days to relax and catch up on quilting... The house that was cleared of quilting clutter to make room for entertaining is now littered with piles of auditioning fabric.

My Simon quilt top is almost finished. I just have to decide on the fabric to use for the outer first and third borders -"should be simple" she thought?
Here is 'Simon' in the Dutch book - the antique original and the authors' reproduction - showing these borders:
The antique quilt in "Promenade in a Dutch Garden"
Outer three borders on the original antique quilt - a lovely diamond print. Photo from the book.

Outer borders on Petra and An's reproduction - a beautifully coordinated stripe. Photo from the book.
Here is a collage of some fabrics I trialed with my quilt top and strips of pieced border - just auditioning, not stitched yet. I think I would like to keep the colours close to those in the original quilt - cooler/lighter colours - so these are rejects for this project.

The bottom right is my favourite of this lot but still not right...
Then I tried a Dutch chintz floral and a paisley print - I love them both and can't decide. I'm edging towards the paisley print because I love it's simplicity.  But it seems to make sense to use the Dutch chintz on a Dutch chintz repro quilt! Ho hum... not such a simple Simon border after all.

Dutch chintz print

Paisley print
Meanwhile - new project...
In a couple of weeks I am going to Summer School in the NSW Blue Mountains with Rhonda Pearce to make her version of the Ann Randoll quilt/coverlet - so terribly exciting as it is just my cup of tea. What's not to love in an antique British quilt with applique, clamshells and loads of fabric choices! And I have had such fun learning to make clamshells in my Chintz medallion quilt (still in progress). 
Unfortunately I didn't get to see the original quilt when it was on show at the Queensland Art Gallery but at least I have the wonderful book/catalogue they produced ("Quilts 1700-1945").  There are also great pictures in this book below:


Photo from book above

Centre of the quilt - photo from book

Photo from book - wonderful fabrics!
Some possible fabric selections I've made for the centre using the requirements list:

  Lots Some more set aside for scrappy piecing and clamshells - loads of small prints needed.


I've not seen anything but a small colour photo of Rhonda's work on this so am keeping my options open a little regarding fabrics and colours. You can read that to mean I'll be taking half my stash along to class! 

Thought I might review my quilting year - 2013.
A collage of projects that were started and finished this year:

All started and completed in 2013

Then there are the projects part-done this year: 
Baltimore - blocks 14 to 23 made this year, the rest were previous years
Burnt quilt - top finished 2013, still needs to be quilted - some time!

Lucy Boston - Started 2012, finished 2013
Medallion quilt - started 2013, working on it now

Simon - started 2013, working on it now

Double X - just started

Pretty happy with that lot.
But I'm a bit shocked to find there are 5 quilts still in progress ...and I am starting a new one! Such is the quilting life. All the best to you all for much inspiration and fun quilting in 2014!

35 comments:

  1. Five projects are not so very many :0) Summer school sounds like fun! I just adore the yellow and green Lily quilt - the trapunto feathered wreaths are amazing! You made some lovely quilts this year. I look forward to following along with all of your quilty pursuits in 2014.

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  2. You are amazing! Thanks for sharing your progress throughout the year. So much inspiration.:)

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  3. On the last day of this year just a comment of a Dutch girl, to let you know how much I enjoy your blog throughout the year, and all these beautiful quilts you made or are working on. And your Dutch Simon is getting so handsome (love the chintz for the edging...). Wishing you all the best for 2014!
    Greetings from Ageeth

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  4. Love your Simon quilt and the Paisley print is also my choice for the border.
    Best wishes for 2014.
    Martine

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  5. Wow! What a wonderful array of projects finished and unfinished. I really need to try harder, maybe 2014 will be my year. I like the paisley pattern for the border but I am sure you will find the perfect one or you. Happy New Year

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  6. What beautiful projects! You sure got a lot done in 2013. Your class sounds wonderful and such a gorgeous quilt! I can see your dilemma with the border, sometimes it is hard to choose.

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  7. So lovely to see your beautiful quilts. They really are beautiful. I hope you have a wonderful time at the workshop. Happy New Year.

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  8. Beautiful! I am so inspired by the quilts in the book you mentioned. In fact, I am working on my version of King George III right now. The blocks are almost all drafted and I will start the piecing soon! Your work is lovely! Thanks for sharing!

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  9. Hi Hilda! I'm so happy I've found your blog. Your work is truly inspirational and I've enjoyed reading about the making of your quilts. You have a tremendous sense of colour and your fabric selections are exquisite. Every time I read your blog I want to sew and create! I'm very much looking forward to seeing what you have to share with us in 2014! Happy New Year!

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  10. Once again you have inspired me. I am so impressed with all the work you accomplished in 2013 and look forward to following your progress in 2014. Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful work!

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  11. I second that sentiment. I'm so glad I've found your blog, you have an amazing eye and your quilts are true works of art. Wish I could see them in person, maybe one day. Happy New Year.

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  12. Hilda, Your work is truly beautiful and inspiring as all the previous posters have said. I enjoy following your blog and watching you create.

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  13. Your new project and summer school sounds like a lot of fun. Your quilts are just beautiful, here's to a very creative and productive 2014.
    PS: great picture of you and your daughter last post :)

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  14. wow - what a great quilting year you have had. Loved seeing all your finished and ongoing projects.
    It was great to see your border fabric ideas.
    Happy New Year

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  15. You should be thrilled Hilda! I love seeing your quilts!! Why doesn't it surprise me that you are taking on that huge intricate clamshell quilt?! It is over-the-top!
    May 2014 bring you many blessings and small stitches.

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  16. You are an inspiration! So many quilty accomplishments. I like the photo of your fabrics for your summer school class. Although I work with reproduction fabrics all the time I have trouble getting such a soft look. I think I'll play around in my stash and see if I can come up with a pallet like that. You do a good job planning your fabrics ahead of time and I guess that's how you are so successful with your results. I get impatient and start cutting and sewing before it is all planned.

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  17. Have lots of fun at your workshop!! That will be quite a stunning quilt to add to your gorgeous collection. I found your blog with the star quilt with brown backing---it is all done now. I watched the lily quilt go together. You are amazing at the amount of quilting you get done!! It is very good to watch someone complete things--I bounce from project to project. Happy New Years

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  18. So amazing what you have accomplished this year!

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  19. Jaw-dropping gorgeous quilts, Hilda! You've been so busy.....what an accomplishment! And I think the Dutch Chintz border strip is so beautiful with your blocks. What a treasure that quilt will be!

    Happy New Year!

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  20. Stunningly beautiful.....you are sooo prolific. Gorgeous work.

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  21. What gorgeous work you do, it's all so drool worthy. The summer school project looks like a major work, have fun with it.

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  22. You've achieved SO much - congratulations! Happy New Year and have a wonderful time at Summer School. Looking forward to your posts about that!!

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  23. love all the quilts you show!! some very spectacular quilts -- good luck in all you plan you like to keep busy like I do.

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  24. Decisions, decisions - fabric choice can be challenging. I too like the one in the bottom right hand corner for Simon, the paisley would look great but IMHO I would go for the little chintz print. The Ann Randoll quilt looks amazing, I can't wait to see your version evolve. Thanks for the trip down memory lane with all of your quilts for 2013, I might have to steal that idea :)

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  25. I'm not sure why, but I like the last option on your border--seems like it sets of the square in a square blocks a bit more. All of your projects from last year are amazing--can't wait to see what 2014 brings!

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  26. The quilts you have made and the work you are doing is all so gorgeous. I will enjoy watching your choices and journeys with these quilts.

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  27. You certainly should be proud of your achievements this year...Congratulations
    carol

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  28. You are an amazing lady - all those wonderful quilts (in progress) - absolutely lovely, and so inspiring!
    I love that paisley border for Simon the most, it seems to bring out all the lovely fabrics you have used.

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  29. It's so interesting to see all the different trials for your Simon quilt border. I know you'll come up with the perfect choice! You had a great 2013 full of stunning quilts! May 2014 be just a creative and full of lovely chintz and wonderful quilts.

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  30. Its Monday morning and a little grey in Melbourne so I log onto your block and what a wonderful array of eye candy just as well I am meeting with friends to pick Di Ford's brain at Needles and Pins on where to go with a new quilt a few of us are starting for a special friend 60 this year otherwise I may wonder where 2013 has gone. Enjoy your workshop the coverlet has been admired by me in the Prom book. Lesley

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  31. Wow, what wonderful projects. Love them all. I wish you a lot of fun.
    Greetings Grit

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  32. Spectacular quilts, Hilda! You sure accomplished a lot of wonderful quilts last year. I wish I were as good at completing projects! I do love that Dutch chintz and paisley print for your quilt, although all your auditioned fabrics look nice with it. It's such a treat to see such a beautiful quilt in progress!

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