Tuesday 27 January 2015

Civil War Bride design wall

With thirteen Civil War Bride blocks done it was getting jolly annoying awkward laying them out on the floor to help with auditioning the next block. Time to put up the 'design wall'. 


There are many great design walls on blogs but mine is not one of those! This is just some poly wadding hanging on a rod. I've pinned the blocks on and it is easy to roll up and stash away with the blocks left in place. I made this a couple of years ago to use in my sewing room. But it is a small room and impossible to stand far enough away to get a good view. So I'm propping it on the built in bookshelf in the family room - much better viewing. 

Here are the latest blocks: 







The design wall has been invaluable in deciding on fabrics. It is quite tricky judging value without the 'big picture'. For instance, I had doubts about the vase block above - the toiles looked a bit washed out when I stitched it. But I really wanted to use the toiles, and now I'm thinking it is fine in the mix of blocks on the wall .

And here is a comment just for Janet at Mrs Sew n'sew in case she is reading. She has nearly finished her beautiful CWB quilt and has had lots of 'fun' with embroidery of eyes. Janet, I did add eyes to a couple of the birds with big heads - but they are applique :) How's that for compromise?

Some quilting started on Stars Meet Hexagons:


This is my first attempt at big stitch quilting on a quilt so am not quite sure what I'm doing, but I checked out a few blogs and got some ideas. I am using Aurifil size 12 thread - seems a good weight for this. Finding a needle was not so easy - I tried a few different ones and they were either too small in the eye to thread, or just too chunky/ thick for comfortable stitching. The one I'm using is a Tulip Hiroshima milliners in size 8. It glides through very nicely and for a such a long flexible needle seems very strong. My stitches are possibly on the small side for 'big stitch' but any larger looked out of balance on such small piecing. They are still a lot bigger than the than the more traditional quilting I did on my Four Block Applique

I'm very excited about a new project - Harrison Rose - just bought the paper pattern from Dawn and her daughter from their Etsy shop - thanks so much Dawn! Nancy of Tattered Garden Quilting ( one of my favourite inspirational blogs) featured it on her blog and I was so taken by the design and fabric colours she is using. It also is the perfect quilt for more hand quilting practice. The full size pattern includes wonderful quilting designs from the antique quilt.


It is cool and rainy here today - so welcome after a lot of hot, sticky days. These flowers in the garden are much more heat tolerant than I am!




41 comments:

  1. Wow, this is amazing, and I love the various shades of the backgrounds, some creamy, some lighter. You have a fabulous eye for all the prints and fussy cuts.

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  2. I love all the red fabric that you have used in this quilt and your stitching is fantastic! And I of course love all your flowers and so look forward to our spring in a couple months

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  3. Oh my I am just loving your red and white CWBQ. It always amazes me how reds go to gather and end up looking so good togather.

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  4. Oh my goodness . . . what you have done with just reds . . . makes me want to go out and start adding to my collection of red fabrics . . . we are getting snow now here in Canada.

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  5. Oh yes, this is a VERY interesting way you are doing your Brides top. I really like the color variation you
    chose.

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  6. Oh Hilda what a treat to see your gorgeous blocks together on your design wall. I love the new blocks! So many lovely fussy cut details to enjoy. Your Bird of Paradise tail looks just beautiful and I love your ostriches! I think your appliqued eyes work very well. :0)
    Your big stitch quilting looks great - The texture of that quilt is going to be fabulous!
    I was sorely tempted to order that pattern too after seeing Nancy's beautiful start on her blog but I'm determined to finish one of my big applique projects before I start another. Now that you say it comes with quilting patterns as well - even more tempting. I can't wait to see the fabrics you pull together to make it with!

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  7. Your Civil War Bride quilt is just incredible. LOVE the subtleties of using the same color palette.:)

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  8. Hello Hilda !!
    Well...every time I read one of your post, I'm on another planet.... Dear Hilda, you are a great, talented artist. Your CWB is going to be an awesome quilt !! You realized an incredible appliqué ! Wow.... bravo !!
    Hugs !

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  9. Hilda, you have been so busy. Your blocks ( and garden) look lovely!

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  10. Your CWB blocks look splendid. You have such a good eye for fabric selection. A lovely spot to hand quilt too......your hexie bag makes me want to make another one.

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  11. They are so stunning,,your Civil War Bride-blocks in these colours! I abolutely love this so quite personal way you are making this fabulous quilt.
    Kijd regards, Ageeth.

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  12. Your work is incredibly beautiful!

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  13. Your blocks looks great and your handquilting is perfect.

    Greetings, Manuela

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  14. I think your fabric choices are fantastic! Really love seeing this quilt done all in reds.

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  15. I love what your doing Hilda.
    Amazing work.!

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  16. very impressive blocks and will be a stunner when completed...

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  17. Your decision to use all reds was sheer genius. The blocks are amazing displayed together and I can wait to see the few remaining blocks. I've tried big stitch but my natural tendency is toward the small so I start out well but my stitches just get smaller and smaller as I go! Oh well! Your new project is a beautiful quilt and I look forward to seeing you put your own spin on it!
    You are such an inspiration for me!

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  18. Red and White Gorgeousness!! I have some sewing friends who have sent me a link to your blog - you are very popular among quilters in NJ!
    Your quilting is coming along nicely.
    Lovely lily and succulents - enjoy the rainy (and heat) from the blizzard of 2015

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  19. Hilda your quilt is absolutely fantastic. I love seeing what you produce and relatively quickly. So nice seeing your garden in bloom too it cheers me up know end on a very grey day here in the UK.

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  20. Hilda, your CWB is a candy for our eyes.
    Just love your choice and mixing the fabric.!!!

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  21. Hilda I must join with everyone else in saying how spectacular your work is. Your CWB in red is a show stopper. Thanks for the shout out about my Harrison Rose start. I can’t wait to see what you do with this pattern.

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  22. Each time you post your blocks I just have to take time a study your fabric choices. I agree with everyone else in saying your CWB is spectacular. How nice to be sitting outside stitching on your Stars and Hexagons. Red must have been your color last year. Love seeing the flowers in your garden as well.

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  23. Each time I see your red blocks I am enthralled with their beauty.

    I have the Harrison Rose pattern but have not decided on fabric for it yet.

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  24. I love your CWB blocks! It is such fun to look at the fabrics you are using. And I look forward to seeing your new project develop too!

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  25. Thanks for the close-up of the toile vase. I think it turned out lovely. It is so fascinating to see the blocks all together.

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  26. Wow, I just love your Civil War bird in red. I am planning on doing an appliqué quilt in blue and white and these photos will really help me to understand how to work in just two colors. Your garden flowers look great too!

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  27. Wonderful blocks. Just ♥ each and every one! Lovely garden too.
    ;^)

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  28. I have always admired this quilt when bloggers have posted their version but have never thought" wow" however, I do with your red and white/cream version, it's gorgeous! You are so meticulous with your applique, it makes such a difference to the end result having beautiful workmanship, your quilts have that in spades. Is that a Tiger Lily? Mum has some Jillian Wallace lilies in a couple of big pots, they are similar to yours but pink with dark spots down the petals, so pretty. Your garden glimpses make me think you have a really beautiful garden too! I bet you are a good cook as well, lol. These talents seem to go together. Happy Australia Day for Monday!

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  29. Your CWB is stunning, I love it in the reds!

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  30. Your CWB is a master piece. I love it. It really works well in reds and creams.

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  31. Your quilt is coming along so beautifully. When I look at each block I am amazed at how you can so skillfully work so many different reds into one block. I love the hexagon quilt too. I am curious to see how you like doing the big stitch. I haven't mustered the nerve to try it yet. It is after ll hard to teach an old dog... well you know. And as for your garden, well we had over 2 feet of snow on Tuesday so it is difficult now to imagine what lies underneath it waiting to emerge in the spring. Thanks for another great post.

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  32. The Cival war bride quilt I find a beautiful pattern, but, all in red is really beautiful!
    My compliments, it's really enjoy.

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  33. Wauw what a beautiful project. You are an artist! Nice you have visite mine blog from so far away. A great day and a great from holland:):): carina

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  34. Roberta Horton once said - All reds go together! What a perfect example of this in your applique - from light to dark and inbetween - you are a master!! Gorgeous work. And thank you for sharing the garden images - I had forgotten what green grass looked liked

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  35. Not only do I immensely enjoy seeing your applique and projects, it was a treat to see your garden. Snow and about zero degrees here where I am in the States right now :)

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  36. What a variety of gorgeous reds you are using for this quilt, Hilda! WOW! It is amazing!
    Your other projects are so beautiful too. The new pattern will be very pretty. I hope you have had a break in the dreadful heat!

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  37. OH MY!!!!!! Love your Civil War Bride quilt in reds! Just GORGEOUS! I am working on this quilt as well (although taking a bit of a break - it is very intense) but I love it in one color. And what is better than red. I also use Aurifil 12 for big stitch quilting. I did some research online to find out what needles to use. I use either a John James darner in size 3/9 or a Richard Hemming crewel needle in sizes 3/9. I believe this is what was recommended by Laura Simpson of Minick & Simpson. Send some heat this way - we are in the teens (F). Love your garden.

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  38. Wow! What a stunning quilt! Happy to have found your blog...

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  39. I found your blog through Faeries and Fibres Love Love Love your work! great fabric choices and wonderful hand work. I use 2 table clothes from the dollar store for a design wall the backing is perfect the blocks stick very well and then you can just roll it up and and put it away with your blocks on it. plus it was only 4 dollars for 2...LOL

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  40. My heart did a flutter when I saw your blocks, they are just so beautiful!!! You are making great progress. Such lovely garden photos,you have a perfect place for stitching there under a tree. I've never tried aurifil 12 for big stitching, I mostly use perle 8 , I'll look out for some auriful though.

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