Wednesday 2 March 2016

Civil War Bride in Red

Happy dance time - started in September 2014 and now completed!

It measures approx 170cm (67 in) by 173cm and is hand appliqued and hand quilted. Most blocks are from the Threadbear pattern but I made some changes and substitutions, a squirrel here, a rabbit there and this fruit bowl block. 


I just  had to have that fruit bowl from the antique quilt so had a go at drafting my own . Here is a pic of the antique quilt that inspired us all (in the  book "Treasury of American Quilts") and the 2009 Threadbear pattern next to it. 


I also drafted my own border but included some elements from within the pattern blocks - like pears, birds and this nest. 
I really enjoyed the process of adding my own elements, but also loved selecting the fabrics from my substantial moderate stash of reds. See ...Stash Building has its own rewards! But I expect I am preaching to the already converted?



A couple of pictures that I never shared of the end process after quilting...
The scary part where the edges got measured, squared and trimmed. Imagine one slip and off cutting through the hand quilting - eek!

Attaching hanging sleeve and binding: 

And where is the quilt now? I have to admit to being a complete coward and not washing this one as yet (visions of all the reds running riot). I think I'll just enjoy it on the wall for a while! I had a reshuffle of quilts around the house and it is now hanging in a hall opposite Lucy Boston...

...and around the corner from my Folk Art Basket quilt...

...and others are now taking a turn resting here...

Talking of Threadbear patterns...I've just received Corliss Searcey's Celebrating Mary Brown pattern and keep looking at it. It is huge and so inspiring! Anyone starting it? Just asking ...

The Southern Highlands Quilters put on a great biennial show last weekend - a feast for the eyes and lots of good shopping. It seems to get better every time and so nice to have a Show that is local for once. 
Shopping tables

more shopping - Reece Scannell
Collages of different favourite quilts for judging in the Show - :



lovely Christmas craft displays

Gorgeous embroidered items
If I had another lifetime I would love to delve into embroidery. But this one is just too full of quilting!

64 comments:

  1. So interesting to see all the different red prints you have used so effectively.

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  2. You're to be congratulated on an absolutely stunning work of art. I hope down the road that you'll enter it in shows often so other's can see what time, commitment, patience, and perseverance can achieve. Well done!

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  3. Beautiful quilts!! And so many of them you do beautiful work

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  4. You certainly know how to keep your needles busy!

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  5. So nice to see where you hang your quilts.I also have my Civil War Brides quilt hanging in the hall at the moment, - it's going off somewhere special next month and this should take the any creases out of it. I have bundles of red fabric and never use it. I only have a doll's quilt in red and white. Seeing yours always entices me to start one.

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  6. Your Civil War Bride is amazing. In some ways better than the original with all the different reds having to work together.Are you going to the Castlemaine Applique Group show in a couple of weeks? You must take at least a photo of your quilt if you are going, if not the whole Quilt to show them in the shop!

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  7. OMG, thos is wonderful! So much work and so quick!!' Thank you for sharing your house pictures, I loved to see how beautiful the quilts look on the walls :-)

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  8. You did a fantastic job redesigning the border,especially the birds; it looks amazing. I'm going to have a go at an applique border on one of my quilts, you've inspired me to start drawing up ideas. Well done on a wonderful finish.

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  9. Beautiful finish. Nice hallway for hanging and rotating quilts. I have waited and watched for Corlis Searcy's new pattern and then on the day it was available I kept looking back and forth between the Carswell quilt and Mary Brown, and, I ordered Carswell. I will enjoy watching your progress on Mary Brown

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  10. Your quilts are spectacular... thanks for the opportunity to see them.

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  11. Absolutely stunning!!! I can't thank you enough for posting such wonderful pictures of your work - it is just perfect. I can't imagine all of the hand work (I just wish I lived on your side of the earth so I could beg for a class in hand appliqué :o)) not only on the appliqué, but also on the hand quilting. A truly stunning, stunning quilt!! Congratulations!!!! Well Done!!!!

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  12. Amazing, it is just great to see of of these wonderful quilts, congratulations on that beautiful, gorgeous quilt! You are so talented just to be able to do that with one color and still keep it interesting and full of depth. Quite an accomplishment, something to be really proud of!

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  13. The quilt in red is gorgeous, just love it. The others hanging are looking great as well. Greetings

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  14. Congratulations for your gorgeous quilt Hilda ! I saw it on IG and I was impatient to admire it on your blog.... Thanks to you, I have learnt a practical method to hang the quilt ... sewing the sleeve with the binding is clever !
    Thank you for sharing !

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  15. O what a beauty all these red colors matching perfectly. Love it.

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  16. Congratulations on a stunning finish! I have started twice, but didn't like the way it was going - third time lucky maybe :)

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  17. Oh my goodness Hilda, it is so beautiful. What I want to know is when I will see an exhibition of YOUR works? What a gorgeous collection you have created, and I love that they are hanging on the walls to be enjoyed. I am inspired every single time I visit your blog.

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  18. Such an amazingly beautiful quilt!
    I love the personal interpretations you added to the pattern as you went along.
    They made for such a unique and Stunning finish.
    It looks so lovely hanging with your other remarkable quilts...Congratulations!

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  19. Congratulations on another exquisite finish! :)

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  20. Beautiful hand work and what a great feeling you must have now after completing your CWB.

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  21. Congratulations, your Civil War Bride is stunning, wonderful quilt.
    Greetings,
    Sylvia

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  22. What a treasure, Hilda! Your house looks like a quilt museum. Thank you, as always, for your wonderful inspiration.

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  23. Breathtaking! thanks for sharing the show photos too.

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  24. She is beautiful! I love the reds. The Mary Brown quilt is lovely, she looks like a quilt you would make. Thank you for sharing your creative works. Blessings, Gretchen

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  25. Wow... I love the way you used the reds in this quilt... taking a classic type of quilt and to my way of thinking making it modern and fresh without changing the charm. Just blown away by it.

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  26. Hilda - can you post what type of batting you used? I was wondering about the difficulty of hand sewing through the quilt top, batting, and backing. Thank you.

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  27. Wow--such a beautiful finish--love it! Your fabric choices are so wonderful--like the butterfly wings--and your personal touches make it even more special. Congrats on a lovely quilt! I would be very nervous to wash it also--looks great hanging just as it is!

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  28. Lovely finish! Love you quilting choice and custome border.
    Your gallery hall of quilts is so pretty.

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  29. The play of light over all those luscious reds in your applique is gorgeous...a beautifully finished quilt Hilda! Love your binding fabric too - everything about this quilt just keeps the eye wanting to linger and study up close!

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  30. Your CWB is simply breath-taking. I particularly love the fact that you added your own personal touches to make it unique! I've told so many people about this quilt and encouraged them to visit your blog to have a look and be inspired. I was just given a book with the block patterns so it might just go on my very long "to-do" list!

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  31. Your work is totally awesome! Each quilt you complete is a masterpiece. What a wonderful gallery you have in your home to display your works of art. (I don't think I would wash it either.)

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  32. I would love to walk through your house and drool over your wonderful quilts! This one is one of my favorites. Love the not so simple color blends that make up such a brilliant looking quilt!

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  33. I'm in love ...... with you quilt :-)
    So beautiful I have not seen him.
    Now enjoy every day!
    Greetings,
    Floor

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  34. What a fantastic achievement! I was particularly interested when you mentioned squaring and trimming your quilt. I have no idea how to go about that job. I am keen to know more about the process.
    I must say, your quilts hang beautifully.

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  35. So unbelievably beautiful. I still am in awe that you made it with just 2 colors and in such a short time - handquilting and everything! I was looking at your pictures last night with my 8 year old and she was pointing out all the similarities and differences with mine (still in progress). We both enjoyed it so much! She especially liked your bunny :0) How wonderful to display it so beautifully!

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  36. Your quilts are gorgeous Hilda. I love the way you have them hanging on your walls. How do you hang them.
    I really love your bridal quilt. You have inspired me, and I'm taking mine out of the box NOW to start prepping some more blocks. I may have asked you already, but what method do you use for your Hand Applique. I started mine ( 3 blocks ) with invisible machine applique, but it doesn't thrill me to do. I think thats why Ive left it in the box. :-)

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  37. Lovely lovely finish. You have such a great eye for color and contrast. Beautiful quilting too!

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  38. Your Civil War Bride quilt is just stunning in "reds".....I think an all red quilt just may be on my bucket list

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  39. So intricate and precise, so lovely too!

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  40. Congratulations on finishing your version of the "civil war bride". It looks wonderful hanging with your other fabulous quilts. I am interested in how you hang them... Want fittings do you use on the wall?

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  42. Just amazing....this quilt and all of your work. I, too, would be interested in knowing what batting you use when handquilting.

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  43. Oh my! Wonderful post. Congratulations on finishing another master piece. Thanks for sharing the photos from the show. Cheers.

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  44. Absolutely beautiful work Hilda. Just started following your blog and am so amazed at your beautiful creations. Keep using that wonderful talent you have and delight us in those beautiful quilts. You inspire me to do more.

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  45. Truly Amazing and you should be very proud of all that work. It was worth every stitch to have it hanging on your wall for everyone to enjoy.

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  46. A real beauty for sure! You quilted it so quickly!

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  47. What an amazing work of beauty have you done by creating your very own Civil War Bride quilt! So special, in the lovely reds, your applique is perfect (as always) and I love your beautiful quilting stitches (and pattern!). An other quilt to enjoy for ever and to add to your wonderful quilt collection. You really inspire me (and yes, I saw Mary Brown, but do not think I have time to start at her yet, but she is soooo tempting).

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  48. Your Civil War Bride quilt is simply breathtakingly beautiful! I am awestruck.

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  49. This is the first album type quilt I have seen done in one color. It's just beautiful beyond words and a real inspiration.

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  50. It is splendid! Another completed masterpiece!! I love everything about it. I'd be a little afraid to wash it too. :)
    Looks like a fun show to attend.

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  51. Wow, it dazzles me, your quilts are so beautiful! I love the wedding quilt for your daughter's wedding, it's gorgeous!

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  52. AMAZING!! WOW, such a beautiful quilt.

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  53. Your Civil War Bride quilt is BEAUTIFUL!!!! Congratulations!

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  54. Beautiful!! Your work is stunning. :)

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  55. I agree with all the other comments just STUNNING...................

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  56. Oh my goodness, this quilt is absolutely gorgeous - and such a work of art. I really appreciate the close up photographs, amazing seeing all those reds plus such beautiful handwork. Benjamin Biggs is lovely too, that will be another masterpiece when quilted :-) It sounds like you really enjoyed the show too, local is always a bonus!

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  57. I have loved this red and white quilt from the moment that I saw it..it is just beautiful!!! How many years did it take to collect all those fabrics that you used??Great job, well done!

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  58. What a beautiful quilt! Very inspirational. Congratulations with the result. Greetings from Holland, crea Jane

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  59. Your CWB is awesome! I would never be able to hang quilts in a hallway. My beloved would be forever snagging things on them. They look fabulous.

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  60. That is incredibly beautiful, you must be a very self disciplined person to be able to use the one colour. Are you planning to do the same with the Caswell Quilt. I am thinking of using Kaffe Fassett fabrics for Mary brown.

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  61. I have just discovered your blog. Best ever! I wish I lived in Australia! I would love to not be alone in my choices of quilts, and fabric choices. I'm also the only one of my friends who still hand quilts. So lovely to share with you

    Your quilts are stunning and a total inspiration to me. I'm going to read your blog from the beginning.

    Please tell me how many hours a day you work on your stitching?

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  62. I have just discovered your blog. Best ever! I wish I lived in Australia! I would love to not be alone in my choices of quilts, and fabric choices. I'm also the only one of my friends who still hand quilts. So lovely to share with you

    Your quilts are stunning and a total inspiration to me. I'm going to read your blog from the beginning.

    Please tell me how many hours a day you work on your stitching?

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  63. Wow! Big congratulations on your Civil War Bride, what a beauty! All your work is fantastic :-)
    xx

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  64. O.M.G.!!!!! I'd be doing a happy dance too. That is a truly spectacular quilt - I'm speechless.

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