Saturday 14 June 2014

A start to my daughter's Auntie Green

The original antique quilt was made by Mary Anne Wellen (Auntie Green) in 1860 in London and passed down to her Australian family. There are large photos in this magnificent book The Fabric of Society - Australia's Quilt Heritage from Convict Times to 1960 by Annette Gero. I have done much perusing...



Irene Blanck's pattern is a lovely version of the quilt - finishing at 90" by 78". I was so thrilled when this pattern was first released and bought it straight away. It has been on The To Do List  for a while and I 've watched  Carole's version growing beautifully. 

My quilt will be based on Irene's pattern but I will make a little tweak here and there - just when I might want to follow the original antique more closely. Here is Irene's pattern: 

Starting with the centre panel:
 I decided to go with a basket similar to the antique in the book pictures.  I just love lattice baskets/vases and I have appliqued a few of these in the past on some Baltimore blocks ( still not finished ).

So I sketched one here - a bit simpler than the antique - to place on top of (and blend with) Irene's pattern.

I made a few 1/4" bias strips and wove them in place...ready to hand applique.



Pretty happy with how that looks so selected fabrics for stem bias too...

I knew this neutral colour palette would be difficult to photograph - it is not a grey background - more of a warm cream but the lighting was not good for those photos! The background fabric is Kona Ivory.

A couple more photos of the centre applique coming along...and different lighting, looking a different colour again ..grrr. Starting some needleturn applique leaves and flowers. 



Benjamin Biggs Block 6 is done. I used the same fabric for the berries as in Block 3 - with fussy cut centres again. 
The background for these blocks is Kona Ivory - the same as for Auntie Green - though you might not know it looking at the photos above!
While I have been blogging it has gone from rain and solid cloud cover .....to brilliant sunshine. Time for a brisk winter walk I'm thinking! 

27 comments:

  1. Love your version of Aunty Green with all the different neutral fabrics. The woven basket looks great in cream. Lovely fussy cutting for your latest Benjamin Biggs. Thanks for mentioning my AG :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very neat basket design!! Going to be a great top with all the neutrals!! Will be fun to watch you progress on this

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think your Auntie green in neutrals is going to be stunning. Lighting is always an issue in photos but I definitely get the idea, what you've done looks great. Very tempted to do this one myself, I think I'd enjoy the appliqué once I got over the trauma of selecting fabrics! Lovely appliqué on your bb block.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Very impressed that you are creating your own design variations. It is looking good!

    ReplyDelete
  5. love your quilt and I must look and see if I can find this book - I bet it cost a fortune here

    ReplyDelete
  6. You've made so much progress on your Auntie Green!! It looks beautiful! Its going to be unique done in all of your soft neutrals. Your BB block is lovely :0)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lovely quilts. I have been away for several weeks and missed several of your posts. I bought the AG pattern in Melbourne last year; and it is on my to do list. It will be fun to see your progress and your beautiful fabrics. Thanks for sharing. Now back to read your older posts.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Neutral fabrics are a wonderful idea, less is more, and it will be stunning to see the quilt lines appear on the back when it is finished. How do you achieve the 1/4" bias--with a bar?

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm sure your quilt will be gorgeous ! The neutral fabrics is a good idea !
    And your BB block is soooo cute !!!
    Bravo ! (In French ! Lol )

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your Auntie Green is looking fabulous in the mellow neutrals! Can't wait to see what else you do.:)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I like the fabrics you have chosen. I have always admired this one too. Not sure I will ever get to it. It seems that Baltimore Garden will consumme my life for a couple more years. LOL I learned with BG that if your making lattice baskets with straight weaves it is better to cut your fabric on the straight of grain so they don't give like bias ones. I love doing lattice baskets too, but they do take some time.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love how your making AG's quilt your very own choosing neutrals.
    I have that book and AG's quilt is on my to do list as is a couple more from in that book.
    I look forward to seeing your progress on this quilt.
    Julia ♥.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Aunty Green is going to be beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am looking forward to watching this one grow. The colors are so different, but so soothing.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am a neutral lover. Im so going to enjoy watching your project for your daughter come together.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Hilda - I've been wondering if you would like another daughter. If so I am available and in need of one of your fabulous quilts. I love the neutral palette your daughter chose. I think it will make for a very elegant and timeless quilt. I also like the lattice basket for the same reasons!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your ability to draw is such a gift! Love how you are making this quilt with your own touches. What a treat fir us to follow along...Happy stitching!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Your AG looks amazing already!! It must be very strange working in a neutral palette.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Your version of Auntie Green is looking just wonderful. Your touches are making it so special.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Your Auntie Green quilt for your daughter's wedding gift is turning out Fabulous!
    What a fun challenge to create this quilt in neutral colors! You have a great eye for color and your skills are exquisite. This will be a treasured quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  21. You've got a great start to your Auntie Green quilt. I'm so intrigued with your color choice.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I admire your work, your sketching and applique! Eager to follow the improvement!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love your woven basket. I think all the neutrals are looking quite rich and wonderful. It is shaping up to a marvelous quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  24. your auntie green quilt is going to look amazing, such a lovely start.
    your block 6 is so beautiful too, I admire your needleturn skills.

    ReplyDelete
  25. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  26. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  27. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete