one border to go

It is so hard to get a good photo of this quilt as it grows.  I guess this will be last one as I have one more border to go.

 

I have just one more skinny border to add, and then I can attach to final border.  So far it has taken me 2 months to make the top.

 I went through my scrap boxes again to find the fabrics.  They are totally random selections, and some are precious little bits I have been hanging on to for years.

 If I finish the top by the end of the coming week, then I will complete the entry into the Sydney quilt show in June.  Entries close on the 8th of March.  That gives me 3 months to get it finished.  I am pretty sure I could do it.  It will just be a case of all my spare sewing time being devoted to this project.   The weather is so unpleasantly hot at the present, does not feel nice to sit and sew.  I have the ceiling fans going, and trying to get a cross breeze with the doors and windows open.

Priscilla

The latest block of the "Pieces of the Past" sampler BOM is now available to download on the Legend and Lace website.  This block has many names, and I have used the most common, which is Priscilla.  I also found a number of star type names for it, and one really strange name - Lost Children!  How on earth did it get that name?  Does anyone know the history?

This is a relatively simple block, but you get the chance to use some of your pretty fabric.  I used a paisly in the centre of mine, but you could also use a large floral, or applique something on top of it.  Your block - your choice! 

The cost is $4.50 per block.  You get a photo of the block, with instructions to complete it; a drawing of the block, and full sized templates.  All blocks will stay on the website and you can buy them at any time in the future.

Only one more month to go now.  The last one is not the easiest I am sorry to say, but when it is done you are then finished.  With the last block I will give you instructions on completing the quilt.  Then, I will expect to see some completed photos.

Actually, I would quite like to see some photos right now.  We could have a little "show and tell" right here.  So, if you have some finished blocks, and there should be quite a few done, then please email them to me Wendy@legendandlace.com

Simply Scrappy

Another date for your diary!  May 3rd - Penny and I are having another of our FAMOUS scrap quilt days.  We have 3 new quilts to offer you

Zig Zag Lightening

Scrappy Trip Around the World

 

 

Cracker Jack

All these fabulous quilts are made from scraps or strips cut off of Fat Quarters or widths of fabric.  No need to buy new fabrics, and they can be made large or small - what ever you want.

Come along and join our day.  The cost is $40, which included lunch and morning and afternoon.  Once again, we will be at St Paul's Lutheran Church at McLaren Vale, South Australia, 9.30am to 3.30 pm.

please email Wendy@LegendandLace.com or Penny at anpv@ozemail.com.au to book your spot.

Applique School

This coming April 6 will be the first Applique School at Threadbear Patchwork and Quilting, at Castlemaine in Victoria.  There will be 4 tutors for the day, teaching 4 different applique methods.  Robyn Fallon will be doing reverse applique; Margaret McDonald, needleturn applique; Di Ford for Broderie Perse; and ME Wendy Whellum, for back-basting applique.  I am thrilled to be included with this list of well regarded and talented teachers. All details of the classes can be obtained from this link.

Each class participant will spend a portion of the day with each tutor learning their particular method, and getting all the tips that make it work.  Even if you are a seasoned applique-er you will learn something.

When I first started patchwork - hmm  ....many years ago, I always wanted to do applique, and it just seemed far too hard.  I read all the books and magazines, and tried it, but I could not get the hang of it.  Finally I went to a class - applique 6 ways.  Well, can you believed there are 6 ways?  There are and I got to try them all, and you can then work out which one suits you best.  Being of a disposition where I like to eliminate all steps possible, I finally chose the one that suited me best, which was drawing the design on the top of the fabric.  That is, until I found the "back-basting" method.  Now, this truly is the easiest in MHO.

Come join us (if you can) on the 6th April in the beautiful Victorian town of Castlemaine in Victoria.  It is an old gold mining town, and there are lots of antique shops, and lovely places to stay, and have a coffee and cake.  My DH is coming too and is going to bring along his brand new and expensive gold detecting gadget.  I have warned him I will be busy, so he will have to carry all the gold home on his own!

Stop Press!!!  I have heard that the phones have not stopped ringing at Threadbear since this was announced.  Get in quick!       ph  03 5472 1881

Rose Garden - Block 7

Another Rose of Sharon!  There are heaps of them if you look through the reference books.

I have been basking in the luxury of having not much to do over the last few weeks, and suddenly it is February and it is all go go again.  I am pleased that I managed to get this block made several weeks ago.  It is now available on the Legend and Lace website to be downloaded.

Yesterday, my regular Sit n Sew group at Hettie's Patch started up again, and it was lovely to see the familiar faces, and get time to chat and catch up.  This is a "hand sewing only" group that I run on the first Saturday of the month, in the rooms of the most beautiful patchwork shop.  It is truly inspirational to sit amongst so many delectable fabrics for 3 hours.  I showed off my Mrs Vigors (renamed "out of the closet") and one or two of the girls were interested in making that one with me.  Let me know if you would like to try it as well, and you can join us.

The group is open to anyone who wants to do applique, English Paper Piecing, traditional template piecing, hand quilting - you name it, we can do it.

On the Third Saturday of the month, I have anther hand sewing only group, and we are moving from McLaren Flat to The Sewing Sanctuary at Aldinga.  Once again, hand sewing only, and anyone is welcome to join in.  Please contact me, Wendy@legendandlace.com, or the shop on (08) 8556 533.  This shop has one of the best local collections of Reproduction fabrics I have seen, and I am excited about working there as well.