Tri-Panel Quilt

I have finally been able to find the binding and finish the Oriental Quilt I have been working on for the past 2 - 3 years.

The pattern I used was Leesa Chandler's 'Southern Jewels 2". 

An Oriental Border Print was an easy choice for the main panels however finding "Just the right" fabric choices for the rest was a bit harder to decide on.

All it needs is a label and a Name...

"Eastern Jewels" perhaps?

Mahal Magic - and Cricket

As they say - If you don't like the weather in Melbourne, Just wait 5 minutes!
Yesterday we had it all - Hot, Wind, Thunder, Rain, Cold, more Heat, Humidity.

The weather being unsettled meant that I was unsettled - I needed to put my feet up but my hands wanted to DO something.
So I settled on the couch with a Quilt that I was part way through binding, reached for the remote and turned on the Cricket.

All of me was happy!

Australia was playing India in the Sydney Test match - and then I realised - spread out between me and the TV was ....  Mahal Magic from Leesa Chandler's Passage to India fabric range.


The Test Match will continue for another 2 days (If India lasts that long), but the Quilt is finally finished.

Here is a close up of the quilting -

The pattern is called "Joust" - an all over design quilted by Desley Maisano that just seemed to fit the Indian Theme of the Quilt.

It's Finished

Last week I put the last stitch into my very beautiful "Under the Australian Sun" Quilt.  It was certainly the most binding I have ever sewn and it took me 4 nights to hand stitch it.

Designed by Leesa Chandler to showcase her range of Australian Wild flower prints, featuring the spectacular Waratah, Kangaroo Paw and Flannel Flowers.  I chose the Brown/Orange colour-way rather than the Black and Red to compliment my furniture.

At 93" x 88" I decided to entrust it to Desley from Addicted to Quilts in Melbourne who beautifully quilted it in an all over windblown leaves pattern.  I think it compliments the backing fabric perfectly.





I tweaked the design of the quilts block and pieced the backing giving an added bonus, the quilt is also reversible!

OK.... I am really pleased with the result so here is another photo.....   ;-D



And I would like to thank Desley for turning my Quilt Top in to a beautiful Quilt.

I've been busy....

I know Wednesday comes around every week at exactly the same time - but - some weeks just seem a lot shorter than others!

I have finished my version of Mahal Magic.  It is slightly different to Leesa's in that I have rotated the feature blocks so that there is not 2 prints in any one column,  added another 2 feature strips - top and bottom - as well as making the border frame the quilt with mitred corner posts made from the feature stripe.

Once that was carefully folded and placed in the "How am I going to quilt this?" basket, it was back to Heart's Desire.

I have been trying to remember where I left off with the remaining 3 'Flowers for Me' blocks - especially the saw-tooth borders and also finding out that I have left off some of the thorns from 2 of the stems.... more unpicking!  I hope to be able to get these finished today so I can get on with assembling these 3 blocks and finishing off the centre of the quilt.

Also, you may notice I have a new button on my sidebar.  We finally have a name for the long awaited new Mystery BOM. "Forget Me Not" is about to be launched - just when is up to the designer.  Personally I am happy to wait as it gives me more time to work on Hearts Desire.

Mahal Magic and Chocolates

This week I have been working on my KIT Challenge Quilt.
The idea was to get some of those Kits we all like to acquire at Shows and Conventions and from the ever tempting on-line offers off our shelves and onto the machine.

My choice was the Mahal Magic Quilt - using the Passage to India range of fabrics.  Fortunately for me the design of this quilt is simple and intended to showcase feature fabrics or small panels. I just have the borders to do and the top is finished and I will just wait until it is cooler to quilt it. (Knowing Melbourne - that may be tomorrow!)

For some of the world today is Valentines Day -
So I hope it has been a pleasant day for you all.
For me it was a box of Chocolate coated Macadamia Nuts and a Pink Rose bud from the garden.
....... at least he remembered!

Look what the Postman brought me.........

Under the Australian Sun #2.....

 .....I have had this on order - sight unseen - since before Christmas, and it certainly does not disappoint. Ordering a fabric line sight unseen may be deemed risky by some

but I knew if  "Australian Sun #2" was anything like the first instalment it would be awesome, especially when I was told that it was going to feature Full Scale Aussie Butterflies!

I chose the blue colourway for these pieces.

...and the Violet/Purple for the main fabric.
(I know - the photo looks Navy but it is actually Purple)
Those flowers are Banksias and Clematis with some 'Happy Wanderer' thrown in

...now all I need to do is....

Work out what I am going to make with it!

The next line on the Instructions said........

Stand Back and Admire your completed Quilt Top!

....and that was it! 

Time for a well deserved celebratory cuppa.

At 88" x 92"  'Under the Australian Sun' will be the largest Quilt I have made.

I am very pleased with the way it went together - It certainly was a quick quilt to make, and provided some very favourable exclamations as family walked by the room.

The large floral print is of Australian Native Flowers mainly the Waratah, with Bottle Brush, and white Flannel Flowers.  It is not a panel but an all over print with the main flower being a spectacular 7" !

If you are interested in the fabrics that I have used - Check them out at www.chandlerscottage.com you will find the entire range of this fabric in Leesa's shop, Fabric by Culture/Australian.

Now you may ask.... what do I spy under the coffee table? 

... Just the fabric I received in the post for Mahal Magic!  The first quilt in the Culture Club series - First stop INDIA!



(PS: If you 'click' on the photo twice you will get a really good look at the fabric)

Work In Progress - WOW Wednesday

This week, I have been working on my "Under the Australian Sun" Quilt.
I am pleased to say that given NO INTERRUPTIONS tomorrow -- I might Just be able to finish the top.

Ahead of me is matching the seams for 20 posts and their corresponding sashing.

Now THAT will tell if my 1/4" seams were accurate!

Oh WOW ...........

That was my first reaction when I saw Leesa Chandler's beautiful 'Under the Australian Sun' range of fabrics
Designed by our own Leesa (she's a Melbourne Girl too), made by Robert Kaufman Fabrics and launched at the Australian Quilt Convention 2010.

I thought I had plenty of time to make this Quilt - BUT NO....Leesa has just launched the first of her Culture Club Series and we will be treated to a new fabric and projects to match every SIX MONTHS as we go on a trip around the world.

First stop is India, the fabrics are also divine. And then I have it on good authority that Australian Sun #2 will be out around Christmas.......  Oh dear.......

Today sees me getting a 'move on' and cutting out this beautiful quilt.



[PS:  The fabric range in the photo has been retired - so if you are thinking about getting some - Pick them up while you can.]