Dresden Plates and Sisters

The hot humid weather got the better of me yesterday and I left the house open in the hope we might get a breeze or that much promised rain. A few drops in the morning and that was all. As soon as I closed the house and turned the air conditioner on, my sewing room was the coolest place to be and LOTS of work happened!

In the class I took last weekend I completed ONE Dresden Plate.  But I had cut and made half the wedges for the remaining eight plates.  Yesterday I sat and stitched and ironed as well as cut and turned points until I made SEVEN plates....

 There is one plate left to make - I just need to check that is has sufficient diversity of fabric combinations and then I can finish piecing the plates - they are currently in three sections.  Because the plates are appliqued onto the backgrounds (machine applique is looking good), this could well be the quickest quilt I have ever made!  Hmmm, I still have to buy the background fabric..I am thinking white with a pink spot, but I guess that depends on what they have at the shop....hmmm shopping!

My hand piecing has been going gang busters - this is my Cheddar Sister, minus one diamond.  I have run out of paper diamonds...again!  Hettie's have got some on order for me, cos they had run out of them as well! :(

But while I am waiting (and letting my aching wrists have a holiday) I though I would ask for some opinions from my audience (that means YOU) about my colour combinations.  I was planning on making seven "sisters" - the next one under construction is chocolate brown..... 

 

Then I am told these are called "madder reds".  It wasn't my intention to have ALL dark reds, I wanted bright reds as well.  Some of the other sisters have more light/dark combinations in them.

 But the one bright red star I had made has ended up with the pinks.  Now I am thinking of ditching the chocolate sister, and having a madder red sister, fire engine red sister and an all pink sister.

 What do you think about that ? 

Is if fair to ditch the chocolate sister?  Chocolate is usually my friend, I feel harsh!

Or should I have more colours and make extra sisters? 

And while I am asking questions can anyone tell me if my EXTRA large photos take too long to down load when you are reading my blog?  Just out of interest as I noticed most people don't have such big pictures on their blogs...just wondering why?!

I use to cross stitch, before I became a patchworker.  Now I just admire, but if you love cross stitch there are some gorgeous FREE patterns to be found here at Freebie Gallery.

I hope your having a fun long weekend....for the majority of Australia that are experiencing one!
Happy quilting Sue SA.