Farmhouse Kitchen Basket Quilt finish!

I have finished the Farmhouse Kitchen Baskets Quilt!  

There is considerable deviation from the original pattern, but that is no reflection on the original designer Ann Horton. I found this pattern in magazines that a friend was clearing out of her sewing room, it was published in USA magazine Quilters Newsletter over three editions in 2008.  

The original design included a nine patch border and the basket blocks were off set, but while I loved both of these design elements in the end the quilt was big enough  and I didn't have enough of the fabrics to make the border - I started making the nine patches, but it just was not working - I didn't have enough of the right colours.  

I started this quilt back in 2012 when I was the mother of a 4 and 6 year old, trying to work part time and we lived in Adelaide.  So much as changed since then!  This quilt has been on more quilt retreats then I care to mention!  I unpicked numerous blocks (more then I care to admit) when I realized that some were way too small.  Unpicking triangles results in stretched pieces, so I ended up remaking some blocks.  

 I enjoyed piecing the baskets.  But loved appliqueing the fruit.  I have a thing about fruit themed patchwork, so making a full size quilt with fruit on it makes my heart sing!

 I cannot remember ever using black in a full size quilt, or orange! So it was a joy to enjoy using both colours in this quilt.

  I really love the bright clear fabrics  and adore the patterned background prints.  Don't get me wrong, I am still a reproduction girl at heart, but there will be more fun in the future, using the leftover backgrounds in another quilt!

And rick rack...who doesn't love rick rack for a basket handle?!  But once again this is the first time I have used it in a quilt.

First time I have also used a pale backing - but so perfect for this quilt.  Plus it enabled me to use a red binding, which looked perfect on the front and back.  

Lots of firsts in this quilt.  Lots I love.
My local long-arm quilter and friend Vicki Jenkin has quilted an overall design (sorry forgot the pattern name) and used cotton wadding - which I really love. She did a great job and was spot on picking out the pattern for me - its more involved then a stipple, but just melts into the background so the blocks can shine. 

The only thing left to do is wash this quilt.  I will wait until the weather is warmer, but I will not be giving it away, until I have washed it with multiple Colour Catchers and hope that the red is not going to run....fingers crossed!

Happy quilting Sue.

Piecing in Portland 5

Another UFO that has been sitting in a box waiting for attention.  Really all I did was sew four seams and this was a finished top!  But I had been deliberating about offsetting the rows.  In the end we decided the straight setting was perfect. 

This is a big quilt.  Too big (and white) to take out into the winter wind on the rocks.  And so big it drapes nicely over the bed, but not so great for photos. 

 I might have finished this quilt top and found yet another perfectly matching backing for my quilt!  

(I tell you Widebacks has a great range!)

BUT this one is going to sit awhile before I come to a decision about how to ask the long armer to quilt it...and find the money!

This neglected wall hanging got dragged to Portland.  I loved the pattern but didn't read it before hand and just assumed it was a little wallhanging.  But it is not.  So the temptation to make it bigger, eg lap size was great.

Vicki helped me with the maths to get the Raspberry flying geese to work.  I had cut them all out with the Go cutter, so I was sure they were correct.  But let me assure you I spent a lot of time unpicking and re sewing seams to get them to fit.  Obviously my original quarter inch seam in the first place was not true.  So after a fair bit of mucking around it all worked out just fine.

I am in love with this Raspberry shade of red.  

But this project is going back in its box for me to contemplate its future eg. does it get another border and if so is it flying geese?

Happy quilting Sue.