Elm Grove Patchwork

Settling On My Next Quilt.

After an unplanned break it is so lovely to be back stitching again. I've well and truly settled on my new project, another hexagon creation, this time using half inch papers. I have surprised myself, as I was convinced I could never work with lower than 5/8th inch size, but I am really enjoying this smaller challenge.

I've been inspired by an antique quilt dating back to 1830, which was also made of half inch hexagons. It features hexagons, sewn into star formations. In contemplating this new quilt, I decided it was not going to be about fussy cutting, more about colour and pattern. I want a quilt that has a smudgy worn look to it, I want to move away from the strong contrast that I have used in the past. Therefore, as the background I am using a teal print from Anne's English Scrapbox fabric by Di Ford-Hall.

I love the colour and the sprinkling of little flowers throughout the design. It is just perfect.

Here is the first block.

 

Seems I didn't quite achieve the low contrast look I was hoping for....It is just natural for me to be drawn to high contrast. And those pink little clusters.....can I really live without fussy cutting?

Second block.

I could not bring myself to not fussy cut, despite numerous conversations with myself....keep it simple.......stick to the plan....low contrast..... I had to do it. Fussy cut with high contrast, but I think I made progress with just three clusters.

Onto the third block.

I was so determined that fussy cutting was not going to be the focus of this quilt.  I found a busy, pale mauve fabric in my stash and quickly cut three hexagons and basted them over the papers. I was really hoping the busy fabric would work for the six clusters. As they lay in front of me, I could see a lovely little surprise forming in the centre. The deal was sealed, no point avoiding it. Fussy cutting it was to be, but in a very subtle manner. I don't think I could be happy without it. I want to create quilts that are interesting and have hidden little surprises. Fussy cutting certainly enables this.

As for the quest for low contrast and smudgy... I am going to keep working on it. I figure I need some blocks that are higher contrast so I won't discard any yet.

Happy stitching!

Yikes, only 13 Weeks till AQC

Well I have really scared myself today. The Australasian Quilt Convention (AQC) is exactly 13 weeks away.   It starts on Thursday 16th April 2020, the week straight after Easter and the first week kids are back at school for term two. It really is a great show, definitely the best quilting show in Australia for the year. If you haven't been before, it is worth making the trip to Melbourne. There is still time to plan some leave from work, organise flights and accomodation, which actually will be cheaper as it is not school holidays. Go on, do it! I am sure you won't be disappointed.

I have been working on a new project with lots of fussy cut stars.

but with Dad's passing, I'm finding it hard to sit and hand sew. I always end up thinking of dad and I can't sew with tears in my eyes. I've decided  to let it sit for a while, hopefully not too long.

So I have started a new machine pieced project, one that requires accurate piecing and lots of focused attention. I am enjoying it.

It's nice to be back creating again.

A USA supplier for Maggie Maguire's Garden pattern

I have some lovely news. The ladies who own Homestead Hearth, a beautiful quilt shop in Missouri, USA,  are going to be stocking Maggie Maguire's Garden pattern in their shop, and they have also decided to run it as a block of the month program. If you are living in the USA, please check out their website here, there are details of the program they are offering, and the chance to register your interest.

There has also been a facebook group commence for Maggie Maguire. I am very thankful to Donna who lives in NSW for starting this group. It is called Maggie Maguire's Garden by Lenora Jenkins. It is a closed group, but if you are interested in making the quilt or have begun, please just ask to join. It is fabulous to see people sharing the beautiful hexagon flowers they are making, and so inspiring for those not so familiar with fussy cut hexagons. 

I've had a lot of fun in the shop over the past few weeks. The special event we held on Grand Final eve was a great success. Lots of ladies visited the shop and a lovely group stayed on to sew in the hall. Once again I got so caught up in the occasion I did not think to take any photo's. So sorry. It will certainly be on again next year, so please mark the date, I expect it to be 25th September 2020.

Maggie Maguire's Garden

In November last year I revisited some hexagon flowers that had languished in the back of my cupboard for just over a year. I was working to replicate an antique quilt, that was mostly browns, blues and golds. I think it was the restriction of colour that was causing my dislike of the project, so I decided to abandon the idea and work on something else restrictive. 

With the goal of the Australasian Quilt Convention in sights, I set myself the challenge of having a quilt finished by March 2019. November, December and January were quite productive, but our annual harvest on the farm, Christmas and the summer school holidays did slow my work rate. By February panic set it. There was so much to do; if only I had worked harder earlier. By this stage the fussy cutting was getting challenging, I felt I had used all my best fabrics, but some new arrivals into the shop spurred me on.

With some late nights, and early mornings, sewing in the car, at the hairdressers and the school bus stop, I managed to complete the quilt top on the train, just before my meeting with Helen Hayes who had kindly agreed to machine quilt it for me.

With some more late nights writing the pattern, then printing and packaging them, I was delighted to finally release Maggie Maguire's Garden at AQC yesterday.

There are a total of 168 hexagon flowers,  4232 individual hexagons. Despite the exhaustion of the last month, it really has been a lovely project to work on. Lots of 'Oh Wow' moments when fussy cutting has produced a lovely flower, and lots of family discussion about what flower was the nicest. 

If your coming along to AQC, pop by my stall #73 and take a look, I'd love to see you. 

A New Quilt, Sharna Grace

I've been working on a new quilt, made with the lovely fresh Ambleside fabric. It is an easy pattern and very quick to sew together. My daughter, Sharna who helps out in the shop loves this fabric, so I have made the quilt for her and named it in her honour. 

Sharna Grace.

And today just happens to be Sharna's birthday, so happy 15th birthday my darling, hope you love the quilt. 

I am making up kits and will have them at AQC.....which is next week!  Yikes, better keep moving.

Homespun Project

If you are looking to make an early start on your Christmas stitching, you might want to grab a copy of the latest Homespun magazine.

It's the Christmas in July issue. When you open the pages, you might happen to see this.

A pattern which I designed earlier in the year. The article includes not only the pattern, but also some handy hints and a profile. And I hope my family never disclose how agonizing it was to come up with a half decent photograph!

Have a great weekend!

Lenora X.