Blogger's Quilt Festival - Autumn 2014

It's that time of year again, the Blogger's Quilt Festival 2014!

So if you are new to my blog, firstly, welcome, and secondly, I hope you enjoy listening to the story behind my entry.  

I made this quilt for my daughter's 5th  Birthday.  She adores Hello Kitty, and I knew that I wanted to make her a quilt for her birthday, so a Hello Kitty quilt was perfect.  I got the original inspiration from a cross stitch pattern, and it didn't take me long to blow it up and turn it into a pattern for a quilt. 

That's when I realised there were 720 squares!  I wanted the quilt to have a real 'pixel' effect, so I didn't cut corners, I cut and sewed back together even the white background squares instead of using strips...that did seem a little crazy!

I'm not one to use solids a lot in my work and so this was a real departure from the norm for me.  And with so many white areas, I really wanted the quilting to add texture and depth to the quilt.  So I matchstick quilted it, which took what seemed like forever, but hopefully you will agree was worth it.  

I also included a new technique that I wanted to try; piping around the binding. This is something that I had seen done by my quilting icon, Philippa Naylor.

I think it's a really lovely detail, that I will most certainly be using again.

So here is 'Hello Kitty' basking in the sun in our garden back in the summer.  

I do hope you like her as much as I enjoyed bringing her to life!

Quilt Stats:

Pattern:  Hello Kitty Cross Stitch Chart
Size: Approx 50" x 60"
Fabric: Kona Coal, White, Azalea, Carnation
Backing: Kate Spain
Thread: Aurifil
Quilting: 1/2 inch horizontal straight line quilting
Pieced and Quilted by: Me

Thank you so much for stopping by,

Sarah x

FMQ With Philippa Naylor

This weekend was a wonderful one.  Two glorious days of quilting.  And not just any old quilting.  Oh no.  Free Motion Quilting.  With no less than top UK quilter Philippa Naylor. And it was brilliant!

I'm sure I'm not the only one who naturally goes into panic mode at the thought of FMQ.  So being in a class taught by Phillippa was just what I needed to give me the confidence to give it a go. 

Along with FMQ basics, we learnt a new method of Trupunto, using dissolvable thread, and a very effective method of corded quilting, which works brilliantly to add definition and texture to a quilt.  My sample isn't quite complete yet, it needs a little more work, so for now I'll share with you the quilt that Philippa brought with her...it's stunning!

Philippa taught us so much about FMQ.  But my skills are not yet at a level where I want to share them with you!  Although I have been practising for several hours since the class, and I'm pleased to say, there is some improvement already.  I am determined to persevere and keep getting better and better.

Please do take a look at Philippa's website, and learn a little more about her and her work.  She is a true talent.  It was such a pleasure to meet her and her quilts are an inspiration.

Sarah x

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