Purple Butterflies

I found this post sitting as a draft in my blog post list.  It has been waiting since 9th August 2020 to get its time to show off, simply because I hadn't taken a photo of the finished quilt!  Yes, I could have back-dated the post so that it would go in chronological order of quilt finishes, but then I decided to publish it here and now so that Purple Butterflies can have it's own time to shine.

Back in January 2017, I wrote that I had stopped working on this project 2 years earlier because I didn't like the applique thread I had chosen as it was too light.  I didn't realise at the time that it would take me another 2 years to find the right thread for the applique.  Turns out, purples are really hard to match!

Butterflies fused in place, but not sewn.

In March of 2017 we moved house to another part of the State and, you guessed it, this project was once again packed away.  Then, finally, in February 2019, I was finally able to start stitching down the applique.  I completed this task in April 2019.

Ready to get finished, with binding, backing,
 quilting and applique threads all together.

I used a beautiful dark, dark purple rayon 100wt thread, which flowed so smoothly through my little travel machine.  The stitch used was buttonhole at 2.0 x 2.0 so that I could get around some of those little circles.

Packed away again, for whatever reason, this was finally quilted.  I used my favourite tumbling hearts/leaves all over design with variegated pastel purple 50wt thread.

Seriously, this quilt, was determined to not be finished - I had to purchase some new fabric for the binding because the previous one was made TOO SHORT and I had no fabric left!!!  Arrgghhh......!!

In a stroke of good fortune, I found a fabric for the binding which matched so much better than the original fabric.  I think it was meant to be.

One single, extra butterfly was appliqued onto the backing.  She was one too many for the front, so now gets to shine on her own.  

Backing onto front peek.

The alphabet backing fabric has the most perfect colours for matching the front.

TA DA.....  here is the finished quilt.  Unfortunately the fold lines are showing, but now it's been refolded to give those creases a chance to relax.

 For a quilt that had so many issues with the making, it has turned out so soft and pretty.   I am super pleased with how this quilt turned out.  I guess the seemingly difficult ones do turn out the best!

12 Fat Quarters - So Simple!

A new set of 12 Fat Quarter and a super easy pattern - this is a sure fire way to get the sewing mojo happening!  I'd had the Fat Quarters for a few weeks before deciding what to make with them.  They are so gorgeous, especially some of the weird and funky flowers in the bigger prints.

The 12 Fat Quarters - ready to cut....

I cut out all the blocks and sewed them up in January 2020.  They got packed away and my sewing room was turned into an extra room for a belated Christmas celebration with Hubby's family.

Blocks made and laid out.

They stayed packed away until May 2021, when in the midst of another set of "stay at home" lockdown orders and the late Autumn/early Winter blues were setting in.  I decided to open the box and let the joyous colours help me beat those 'blues'.  

Can almost see the quilting detail.

I was hoping the photo above would show a detail of the quilting, but it hasn't come up as well as I would've liked.  I quilted this quilt in a lime green thread on my domestic sewing machine with a tumbling heart-shaped leaf design.

The piece of fabric for the backing was not quite the correct size, so the left-over squares and fabric pieces were added.

And, of course there must be the shot of the backing onto the front.  The orange binding is just the ticket for creating a good contrast between the front and back.

Finished Quilt - measures 49in x 56in

Here is the finished quilt.  Taking the photo on quite an overcast day has really made the colours sing.  Unfortunately, the fold lines show, so it's been re-folded along different lines and put aside until it's forever home becomes known to me.

Pattern used:  So Simple by MODA.

Small Sampler Quilt

This is a quilt that I started in April 2009.  Yep, that long ago.  I was gifted the original pattern Golden Memories Sampler by Lori Smith a few months earlier for Christmas and I chose a fat quarter pack of fabric a short time later.  I started making the blocks, but wasn't "in love" with them, so I put the whole project away.  And.... it stayed away for a very, very long time.

Fast forward to October 2020; I decided to pull this particular project out of hiding and take a look at where I was at and assess what to do with the blocks I'd already made.  In the end, I decided simplicity was my friend.  I ditched the original pattern and joined the blocks together with sashing and cornerstones.

A very conventional setting, but very effective.  A trip to the local quilt shop for the lovely denim blue linen narrow border and binding, plus the purple border fabric so that I could get the quilt top completed.

Two weeks ago, I quilted this quilt with a lovely soft, variegated purple thread on my domestic sewing machine.  I quilted cables in the border and did 'stitch in the ditch', combined with tumbling leaves for the blocks and sashing. 

For quilt that I wasn't sure I liked, I have ended up being blown away by what I achieved with this one.  I'm so very happy.

On the 1st of October, I gifted this quilt to one of the most beautiful 'old' ladies you could ever meet.  At 87, she is so active and on the ball that she is inspiring.  She was a member of my local quilt group, but gave up all crafting and disposed of her craft items approximately 12 months ago. 

What I wrote on the label is why I specifically finished this quilt for her:  

A couple of years ago you asked me if I could make you a quilt and I said yes – so here it is with purple and a few other colours thrown in for a good measure.  This is to keep you warm in winter and for comfort if you ever need a hug. 

Finishing at 40in x 48in, she is absolutely chuffed and says she will use it every night when watching TV.