Monday 12 September 2016

Quilt Inspiration

 I've recently been showing you sneaky peeks of some english paper pieced squares.......and this is what they were for............a trip around the world quilt in soft vintage shades..............
 ..................the top is now completed and ready to be hand quilted............just waiting for the backing fabric to arrive..........i love how just simple squares slowly stitched together can create a big pattern across the whole quilt............
 ...............lots of pictures of the quilt top in progress..........and i am sure i will take plenty more when it is quilted :)...........
 ...............most of these pretty fabrics are from tilda's recent ranges, a little bit is from the candy bloom collection that i was given for the blog hop not long ago....
 .............i used some white kona cotton solid to give a bit of contrast too.............
 ................do you remember the little bear from my book modern vintage gifts?........here is another version of him made from an alphabet fabric...............

 ...............and below is my newest fabric acquisition....a gorgeous jellyroll of miss scarlet fabric......
 .............. i have been inspired by antique quilts recently..........when i went to the wonderful quilt exhibition at the V & A in 2010 i brought the book home with me and have been re reading it lately, along with the fascinating old swedish quilts.............
 .............i have always loved the look of antique quilts and over the years they have often inspired my work from greetings cards to china designs as well as actual quilts.............
 ................sweet roses from the garden.......late flowering and with a delicate scent they look pretty with the white japanese anemones which are also flowering prolifically at the moment.......
 .............above is my trip around the world quilt being ironed for its next step of 'making the quilt sandwich'........below is the spare room bed with a different quilt on it this week (making the most of not having ironing baskets in the way any more).............this is of course the red and white checkerboard quilt, always one of my favourites...............
..................thank you for dropping by dear readers and for your sweet comments............i will be taking a little trip myself next week....not around the world but to one of our very favourite places......we will be in cornwall where we spent so many happy childhood holidays......so looking forward to seeing it all again...............x wishing you all happy sunny days and plenty of crafty inspirations......................back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

39 comments:

Jacky H said...

Wow I didn't know squares could look so stunning.
I love the vintage colours they certainly ring the changes. I'll be interested to see how you quilt it.
Your blog is a lovely read.
Have a fantastic holiday.
Jacky
PS I love the bear.

Jacky H said...

Wow I didn't know squares could look so stunning.
I love the vintage colours they certainly ring the changes. I'll be interested to see how you quilt it.
Your blog is a lovely read.
Have a fantastic holiday.
Jacky
PS I love the bear.

Alchamillamolly said...

I love symmetrical quilting. When its random I find myself trying to rearrange the blocks in my head!!
Beautiful quilt as always

Unknown said...

Love the soft look of the new quilt - it makes one want to snuggle up in it with a nice fire and a Hallmark movie ;) The new little bear is perfect with his alphabet letter fabric, just right for a little one. Enjoy Cornwall - do you follow Susan Branch? She's on her way over your way via ocean liner right now, she'll be there by Friday. I'd love to have lunch with the two of you, while you two talk and I sit and listen!
xo Mary

flowers on my table said...

Goodness you have been busy. I absolutely love this quilt, everything about it! Your little teddy is cute and the flowers are gorgeous. Very inspiring as ever Helen. Have a great time in Cornwall and keep an eye out for Ross Poldark! xx

Jennifer Hays said...

Fantastic! I just love this quilt, Helen. The red squares stand out so beautifully but they aren't too bold at all. Very nice!

Gracie Saylor said...

Lovely to see more of your work, and instructive too as I see and you explain your choices like the white squares for contrast. Wishing you a safe and happy trip, Helen xxxxxxxxx

Ali said...

Wow!!! Helen - just gorgeous xx

Christine B said...

What beautiful quilts Helen! Just fabulous! Hope you have a lovely time in Cornwall! Christine x

Jane said...

How beautiful is your quilt Helen...the colours are gorgeous....so many wonderful little blocks. Enjoy your trip to Cornwall..a firm favourite of ours too xx

Jane said...

How beautiful is your quilt Helen...the colours are gorgeous....so many wonderful little blocks. Enjoy your trip to Cornwall..a firm favourite of ours too xx

lilac and old roses said...

Thank you for sharing your quilt, it's fabulous. And enjoy your break in Cornwall, Jane x

Mylittlepieceofengland said...

So pretty, I love the colours, but also knowing it's been hand stitched. Your new jelly roll looks like it's going to be delicious xx

Lorrie said...

Both of the squares quilts are gorgeous. I love the colours! Those little blocks must have taken ages to put together. I'm working on a paper pieced Hexagon quilt and it's going to take years! Enjoy your time in Cornwall!

Evelyne said...

All the little squares made such a beautiful quilt ,what a great fabric!
After your last post I go to the link "Stitch Craft Create" and ordered the 'Tilda Cabbage Rose Quilt Kit'because I love that fabric too.
First I must finish some quilts, and after that I can begin.
Have a nice time at Cornwall,
Evelyne





Mickie said...

Helen,
Another beautiful quilt! How do you find the time to make all your lovely creations? My goodness, you must never sleep! I need to get busy and finish the many quilt tops I have waiting to be "sandwiched".
Thank you for sharing.
Mickie, Indiana USA

Cindy said...

Your new quilt is stunning! I love those colors you used. How long did it take to hand piece? I've wanted to make one, but when I see the complicated instructions (strip piecing) I just can't bring myself to try!
Have a great time on you vacation. I've read several books that take place in Cornwall and it sounds lovely.
Hugs, Cindy

Teresa Kasner said...

Helen, that new quilt is a beauty.. bravo! You really have an eye for colors and combining them to wonderful effort. I think it's a blue ribbon winner! Have a great time on your seaside trip.. I hope you share photos. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

janice15 said...

Wow your quilt top it so lovely... My heart is yearni.g to learn to quilt.. Hopefully soon I can find someone to help me learn or find a good book that will show me. Happy new week with love Janice

Sigrun said...

Helen, your quilt is beautiful! I love seeing your photographs.

Sigrun

Elderberry-Rob said...

Another fabulous creation - I love it... although I also like the red/white on the spare bed. have a great holiday and hope you will have lots of time to unwind and relax.

Annerose said...

Traumhaft dein Quilt, die Stoffe sind genau dafür gemacht.
Schönen Urlaub und gute Erholung.
Grüße Annerose

Carole Williamson said...

Thank you Helen for another lovely blog post. The teddy is so sweet & I'm hoping to have a go at making one for my first grandchild who is due in January.
If anyone mentions Cornwall I always think of the lovely Terry Wogan who always said "aww Cornwall" if anyone said they were going to Cornwall. Sadly missed.
Have a lovely time Helen
Love from Carole in Rossendale, Lancashire xxx

Thimbleanna said...

Another gorgeous quilt Helen! I think I love quilts made with simple squares the best -- so many different designs can be made from them. I love Tilda fabrics too -- we can't get them here -- I need to find some via the internet!

Frances said...

Dear Helen, hoping that you are having a fine visit to Cornwall.

Thank you again for keeping me fascinated by the paper piecing quilt technique.

Your tiny squares quilt is a beauty with those soft tones. I also appreciate your mentioning the sourcing for some of the fabrics that you use. Looking at fabrics has interested me for decades...ever since the 1960s when I began sewing many of my own clothes. It was always a joy to visit the fabric shops along West 57 Street in NYC...they sold many "leftovers" from major designers and quite good prices and the staff were amazing. Now they are all gone, as well as the best notions (haberdashery) shop I have ever known. It's just about all on line now, although there are still some fabric shops located in the "garment district."

A sweet little shop, with lots of fabrics, called City Quilter, closed recently. So, it's grand to see your posts and keep my enthusiasm aloft. xo

Simone said...

So much beauty from the quilt to the teddy to the roses! You have a wonderful eye for design and colour Helen and have never written a blog post that wasn't beautiful and inspiring too! I hope you have a lovely break enjoying the late summer sunshine. x

Blondie's Journal said...

Beautiful quilt, Helen! The pattern and colors make it a true work of art and for you, a labor of love!

Have a wonderful trip. I'd love to see pictures!

Jane

greenrabbitdesigns said...

I think you are quilt inspiration yourself Helen ! :)
Your new quilt is stunning, such pretty colours and how cute does your little teddy look!!
Wishing you a lovely trip to Cornwall....enjoy!
V x

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Beautiful quilt! Your roses are beautiful as well.

pandchintz said...

Why a gorgeous quilt! Enjoy quilting it.

Summer said...

The quilt is so pretty. I like the colours ♥

summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Beautiful as well as inspiring! X

Heldasland said...

Helen ,as ever another stunning quilt. Every single time I visit your blog I spend so long drooling here .I really want to live with you hehe.
Have a wonderful time. We recently had a holiday there and it was fab.

KC'sCourt! said...

Just catching up after being away for a week. Love the Round the World quilt. Have you ever seen the quilts at Claverton Manor the American Museum in Bath?
You always inspire me
Julie xxxxxxxxx

patchworkandlace said...

Lovely work again Helen xx

Pat's Patch said...

So Beautiful Helen, love the le shades and deeper contrast. So much careful work, anther triumph. Lots of love XXX

Art and Sand said...

I love this color scheme.

susan said...

Another beautiful work of art. As always, I love the colors. You have a great eye, Helen.

Robbienae said...

My goodness, another beautiful quilt creation. I love the red with the soft blues and grays. I am anxious to see it quilted. Your blog always gives me a lift in the middle of the day while I am on my lunch break at work. Thanks for the photos.