Monday 27 March 2017

Big Trip Quilt - a Little Update

 The big trip around the world quilt is almost finished...almost but not quite.......and here is a little update...... below is a reminder of the last stage it was at when i showed it to you here previously.....
 .............. the top picture shows one of the corners with just three rounds to go.......as you can see I fussy cut a round of flower squares.............a few people have asked me what exactly is fussy cutting and how do you do it?...........it is  when you choose an area of fabric with a motif or part of a pattern to cut out, rather than just cutting out the fabric all over to make your patchwork shapes.....
 ...............i make a window template to cut out my fabric for epp...............i use cardstock and cut the template 1/4 in bigger than my paper piece template all the way round, then cut out the window in the middle 1/4 in inside the line.............it is such a quick and easy way to see the shape you would like to use and to position the cut correctly............
 ................it does waste a bit of fabric doing fussy cutting but the scraps will always come in handy one day ;) ............
 .............the fussy cut squares are ready to sew and below there they are on the quilt..........
 ..............a few pictures now of the crumpled quilt top...........
 ...............i have loved hand sewing this quilt, mainly in my spare evening moments......
 ..............choosing the next round of fabric each time has been very interesting and surprisingly demanding but also a new experience in playing with colour values and fabric combinations........
 ...............just a little more to add and then we can have the full reveal..........
 .............and now some pretty flowers as it is spring and yesterday was mother's day :)......
 ............i was a very lucky mum and was very spoilt by my daughters and their families.....
 ..........nothing like a bit of sunshine, family time, cute children, afternoon teas and gorgeous flowers to make you feel happy and full of the joys of spring..............add in a bit of stitching and crafting too..............just perfect..........:)
............thank you for dropping by dear readers.............it is a joy all year round to see you here and to read your kind comments..........if you would like to see more of my crafty days i have just joined instagram so now you can find me there too.................wishing you a wonderful week filled with flowers, sunshine and lots of crafty inspirations ...............back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

29 comments:

KC'sCourt! said...

Gorgeous quilt. Its so pretty

Julie xxxxxxx

Elizabethd said...

I am looking forward to seeing the whole quilt, it's bound to look superb!

Susan said...

Lovely post, Helen. Your quilt is so colorful and cheerful. I like your use of fabrics, and I think the effect is wonderful. I haven't quilted in awhile and really need to get back to it. I also love your crocheted pillow in your previous post. I would love to know the color of the aqua used on the top pillow. It would match my home beautifully. Thank you for such colorful posts. Spring is not here yet in the Midwest US, and I am impatiently waiting. :-)

Mickie said...

Helen,
I am also looking forward to seeing the finished quilt. I am in awe of how you make paper piecing look so easy and perfectly sewn. I have done a little bit of it, but just do not have the patience for it. Hope to give it a try once again with your inspiration behind me. So glad you had a lovely Mother's Day celebration.
Thank you for sharing.
Mickie, Indiana USA

Ali said...

Your quilt is looking amazing!! Glad you had a lovely Mothers day xx Enjoy your week xx

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Stunning quilt Helen.....I love the fussy cutting, I love to see the little snapshots of fabric.
Pretty flowers too, those almost black blooms are amazing. :)
Lovely to see you over on Instagram.
Have a lovely week,
v x

Anonymous said...

A lovely quilt - a riot of flowers. I shall enjoy your new instagram world too. Natalie

Jane said...

Your quilt is looking stunning Helen. It's funny how terminology vaires in different crafts. For me in card making fussy cutting means cutting right round a detailed image...I have just been fussy cutting dragonflies! I love the way your fussy cut flowers link the pattern. I'm glad you enjoyed your Mother's day and were spoilt with lots of flowers. Enjoy this glorious sunshine xxx

Art and Sand said...

I love your little cut out square for getting that flower centered. I need to use that idea.

Jacky H said...

The quilt is stunning lovely selection of colours. Glad you had a lovely mothers day the weather was certainly good.

Christine B said...

Your quilt is looking fabulous Helen! Glad you had such a lovely Mother's Day! Two of my three children were home to celebrate and we had a lovely day out too! Enjoy your week! Christine x

20 North Ora said...

Your quilt is absolutely gorgeous!! Happy Belated Mother's Day to you.

Have a great week.

Judy

Teresa Kasner said...

Helen, your Mother's Day sounds perfect! I thought it was neat how you centered the flowers in your quilt squares, very smart. I love how your quilt is turning out. Have a wonderful crafty and creative week, I know you will! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Gabri millecrocette said...

Your quilt is really beautiful many compliments!!!
Have a good week full of crafty ispiration and spring flowers too

Kate said...

Beautiful quilt and flowers, Helen!

Mylittlepieceofengland said...

Your quilt is looking so pretty. I shall have to look you up on Instagram as you take such pretty and inspiring photographs xx

crazydazy said...

The window template is a great idea. Your quilt is a lovely mix of fabrics.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

It's beautiful...as are all your creations! Glad you had a nice Mother's day too! Hugs, Diane

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Helen, loved seeing how you fussy cut your gorgeous fabrics. It is truly a masterpiece, I hope it is for you!
xoRobin

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

The fussy cutting is a neat process. Thank you for the tutorial

Cream Linen said...

Your quilt is beautiful! I' m really amazed at the hard work you have put in it .The result of course is worth your efforts.I also love the pictures with the flowers,they 'smell' of spring! Have a nice week.Tina x

Cream Linen said...

Your quilt is beautiful! I' m really amazed at the hard work you have put in it .The result of course is worth your efforts.I also love the pictures with the flowers,they 'smell' of spring! Have a nice week.Tina x

Jo said...

I have been sewing little squares but on the machine 5cm x 5cm. I have never thought of going around in rounds. It looks really effective. Have a great weekend on your quilt. Jo x

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Your new quilt is looking beautiful Helen...the colours are gorgeous and I love the addition of the fussy cutting x So lovely too that I an see your loveliness on Instagram!
Wishing you a happy weekend!
Susan x

Sam I Am...... said...

Dearest Helen, I have missed you and it is my own fault....in 'redesigning' my blog I dropped off a bunch of friends and then when I finally realized it I thought I knew what the address was but didn't so it didn't show up....I'll never do that again! It's taken me a while to get things back to where they were and finally after misspelling your blog name a zillion times I have you showing up on my list again! PTL! I am such a scatter brain at times but so glad to be back to your lovely blog and now I have much catching up to do and I am so looking forward to it! Happy Belated Mother's Day and it sounds like you had a lovely one. Your quilt is so pretty and thank you for the info about 'fussy cutting'. I knew what it was but the template tip is wonderful! I did not know about that method and I haven't actually done it so now I will be properly informed! You have such lovely flowers there. Here we can't get anything decent in the stores but I do have some perennials in the Spring that I can bring in the house...just standard tulips and daffodils but I love them too! I have the sewing bug right now myself and have allocated weekends for "crafting". I will so enjoy seeing what you have been doing all this time. Happy Spring and I'm so happy to be back in your blog world! I'll check your IG too! Hugs~Sam

Lee said...

Hi Helen.I have been so busy with the Dog Walking as have had extra doggies.Just catching up with your wonderful blog.I just Love the fabric and colours in your Beautiful Quilt.Another thing on my to do list as Quilting is very Theraputic.So glad you enjoyed Mother Day.The sun is out in Cornwall,well this part anyway hee hee.Happy Weekend.xx

handmade by amalia said...

Along with everyone - I'm looking forward to seeing this beautiful quilt finished.
Amalia
xo

Sum of their Stories said...

This quilt is absolutely gorgeous. I love it and am totally inspired to have a go at soemthing similar. I have a big old stash of fabric so now all I need is a little time!!!

Jen Kershner said...

Always beautiful color and pattern when I visit here. You are so talented!