Thursday 1 November 2012

Joining the Blocks

 The farmer's wife quilt top is finally finished and today i have lots of pictures of it to show you.............
 ..........after trying various ways of photographing it i ended up putting it on the wall of my sewing room.....i am used to taking pictures of small things close up so this was quite a challenge :)..........i am thrilled with the effect of the quilt now that it has all been pieced together with the sashing and the little cornerstones......
..........i tried lots of different plain shades against the blocks until i found the one that i felt worked the best, this very pale pink picked up the colours in the blocks and contrasted just enough with the white fabric i'd used a lot in the blocks...........the fabrics in the quilt are some of my most favourite ones from lecien and pam kitty morning and cath kidston, plus some dotty and stripy ones which i always love to include in patchwork projects too.................
..........i'd like to say a big thank you to the author of this inspiring book, laurie aaron hird........it has captured so many crafters' imaginations and the great thing is that everyone has their own interpretation of the theme and each person's quilt is special to them.........
 .........i made the blocks gradually until i had the right number to make the small quilt..........it was a pleasant slow project alongside the work projects i had going on at the time, many of which had to be kept secret....
 ..............lots of shots of the different blocks on different angles......they have a mosaic like feel........
 ..........after i'd taken (dozens) of photos of the quilt top i took the backing (white with red polka dots) and the batting (wadding) and made the quilt sandwich using curved basting pins which is the method i find works best for me, as you can keep adjusting the pins as you work,  and smoothing out the area to be quilted so it is nice and flat.....i learnt this technique from my two sisters who went to a quilt class run by a canadian lady living in the uk :)...............
...........and now the quilting has begun..........lots of cosy stitching to occupy my autumn (and winter) evenings...........and as we are talking about patchwork today i thought i'd show you this exciting sneaky peek of my new book to be published in the spring time ...................
 ..........this is the top secret thing i have been mentioning occasionally over the past year and a half.....it was very hard to make a project i was excited about and then put it away ready for the book photoshoot  instead of sharing it here :)..........there are twenty five such projects in this book, and i look forward to sharing the making of them next year when the book comes out.........it is published by david and charles, and i will add all the details here nearer the time.............
                                      .......but for now it's back to my farmer's wife quilting......

....thank you  so much for the kind wishes for charlie's birthday, he had a very happy time and his halloween party was a great success, enjoyed by all the little witchlets and wizards...............sending you all warm wishes for a happy november.........back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

64 comments:

Rebel Blossom @ Studio 2sixty said...

Helen, I am speechless...your quilt is fabulous!
Looking forward to your new book!
Happy Quilting!
Laurie Anne xx

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

Your quilt is just gorgeous!! Exactly what I have come to look forward to on your blog. Your book looks like a must have!!

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

Hi Helen,

I am so excited to hear about your new book! Cannot wait to be able to see inside!
Your quilt is amazing! The colors are wonderful, and it will so much fun to hand quilt on these cold winter evenings!!
xoxo Debbie

Maria Glazacheva said...

Bonjour Helen!!
C`est trop jolie!! Tous les photos le tapis que vous avait fait!!
Et aussi merci de visiter mon blog et de laisser votre doux commentaire chez moi!! Je suis tres contante! :0)

Avec amitié
xxx Maria xxx

Henry's Shed said...

Beautiful, just beautiful!!
Karen x

gilly said...

Wow! Your quilt is gorgeous - too pretty for words and I'm sure you will love spending time quilting it.
Ooh, and a new book - congratulations! Look forward to seeing that too,
Happy November,
xx

KC'sCourt! said...

STUNNING!
Julie xxxxxxx

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi Helen! From all the 'Farmer's wife' quilts yours is my favourite! I love your flowery fabrics and sweet colours! That pale pink and the aqua with roses around are so perfect! I'm very exited and happy to hear about your new book! Can't wait to see what you'll show us there! x Teje

vintage grey said...

Helen your quilt is stunning!! So pretty, and I adore all the gorgeous prints!! Great job!! How exciting about your new book!! Can't wait for it to come out!! Have a lovely weekend! xo Heather

Frances said...

Helen, your beautiful new quilt is magnificent...a joyeous mosaic of colors and pattern!

Congratulations to you as well on the upcoming publication of the newest book. What you are able to show us here looks clever, cheery and inspiring. I really look forward to seeing more of the projects in the future.

You are amazing...so many delightful designs and each one uniquely lovely.

xo

my4lilgirls said...

Its absolutely stunning Helen, a really beautiful quilt.
Congrats on your new book, will be watching for it on amazon :)
Have a great weekend
Karen x

Simone de Klerk said...

Congratulations! How exciting this must be for you.
The book looks like a great SAL challenge!

Marigold Jam said...

Wow - you've every right to be pleased with your quilt. It's beautiful.

Rhona said...

Your quilt is fabulous! I love the colour combinations you have chosen. Can't wait to see your new book, Congrats!

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Your quilt is amazing Helen and so very you!!! It truly is beautiful and you have every right to be thrilled with it!!!
How exciting too about your new book, I look forward to seeing what's inside! :)
Have a lovely weekend,
Vivienne x

Crafty in the Med said...

It takes my breath away Helen! Absolutely stunning!!! I love the combination of colours and shapes. I'm going to be looking out for your new book...small patchwork projects could get me on my way to making a quilt too one day.

keep well

Amanda :-)

Linda said...

An amazing quilt, you inspire me with all your different crafts and i look forward to your blog every week.
Linda

Lynne said...

Your quilt is just beautiful, love the blue floral fabric in the setting triangles. Congratulations on your book! I'm looking forward to it's publication.

princess said...

I look forward to buy your new book!!!!!!!!!!!! Great news!

Jane said...

Wow Helen your quilt is a work of art.....I really love it. That also looks like a fab new book full of all your lovely work...well done! Happy November too,
Jane x

GrannyTaughtMeToCrochet said...

Oh Helen. It's so lovely. I am going to make quilting my 2013 new skill.
And your book will be something to look forward to ... Can't wait to review on my blog. Xxxx

mags said...

I love, love, love your quilt. You inspired me to make my own and I have been stitching along with you. I've just finished mine (a lightly smaller wallhanging) and I'm really pleased. Bit sad its finished!

sew said...

Oh Helen! I don't think there are words to do justice to this utter work of art.
I've been trying to work out how to make your October houses - and there they are on the cover of your new book. How am I going to manage to wait until the spring?:(
Your book will be a best-seller for sure. ♥

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Oh My Helen, I am so excited for you and for myself!!! I will buy a signed copy of your new book! Please sign me up! I am creating a sign up list, me first : )
That quilt is so gorgeous, it is beyond words. It's a masterpiece. I know you will have a cosy winter quilting away and years of love and enjoyment.
Colors are so well chosen and each square is so interesting. A lovely mosaic : )
Happy November first to you, xoRobin❤

Deborah said...

I am in awe when someone finishes a Farmer's WIfe quilt and especially in awe of one as lovely as this. I am so excited about your new book. Yay!

Cindy said...

Congrats on your beautiful quilt and the book. Can't wait to get it and start crafting from it.

serendipity said...

I lOVE your quilt. It's going to be stunning when it's finished. Can't wait for the new book. Looks right up my street! xx

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh absolutely gorgeous, love it!!! You are just such an artist!!!

Hen said...

Gorgeous quilt, thank you for sharing the photos. I must start mine!
Hen x

Mia said...

Dear Helen,

Congratulations firstly for the beautiful book - it looks wonderful! And that quilt being finished, that's a big achievement too, and what a result! So pretty, lovely colors!

Wishing you a fantastic November!

Yours,
Mia

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

Everything you do is just gorgeous! Please could you sprinkle some of your magic dust on the book I buy, I might be able to produce something beautiful then! :)

Madelief said...

This must have been so much work Helen. Your quilt looks really impressive! It will look wonderful on a bed.

Happy belated birthday to Charlie. I am glad to hear the Halloween party was a success!

Have a lovely evening!

Madelief x

SuperMomNoCape said...

Your farmer's wife quilt is really beautiful. I love the fabrics and colours that you've chosen for the various blocks.

And congratulations on your new book that's coming out in the spring. I love reading about other's good news. Aloha blessings on the success of your book.

Annie Cholewa said...

That is an awesome quilt Helen. I particularly like the colour palette and the way the colours are distributed across the quilt.

Fantastic news about your new book :D

homemade@myplace said...

Beautiful quilt!!!
Congrats for your book!!
xxxx Alessandra

Gracie Saylor said...

Your beautiful work is such an encouragement to me, Helen! Thank you for posting...sharing what you enjoy making. Thus far I have just quilted a little nine patch pillow with a kind soul coaching me through the whole process. I have grander aspirations...and have been collecting fat quarters for years because I want to hand quilt a quilt...king size. First I have to overcome my fear of cutting the material :) I am celebrating the launch of your new book this coming year! xx from Gracie

Teresa Kasner said...

Oh Helen.. that quilt is a prize winner for sure! You should submit it to a fair. I have your first book and will look forward to adding this one to my collection. I'm so glad we're friends. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Lori ann said...

oh my gosh helen, that is the prettiest quilt i've ever seen. i wish you had taken more photos of it! i am thrilled about your new book, i can't wait for it, i think this will be the year i finally try my hand at quilting too. thank you for sharing and huge congratulations, i'm so happy for you!
xxx lori

Naturally Carol said...

Your new quilt is soooo delicious..a candy quilt. It reminds me of a summer strawberry marshmallow desert in a flower garden I think! Congratulations on the new book being published..I am sure it will be very successful.

PamKittyMorning said...

OHMYGOSH its really fantastic. I love that you included my PKM fabrics in your project. Can't wait to see the new book. XO

Jessie Fincham said...

Helen your farmers wife quilt is absolutely STUNNING! I'm completely in love, you've finished it so beautifully with the border choices and corner stones. Just perfect. And fabulous news about your book! Wowzers! I'm not sure If I would ever be able to keep that a secret if it was me! :D
Jessie, xo

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Hi Helen, your quilt is absolutely gorgeous. Such pretty colors and patterns. I do love the patchwork look rather than everything being uniform -- gives it much more character. Congrats on your newest book. I know it will be a good one as all your projects are lovely. Best wishes to you for a wonderful weekend. Tammy

Kay said...

Firstly, I love the quilt and the colours are just so pretty together. Secondly, I am so excited about the new book and can't wait to preorder it from amazon. The cover alone is wonderful,especially as it contains darling little houses.

20 North Ora said...

Helen - Your new quilt is just absolutely beautiful!! The colors are so vibrant! Can't wait for your new book. Looks so exciting.

Judy

cupcakejojo said...

Oh my goodness your book looks fabulous!! x

Bea said...

Fabulous quilt, Helen! I love the colors you used! Congrats on finishing it...

Unknown said...

Oh My goodness im so excited and please for you with regards to your book it looks so pretty and colourful can't wait to hear further details you must have been bursting to tell everyone :-)And im still loving your farmers quilt its stunning. dee x

Simone said...

The gorgeous quilt reminds me of a kaleidoscope! Congratulations on your new book Helen. x

Tangled Sweetpea said...

What an utterly gorgeous quilt Helen! And the new book looks fab too!
Victoria xx

flowers on my table said...

Oh WOW Helen! To think that all those tiny squares make up this wonderful quilt. You are so very talented. The colours are just gorgeous, and I love that you used a pale pink to edge the squares instead of white.
Congratulations on your new book, it has those gorgeous little houses on the cover. I love little houses, I have just painted one on the tiles behind my cooker. I shall definitely have to get a copy of your book for my sister-in-law, who wants to try patchwork.
Many thanks for your visit and kind comments. Much love to you, Linda x

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Good evening Helen...How have you kept all this loveliness secret for so long?...Your quilt is simply stunning (and thank you for introducing me to the book too which I have so enjoyed reading). How truly exciting..your new book!!! I have to say that if I was looking through the book shelves I would go straight for it with such a pretty cover...it really is perfect!
Hope you have a great week,
Susan x

Kristyne said...

Helen! I just found you via Pinterest! I love your blog. I'm adding to my list. :) So glad I found you. xo

koralee said...

Oh my goodness this is specatular...job well done my friend. oxox Hugs and love to you.

Trudy said...

Hi Helen, your quilt is absolutely stunning! Your colours choices are gorgeous, they're light and bright and full of life!! Love it. Enjoy the quilting process.

Trudy said...

p.s. Congratulations on your new book. How very exciting!! Will look out for it, here in Australia.

purple-roses-country-cottage said...

Dear Helen, that is stunning! The quilt looks amazing. What a wonderful sewing work! Thank you so much for showing us. Nicolexxx

claire said...

The quilt is a stunner and I look forward to the book coming out - you must be bursting to show us! :)

flowers on my table said...

Hello Helen, many thanks for your visit and lovely comments. So glad you like lavender too. I think I may have to make some of your little houses in lavender shades to hang in my kitchen! Goodnight, sleep tight! Love Linda x

thesnailgarden said...

Simply stunning! Best wishes, Pj x

Barbara said...

Oh my, this is such an inspiration Helen! Thank you for these gorgeous photos which will inspire us all to make our own Farmer's wives!
And the pale pink is perfect ...
Wishing you much success with your book launch
Barbara x

Northern Deb said...

Very nice colors in your farmers wife. Congrats on the book...looking forward to seeing it.

gillyflower said...

How exciting - a new book! It looks wonderful Helen, as is your finished quilt top - gorgeous!
Gill xx

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

OMG!!!! It's beautiful and I'm taking notes! LOL! I too use the curved pins as they are much easier on my arthritic old hands...really! LOL! You're hand quilting it? I've hand quilted a dolls crib quilt but that was my one and only. I do love handwork though...it is so relaxing.
Do you hand quilt on the seam lines or do you have a certain design you use? Just curious as I need to hand quilt as it is so expensive to have people machine quilt for you.
Oh! A new book!!!! It is going directly to my Christmas list! I love it already! I'm so excited now!
Your quilt is exquisite in all those lovely colors and prints. Thank you for having your blog and sharing your projects with us.

Andrea said...

Have you considered selling a quilt kit with your wonderful fabric selections for the Farmer's Wife Quilt??