Update on Hope Asia quilt and Henley Arts trail

Spring, no spring, few days of summer, then back to autumn? Or that is what it feels like. So much rain today and with temperatures in single figures, not much chance of packing our winter duvet away, in fact, we are still sleeping with our winter duvet and have had to put a quilt on the bed too.  Our central heating is also still on and it is nearly June! Last week there has been snow in the UK and we are all still wearing winter clothes.  Time now for summer to arrive.

Backing fabric

I have finally gotten round to going to my local quilt shop and found an extra wide batik fabric that blends in beautifully with the colours used in the 'Hope Asia' quilt.

 When deciding how to quilt this quilt, I looked at the primary pattern in the patchwork design.  I wanted to highlight this rather than loose it in an allover or edge to edge quilt pattern, so I outlined the pattern elements on paper and then doodled around the outlined pattern.  There are 2 distinct elements in the design, the first the 'ladders' in the criss-cross design and the second, the 'windmill' blocks in-between.  Because the patchwork design is such a linear design, I want to bring some movement in, so decided to stay clear of strong straight lines and use curved lines in stead.

New element highlighted

First doodles

I played around for a while, drawing first the curves in the windmill block, then realised that colouring in the 4 wedge shapes on the windmills, gave the design a bit more definition.  This also then highlighted a secondary design around the ladders.  As the border around the ladders is uneven, I wanted it to not be the focal point, rather just support the design I choose in the main part of the quilt.  I liked the idea of using curves here too and once I have decided on the pattern, it made sense to use the same pattern on the ladders.  Lastly, there was the outside border, where I added the same curves as I used in the ladders with curly swirly fern fronds.

My doodle diagram

Normally, quilting on a cream background fabric would be done in a matching cream thread, but I have  some wonderful YLI variegated thread that matches the dark colours in the quilt and as I have a thing about using similar colour thread in the top and in the bobbin, and cream would look awful on the back of the quilt, I have decided to quilt with the variegated thread.  It is off course a heavy thread which is not suitable for micro quilting, but I also have a dark green plain colour thread which I will use for this. Rather than using a variegated thread on the back of the quilt, I have decided to use a sage green thread, which blends in very easily and does not detract from the fabric design.

Close up of quilting

I had now thought of a name for the quilt.  Because of the fabric on the back of the quilt and the colours I associate with tropical jungles, as well as the idea that the quilt will be donated to "Hope Asia", and the photos I have seen of the happy smiley children at the orphanage built by "Hope Asia", I am calling the quilt "Jungle Jive".




 The binding is sewn onto the quilt by machine but then hand stitched at the back of the quilt, I always really look forward to this part as I know that the project is nearly complete and I can sign it off and start planning my next project.

Border quilting design

These are photos of the completed quilt:

"Jungle Jive" completed 

Update on Henley Arts trail:
I have entered both Yo-ville and Whooo...s afraid in the dark? into the exhibition and Yo-ville was chosen as the visitor's choice.

On another note, I have now had over 2000 views on my blog! I never imagined that there would be so much interest in what I write about here, but I really appreciate the interest. So thank you very much to everyone that clicks on and then read my blog, please keep popping back.