Quilting Owl

Its that time of year when lots of hand stitching happens as we keep an eye on the Aussie cricketers.  If you miss any of the vital action well there is always the replay to watch and today they are giving the South Africans a run for their money.   I am hand piecing at the moment and with some blocks that have lots of different shaped pieces I usually lay them out on a block holder (a piece of card covered with cotting batting) as this way there is less chance of sewing the wrong sides together and having to do some reverse stitching.   My current favourite tools are - Mettler Heirloom 60-weight 100% cotton thread, John James quilting or applique needles (the smallest size I can thread), Clover very fine glass head pins and small scissors for cutting threads.   As I finish each block I lightly finger press it to arrange the direction of the seams and then place the block in a zip bag for storage.  By flattening the bag and zipping it clos...

I was up bright and early this morning to watch a very exciting event, a total solar eclipse.  Cairns was ideally situated for this event although the weather has not been the best for the last few days and we were worried that there would be nothing to see particularly as the town is full of visitors from far and wide.  Luckily the clouds cleared just in time and armed with special glasses we watched from our front garden.  These are just some photos we took with a simple point and shoot auto camera and I am sure the medial will be showing the specactular ones.           Till next time Frances      

Life has been busy of late while I try to finish off lots of projects including a mystery quilt for the last gathering of the Sunday Stitchers.  I did, however, find some time to make a cute little dolly quilt and have some fun with some French General fabrics. Till next time Frances

  Its that time of year again when Amy over at Amy's Creative Side  is organising an online quilt festival so I thought I would add my quilt "Concerto for Mixed Peel" to the all the fun.     "Concerto for Mixed Peel" by Frances Leate This quilt is approximately 78" square and has been created using the Orange Peel block in three different sizes.  The blocks were hand appliqued using the fusible method with blanket stitch.  I chose this method of applique as I needed a very portable project at the time and this proved to be just the thing.  I  quilted "Concerto for Mixed Peel" on my Bernina 440 machine in a simple style and then added the scalloped edging.  It was commissioned by Australian Homespun magazine and the brief was for a quilt using the orange peel block, thirties style fabrics and to be bright and fresh in colour.  The project was published in Homespun No. 105 Vol 13 No 2.     Till next t...

For a long time I have regarded my quilting style as traditional with a leaning towards blocks and borders while using fabric designs from the reproduction through to more modern styles.  I have an ongoing love affair with medallion or framed quilts and one of these designs has been published as a project in Quilters Companion's latest issue of "Precut Fabrics No. 2".   "Mary Mary Quite Contrary" by Frances Leate - Quilts from Precut Fabrics No 2 This design predominantly features the block "Contrary Wife" and as Mary is a name that predominantly features in the family the quilt is called "Mary Mary Quite Contrary".  My brief was for a precut friendly design so I selected twenty fat quarters all with a bright floral theme and started work on EQ.  Usually when I design a quilt I jot down a starting point and then let the quilt evolve but this time I could see exactly where I was heading and was able to draw up the whole 82" squar...

I have been teaching Mini Quilt workshops at Cairns Craft Centre every month lately and in July the project was "Star Turn" in keeping with a 'Christmas in July' theme.   "Star Turn" by Frances Leate Nothing gives greater pleasure than seeing how other quilters interpret my designs and often in the different colourways they choose.  Here a a few of the finished quilts. Linda's "Star Turn"   Joan's "Star Turn"   Jenny's "Star Turn"   Lesleigh's "Star Turn" cushion cover   It is a real buzz to actually see these projects finished and not imagine them as lonely UFOs!  Hint!!   Till next time Frances      

Before I show you some of the Show and Tell from the Sunday Stitchers here is a close up photo of the block for "Flowers in the Sun" which some of you requested. Block detail from "Flowers in the Sun" by Frances Leate Helen, a new member to the Sunday Stitchers group, has just finished this lovely Topsy Turvey doll which she has made as a gift for a delightful little girl.  The two faces are very different and the doll has been beautifully knitted and sits up nice and straight.   Jenny's latest creation, which she has just got back from her quilter, is a delight.   Joan has also been busy with another small quilt using a gorgeous colour pallet.   Kay who never disappoints was carrying her latest bag creation which cleverly used up lots of scraps.   Till next time Frances