Quilting Owl

Once again I have succumbed to the temptation of making blocks from Barbara Brackman's new block of the month "Threads of Memory".  I thought one 12" block a month would not overtax the workload and then all I have to do is make them into a quilt!!!  The historical excerpts that come along with these blocks are always very enjoyable and informative and you can find out more about this BOM  here   Block 1 "Threads of Memory" Till next time Frances

It has just been brought to my attention that there is an error in the instructions for "Red Sky at Night".  In Part 2 on page 83 one of the photos does not have the correct layout to show how clues 2 and 7 are linked. The text is correct but clue 2 has not been positioned correctly and I hope there has not been too much reverse sewing happening.  The photo below is how it should look otherwise refer to the quilt photo shown in Part 3. Photograph 6 Clues 2 and 7 linked In Part 3 on page 129 the caption for Photograph 3 should have read "Corner Block for First Border". If anyone who reads this blog is making this quilt I would really love to see it so please email me a photo. Till next time Frances

For the last three issues Australian Patchwork & Quilting have been running a mystery quilt project and yes it is one of my designs.  In Vol 23 No 5 the mystery was revealed and here is "Red Sky at Night".  The quilt is all reds and beiges and it was fun playing with different textures in this simple colour pallette. "Red Sky at Night" by Frances Leate - AP&Q Vol 23 Nos. 3, 4 and 5 Also appearing in this volume of Australian Patchwork & Quilting is another project of mine "Nostalgia" where I delved into my stash and used lots of different fabrics.  I started with a basic colour pallette of red, purple, green and brown and then just kept adding different prints and textures.  Most of these fabrics reminded me of earlier projects where they had been used so hence the name. "Nostalgia" by Frances Leate - AP&Q Vol 23 No 5 Till next time Frances

I thought it was time for those Civil War blocks I made from Barbara Brackman's BOM some time back to see the light of day again.  I had finished 52 and only needed to make the last one and then have some fun arranging the blocks on the design wall.  For the border I made blocks using up some of the stash fabrics and now I am working on the sashing. Now for some show and tell from the Sunday Stitchers and here is Dayna's absolutely stunning sewing machine cover which began life as some seminole pieced strips made in an earlier class. Jeannie just loves the project from my class "Come Fly with Me" and has made another version in a different colourway. I caught the Christmas bug late and just had time to make a dozen of these little purses to give to family and friends as gifts.  Talking of gifts, I received this little owl pincushion yesterday handmade by Kathy - how cut is this! My niece, Annette, also surprised me at Christmas with ...

At the beginning of each new year I pick a word and "fun" was my word for 2013 and now looking back it was indeed a wonderful year with lots and lots of fun.  Whenever I was inspired to start a new project I just went for it and didn't worry too much about all the other work and while I didn't finish everything there is always next year!!!   Every month and at classes we get to spend time with a fun group of women and enjoy stitching, chat, good food and lots of laughter. Sunday Stitchers at Cairns Craft Centre We also ventured south again to visit the Sydney Quilt Show which always amazes with a wonderful display of quilts and where I got to spend time with family.  This year I also was lucky enough to come home with a new Bernina to add to the machine collection in the studio. Sydney Quilt Show, Darling Harbour, June 2013 Brisbane was also on our itinerary and we fulfilled a long time desire to see the V& A antique quilt exhibition V&A Q...

It is Christmas Day here in Australia so I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who visits and comments on my blog and to wish them a very happy Christmas.  I would also like to thank the Sunday Stitchers and all my students for all their support this year and to wish my family and friends a truly wonderful Christmas - be safe and happy and don't get too stressed. Here are just a few of the many Christmas quilts currently hanging on our walls in the house and studio - "Santa hangs out here" by Frances Leate "Star Bright" by Frances Leate - AP&Q Vol 19 No 9 "No Room at the Inn" by Frances Leate - Patchwork & Stitching Vol 11 No 6 "Star Turn" by Frances Leate Happy Christmas Frances

The Christmas spirit was very slow to surface in this household this year but gradually we are getting there and now the house is starting to look very festive.  Once I get started I always enjoy decorating the tree with its eclectic mix of decorations most of which are hand made.  Every year I make some new additions and lovingly fondle those made by friends in years past. Our Jim Shore Santa collection, big and small, has grown and we are gradually collecting Santas representing many countries. In the studio there is the bird tree which naturally is made up of many owls.  Some of these have been gifts and some I have made myself. The walls are gradually being covered with Christmas themed quilts and more about these in the next instalment. Happy Christmas Frances