Journal Quilts

 Here are the first four pieces that I have submitted for the journal quilts project that I am part of this year via the Contemporary Quilt group. Reused Japanese fabric, found map, machine quilted. 7" x 10"

Journey 1

Journey 2

Journey 3

Journey 4

New cushion

Four cushion stages - front pieced together and tacked, back with papers and tacks, the finished front and the finished cushion, quilted and in situ

Quilt frame

The quilt frame is built, loaded and ready to go, so needles out for the next few months!

Papers in, Papers out

Before and after pictures of the template papers in the back of the quilt top and how the top looks from the front when the papers and tacking are removed. This gives the first sight of the quilt top as I have imagined it all those months ago, it looks very smooth and whole. Now its time to get quilting.I usually hand quilt with a hoop but I now have a quilting frame so this will be my first attempt to tackle getting all the layers on to the right rollers and getting the tension right. I'm off to study the instructions and get organised!

Quilt top complete

All the borders are now attached and the whole top has been thoroughly pressed. Trying to sort out the backing fabric today which I need to fit together in some broad stripes. Then it will be one of my favourite tasks, removing all the tacks and the backing papers from the pieced top. Once removed the top will look quite different smooth and complete. Then it will be time for the quilting frame

Quilt Borders

I make one handpieced and quilted large patchwork a year and take great pleasure in the slow progression of the work. The top is now completed and sewn together and I have started work on the borders, piecing strips together in readyness for stitching onto the edges of the top. Two sides of the border are cut and tacked, two to go

Sunny interlude Strange creature

A tiny sunny window between stormy weather and a washed up sea creature