Bloggers' Quilt Festival

I finished my Hand Drawn Garden Plus quilt a couple of weeks ago but have been saving its reveal for the Bloggers Quilt Festival over at Amy's Creative Side - one of my favourite online events which happens twice a year.

I am a huge fan of anything Anna Maria Horner and unlike many people I have no problem taking my rotary cutter to my favourite fabrics! So a few weeks ago, I decided to make a simple patchwork quilt from my FQs of her Hand Drawn Garden line.

But when I laid out the 5 1/2" squares it didn't look quite how I had seen it in my head. So I decided to try a plus block layout and liked it. I've made a plus quilt before and don't normally repeat blocks but I broke a personal rule and I'm glad I did.

The plus design isn't always immediately obvious due to the eclectic designs and colours in this line but I quite like that!

After finishing the main panel, I decided to add a border of low volume fabrics in varying sized squares and rectangles. Then I added a second border of 2.5" x 3.5" rectangles of Hand Drawn Garden.

I backed and bound it using fabrics from Anna Maria Horner's True Colors line - so pretty and they work perfectly together. The batting is my favourite -  Dream Orient (a mix of silk, bamboo and cotton), which is beautifully soft and has the perfect drape.

I quilted it in straight lines, vertically and horizontally echoing the squares. This is the largest quilt that I have made, measuring 75" x 85" and will be perfect for snuggling under in the cooler months.

Oh and it seems my hubby is finally becoming more comfortable with quilts these days.  Here's a shot of him walking us back to the car after bundling up the quilt in his arms.  Happy Days!

Quilt Stats
Quilt Size: 75" x 85"
Quilt design - Plus blocks using 5 1/2" squares
Fabrics for Quilt Top - Anna Maria Horner's Hand Drawn Garden and various low volume fabrics
Fabric for quilt back -  Medallion in Aquamarine from Anna Maria Horner's True Colors
Binding Fabric - Sealing Wax in Amethyst from Anna Maria Haorner's True Colors.
Batting: Oriental Dream

Thank you so much to Amy for hosting this fun event. Now to hop over there myself and get me some inspiration!

Bloggers` Quilt Festival

Yes, it`s that time of year when Amy generously opens the doors to her virtual quilt festival. If you are a first time visitor here or an old time follower - welcome!

Last October, I entered this quilt. 

This time, I`m entering the 1001 Sleepless Nights baby quilt I made for baby George.

George was born last December. He`s my cousin Dan`s second child.  I first met Dan`s partner Jacqui when they visited Marrakech, our home, in October 2010.  Jacqui was taking part in a trek across the Sahara for Help for Heroes.  While it was my cousin`s first visit here, she is a long time visitor to Marrakech and absolutely loves it.

 
When I knew they were expecting George, I decided to make him a quilt and wanted it to reflect our connection with his parents and their visit here. Together with a little blue Terrain fabric, 1001 Peeps was the perfect line with its depiction of oriental life and the palette of blues and greens are boyish, bright and attractive. I had wanted to make a plus quilt for a long time and this was the perfect opportunity.


To give a pop of colour, I bound it in a zingy orange...

  and did a little hand stitching in orange perle.

I backed it in a simple green candy stripe...and lightly quilted it so that it was nice and smooshy for George.

...and it was well received.  Perfect for an afternoon lie down.

Now I`m off to the festival to have a look at the amazing quilts, which have been submitted. If you haven`t already, go see the amazing talent out there. Thanks Amy for hosting this fabulous bi-annual event!