Patchwork

I have always loved patchwork - I guess because you get to use so many fabrics in just one project! The problem for me was the British way of patch-working, with all the paper templates, is so time consuming......

(Taken from 'Collectable Quilts' by Mary Clare Clark.)
So several years ago I enrolled on a patchwork course which taught the American method. The shapes are cut from the fabrics to including a small seam allowance. They can then be joined up on the sewing machine or using a small hand running stitch.

Luckily for me there is a shop in Bath which regularly imports fabrics from the States. They also run the courses in a studio at the back of the shop. (If ever you have the chance to go, it is an Aladdin's cave for the fabricaholic! It is called 'Country Threads' and is in Pierrepont Place.) Every week we were shown a new block to create, each one getting more and more complex. At the end of the course I had completed all of my 12 block which was enough to make a quilt large enough for a single bed.

I chose a fabulous collection of American folk art fabrics. They featured apple pickers, grist mills and lots of black cats! The first square is called 'tumbling blocks' made from diamond shapes - I tried to make mine look like crates full of sliced apples. The second is 'pinwheel' - I had to take care to make sure that the little figures on the fabric all stood up straight - I didn't want them upside down on the finished quilt!

I think the third block was my version of an eight pointed star! - I'm sure more proficient patchworkers will correct me if I'm wrong! This is followed by a traditional 'log cabin', which should be dark on one side and light on the other - if you were to make a whole quilt made up of log cabin blocks, you start to create patterns within patterns - they can be stunning.

At the time I had a real love for all the muted colours of the country style fabrics. I used a beautiful fabric range that was designed by a very talented American folk art artist. (Could it have been Carol Endres? I'm sure some of you American gals could tell me.)

The little Amish style people are delightful. As you can see, I finally finished putting my quilt together, with its layer of batting and quilt stitches in July 1999.

The following year I enrolled on another course. This time it was to produce a smaller lap quilt made from soft cotton flannel. I continued with my folk art theme and produced this quilt.

It is a basic log cabin design, with the centre squares each featuring charming houses in an embroidered sampler style.

If I remember correctly, a one metre length of the house fabric gave just enough of them to complete the quilt.

I backed it in a sweet cross-stitch alphabet printed flannel - this is such a cosy and soft lap quilt - perfect for the winter months, snuggled in an arm chair.

The little heart wall hanging was quick and easy to make from homespun checks.

I haven't actually made any other patchwork quilts for a while. I did start another flannel quilt made up of lines of little houses, which resemble seaside beach huts. I don't like to start a project and not see it completed, so I think I may try to finish this over the Christmas holidays.

My own home has moved on from the homespun/country look, but I do still have soft spot for it and all things Shaker inspired. When my daughters leave home, I think I will decorate one of the bedrooms in this style, with my quilts and some rustic country furniture. It should make for a comfy and fun spare room for them to stay in when they come home.

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Happy St. Andrew's Day to all of my Scottish friends!

And I hope everyone has a lovely weekend, Niki x