Quilting Cruise Memories

Quilt Documentation # 136

Here's a piece I just finished.   I was very lucky to be able to take a workshop with Sue Spargo while a quilting cruise in New Zealand and Australia, this past January. The classes were held on the days at sea, so we were still able to partake in all the excursions while in port.

Quilting Cruise Memories

This was really out of the box for me. I had never worked with wool and although I had a little knowledge of some embroidery stitches it was a real eye opener to learn where and how to apply them to the applique design, as well as learn many new stitches.

These are close-ups of the blocks:

Block #1

Block #1 - before quilting

Block #1 - quilted

Block #1 - detail & lady bug

Sue showed us how to make lady bugs and bumble bees.  Then I copy my roommate's caterpiller on Block #3.

Block #2

Block #2 - before quilting

Block #2 - quilted

Block #2 - detail - bumble bee and red leather circles

Block #3

Block #3 - before quilting 

Block #3 - quilted

Block #3 -detail &  caterpiller 

The border is from a piece of wool that my husband brought back from Peru.  I believe it is Llama wool (which I felted for this).

I was not sure how to finish this quilt but I know Sue uses cotton in the blocks as well as backing and binding. I used a cotton print for the back and decided to face it with the same fabric instead of adding a binding. Little triangles in the corners are used to insert a slat for hanging and one could be placed at the bottom to weigh it down if it was needed.

Quilting Cruise Memories - back

label

I really need to thank my roommate, Susan who so generously let me “shop” in her wonderful stash of hand dyed wool and threads, as well as Sue Spargo who shared all her supplies with everyone. Thank you Sue and Sue.

I have already used a lot of the embroidery stitches in another project and really, really  liked working with wool and will definitely be using it in more quilts.

I can see a lot more hand work in my future.

Linking up to The Needle and Thread Network.

Happy Quilting,

Terry

DOCUMENTATION:

Quilt Name: Quilting Cruise Memories

Description: Folk Art Wool Applique and Embroidery

Pattern: Sue Spargo patterns

Size: 9” x 30¼”

Fabrics: Wool, cotton, leather, wool, cotton and silk threads, beads

Predominant colours: Turquoise, lemon, khaki, red

Construction Techniques: wool applique, embroidery

Back: 100% cotton

Batting: wool

Edge finish: facing

Quilting: Free motion quilted on Domestic Machine

Quilted by: Terry Whyte

Sleeve: yes (corners to insert rod)

Label: yes

Date completed:2013

Inspiration: from a workshop with Sue Spargo while on a quilting cruise in New Zealand and Australia.

Maker: Terry Whyte