Pretty Birds x 2

"Pretty Birds" designed by Elizabeth Hartman is finished.  I loved making this quilt and am thrilled to bits with it.

The large quilt has arrive at its new home with my friend in USA.

The background for this quilt is called Manchester in Parchment colourway - this is the fabric suggested in the pattern - don't think I would choose to buy it again as it's quite open weave and doesn't feel very stable when sewing with it.

Nevertheless, I had plenty left over and decided to make the small version of the quilt as a wallhanging.

Cockatoos

Toucans

Cockatiels

Macaws

Lorikeets

Used the same backing as the larger quilt and the binding is an orange/yellow fabric from my stash.

I think this wallhanging will be going to my cousin's new home.

In late August I went on a quick holiday to Western Australia with my dear friend Lynell.  I haven't been to Perth since 1976, when I spent one day there on a voyage back from our trip to UK and Europe.

We went on an organised trip so something was planned for each day - better than having to make decisions and do our own planning.  We had a tour around Perth, visited Fremantle, Rottnest Island, The Pinnacles among other places.

More Catch Up

The last quilt top in the pile to go to Karen is "Pretty Birds", an Elizabeth Hartman design made in gorgeous Alison Glass fabrics - the colours in these fabrics are spectacular.  I love them.

Elizabeth's patterns are quite complex to cut out but have very detailed instructions and diagrams.  Having a couple of sets of Alphabitties really helps.

The quilt has eight sets of five birds.

Cockatoos:

Toucans:

Cockatiels:

Macaws:

Lorikeets:

I used the background fabric suggested in the pattern Manchester in Parchment colourway, but I wouldn't choose it again - the fabric is very loose weave and lightweight.  I have enough left to make another small "Pretty Birds" quilt but that will be the last time I use it.

I bought this fun backing fabric at Spotlight years ago when I made the small "Pretty Birds" - the person I was making it for thought it was too juvenile but I'm using it for this quilt and the next small "Pretty Birds", which I'll start when a few more fabrics arrive to replenish the Alison Glass stash.

Looks like I'll be starting a few more Elizabeth Hartman quilts this year.

At the Melbourne Quilt Show in April I bought some gorgeous Alison Glass/Figo/Pips fabrics from These Clever Hands.  I'll be using them to make "Aviation Medallion". 

I finished this quilt during first Covid lockdown but want to make another with brighter colours and the purples will be used for the neutral sections of the pattern with silver for the background.

 

Three or so years ago I bought a kit for "Robots" from The Next Stitch, thinking I would make it for Vinnie.

Like every other 3 year old boy, Vinnie loves Dinosaurs, so the Robots fabrics will be used for Elizabeth Hartman's "Dinosaurs" quilt, with a few fabrics added from Hugo's "Dinosaurs" quilt and an order from The Next Stitch.

Hugo's favourite time of year is Halloween (I don't understand why this has become such a big thing in Australia - maybe it's all the free lollies) and I noticed on Instagram that Elizabeth Hartman has a new quilt pattern to be released tomorrow.

I have most of the fabric for "Halloween" in my stash and have ordered the rest from Sarah (Patchworks Plus).  Hope to have the quilt ready for Halloween this year.

Pretty Birds

I have a couple of regular customers who purchase quilts through my Etsy shop.  One lady bought the small Dinosaurs quilt and she mentioned she would love a "Pretty Birds" wallhanging if I felt like making one.  I love Elizabeth Hartman designs - they are intricate and have many pieces but the patterns are so well-written and are easy-to-follow.

The wallhanging was finished a while ago and I sent it to Sarah for quilting (along with Batman).  Sarah used "Square Buns" and the design looks great on the finished quilt.

The client specifically asked for white cockatoos - she has a 40 year old cocky.

The Alison Glass fabrics look fantastic in the birds - Cockatoos, Macaws, Cockatiels, Toucans and Lorikeets.  The backing fabric is from Spotlight.

I'm looking forward to making the full-size quilt - maybe later this year or next year.

Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins is one of my favourite musicals.  There is so much to love about this show - the dancing is so fantastic, great singing.  T was very excited for "Step in Time" and the tap dancing was brilliant.  Everyone is the show was outstanding.

First saw this musical in Melbourne in 2011 - Mum, Elizabeth, Jenni and I had a lovely few days trip.  This new version of the show is even better I think.  Wore my pink shoes.

After a couple of weeks of no sewing, I turned on the machine over the weekend and have commenced sewing "Blueberry Kisses" blocks together.  This will be a fairly large quilt when it's done.

Received a parcel from Sarah (Patchworks Plus) late last week containing to two quilts.  The small version of Pretty Birds

and another quilt that is a present so can't be shown yet.  Black fabric sure catches threads and dust.  I'll need to spend some time with the lint roller.

Also received a fat quarter bundle of Camille Roskelley's new fabric range - "Nantucket Summer".  So many pretty fabrics.

I have plans for two quilts using the blues - the greens can go into the stash.