Collection 22 - Where Did That Name Come From?

Collection 22	The Future Awaits doesn't the design remind you of those science fiction movies where people go into a trim travel machine and then they spin off to somewhere else .. or perhaps it reminds you of the spotless nurses uniforms?	C22 The Future Awaits
Ribbons of Peace what a peaceful coloured block. If only the world could be so peaceful and enjoy the ribbons of children playing in the parks and laughing.	C22 Ribbons of Peace	Nuclear Free  amazing how so many of this month's blocks have a theme of fear of the future.
C22 Isobel's Flight	Isobel was the first person I designed and wrote a pattern for. She had liked one of my other patterns and wanted to modify it. When I suggested this one she jumped at it. I should find a photo of her quilt and upload it.	C22 Nuclear Free
Rhonda is a dear friend. Full of life and laughter she was always the life of the party and of course she loved spots. This fabric came from her stash.	C22 Rhonda Loves Spots	When touring Alaska  we tried our hand at gold panning but alas were so successful we had to return to our day jobs as they say :)
C22 WorkingTogether	Working Together was the melding of two designs. I think it may have looked more dramatic if I had used two colours for the design but didn't want that in this quilt.	C22 Looking for Gems

BOM 22- Nuclear Free

WOW I can't believe there are people still going with this. Although I enjoyed making Raconteur my application came and went. It took me six years to make and whenever I sewed it I must admit I loved it, but my interest did fluctuate at times. I can remember one time I made two or three blocks a day, every day for a few weeks. Then I came to my senses and resumed a sensible schedule...of making lots of different quilts at the one time :)

Well here is the BOM for September, Nuclear Free. The name is obvious from the nuclear symbol. I always found it odd as we drive to Sydney there is a sign up saying nuclear free zone. I wonder if the people there are also against the radiation therapy used for cancer etc. There are negative sides and positive sides to most things.

Canberra Quilt Show

Woo hoo! Two red ribbons plus a viewers choice at the recent Canberra Quilt Show. 

 Exploring Stitches was second in Mixed Media, while Post Scripts was second in Tiny Treasures and also winner of Viewers' Choice for the Small Quilts section. Great day all round.


If you have time to surf here is a link to all of the winners there are some real beauties there. I particularly liked second place in the bed quilts professional. What is your favourite?

Colouring In - what a wonderful pastime

I was talking with Chris who is just about to begin her Raconteur journey....nothing in particular and lots about this and that. You all know how conversations have a tendency to wander. Keeps ones interest, or checks if they are paying attention :0

Anyway whilst typing up a response I had a thought.... perhaps Chris can quilt. I know that is a skill I'm lacking in and it does affect my designs at times. Well I picked up the idea that perhaps Chris could do more than a mean walking foot and so decided to try out an alternative border plan.

Rather than framing each collection in the same colour/fabric if the separate bands took in both sides of the outer border strip it would allow someone with some quilting skills a wider strip to work with. I did a quick colouring of the layout sketch for king size layout and the theory looks good. Wonder what it would be like in real life. Ah so many ideas and so little time.

Festival of Quilts UK

Well guess what? At the UK Festival of Quilts last week Raconteur was lucky enough to win Viewer's Choice for Thursday!! Woohoo! Can you see the smile on my face? I have heard this is the biggest show in the UK and Europe and after looking at the photos of the winning entries I can honestly say had I realised how big a competition it is I would never have had the confidence to enter..but I'm glad I did.
Here is the organiser's facebook page, but for some real eye candy here Fiona's photos, she even has a photo of THE quilt. The photo above is just one of the many that I liked. One day I will go the the FofQ.....as soon as I win lotto.

Oh for anyone wanting the link to my website for Raconteur here it is

Collection 21 - Where Did That Name Come From? -comments needed

Collection 21	row 1, cell 2	C21 Winter Grace
row 2, cell 1	C21 Too Thin	row 2, cell 3
C21 Merry Stitchers	row 3, cell 2	C21 Whirling Wind
row 4, cell 1	C21 Remembering	row 4, cell 3
C21 The Date	row 5, cell 2	C21 Through the Lattice

BOM 21 - Through the Lattice

Collection 21

One of my experiments with non-hexagon blocks. some variations worked better with the change than others but this is one that I did like. Several blocks from this experiment are still in my pile of oughts..probably never to be used.

Carol loves Florals

Collection 51	Another collection completed. I have to choose Colours of Age as my favourite in this collection. I just adore how the purple stands out against the roses. Can't say if it is my favourite because of the colours or the fact that I love roses.	C51 When I am King
C51 Colours of Age	C51 Amethyst	C51 Pretty Maid
C51 Star Within	C51 Rising Mist	C51 Tail Spin

BOM 19 - Place d'Italie

Collection 19

This is an interesting block with its mixture of small and large pieces. I had planned to have six of the smaller triangles in the inner section but somehow misplaced them and as I didn't have any spare blue fabric with me changed the block so that I could sew that night.

Revising Tutorials

As it has been a while since some of the tutorials were posted I thought this would be a good time to write a quick summary with links for people who have joined recently.

If you are new here, or even if you have been here a while but didn't know, at times people have sent in suggestions to help others. Here is a round up with links to previous posts.

Foundation Piecing -
How to plus a couple of simple beginners level blocks here

English Paper Piecing
I have only ever used EPP with 1/4in hexagons and didn't use it for Raconteur but Carol swears by it. She was the one who asked for the templates and if not for her request then there would have been no EPP templates.
Sue Daley has made a series of youtube videos about EPP. These appear good but I found that one needed more patience than I had to use this because of the size of the pieces. The video demonstrates with large pieces.
I have personally found that if you want to use glue with such small pieces then Roxannes glue is the best because of the fine applicator
This post talks about a site by flossie cakes and the wealth of information there
Post about a new product for EPP. I haven't tried this product yet but Sue Daley is well respected in Australia and is know as the queen of EPP. here

Applique
Applique is a method I have never enjoyed. You will be surprised to find that I have pieced many blocks which others may do using appliqué. This post provides a list of links to various appliqué sites.

Photographing Your Blocks
just a few suggestions on how to take photos of your blocks to make it easier form to photoshop and upload them. Btw if you want a copy of your cropped photo just ask me when you send it in and I will happily send it back to you. here