Is it ok to think that 2023 is still a new year with a month already gone? With February just begun, it is the time for my annual stocktake of active projects.
If you have been following my posts for some time, you will know that I have been focussed on finishing some of the many works in progress stashed in my sewing room. A review of my 2022 finishes is coming as soon, I just need to set up the photography studio in the garage.
But for now, time to focus on one of my high priority projects that are in line to be finished this year.
Charlotte Louise was specifically designed for Threadbear, Castlemaine for a special workshop way back in 2014. Corliss approached Di Ford-Hall and me to collaborate and design two quilts with similar units and block patterns. The fabric that was the basis for both quilts was the Judi Rothermel range ‘Peace and Unity.’ Di and I met with Corliss and exchanged ideas and agreed on the basic ideas that we would incorporate into both of our medallion designs. Di’s finished quilt was named Sutton Grange.
In the workshop participants received both patterns, Sutton Grange and Charlotte Louise and could choose how to put their quilts together.
Charlotte Louise was put into a project box with some elements still needing to be finished. Every now and then I would open the box, think about the design and then put it away again! Not quite ready to finish it.
Charlotte Louise on the design wall
Side detail
Does anyone else do that?
I find that a quilt will take a ‘life of its own’ and if I am deliberating, the quilt will be packed away until I find the solution. A couple of times in the past 9 years I had made some small steps of progress.
Late last year, Charlotte Louise emerged from the storage box again. One of the first tasks was to complete the needleturn applique ‘cable’ border, one of the few completely stitched by hand. It took just a couple of hours to complete the last corner. The cables were a nod to Charlotte Louise who was a knitter and I tried to create something that reminded me of knitting as I too knit.
The rectangle blocks that are set in each of the sides in the midst of the Drunken Path blocks, now just need a small amount of finishing. I really like how these rectangles add interest to the design.
In 2014, I was working full time at my day job, so this quilt being on a timeline, was mostly constructed by machine. The applique was mostly finished with machine blanket stitch.
I have completed some reverse sewing and taken off the melon border and am re-thinking my design 13 years on. I am still considering … follow my original design or modify?
Computer design of quilt.
Centre of Charlotte Louise.