Six years ago I first stepped inside an independent patchwork store and swooned. I was already deep in love with fabric, and quite familiar with Lincraft and other dress fabric stores, but on this occasion I discovered a love even closer to my heart. Imagine, all the fabric displayed by colour!
It was around the time of my 29th birthday, and I decided there and then to purchase some fabrics as a birthday present for myself.
It all started with this “dirty” purple, (my love for “dirty”, slightly greyed-out purples has not diminished). I based all of my selections on this fabric. I danced around the shop picking out co-ordinating fabrics, and before I knew it, I had quite a stack – boy was I shocked at the price, once it was all added up.
My mother – my guru in all things sewing – had a book on quilt blocks, so I picked out the beguiling Ohio star, borrowed Mum’s cutting mat and ruler, and got cutting. I finished this quilt that year, and it has languished in the cupboard even since – it’s size was overwhelming, and I could not justify the price to get it professionally quilted.
This year I pulled it out of that cupboard, and entrusted it to my clever quilting friend, Anita Ellis. Anita and I met at the North of the Yarra Quilting Guild, and she has quilted one other of my languishing quilts for me earlier this year. She has done such a beautiful job. You can reach Anita, (whose business in called “Hillside Quilting” and is based in Warrandyte) on 0430 135 281.
So after 6 years, I am finishing my first quilt – sewing on the binding. I want to make a really nice label, so I have made this little Ohio star (6″ wide), to go on it. Luckily, I keep every small scrap, so I still had some of the fabrics to make it up in.
The colours remind me of Autumn, and I have called the quilt “Autumn Sunset”. It doesn’t go with any of our decor, but the colours make me sing on the inside.
I’m sure you’ll find the perfect place for it in your new home 🙂
It looks fabulous. You should be really proud!
Its a stunning first quilt! What perfect points.
It’s beautiful Claire! I love that purple colour too!
xx
“Decor”?? You have a brand new house to decorate i “your” colours – this quilt is gorgeous Claire
Well done, it looks great