Saturday 1 June 2013

Playing with quilts (just an excuse to buy more fabric!)

Hi, my names Helen and I'm addicted to fabric!
Ahh, that feels better...

I never thought two years ago that I would become so obsessed with little bits of cloth. But these days I can tell my Michael Miller from my Tula Pink and my Joel Dewberry from my Amy Butlers - I'm not sure whether to be proud or slightly ashamed of my geekiness when it comes to fabric!?

Over a short period of time I've managed to accumulate quite a collection of my favourite pieces, but there is one fabric designer whose fabrics all seem to be winners. Kate Spain makes the most beautiful designs.
Because all of her fabrics are sooo amazing I've never been able to decide which to buy. Fortunately, in the world of quilting they do these handy little pre-cut packs, which means you don't have to choose - you can buy lots of bits of the whole collection.

So, about 2 years ago I bought a pre-cut quilt kit from Kate Spain's Terrain collection.
But I never quite got around to starting it - always being a bit fearful of cutting it wrong! Then, two weeks ago - egged on by my Facebook friends - I finally made a start.

As predicted, I did make a mistake when trying to follow the pattern. But hopefully no-one but me will ever notice. This is what the finished item should have looked like....
But this is what mine is looking like so far. Can you spot where I went wrong?

There's still a long way to go (and my bags have been a little bit neglected lately!), but it's been really fun to play with lots of different coloured fabrics (with maybe enough offcuts to make a patchwork bag or two!) and hopefully by next weeks Handmade Monday I'll be able to show you what mine looks like.


20 comments:

  1. The beauty of patchwork/quilting is there's no rules. So if you make a mistake (and who doesn't !!!) none will notice.

    I love the colours in the kit. So bright and cheerful. Can't wait to see what it looks like finished xx

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  2. It looks great! I can't tell where you went wrong? Are the corner blocks supposed to be one colored square? If so, I like it the way they are because they sort of make a pin wheel and another 'sub' pattern. J

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  3. It looks lovely. Went wrong? All mistakes (which aren't really mistakes) are just different ways of doing things. I must have a look at Kate Spain's website - Spain is not a very common last name so could be a relative. Hope you have a good week.

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  4. Well I definitely can't spot the mistake, and it looks beautiful.

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  5. I can see why you love the material. It is lovely. Your quilt will look stunning when it is done. I have no chance at all of spotting the mistake. You should have kept quiet!!

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  6. What gorgeous fabrics! I've not heard of this designer before, I'll check her out. Thanks for the tip!

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  7. Beautiful fabrics! Love the 1st one especially

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  8. I can tell now you pointed it out but without that other example it just looks like a fine quilt in its own right. I will have to take a look at Kate Spain fabric now!

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  9. The quilt looks good to me. I don't think anyone else will notice!

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  10. oh wow, that fabric with the peacock and the flowers is sooooo pretty! there is no shame in being a fabric addict :)

    your quilt is looking amazing and i can't see any mistakes at all! x

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  11. They are gorgeous fabrics and your quilt is looking lovely. There are no mistakes just opportunities to be creative x

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  12. Nope- can't spot it- just see a lovely looking quilt so far!
    Passion for what you do is certainly nothing to be ashamed of- so I don't think you're geeky knowing your designers.

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  13. Your quilt looks amazing - I can't see the mistake, you've just made yours unique. Great fabric, I'm a fabric affict too! have a good week, jo x

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  14. Gorgeous material & I can't spot your mistake :-) Simmi x

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  15. I, too, am a fabric addict (along with being addicted to the accumulation of lace, buttons, vintage embroidered linen etc!). I mainly lean to vintage rather than new but wouldn't object if you put your jelly roll in front of me.
    I think I can spot where you have gone erong, but it's your quilt so how it turns out is how you meant it too! Let us know how you get on.
    Have a lovely week.

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  16. Yes fabric is addictive!

    The quilt is looking great :)

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  17. I seem to remember that in ancient times a mistakes were always included by craftsment so they didn't offend the gods by suggesting that mortals could be perfect! Seems reasonable to me - I think your quilt is coming along beautifully.. Sue x

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  18. Ah, yes, the first cut and I am the weakest! I know what you mean, I have been known to iron rather than start... but once I get going, I feel so stupid not have started sooner.

    Great quilts, and a lovely stash!

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  19. Goddness now you have started me off on one. I need to get my hoard out and have a touchy feely session!! That peacock fabric is to die for. Hugs Mrs A.

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