Sherbet Strips

Surprisingly, I'm all packed up and ready to go, to the Fair that is! As promised, I've managed to take a few snaps of my latest quilt to share with you and for me to remember it by.

This is what is termed a "string" quilt and you probably don't need me to explain why!

The way of making this sort of quilt is a little unusual though, in that it employs a technique called "foundation piecing". Each block is sewn onto a piece of paper, just regular copy paper in my case. Starting in the middle of the block, each strip of fabric is sewn right sides facing to the next, it's then flipped over and ironed back, you then keep on adding more strips until your "foundation" is covered. Once the block is finished, you remove the paper (a yawn-worthy task if ever there was one!)

It is a very enjoyable technique though. I sat with a big basket of strips next to me, which I've accumulated over time, and picked each one as I went, deciding on the spot which colours and patterns to put next to each other. Once I had made twenty-four blocks, I arranged them in a pleasing pattern, sewed them together and hey presto, there was one pretty fine quilt top! It's a nice size, about 38" x 56", perfect for a lap quilt or throw but also big enough for the foot of the bed.

The colours and fabrics are similar to those used in my favourite Spangled Spiderweb Quilt; quite a few Kaffe Fassett designs with their fabulous patterns and luminous colours, along with plenty of 1930's reproduction cottons and any other bits 'n' bobs which I felt suited the quilt.

I have backed it with a vintage white and ditsy blue floral cotton and used a fabulous Kaffe Fassett art print for the binding which really works a treat. Wish I'd snapped up more of this before they discontinued it. The quilt was first quilted in the ditch then on the diagonal through the blocks, in the same direction as the strips. I felt any more quilting would be way over the top and detract from the design and fabrics. There's a little vintage embroidered linen name patch so that one day, whomever owns this quilt will know its provenance.

So there it is, one lovely quilt, all ready to go to a new home. Maybe! Thanks to all of you who kindly left messages yesterday and I am really looking forward to seeing some of you tomorrow.

Wishing everyone a sunny and fun-filled weekend!