Adventures in Patchwork Part 1

Today was my first of the 4 day course at Fobbles learning to do a craft that I am a complete novice at - Patchwork. I went this morning with butterflies in my stomach, not knowing what to expect or whether or not I could master this craft.

I didn't need to worry one single bit, Barbara Slee our course tutor is wonderful, thats Barbara below slaving over a hot ironing board

Photobucket


Barbara gave us all a brief introduction to Log Cabin Patchwork, she explained about its origins. I learnt that it came from Egypt and there was a 'mummy' found in a pyramid, wrapped in a log cabin design shroud and also if you look at a birds eye view of a pyramid it is laid out like log cabin patchwork.

We also learnt that in America, log cabin work always started with the centre block being in red as it signifies the fire in the house and the light and dark blocks around it signify the room, the light part is where the fire shines in and the dark is the shaded part of the room where the firelight never reaches.

Photobucket


My fabric had arrived I chose 'Aviary' by Moda as the colours will look wonderful in our bedroom, and I have cut some of my cutting time down as I bought 2 jelly rolls. I still have to cut my borders and I haven't got a picture there of the fabrics for them,they are 3 different designs taken out of the 'Aviary' range, a cream, pink and soft aqua, for my 2", 4" and 6" borders and the binding, but I will show pics later this week of them.

Photobucket


After dividing my strips to light and dark, I then got to work measuring and cutting them. The block you can see behind my strips belongs to Joan, she is super fast and her fabric choices are wonderful, she had finished 2 blocks before I was halfway through cutting strips LOL!

Barbara took pity on me and said to start and sew one block after I had cut quite a few strips to size.

Photobucket


..Ta Da.....my very first block, only 35 more to do, as I am making a King size quilt for our bedroom.
Tomorrow is more cutting and hopefully much more stitching, so that I will have a few more blocks put together.

I was by far the only inexperienced one of us, as all the other ladies had all made quilts before, and I hope to bring you updates this week of the ladies and their quilts that they are making.

Hope that your week is going as well as mine has started, we also got our 2 week holiday booked for the end of June, which made my day even more exciting and I was full of happiness when I got home tonight, I rang my sister Helen, then my mum and then my MIL rang and then I saw my friend Gill and then spoke to my SIL Dawn and I was just full of my great day - sorry if I bored you ladies (but I don't think I did) LOL!!Tomorrow night, all of us on the course are heading for an evening out for dinner after we have finished the days course work and I am soooo looking forward to it, at least I will sleep tonight as I am shattered now.

Have a great week everyone and I hope that your weather is as wonderfully sunny and warm as ours is.

26 comments:

lena-lou said...

Oooh Su I LOVE the look of this and your colour choice is perfect for your bedroom :-)) I am so happy to know you had such a brilliant day and tomorrow sounds like it will be just as good. You will have to teach me next time I see you!

Don't forget to phone me tomorrow with the days news as I can't wait to hear it !!

Have fun xx

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had a very nice time of it. Your block is so very pretty too.

Susan @ Real Girl Designs said...

I love the fabric you chose - it is beautiful.

I've promised myself that when I have a house with "my" own room, I'm going to take up quilting. I can't wait to read about your next class!

doris said...

Great colors! I love piecing log cabin quilts. Keep having fun.

Kim B said...

I love your fabric!! Good luck! I look forward to seeing this come together for you!

Deb said...

This is going to be lovely and you would never know that you were the least experienced. I've been quilting for a while, and your log cabin block looks fantastic. I always seem to get myself off someplace on those, even though they are probably one of my favorite quilting designs! Great job!

CindyMae said...

Sounds like an awesome class and your square is just gorgeous! I love the fabrics you chose, beautiful!

Julie said...

Su, that fabric is so pretty and you did an amazing job at your first block. I can tell you had a delightful time. :D Can't wait to see more.

Sheila said...

Being a very new patchworker myself I am so impressed with what you have done so far. And thanks for the info on how LC got its name.
Look forward to seeing your quilt grow.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful block! I'll be waiting for all quilt now :)

Anna Zont said...

I love your fabric. Great colors!

nataliejo said...

Ah ah ! great news !!! I am so happy that you give it a try ! you will soon get hooked !! Your first block is lovely ! can't wait to see more of them !! ;-)

angelasweby said...

Wow Su,, it sounds as if you are having the time of your life. It must be such a refreshing change to do something totally different. I love your colour choices and your first block is brilliant :>)
Have a great few days! Glad to hear your holiday is booked too - something to look forward to :>)
Hugs, Angela

Anonymous said...

That quilt is going to be so beautiful - the Aviary line is charming. Congrats on starting something new!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

That moda set is "perfectly Su" ! And choosing The Log Cabin...ahhh...my dear my FAVORITE quilt block...you're making it for me aren't you? LOL! Well you can lay under my quilt someday and know you had a wonderful idea for me anyway ;)

Nancy said...

I think it's wonderful that you are learning a new technique Su, and remember, the other ladies had a first time at one point too. Your fabrics are gorgeous and will make a truly lovely quilt. You sound so excited! Hope you had a nice dinner out. I look forward to future quilt posts!

Rachel D. said...

Hello Su. I can feel in your post the same excitment I felt when I first started patchwork courses (not so long ago). It's such a pleasure and your 1st log cabin is just great (love the colours you choose). I'm looking forward to see more.

mainely stitching said...

Good for you, Su! I'd be too scared to take a quilting class, I suspect. :0

I love the Aviary squares, btw!

Christine said...

For your first attempt that is amazing! Love the colours

Patricia Lessell said...

Su I love your fabric choice and am so jealous of you being there I just can't tell you. I hope you have a simply wonderful week and really enjoy yourself. Lots of Love Patti xxx

Myrna said...

Hi Su,

I think you log cabin square looks awesome, and your colors are lovely. Have fun, and enjoy!

Carol R said...

What a great start Su! Can I put in my order for a King size quilt please?

[[[Hugs]]]

Yuko said...

Oh Su! I love your first piece!!
The jelly rolls colours are so spring! 35 more pieces to go is quite tough, I'm looking forward to finished piece!!!
Hopefully someday in person!

Andrea said...

Beautiful colours for your quilt.

Solstitches said...

The fabrics are gorgeous and that is such a pretty block.
I had to smile - a king size quilt as a first project. Wow!

Meire Aparecida Rubio de Amorim said...

Beautifull log cabin. I love to make a log cabin. I live in Brazil and i love cross stich and patchwork too. Sorry, my english is not very good...rs

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin