My quilting thoughts and inspirations sprinkled with a glimpse of life down on the farm

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

My spool quilt adventure

A few years ago when I was pretty new to blogland, a lot of people were making Klosjes. They were making these English Paper Pieced ones (below) - wow I was blown away. I was pretty new to quilting and hadn't really come across this technique before so I jumped in and started making some myself.
This was my first Klosjes (spool) block. May 2010.
I had a vision in my head to make a quilt of all sorts of spool blocks, each border a different type.
These were my second attempts at spools. They were fun too.
I got this far, putting the first two types together. I loved this little piece, about 27" square. I still had grand plans for more borders of spools.
Even back then I was a scrappy person.
The next type I thought I would try was this one. Scrappy again. And inspired by others of this type throughout blogland, and also the Edyta Sitar ones I had coveted in her books.
But it didn't really do it for me any more. I couldn't get THAT spool to fit with what I had already.  So the project stalled and got tucked away, resting, and dreaming of a better life, one day.

Enter my latest (sorry, that should read, one of my latest) leader and ender project. I had fun sewing up these little Maverick stars and originally had visions of a whole quilt of them. But I started to run out of cream 2 1/2" squares and knew my party with them should end. I had made a nice little pile but not enough for a whole quilt.
Then came a lightbulb moment in the middle of the night!!! And this is what I've done! Yaay I am so happy.
Yessiree! A border on my 'spools' quilt.
Now before you go 'yuck' and think that the yellow border is a little odd in there, stop!! I had moments when I wondered if it was a good idea (yes, I agonised!) but it won out in the end.
A. I needed to build out the size so I could fit my stars;
B. I wanted to make a transition into 'sparkly' stars and what better colour than yellow.
C. There will be more borders after this one and I will have a chance to even out the colour with them then.

I have no idea what the next borders will be (any ideas, anyone?) (currently approx. 42" square, it needs to grow a little) but it feels good to have made a little progress!

So this is my spool quilt adventure so far; maybe you have a couple of half completed projects, ideas or experiments tucked away that could be combined in a similar fashion?

Now I'll leave you with this photo. You'll possibly know I like my farm photos and I have way too many pics of cute animals and interesting (to me) moments on the farm. But this one shows the view from one of the back hills. It was a good workout climbing to the top! (several times)
Click on the photo for a full sized view. It was such a lovely day, hard to
believe it is still supposed to be winter.
These are the 'dry cows' waiting to calve. You can just make out the bike/s
down the very bottom; proof we ascended on foot!
Ok, I'd best go and check the dinner. Thank you for visiting, and happy stitching :-)

32 comments:

  1. I am not a yellow person at all, but I think it works. The stars suit the spools very well. Maybe it needs to sit a while waiting for the next strike of inspiration. The cows certainly look happy in your green paddocks.

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  2. Dear Raewyn,
    what a lovely Quilt-Top and the story behind is so interesting too. I love to read how projects grow, but sorry, I have actually no idea concerning the outer border(s) :-)))
    Have a good time and until soon...
    Hugs from germany
    sigisart

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  3. The yellow looks good and the star border is a perfect addition. Take time to think about the next border. Inspiration will come eventually. Have fun.

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  4. Oh Raewyn I love it! What about a round of hexies, cause that's you & cause you can! And an applique round??
    Glad you dragged this one out from 'resting'.
    Aren't the maverick stars fun to make.....I must quilt mine!

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  5. Wow, I love where this quilt is going and the story behind it. I also think that the yellow works. Medallion quilts are everywhere at the moment and they show so many ideas for what the next border might be. Log Cabins, Churn Dash, flying geese or even "+" blocks. What ever you decided on it will look great. hugs

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  6. I do like the yellow in this quilt as it is so far. With the white, yes it works for me. (as if that is important haha)

    The picture you've made is beautiful. So nice to see much of the world. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. This is going to be your very own masterpiece Raewyn, love the look so far. Maybe something traditional for the next round...?

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  8. I like the combination and adding them in borders is very cool!
    Not sure about the next one but the Leeanne's suggestion
    about a hexie round sounds good! I also LOVE applique borders.
    I think they add so much to a quilt and you do such nice work.
    I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

    The farm looks beautiful!

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  9. I really like the yellow! As for more borders can the Edyta Sitar spool fit now that you have had a break with the stars? Otherwise a round of hourglass blocks may be fun because they can also look a bit "spool-like.

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  10. I love your very starry spool quilt. Just beautiful. Thanks for sharing your amazing vistas on your farm.

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  11. I love your starry spool quilt! What a beautiful design / solution!
    Want more spools? Enter my Give Away; you're welcome!
    Your spot on the globe takes my breath away and I assume the workout did the same with yours, my friend!
    Cheers,

    Jeanneke.

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  12. Your little quilt is breath taking! Fabulous combination of spools and stars! Your climb was well worth it...you definitely live in Paradise!

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  13. Love it! I think that yellow border looks fine in there. I'll look forward to seeing what you some up with for the next border (no ideas here, sorry!).

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  14. What you've done is nothing short of magical! And as far as I'm concerned the yellow border is perfect! It didn't strike me as out of place at all - I was so surprised to read you thought many people would think it didn't "go". I might not have thought that if I saw it before the star border - it really ties everything together perfectly. I can hardly wait to see how you finish this top!

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  15. I love this combination. It is surprisingly very compatible, and those fun stars make it all sparkle! The yellow border is a great touch, and I'm sure you will make it feel welcome as you build other borders in. What is the current leader/ender project? Would it work as the next round? I also like the suggestion of hourglass blocks given by JoAnne.
    Wow, what a gorgeous shot from the top of your hill! I never tire of seeing your area!

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  16. Your Spool Quilt is looking fabulous. I love the yellow border. Have thought of a Braid for the next border?...
    What an amazing photo .....

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  17. super idea putting those projects together. I like the yellow border.

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  18. What a great idea to combine the klosjes and the Maverick stars. The yellow suits very well also. I wonder how you will finish it, but it's already a brautiful quilt!
    And your vieuw, how nice to see that every day, and yes, it looks like spring already!

    Have a lovely day, Cisca

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  19. how fun to build a quilt like that.... it looks great and the yellow picks up yellow in the stars so I don't think it looks out at all...
    Hugz

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  20. Your quilt is very cool! I love that you added the two ideas together. Your view from the top of the hill is beautiful!

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  21. Great lightbulb moment - it worked perfectly. Have you thought about turning in on point and adding large setting triangles with applique or something to the sides? And that can happen at any time for a future border. It does turn it quite big quite quickly if you do that. Nice view too, haven't we had some nice weather this winter?

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  22. What a great idea. I love the effect you have achieved. Look forward to seeing what comes next

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  23. I think your spool quilt adventure is awesome - the yellow is great and you know me - what better to add than stars!!! Yeah!! I think it looks wonderful - I'll be thinking what you could add - maybe another fun little side trip!!

    Love the cows in the paddock!!! So green and they look right down happy!! Always fun to catch up - so nice to see that you are getting some sewing in the midst of calf rearing!!

    Hugs dear friend!!

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  24. Your work is just beautiful Raewyn ... I really like the yellow :-)
    A great pic of the cows in their paddock, yes you did climb a fair way up. I am glad to read that you also have those "lightbulb moments" in the middle of the night while lying awake!!!

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  25. I love the look of your quilt and the yellow looks lovely with it. Gorgeous blocks, both the spools and the stars. The view on your farm is amazing!

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  26. love what you have done with these two separate projects, they work wonderfully together.

    What a great view, and clicking on the photo works so well, will be clicking on other photos now, hopefully it works on them all. Fingers crossed you get some more twins with the cattle

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  27. gorgeous view.......completely flat here...........and not green like those rolling hills..........I love seeing your farm pics........

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  28. wow great quilttop, love this wonky scrappy look ☺
    I always enjoy waching the pictures from your home, thanks for sharing Raewyn!

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  29. I don't have any new suggestion for the next border. You have several good ideas already.
    I do want to tell you how much I like the yellow border. It definitely makes those funky stars sparkle. I'll have to try making some of those some day. They look like they'd be fun.

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  30. WOW!! How you manage to do what you do is beyond me ... and to work on the farm as well!!!!

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  31. It looks like you have been having some fun .... love what you have done so far! Different, but it works.

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  32. It looks so great alltogether!! Genious!
    And I like the yellow border :) you can always add another yellow border at the end (or binding).
    I'd love to see a blue border too :)

    Hugs,
    Tatyana

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