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

Thursday, April 9, 2020

The Sopwell Ladies

I suddenly realised today that I have never shown my completed flimsy of The Sopwell Ladies Basket Society Quilt.
I started this quilt last year as a BOM sample for The Country Yard. I did finish the top earlier this year but I must have been busy then and forgot to share.
I really enjoyed making this quilt. There's quite a lot of work in each 'block' but there's a nice variety and it stays pretty interesting :-)
(Not the best photos sorry as I had to get it into the shop and I think that may have been why I didn't share at the time, I was going to get some better pics.)
I did all the applique by machine, using fusible applique paper and turning the edges over with glue, and then using invisible thread to zig-zag it to the background. I do prefer hand turned under applique but this was certainly a lot quicker and a good technique to use on a project from time to time so you actually get it finished :-)
The border fabric was a fun one to use and helped with the choice of scrappy-type fabrics used within the quilt.

In other news, I've completed one of the sweet stitcheries Michelle Ridgeway kindly offered on her blog —
Stitched using 'Honeysuckle' Cottage Garden Thread

He didn't take very long to stitch, which is just as well as I am gathering a wee pile of ''Lockdown projects' I'd like to sew up to commemorate what we're all experiencing at the moment!

I've decided I really must be getting fitter with all these walks I'm doing. A big walk used to be to the top of the first hill across the road... now that's a 'quick walk' when I'm considering where to walk. (As in "Where shall I go?" "Oh what about a quick walk up the hill over the road"). So that's where I headed today, and then I decided to carry on past the beehives, and up to a wee knoll I've been eyeing up for a bit - but putting off as it was too much of a walk.
Past the beehives and up the next bit of hill
Down that bit of hill and then heading for the knoll on the right
Up the top of the knoll and looking back to where I'd come
And looking the other way to our runoff which is further along this track.
(The pasture areas you see above, where we graze non-milking animals.)
I mentioned the other day the fire that ripped through this area a few year ago. A lot of this area was burnt and has slowly been recovering. In the Private Reserve alongside some of the track the 'team' spent a lot of time and energy doing a springtime planting of some natives they had raised from seed from the area.
(As well as the bush being on our land, it's also on the neighbour's, the Reserve, Conservation land and, over the road back on the main farm, Maori land. It's all interconnected and sometimes it's hard to know where the boundaries are).

Anyway, I'd been wondering how the new plants were doing with the extended drought we're in but I was pleased to notice today that quite a few of the plants are doing well. The Manuka scrub that has come up provides good shelter for the small plants.
The autumn weather is making my walks quite pleasant. Today was a good day for some strange looking shadows—
Oh to have such long legs!

Another peaceful unhurried day keeping to my bubble :-)

Take care and stay well,
Happy stitches,

17 comments:

  1. The quilt did turn out well. Keep enjoying our walks.

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  2. Beautiful quilt and I love your walks. Helps my heart that gets so tired of being in to close of a vicinity with people. LOL

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  3. I think outside walks will be making some fitter than they were before. I don't believe I remember the making of the quilt you show today

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  4. Once again, such beautiful vistas on your walks - Thank you for sharing them!

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  5. Lovely to see your Sopwell top. I have totally caught up with the blocks, threw no 5 on the pile yesterday. Mmmmm. Today’s project will be to see why one is bigger than the rest.

    Thanks for the lovely photos - you have such a varied environment and an interesting life.

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  6. Such a lovely walk.
    The Sopwell quilt top does look very busy and involved. A lovely finish though.

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  7. A great quilt! Has it been quilted? And you are lucky to have such a lovely spot to go walking in, a wonderful bubble!

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  8. Sopwell has come up lovely and as you say learnt new technique with it.... great finish.... and a lovely walk.... I have Michelle's stitcheries printed... I must get to doing one at least... what will you make with yours... deciding that is usually my problem...
    Hugz

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  9. Sopwell looks wonderful, is it hanging on display in the shop? Good to see Emma dog going for a walk with you. You must be getting very fit!! Great to see the views around the farm. Good too to see the new plants growing. That is a lovely stitchery.

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  10. Ah, Now you let your secret out of how you can climb all those hills....it's your long legs!

    Keep your eyes off those distant blue hills .. or have you climbed them already - I'm getting disoriented.

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  11. A Beautiful Quilt..Pleased you remembered to show us...
    Enjoyed YOUR walk....

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  12. Great quilt finish Raewyn - looks like a fun quilt to work on. I am enjoying your walks! xx

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  13. Lovely result with your quilt. I think the colours are lovely.
    Hope it provided a lot of inspiration in the shop.
    Your walks will have you ready for a marathon by the time the lockdown ends!

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  14. Your quilt is beautiful Raewyn......such a lot of gorgeous work. Very chuffed to see my poodle stitched.....inspired by my DD poodle Miss Sophie or her nickname POO-DELL lol! I think I have said before I envy your wonderful walks. Great to see the plants rejuvenating. Keep enjoying your walks.....for me too xxx

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  15. Your quilt looks stunning! Thanks as always for taking us on a walk with you x

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  16. Gorgeous countryside! Thanks for taking us along on your walk. And your quilt certainly does contain a lot of work - it's lovely and a keepsake for certain. Enjoy your nice weather.

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  17. That would be a LOT of baskets to do by hand. What an impressive quilt. Love your walk, you have space to do it in spite of social distancing, lucky you.

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