Friday 19 February 2016

Oh! Christmas Tree

Yes, it's February and I'm working on a Christmas Quilt.  I started this quilt at a quilt retreat back in September 2015 (here) but I didn't get very far due to other competing priorities - namely la passacaglia. So I put it high on my list for 2016 and I got it out again about 2 weeks ago.




The pattern is by Wendy Williams of Flying Fish Kits.  It's available directly from her website here, or in Issue 3 of Simply Moderne published by QuiltMania.



If you love the look of this quilt, but don't know where to start, my good friend Elizabeth Eastmond of Occasional Piece Quilt blog is running a quilt along for this quilt right now.  Her introductory post is here, and she'll be posting step 2 on March 2.  I've sent Elizabeth some tips and photos because I've been making Wendy's patterns for a few years now, and I have some experience with wool felt applique.


there's still some holes to be filled in

Here are some closeups of the flowers for my Christmas tree.  I try to use a different thread and a different stitch on each one. I mainly use DMC Perle 8, but I've also started using some beautiful Wonderfil threads, including the new Sue Spargo Eleganza threads.










You'll see that some of my flowers have fabric in the centre.  That's where the applique bit comes into it.  I collect fabrics like this when I see them, and use them for this type of work.

double click to enlarge the photo if you want to read the selvedges
I made the red triangle border over Christmas, but I couldn't resist pulling some fabrics for the stars this week.  I think it's going to look like this:



We're enjoying a great summer here in New Zealand.  I was at a local beach at the weekend and took some photos.






I feel very fortunate to live in New Zealand.

15 comments:

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I need to find some of those fabrics that you are using with the wool, that is how I want to do my flowers on my border for the Postage Stamp quilt. I too am going with a Wendy Williams pattern, I saw that magazine the other day when I was in the city and didn't get it :( now I wish I had.

Raewyn said...

YOur Christmas tree is gorgeous - might be another pattern I have to hunt down! I can see how well the collection of fabrics will work for this project! It looks like it was a fabulous day for the beach - have you had much rain this week?

Julie said...

I love Wendy Williams work, all the colour and fun felt an stitches.
How long are you in Auckland for?

Deb said...

Oh Wendy,I saw this magazine when it came out and thought I must look at it again but forgot all about it. This Christmas tree is beautiful and you are making beautiful work of it.

margaret said...

what a great tree mind you I thinking it would work all year round. Beach looks very welcoming

Maryse said...

It looks fabulous; I love to see the different stitches and different designs for each circle. Beautiful work!

Oops-Lah said...

Those circle flowers are super; will you be able to stop? I'm sure they are quite additive to make. And you are indeed very lucky to live in NZ; the only complaint I have is that it's so far away ;)!

Granny Maud's Girl said...

The other Wendy will be doing a class here later this year. I have already told the organiser that I am keen, even though bookings are not yet officially open. Fingers crossed I get a place!

Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio said...

I love your wool applique Wendy! So beautiful. I love embroidering wool too. You do such gorgeous work!!!

Wendy said...

This is going to be another gorgeous quilt!

Ruth said...

Looks great Wendy - I have that magazine and put it aside Will have to pick it back up agaim=n. It looks really cool in these fab colours!

Sandi said...

I'm waiting for my background fabric to arrive. I've cut all my templates out. I'm going to use mainly felted wool with a bit of wool felt and cottons. I like the punch apt hat the cottons add. I've ask my friend who dyes wool to bring w couple of larger pieces for the tree base as I've nothing that large.

Love your progress so far.and look forward to the continued processes you share with us. Do you do any of the flower stitching before you put it on the background and then stitch them down as a finished unit. Or do you work on the layers directly on the background?

Carol Q said...

I SO want to make this Wendy. I am in love with it. I'll have to start collecting suitable fabrics. Your stitching just brings it all to life :)

Live a Colorful Life said...

Your work is just so impeccable and inspiring. Love every single thing you work on!

OPQuilt said...

WOW. Your flower blocks just knock my socks off, and I appreciate them doubly, as I've been trying to work on mine for the blog post on Wednesday. I've linked a lot of the post (I have written most of it) over to you, but will add this link into the post as well, as it's just so lovely on every score. I saw that you made the wonky stars on IG--bravo to you! Many thanks for leading the way on this, as I really appreciate all the help you've given me.

You might want to know that QuiltMania gave me another magazine to to a giveaway with, so I'll be running that one as well on Wednesday, for any late starters to this QAL. Thank you, thank you for everything!
:) Elizabeth