Here's my latest finish, Trans-Tasman Bubbles.
This quilt is all hand pieced and hand quilted by me. The pattern is by Willyne Hammerstein from her book Millefiori Quilts 4. In the book it's called "Dancing Cheek to Cheek", but I called my quilt trans-Tasman Bubbles, because the circles keep disappearing and re-emerging as you look at it.
The trans-Tasman bubble is an agreement between the New Zealand and Australian governments that lets citizens of those countries travel between the two countries without having to stay 14 days in managed isolation/hotel quarantine on arrival.
However, as soon as there are community cases in either Australia or New Zealand, the trans-Tasman bubble is suspended and people can no longer leave that city and go back to their home.
That's why I won't be going to the Quilt NSW Sydney Quilt Show this year. I'd love to go, but I don't want to risk being stuck in Sydney for extra days or weeks.
But back to the quilt - I started this quilt for three reasons:
1. I'd always wanted to make a Winding Ways type quilt with optical illusions
2. I wanted to try out more of the patterns in Millefiori Quilts 4 because they fascinate me.
3. Quilt NSW were going to have a special blue and white challenge at the 2021 Sydney Quilt Show and I wanted to enter (it's now deferred until 2022, but I'm ready!).
I've experimented with the Quick Curve Ruler and sewing curves on my sewing machine, but I decided that it might just be easier for me to hand piece a version of the Winding Ways quilt.
So I bought the hand piecing templates from Paper Pieces in USA. I always opt for the 1/4" seam allowance because I think 3/8" is too bulky.
I won't say it was easy to hand piece curves, because it wasn't, but I did get quicker as I went along. My main piece of advice is to mark extra registration points on your templates, and copy them onto the back of the fabric. I know some of you would like me to make a video of how I hand piece curves, so I'll try and do that soon.
I entered this quilt into the Great New Zealand Quilt Show in Rotorua in May 2021. It didn't win any prizes, but a number of people told me they loved it, so that was nice. I love it, and that's what's most important. And I learnt a new skill making it.
Size: 43" x 49"
Now it's time for the Peacock Party. What have you been up to this week? Feel free to share a recent blog post below.
I LOVE your Bubble quilt, she a true beauty! I never thought of trying to hand piece this pattern but that was a great idea. Sorry you can't attend the Sydney quilt show but you are wise to stay home. But next year you'll be there and can share the pictures. Happy stitching!
ReplyDeleteWow!!! Stunning! Blue & white quilts are a fav, with this one at the top!!! How does it work, with the middle pieces not touching each other?
ReplyDeleteLove your version of winding ways! It is very classic in blue and white and very pretty! :)
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is beautiful! I love how the different circles keep popping out. I have the Dancing Cheek to Cheek on my list of quilts I want to do. Thanks for sharing more inspiration!
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful quilt! Love the colors,too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quilt, Wendy! Those blues are just stunning, and I love all the movement in the quilt.
ReplyDeleteEs hermosa Wendy felicitaciones!!!!
ReplyDeleteWendy, I am so in love with your Trans Tasman Bubbles quilt! I, too, have always wanted to make a Winding Ways quilt. I know that AccuQuilt has a Winding Ways die for cutting it out that might even include notches for matching up the curves, but my personal experience with die cutting has shown me that I benefit more from speed than from accuracy with that method. Mostly due to user error, because I don't always follow the directions about sending the fabric through the machine on the least-stretchy lengthwise grain. How long did it take you to hand piece your quilt, and what size are your blocks?
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful quilt, really stunning. You really have started me off on my handpiecing journey. I have only done small bits of piecing so far but would love to tackle a bigger quilt when I feel a bit more confident. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWow Wendy, it looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteIt's glorious, and I love your matching outfit 😉
ReplyDeleteWendy ¡¡felicidades!! tu edredón es una belleza
ReplyDeleteWendy, your quilt is absolutely amazing!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful quilt. Now I need to find this book !
ReplyDeleteYour blue and white Bubble quilt is a stunner, Wendy. Thank you for hosting the link party and have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteTotally loving this quilt, Wendy! Gorgeous! I’ll be pinning this one.
ReplyDeleteMichelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
A beautiful quilt and the name will always remind you of this pandemic. I love the optical illusions especially with the striped fabric. I think I tried a pattern similar to this from a Quilter's Newsletter 15 or so years ago. My daughter has the very small wall hanging. I was frustrated because it was so difficult to piece the curves on the machine and there was a good deal of raveling.
ReplyDeleteYour Trans Tasman Bubble quilt is a beauty , both in the blue and white fabrics and the clever optical illusions. The Sydney quilt/craft show is always fun and interesting, isn't it? Perhaps next year. Yes, it's best to stay put for the time being.
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful quilt Wendy and you should have won a ribbon for all the hand work, but alas, those who do traditional work here in the USA are a dying breed! I am still hanging on! Hugs
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bubbles Wendy. 😄
ReplyDelete