The Daughters of Sarah Morrell

Way back when the Saturday chapter of the SSS still met on Saturday mornings at PP, we were thinking about our next project. As we have said before, we originally met to do a class with Di and just decided to stay together. We had completed two projects and then Merri and Di started discussing quilts that thy liked that might be suitable for our next project. Of course it turned out that the quilt they both loved was the same one; the Sarah Morrell quilt. The original quilt was made in Pennsylvania and New Jersey around 1843. It is an album quilt which alternates pieced/applique blocks with broderie perse. Well at first we thought it was a bit daunting - but of course none of us would ever admit to anything being too challenging so we all decided to give it a bash. Here's the original


Some of the blocks are really gorgeous, some of them quite damaged.

Well we launched into the project and Di decided that the centre block needed something a bit more definite, so drafted a new block for the centre. Here is Di's version of the quilt.

Beautiful, yes? I would like to show you some close ups, but this daughter of Sarah is currently sojourning in Amsterdam! The pieced and applique blocks were relatively straightforward to do. Choosing beautiful fabric for each piece helps with the overall look of this quilt.

The next version is Merri's. Merri chose a beautiful pale ice blue background fabric.


The broderie perse blocks challenged our skills as floral arrangers, and our fabric stashes. Most of us didn't have a lot of large scale floral pieces to use.


You will see as we go through, that some fabrics appear in many quilts. Many of our sessions were devoted to sharing our fabrics and arranging these blocks.

Designing vases helped to fill the spaces.

The scale would suggest that these are the biggest flowers you have ever seen - but hey - it's not real life is it? We all love Merri's version. I think this now lives with her mum. I think Merri did her BP by hand - very dedicated.

Next up we have Meghan's quilt.

Meghan's background is a neutral with some strong blues throughout.

She has used some interesting figures in her quilt blocks.

And some bird life.

I'm not sure where Meghan's Morrell resides - and I don't know if it's hand BP'ed. I'm sure the girls will let me know and then I'll edit the post. Here is another way to incorporate a vase.



My quilt is next. Well actually it is still a quilt top - rather than a quilt.

Wow - I like it better in the photo than in the flesh! Here are a couple of close ups of pieced and appliqued blocks.

The background of mine is from the original Charleston collection.

Some bright blue from the first Smithsonian collection - it was one of my favourites. Sorry about the wobbly photos. The quilts are big and I couldn't get far enough away - or get the girls to stand far enough apart to get a straight hang.


Another luminous blue. I hope I have some more.

My BP blocks are machine appliqued. I love my Bernina and have no patience to do it by hand.

Each of these flowers is a separate bloom but look they are painted on.

The possibilities are endless if you can find the right fabrics.


My Morrell currently resides in a cupboard in my study. It will see the light of day one day.

Here is Sue's. It is a similar colour scheme to Meghan's.



Sue's quilt lives on her bed - that's a strange place for quilt Sue! Here is a beautiful red block.

And a couple of her BP blocks. Again not sure but I think Sue did hers by hand too.


I love these blue flowers

And another appliqued block.



Kerri's Morrell is still a work in progress. Here are some of her blocks.



I love the one embroidered with her initials. There are plenty of places in the quilt where embroidery can be added. Pulling out these blocks has spurred Kerry on to finish a few more blocks. So when she' s done I'm sure she will show you.

Here is a close up of the centre.


Now last but definitely not least is Ann's Morrell. As you can see this is very different. Ann made this quilt for her daughter and she asked for a yellow and blue quilt. It is not Ann's colour scheme of choice, and of course this palette limited the fabrics Ann could use. She's done a fabulous job in spite of the difficulties. Have a look.



Isn't it stunning?

Qhite different isn't it?


Don't you love the teapots?



Very French provincial colours.



Well I hope you like the variations. I think some of these will be at Quilts in the Barn for closer inspection.

The pattern for this quilt is now available at Threadbears, and for European readers, at Petra Prins Patchwork and Quilting. I hope these pictures give you some inspiration and ideas to design your own version of Sarah Morrell.

Cheers

Deb

Art Deco Inspiration

At our last Saturday meeting at Julie's place there was quite a sense of industry happening. What happens when we all get together is that we pass on advice about new books, products and of course, fabrics. Someone often has a bright idea about a new pattern we might all launch into ( as if we need any more UFOs). It is such a great source of inspiration for us all.

On of our "less published sisters", Sue, is a great creative thinker. She is often working on things a little out of our "thinking square". At Julie's, we were lucky enough to see the evolution of her latest project. I don't think it has a name yet but it is inspired by the Art Deco period. Luckily, another of our dear sisters, Barb , is a member of the Art Deco society ( is that the correct title Barb?) and she has been able to help with books and papers for ideas and inpiration.

Sue has chosen a lovely colour palette of deep maroon reds, burgundy, blacks and some softer pale creams and apricots for the backgrounds. Di is always on hand to lend wise guidance about placement and the overall cohesion of the pattern. It is so unusual to see a pattern 'evolve' like this. It is a great credit to Sue's ability to see the ideas in her head then get them onto the fabric.


Of course, the rest of us just chime in with ideas and advice of a more general nature. We can all be depended upon to have an opinion to share.
Oh, and did I say that she is making it to give as a wedding gift. How generous is that?

This time I did not take the photos - left that to Sue so will incude them to share with you all.

Also in the photos you will see Julie's version of the Burnt Quilt(on the left). It is a treasure in the making. Her colours a so controlled and cohesive, tieing the various frames or borders together to frame each section. I wish I had her control! You can see the difference when side by side. By the way, Di was working on her new centre for the BQ. and it is to die for!!!! ( pardon the pun). Perhaps she will share it soon.

By the way, did you all see Deb's vibrant Not Quite telling the Truth quilt ? It is "WOW". Check it out on her blog.
Enough from me now
As always, happy sewing
Merri

PS. someone asked about the quilt on our banner - it is after Frederica Josephson (out of A. Gero's book, The Fabric of Society) made by us all with great love for Di.

A sneak peak....

The Sisters are getting a little excited (and a little anxious) about our invitation by Linda from Quilts in the Barn to be the featured quilters at her annual quilt hanging. Excited because we get the opportunity to share our quilts with lots of folk and anxious because well, let's face it, we just hope that all who attend like what they see.

To add to the sense of excitement, those of us who could, gathered at Merri's recently for a 'photo shoot' as Linda needed some photos to send to Australian Country Crafts (I think) for some pre show publicity. Now doesn't that sound important! Not really, it was very much a family affair with Di's daughter Nicci (a professional photographer) pointing the lens at us and our quilts. We were very grateful for the help of our honorary Sisters, Pat and Brian, who came in quite useful (and earned their keep - a slice of cake baked by Di) by holding up the quilts so that Nicci could take the photos.


That's Pat on the left and Brian on the right holding up one of Barb's quilts.


The photo above shows Merri and Deb with Merri's "Deb's Not Quite Telling the Truth, Easy Applique Quilt"

The quilt below is Ann's work. This photo really does not do the quilt justice. In real life it is a stunning combination of red, black and tea-dyed fabrics (for some unknown reason we all find it hard to use white in our quilts and often resort to tea).



At the moment October seems a long way off but I am sure it will be upon us before we can say "Jack Robinson". In the meantime, we are all working hard on getting one or two of the UFOs finished to add to the choice of quilts to hang. And we are all very grateful for the wonderful Helen Hayes who is working tirelessly on her long arm quilter to help us meet the deadline. Helen does beautiful quilting and always comes up trumps with gorgeous designs to complement our work.

Helen has just returned to us the raffle quilt for Quilts in the Barn that we have made. I hope you like it. We have called it The Sister's Peony Bouquet. It is a reproduction (what else) and while we all contributed blocks it was Di who put it all together and made the flying geese border.




I am not sure when tickets will be available but when they do please buy up big as all proceeds will go to Breast Cancer Research.

Looking forward to meeting those of our blogging friends who can make it to Quilts in the Barn later this year,

Meghan.

A long time between visits...........

It has been some time since my last foray into blogland but have been stitching away like mad to get some UFO's finished for, you guessed it, Quilts in the Barn( QIB). The raffle quilt for QIB
has gone to Helen Hayes for quilting so will be wonderful I am sure. ( see Di's previous entry)

Last Thursday we car-pooled for the foggy journey to Sue's at Daylesford. Sue, as usual did not disappoint with her wonderful parsnip, celery & fennel soup and wonderful honey, date & ginger cake. I think we kept her so busy feeding us she did not sew a stitch! I made the soup this week and it was a big hit with the family, thanks Sue.

All of us sisters have been diligently sewing - Julie is surging ahead with her broderie perse blocks for the Burnt quilt, as am I. Barb has wrestled with, and got control of, that central border of triangles and is on her way. She had her beautiful version of Wedding Sampler to show us and it is ready for quilting now. Another one for Helen I think.

Di unveiled a new addition to the Burnt Quilt pattern for those who can't find a central panel or just love applique. We have all come to expect Di's applique to be beautiful and this one did not disappoint. I will leave it to her to share more later.

Clare was stitching bindings on three of her wonderful quilts (Jane Austen, Avignon & ????), having just returned from Katrina Wilson who did a wonderful job ( as usual ) quilting all three. She is a great quilter who has a real talent for it! Clare was suffering a little from sore hands - I think we all know that feeling after sewing the binding on large, heavy quilts. Surely this is not age????? Is it? Katrina also has my wedding rings so her quilting machine must be busy.

Ann was knitting her lucky grandson a lovely blue scarf and was on a deadline so she "click-clacked" all the way there and back. Kerry was working on a UFO - was it Flower Baskets or Mary Brown? Chris has just had eye surgery but was with as again and sewing but not sure what it was.

I have just put all my Burnt quilt pieces on the floor to check colour, placement, balance etc. I have a few snaps to show you but still haven't go a camera of great quality but you will get the idea. I have about six broderie perse/applique blocks to complete and still the half lozenges around the half star border. Nearly there though.
Good sewing everyone
Merri

Last but not least....

My holiday is becoming a rapidly fading memory as work and life in general take over again. (I cannot believe it is nearly 4 weeks since I left Paris and began the journey home. ) So what have I got (photos aside) that helps keep the delight and enjoyment experienced while travelling alive?

For those that have been reading my earlier posts, you will note a distinct lack of information on purchases of the fabric variety. Well all I can say is that I have been saving the best to last! The Sisters have long been aware of the beautiful reproduction Dutch Chintzes from Den Haan & Wagenmakers. In fact Di has designed the Burnt Quilt around a tree of life panel from D H & W that we purchased from Threadbear. And, over the past few months, Di has developed a business relationship and friendship with Petra Prins, who in partnership with Nel Kooiman, owns D H & W.

So one of the first things I did when I arrived at Pour l'Amour du Fil in Nantes was to find Petra's stand and introduce myself to her. Petra is one of life's beautiful people - she exudes warmth and laughter and was so welcoming. I was delighted to meet her in Nantes. And completely fell in love with those wonderful chintzes! I determined then and there that my lasting memory of the holiday would be a purchase of said fabrics to make a quilt using ideas sparked while drooling over the exhibition at the V&A.

We were to meet Petra again in Veldhoven where Bev, Irene and I were welcomed like long lost friends. In between we also visited the D H & W shop in Amsterdam where Annelies was equally welcoming. And this is where I let the moths out of the wallet.

First purchase was this stunning border print.
Then came a beautifully presented box of strips of over 60 fabrics from the D H & W chintzes.
Don't you just love the pin cushion at the heart of the box. And finally a wonderful selection of the solids to complement all these gorgeous florals.
The photos really don't do the fabric justice as the colours are rich and saturated and, being chintz, all have got that wonderful polished finish. By our local standards, the fabrics are expensive although they are 60 inches wide. But really,when you see something so beautiful, and can turn memories into something to love and use for the rest of your life, who cares!

So for anyone travelling to Europe, and Amsterdam in particular, please, please visit D H & W. Or if you find yourself in Zutphen drop in at Petra Prins Patchwork and Quilting. You will not be disappointed.

Until next time,

Meghan