Starpatch

It was this time last year when I started going to Laguepie Starpatch on a Monday afternoon. It was the revival of an interest from decades earlier when used scraps left from dressmaking to make patchwork duvet covers. I had never done patterns other than the English style "grandmother's garden" or any quilting so there was a lot to learn. I soon got bitten by the bug and the attic room, which I had always had my eye on as a den, was taken over.

I have been busy ever since making wallhangings, cushions, and bags and this week took my second finished big quilt "top" to show everyone. They are a picky crowd and say just what they think - always checking for faults and mismatches. We English amongst the group often find the directness a little difficult to take. After showing my first quilt top I ended up vowing never to take another!




But this they liked !

I have taken great pains with it to make sure it is technically OK and the colours have worked well. There are 1272 pieces  all been stitched by hand - the Laguepie ladies do prefer work done à la main.

It even got hung up for the session so everyone could have a good look - very gratifying

Now comes the difficult bit - the quilting. Not quite sure where to start. I am sure I won't be short of people advising. I must grasp the metal soon though - my first top remains unquilted so far - the problem is I have lots of ideas of things I want to do and so far I haven't enjoyed the quilting as much as the piecing, but it must be done , I want it to be part of the next Starpatch exhibition in 2016 - the expos are every 3 years and it was the one in 2013 which inspired me to take up the needle again.