Homestead Quilt finished

I finished this quilt which I started in 2020.  Although I originally wanted to free motion the whole quilt, when I started the quilting process, I once again couldn't decide what to free motion where and settled once again with straight stitching on all of the blocks.  Now that the whole quilt is done, I am considering adding free motion fillers to the solid color fabrics.

I bought a complimentary fabric for the back but discovered too late that I bought too little and had to add a plain blue for the sasching at the back as well as two of the corner blocks as the original fabric was sold out by the time I discovered my mistake.  The quilt blocks was finished using the quilt as you go method.  It was the first quilt I did where the blocks was set on point.  

I seldom finish quilt bindings by hand anymore and prefer to machine stitch the front as well as the back.  I accomplish this by first stitching the binding to the back of the quilt and then finish it at the front.  For this quilt I use an overcasting stitch to create a decorative finish.

And with the label stitched to the back, this project is done.  I might just be able to finish all the UFO's this year with only two bed quilts and one wall hanging left to finish.  That being said, I just realize that one third of 2023 is already behind us.

Aprons

Another happy customer.  This lady and her husband are going camping for a month at Kruger National Park and made them each an apron for this memorable occasion.  She wanted their names embroidered on the pockets and I was happy to assist.  

She didn't want anything too fancy and choose this font which I embroidered 7.5cm high in grey to match the stripes in the aprons.

Courthouse Step Runner

During one of our quilting group's meetings last year, we decided to take part in some of teacher Annie du Toit's classes to broaden our skills and to bring more variety to our group meetings.  Luckily Annie was doing a class about an hour's drive from Bloemfontein and decided to sleep over and do the class in person rather than via the internet.  

So, on the 2nd of March our group convened at Marietjie's house and started cutting and stitching.  It was such a wonderful and instructive morning.  When we left at midday, everybody had most of their blocks done and ready to stitch into a runner.

I added a fifth round of steps and a wider border as our tv cabinet is a bit wider.

As with the Strata Star table runner I stitched in February, I again used machine embroidery, the walking foot as well as free motion to do the quilting.  I used four different designs in each of 4 of the blocks with all 4 designs in the center and 5th block giving a different look to every block.

On the border, I decided to stitch a free motion feather, the first time ever I tackled a feather.  Since I started quilting in 2010, I so wanted to stitch feathers, but was totally intimidated and scared to even try.  I stitched the stem with the walking foot and failed miserably on the first two attempts.  Whilst drawing it out on a piece of paper to show my husband what I was trying to accomplish, I realized what I was doing wrong.  On the third attempt I succeeded and stitched a feather all around the border.

Although I didn't stop far enough from the edge as to not catch the feather in the binding, I am extremely proud of myself that I have finally overcome my feathered fear. 

The embroidery designs I used is this set from Embroidery Library.  On the maroon I stitched with a matching variegated thread and on the cream with a mother of pearl metallic thread.

Below are some of the other members runners.

Frances van Schalkwyk

Marietjie van Rensburg

Rika van der Merwe

                                2023 is going extremely well with two finished quilts thus far.