Monday, October 31, 2011

Bloggers Quilt Festival

Amy'sCreativeSide
I found my way to this great link through Nova, The Bloggers Quilt Festival, and what a great idea! I'm constantly amazed at just how much we can access the quilting world, from our own little chair. There are so many gorgeous quilts with wonderful stories behind them, and those stories, have amazing women behind them.

I 'revealed' this quilt in my last post, but when I thought about what quilt to share in this festival, it took no time decide. It speaks of where I am now, what is important to me and the little touch of individuality I like add to my creations.


'Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!' arose out of my fondness for the Union Jack Quilts there were popping up over the place (perhaps inspired by Wills and Kates wedding?). I wanted to make one, but not wanted to 'follow the crowd' and being a very proud Aussie, I came up with the idea of the Australian Flag. I was excited as soon as I thought of the idea and knew the exact range I wanted to use. It had just come into the shop and I had immediately fallen in love with it. I knew that I wanted to make something with it, so the two (fabric and quilt idea) where a match made in heaven!

There were many attempts to get the dimensions and ratio correct. I had wanted to keep it exact, but from a quilt perspective it just didn't work. The Unions Jacks would either be too small (which I couldn't have as they were foundation pieced and a focal point), or the overall flag too big. The stars are correct however, and I made sure they had the 7 points representing our 6 states and the territories.

My youngest daughter Elsie, (and my husband if I'm to be honest), were a bit concerned with my colour choice (Elsie was confused as to why I could get it so wrong!). But that was one of the things I loved about it, the fact that it was quirky.

Often when making a quilt, you can be slightly 'over it' towards the end and fail to see it objectively as you have looked at it so much. But with this quilt, I loved it just as much, and was so excited to hang it for the first time at the Brisbane Quilt and Craft Fair, with my patterns for it on sale. It got a great response and I'm very proud of it.

Have a great week,
Michelle xx

p.s. nearly ready to put together a new design.. a chunky applique. 74 blocks down, only 6 to go! xx

16 comments:

Marg said...

I love this quilt. I saw it in Brisbane, fell in love with it and just had to buy the pattern. Congratulations on a fabulous design.

Sarah said...

I love it when a pattern and a fabric are "Meant" to be together! I personally love the colour choices you went with and what a fab idea for personalising it :D

trish said...

What a charming quilt! :o)

Anonymous said...

So glad you decided to share this quilt again! It's fantastic. I love the union jack trend and I love that you've done it in different colors. Very creative.

Simply Sandy said...

I love the combination of the pattern and the fabrics you used. It might be quirky, but it's what makes it special. I am now a follower. And I can't wait to see your next design!

Lyanna L. said...

fun quilt -- love how you used the trend for the union jack flag but altered it to fit your personality/feelings. i enjoy the colors of the quilt as well...great job.

Susan said...

As a proud Aussie, I was wondering whether there was anything like this out there, with all the Union Jacks everywhere! it is a great quilt! And I LOVE the colour choice- quirky and fu!

circle retreat quilter said...

Oh Michelle, I so love this quilt where did you say we could all buy this pattern from? and can we buy it in kit form also? please re post on your blog so we all know.... x

circle retreat quilter said...

Michelle, Where did you say we can buy this wonderful pattern from? i am sure we would all love to know and share with all our quilting buddies?

Jennifer Mathis of Ellison Lane said...

Such a beautiful quilt- love your colors!

Tina in Boston said...

I don't think the colors are wrong at all! I love the fact that you used uncoventional colors while showing your Aussie pride! Congrats on a great quilt!

Just..... US!! said...

Hiya Michelle, the Ossie quilt is amazing, I love it!! I tried to email you ages ago but there was no email attached to your blog or something like that. You had left some lovely comments on my blog and I was trying to reply. We are on a trip around Australia in our caravan at the moment so naturally I haven't been into the shop. Glad to see you are getting into the op shopping, the one near the shop is one of my favourites. You struck gold with the old sewing basket thingy!! Will see you in January and will be into the shop to buy that wonderful pattern of yours, it is wonderful!!
Keep designing!! see you soon, Megan

Quilt Genius said...

Your quilt is great! I think it's beautiful.

Mary
http://www.quiltgenius.com

Michelle said...

Thanks so much everyone, I can't tell you how much your positive feedback has meant to me, I'm flying quite high at the moment. It has also meant that I have got my butt into gear and opened an etsy shop with my patterns. I will add a couple more over the next few days. Thanks again, Michelle xx

Eileen said...

What a great aussie quilt! Love it and think you've done it perfectly with the fabrics and colors. Those stars are great thanks for sharing and have a great day

Beeshebags said...

G'day,

I am one of many Friends of AHQ (Aussie Hero Quilts) and I was wondering if your Aussie Aussie Aussie pattern might be for sale please? I'd love to make some Aussie flag quilts, and have seen the one in Homespun, but that's one big flag, yours would work better into the dimensions required for AHQ. If you want to read more about them, the blog address is http://aussieheroquilts.blogspot.com

Hope to hear from you soon, my email addy is beadnv (at) westnet (dot) com (dot) au

Hugs
Naomi