Instagram Feed – Quilting On The Go
I’ve been lapping up all of the posts about the Gees Bend Quilter’s exhibition that is on at @alisonjacquesgallery in London, and was very pleased that I made the decision to visit. The quilts are very bold, and I was surprised that given the boldness it was the details I was drawn too. Amongst other things, it was the bindings.🤓. So in no particular order you can swipe through. I loved the idea in the red corduroy House Top by Qunnie Pettway, that the binding top and bottom has more colours in than the quilt. And on the Two Sided Quilt by Essie Bendolph Pettway that the patches on the front quilt are the binding for the back quilt. 😌. #geesbendquilts #alisonjacquesgallery #patchwork #quilts #quiltbinding #makersgonnamake #deliabennet #lorettaPettwaybennett #Essiebendolphpettway #ethalyoung #qunniepettway
Another one of these posts where I say I’ve stitched one block, and used the tech to see what more would look like. That’s the problem when I stitch sampler quilt blocks, I’m like, I could make a whole quilt just from these 🤣🤣. And it’s a scrap quilt, but really, this block barely used anything 🤦🏽♀️. #Patchwork #quiltblock #quiltinprogress #scrapquilt #sewyourstash #usewhatyouhave #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #handpieced #handstitched #handsewing #handpiecedpatchwork #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts
And so another little #kawandiquilt gets finished 🤷♀️. On this one I wanted to try out more of the ideas I see when I look at the traditional ones. I also wanted something to control the rows of stitches. I used fabric strips 2 1/2in wide to regulate the rows of stitches. The squares on top or Ticklers (I think that is the term? Edited: it’s spelt Tikelis, should have checked before I started! 🧐), were 2 1/2in. I’ve previously only used these add ins to get me out of a situation when I could not get fabrics and seams to come together 🤪. But @therootconnection said that their use broke up large areas of fabric, and that is how I used them here. It’s a nice comfortable 1930s fabric palette so it meant I could concentrate on the technique 🤓. So looking forward to sharing this technique on a sewing retreat with @stitchtopiauk in July. Check out their site and my website 😃. #kawandi #kawandiquilts #siddiquilts #handquilting #handstitching #qayg #runningstitch #slowstitch #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #bigstitchquilting #bigstitch #utilityquilting #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #stitchtopiauk
Yeah my postcard arrived from @the_virtual_thread , and it is such a treasure😍. Now to get my head around making a quilt block inspired by it 🧐🪡🧵. Thanks to @zakfoster.quilts and @amandanadigart for having us stretch our creative brains! #postcardquiltwip #newness
#favouritefabricfriday 👋. And it’s this print from @heatherrossinsta 😍. For a lot of you, need I say more? This is from her Far Far Away 2 collection from @windhamfabrics . I love this sort of isolated image, but especially the taupe with the turquoise and lime green. Definitely one when I think that I should have brought more 🤷♀️. Remember if you have a moment to share your favourite fabric today, we’d love to see it ! #favouritefabrics #favouritefabric #heatherrossfabric #windhamfabrics #patchworkfabric #fabricstash #taupe #lime #turquoise
Trying to get a good flat shot but too breezy 🙄. Nice to see it in the wind though, especially as there’s been some interesting chat about how we see quilts on here lately 😃. It’s a flimsy, to extra floaty! #quiltinprogress #quiltsofinstagram #patchwork #hexagons #hexiequilt #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #hexagonhappenings #landauerpublishing #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #machinestitched
Stitched a single patchwork block yesterday, based on a vintage quilt that I own. I’m not big on tech, you know, planning it on the computer etc... I’d rather be sewing. But I do like my Layout App 😍. So after sewing one block, ▶️ to see what I could do if I stitched more. #handpieced #handstitched #handsewn #patchwork #tulip #quiltblock #handpieiced #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #quiltersofinstagram
Getting projects finished, or in this case with my #siddiquilts , numbered. I’ve started stitching number 5 , so wanted to keep them in order. A complete move in colour palette as I’m loving working in these at the moment on other things. I’d made three in the original fabrics that I started with so felt I’d gone far enough with those for the time being. Loving seeing all of the other quilts when you look on the hashtags, and so much shared information in the writings 🤓. #kawandiquilts #qayg #improvquilt #improvquilting #scrapquilt #usewhatyouhave #sewyourstash #patchwork #quilt #patchworkquilt #handquilting #bigstitch #bigstitchquilting #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #quiltersofinstagram #quiltsofinstagram #stitchtopiauk #quiltingretreat
And just like @karenatsomerset says, when there is a lot to sew, you might as well squeeze in some pincushions. 🪡🧵🤪FYI it’s a stuffed version of the beach hut key fob from Joy of Jelly Rolls, @searchpress . #pincushions #pincushion #littlehousepincushions #jellyrollscraps #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #pinnies #searchpress
Favourite Fabric Friday, and I’m stretching it a bit by showing you two. And the quilt top I’ve made with them, which is yet to be determined as to how close to being finished it may be🧐. The first is by @nathalie_lete for @annamariahorner with @freespiritfabrics . Loved this so much I’ve made things in all of the colours 🤩. The second is from @artgalleryfabrics and was a print from their sketchbook group a while back. And lastly is the patchwork I made using the two together 🤓. Always great to sew with the favourite fabrics rather than just looking at them! #favouritefabricfriday #favouritefabric #favouritefabrics #freespiritfabrics #artgalleryfabrics #patchwork #quiltinprogress #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts
Getting me to think outside the box with this fun #postcardquiltwip 🤓. Still just time to sign up over on @zakfoster.quilts . Never hurts to go outside my comfort zone 🤞.
I loved this quick stitch mini quilt (coaster, whatever🤷♀️). So satisfying to dig into the saved precious selvedges strips. I’m hoping that by posting my little finish on here, and telling you all I made it as a gift, I’ll be more likely to send it to the recipient, instead of hanging on to it, as I just love it 😍. #gayg #stringquilt #selvedges #scrapquilt #quiltasyougo #quiltingonthego #wastenotwantnot #usewhatyouhave #patchwork #quilt #patchworkquilt #quiltsofinstagram #quiltersofinstagram #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #miniquilt
Looking for something , not this , in my photos. But sharing as it’s fun to see all of the process shots of a quilt that I taught for about 5yrs in the US 🤓 at International Quilt Festival in Houston. The quilt, the version later in these shots, is in my book Jelly Roll Quilts and Gifts (and now in Joy of Jelly Rolls @searchpress ). Such a fun way to show off a favourite Jelly Roll, and to be honest, apart from all of the playing with the layout 🤦🏽♀️, a quick stitch! #jellyrollquilt #joyofjellyrolls #searchpress #patchwork #quiltinprogress #jellyrollquiltsandgifts #quiltersofinstagram #patchworkquilt #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #quiltingteacher
Quilts and gardening, pretty much summing up my Easter Weekend 🌸🧵. Hope you are all enjoying one or the other, if not both! Sadly not my garden in the shot , but the quilt is mine from Big Stitch Quilts from @searchpress out in May! So as not to miss out , pre order from @pincushion_pantiles , Search Press, your Local quilt Shop etc.... This quilt is a combination of my favourite blues and my favourite quilting design, Elbow Quilting in #bigstitch 😍. So many quilts and projects for you to quilt your way into Summer with! #bigstitchquilting #searchpress #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #handquilting #handquilted #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #quilt #quilts #quiltersofinstagram #quiltsofinstagram #baptistfanquilting #utilityquilting
For #favouritefabricfriday today I’m sharing a print from @modafabrics. It’s from one of the collections by @sandyklop . I love that retro 1930’s vibe, and this fabric is featuring in my next Kawandi Quilt. So it’s on the cutting mat and ready to go 🧵. Hope you all have time to sort through some #favouritefabric this Good Friday! #showmethemoda
Completed #kawandiquilt number 3 last night 🧵. So many ideas for future ones, and moving out of my comfort zone fabric palette! If you fancy sewing one with me take a look at @stitchtopiauk and the sewing and garden retreat at the end of July this year! Who knows how many I’ll have made by then 😃. Check out @therootconnection and @margaretfabrizio for lots of inspiration too! #siddiquilts #kawandiquilts #siddiquilt #texture #runningstitch #qayg #scrapquilt #patchwork #quiltersofinstagram #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #stitchtopiauk #holidaystitching #stitchingholiday
Had to share this today as if you go and look over on @antiquequiltcompany he’s got a great quilt which reminded me of mine! 🤓. Mine’s a mini quilt made a few years back (you can tell from the quilting stitches 🤣), using my favourite blues. Those stars are only about 4in finished and and I made it stitch and flip rows so I didn’t need to baste it. 🤷♀️. Christopher shares so many inspiring quilts! #patchwork #patchworkquilt #quilt #handquilted #handquilting #scrapquilt #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #stitchandflip
#igquiltfest2021 and a catch up. Favourite Finish. I’m falling into the bracket of its always the quilt I’ve just finished 🤷♀️. So showing you the labelling on my recently complete Kawandi quilt, number two! You all know how much I’m enjoying exploring this technique and I’ve decided to document my progress by numbering each quilt. 🤓. The woven labels I put on all of my quilts, but the numbering is specific to these. FYI the back of my Kawandi are cotton tea towels! #quiltlabels #quiltlabelling #makerunknown not #crossstitch #handstitched #handsewn #embroidery #bigstitch #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #stitchtopia #craftholidays
Inspired by the Spring and the sunshine, but which setting to stitch these blocks into? 🤔▶️ #patchwork #quiltblocks #spring #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts
#igquiltfest2021 , Texture. It’s a fine line with me as to which is my favourite, patchwork or the quilting? But I do believe it’s not a quilt until
it’s quilted!
I love making this quilt pattern (from Big Stitch Quilting , @searchpress , out in May!), and have made a couple of different colour versions. And l love seeing the lines of quilting bring that open space to life ! #bigstitch #bigstitchquilting #handquilting #handquilted #quilting #quilted #quiltersofinstagram #quiltsofinstagram #patchworkquilt #patchwork #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #searchpress #booksdontreviewthemselves #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess
#saturdaynightcraftalong with @charmaboutyou and hoping to get the label and number on the back of this finished little #kawandiquilt . As I’ve a few of these on the go, and lots of ideas to try out I’ve decided to number these. This one is number two! #kawandi #siddiquilt #siddiquilts #kawandiquilts #scrapquilt #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #handstitching #handquilting #handquilted #bigstitch #bigstitchquilting #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #stitchtopia #stitchtopiauk
Today on #igquiltfest2021 it’s WIP🤦🏽♀️. Like lots of you I’ve got more than I’d care to admit to or even count🤷♀️. So here’s my current evening hand sewing project. It popped up on here the other day as I’d unpicked bits that weren’t working, and now I’m back on track and steaming along 😃. I’ve got a lot of the centre rosettes made and now I’m adding the the cream around the edges. For those that like to see the backs of things you can see ▶️ how I press after hand piecing the hexagons! Nothing like a WIP that’s actually moving forward ! #hexagonhappenings #hexies #hexagonquilt #hexagonpatchwork #patchwork #handpieced #scrapquilt #handpiecing #handstitched #quiltinprogress #quiltsofinstagram #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess
Today’s #igquiltfest2021 prompt from @amyscreativeside is bindings.
I’m a big believer in the right binding for the quilt and that means I work with two basic binding, mitred corner and square cornered. Within the mitred method I have four different finishes, and if you swipe back a few posts I talked about some of those the other day.
Sometimes the binding of a quilt is the thing I spend longest choosing fabrics for. In my eyes it’s the last chance to say what you want to say with that quilt whichever edge finish you chose 🤓. #quiltbinding #bindingaquilt #finishedquilt #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #bigstitch #bigstitchquilting #bigstitchbinding #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #handstitched #handstitching #quiltsofinstagram #quiltersofinstagram
Yeah! #favouritefabricfriday 😃. I can’t say I’ve stitched anything with this fabric yet as the pieces I have (and there aren’t that many) are about 1in x1/2in in size. It’s a vintage fabric that is part of a cut, but not yet pieced quilt, that I brought a while back. All of the pieces are tiny, as are the blocks. Somehow because the fabrics come in such small pieces they look so much more like treasures. And its tantalising to think what I could have stitched with bigger pieces 🧐. #vintagefabric #fabricscraps #untoldpossibilities #fabrictreasure #oldfabric #noscraptoosmall
Very happy to have finished stitching my #bluebellesewalong quilt top! This small version is now part of a bigger plan, as I love the fresh spring palette of fabrics, but want to do something different to the original blue one. It will have some resting time as @thechainpiecer mentioned today! The top might be a bit different in layout to the plan if you swipe to see, I got a bit muddled with my rows when stitching 🤷♀️. The quilt colours were inspired by the fabrics in the last picture, my favourite background and the lilac prints, all available from @pincushion_pantiles , and I can’t wait to use some more 😍. #quiltinprogress #patchwork #handpieced #handpiecing #pincushionpantiles #localquiltshop #favouritefabrics #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts
Today on #igquiltfest2021 the prompt is Whoops 😬. And as if on queue this is what I unpicked last night . I’ve been stitching a Hexagon project for a good while now, and had initially known how I would set the rosettes. Then I saw another way that I liked and it would be a quicker finish 😃. I thought I had the ‘right’ cream setting fabric and began stitching, but it wasn’t working. So last night I unpicked and started stitching the with new fabric. ▶️ to see. It’s a better fabric, but I don’t think these blocks work with the new setting. So today, I’ll unpick these and go back to the original plan, which was the right one after all 🤷♀️. Living and learning . #hexagonhappenings #hexagons #hexies #hexagonquilt #quiltinorogress #patchwork #scrapquilt #quiltersofinstagram #handpiecing #handstitching #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #enjoytheprocess #makersgonnamake #making
I am finishing this quilt today 🤞. I found it all cut and blocks stitched, backing ready, in one of my cupboards. It could be about 10yrs old as a WIP 🤣, and I unearthed it whilst having a sort out last week. In the bottom corner is a trolley thing I got from Ikea a while back to organise projects, and keep them visible, as obviously if I put them away nothing happens 🙄. #igquiltfest2021 organising 🤷♀️. #quiltinprogress #qayg #vlieselinebatting #quiltingonthego #patchwork #quilt #machinequilting #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #scrapquilt
#igquiltfest2021 , and our prompt today is Quilts in the Wild. To be honest you would usually get the quilt I’d photographed out on my washing line in the garden when I’d be trying to get a vaguely flat shot.
But I’m upping my game here and sharing this wonderful shot of my quilts really living their best outdoor life 😍. Needless to say my only participation was the quilt making. These quilts are in my upcoming book Big Stitch Quilts from @searchpress 🧵📘. And I really love the Famous Five have an Adventure feeling that this picture gives. A bit like when my son and his friends would take all available quilts outside to build a den 😍. Book out in May, a perfect time to drag quilts into the garden 🌸. #bigstitch #bigstitchquilting #quiltsinthewild #patchwork #patchworkquilts #handquilted #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #quiltsofinstagram #quiltersofinstagram
Swipe to see all of the #kawandiquilts I’m stitching! This first one is almost complete 😍. I don’t usually make in a series, and never really thought I had the discipline. But it’s more about learning more about the process on each one and that the size I’ve chosen to work with is very finishable 🤓. We’re working on these on the sewing retreat in Sussex at the end of July 🌸 with @stitchtopiauk . Check out their website, Facebook and Instagram for getting inspired to gently ease yourself into a sewing holiday! #siddiquilts #handstitchrd #handstitching #bigstitch #qayg #quiltersofinstagram #quiltsofinstagram #bigstitchquilting #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess
#igquiltfest2021 day 22, much loved quilt. I hadn’t realised just how much I loved this quilt until it came back from @todaysquilter (a while back now). But into the wash and then into a bed it went, and I’ve loved waking up to it everyday since! Excited that another version is coming into being from the sewalong! #bluebellesewalong #patchwork #quilt #patchworkquilt #handpieced #handsewn #machinequilted #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #quiltersofinstagram #quiltsofinstagram
Today on #igquiltfest2021 it’s favourite quilt block. Without hesitation it is Sawtooth Star and any variation thereof 🤓. It has been a recurring block since I started making patchwork. This quilt top is a good example as I’ve put lots of them in one place 😍. #patchwork #quiltblock #quilt #patchworkquilts #patchworkstar #sawtoothstar #scrapquilt #samplerquilt #quiltersofinstagram #quiltsofinstagram #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess
Joining Lucy @charmaboutyou for #saturdaynightcraftalong on this National Quilting Day! I’m quilting on my fourth kawandi quilt. Only one finished, and three on the go 🤷♀️. They are hard to photograph, but if you swipe you can see I’m on the first circuit. I love making these and seem to be learning something about the process on each one I make 🤓🪡🧵. #kawandi #kawandiquilts #siddiquilts #scrapquilt #handquilting #slowstitching #bigstitchquilting #bigstitch #handstitching #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #carolynforsterquilts #carolynforster #nationalquiltingday #quiltersofinstagram
Nine block log cabin variation by Jessie T. Pettway, 80in x 80in 1953. #igquiltfest2021 , quilt admiration , @amyscreativeside , no over thinking here, just wanting to get on and stitch one! 🧵🧵#soulsgrowndeepfoundation @soulsgrowndeepfoundation
#igquiltfest2021 and I’m up to date if I tell you about threads ☺️. I’m showing you my most frequently used, the ones I would be lost without. @valdani_threads perle cotton in 12 wt is a go to for much of my big stitch quilting. The colour I use the most is this P4 😍. And the other thread for big stitch is @aurifilthread 12wt colour 4060!
For hand piecing I use the 28wt, and this one is great as it blends with so much of what I stitch. It’s 5020, and on other days I chose something slightly greyer, (5021),but basically still a neutral 🧵🪡🧵. #quilting #quiltingthread #handpiecingthread #valdanithreads #aurifilthread #handpiecing
Catching up with #igquiltfest2021 and @amyscreativeside . Day 18 was Workshop/class love.
This quilt was stitched as a by product of an intermediates patchwork class that I taught for years. The Mariners compass block was the centre of the medallion quilt that the participants were making. I’ve got 16 blocks in this quilt, so must have taught the course at least that many times 🤓.
Eventually I quilted all of these blocks QAYG and added an applique border, also QAYG . I’ve always had a soft spot for this quilt as it came out of nothing and nowhere 😍. #qayg #quiltingonthego #landauerpublishing #marinerscompassblock #patchwork #quiltblock #quilt #patchworkquilt #handapplique #scrapquilt #makersgonnamake #quiltersofinstagram #enjoytheprocess #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #handquilted #handquilting
Is it me or are the weeks going really quickly? I can’t believe it’s Friday already? So today for #favouritefabricfriday , it’s a piece of Laura Ashley Country Furnishing Cotton. I used to know all of the names and colour ways back in the day. I used to work there and product knowledge training was my thing 🤓. My staff must have hated me 🤣🤣. But hey ho 🤷♀️. All I can remember of this one was that it had jade in the colour title. It probably came in sapphire multi white too , as many of the prints did! Any Laura Ashley prints in your scrap baskets or quilts ? #lauraashleyhome #lauraashleyvintage #lauraashley #fabric #vintagefabric #scrapfabric #picotage Edit: thanks to @joscar2016 , it’s called Hazel Cottage in multi Jade!
Today on @amyscreativeside and her #igquiltfest2021 prompt, it is quilts of significance. She’s given us some thoughts on where we can go with this.
I’m going down this route. It’s not what we’ve got , it’s what we do with what we’ve got that matters.
Case in point , this table topper mini quilt . You can see in close up here that it basically consists of recycled fabric bags. The sort I end up with from rice, spice mixes, coffee, even the bag to put the bag in that I brought. So without buying extra fabrics I stitched myself some moments of calm, and a cool Boro inspired miniquilt. And I could probably go on for a few more years stitching quilts with what I already have. And although I’m the first one in the queue when the fabric shops open, it never hurts to challenge yourself to make something from what you already have 😉.
FYI, The quilt is in my new book coming out in May, Big Stitch Quilting , @searchpress 🤓. #reusereducerecycle #fabric #runningstitch #boroinspired #patchwork #handquilted #handquilting #bigstitch #bigstitchquilting #searchpress #quiltbook #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts
And day 16 on #igquiltfest2021 is Favourite quilting book 🤓. I love a good book on quilts and the making thereof, and over the years I’ve talked about some that I have on my shelves. This time I’m blowing my own trumpet and saying that this book, Quilting On the Go , which I self published in 2007(with the teamwork of Chris and Gail Lawther 😍), is my favourite!
It is the book that set me off on this amazing journey and to now having published over a dozen more books with @landauer_publishing and @searchpress . And haven written countless patterns for @todaysquilter ! It is now out of print, but you can get the download from Landauer, and book two , Taking it Further is still very much out there! Amazingly it is a technique I’ve turned to again for a book coming out with SearchPress in 2022 😉. #quiltbook #quiltingonthego #qayg #booksdontwritethemselves #searchpress #landauerpublishing #todaysquilter #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess
Today on #igquiltfest2021 it’s recent finishes. As a teacher and author I end up with a lot of half made quilts and bits of quilts 🤷♀️. So actually the most recent finish I can show you (because wearing the same hat, there is a lot that I stitch that I can’t show you when I’m stitching it 🙄) are these three samples of bindings. Two are completely machine finished, not a hand stitch in sight, and the third is a lovely hand stitched Big Stitch binding. I do love a good process, so although these three bound scrappy quiltlets might not look the most exciting thing, at least having finished them now, just after a photo shoot, means I won’t be rushing to finish them when person to person teaching starts up! #quiltbinding #bindingaquilt #scrapquilts #bigstitch #patchwork #selvedges #bigstitchquilting #bigstitchbinding #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #searchpress #todaysquilter #booksdontwritethemselves
I’ve been having a tidy up lately in my sewing room. I know some of you did that in the first lockdown, but it’s taken me until now 🤷♀️.
@patterntraceuk must have known I was reorganising as they asked me if I’d like to try out their new machine needle box 😃.
I must admit it was just what I needed. If you swipe ▶️ you can see how I used to keep the needles. I never knew what I had and used needles that were swapped out mid process were poked into the thread saver 🙄.
Now though it’s all clear and organised , labelled and the best bit is the fuzzy dots! You just slot a used needle in according to the type and there it is ready to go back into use 👌. There are labels to customise your box depending on your needle ownership. I found these best stuck inside the box compartments so when the lid was open I still knew what was what 🤓.
If you’re looking to treat yourself to something useful, this would be the place to start 💃. #patterntrace #needlebox #machineneedles #organised #sewingroom #sewingnotions #needlestore #sewinggadgets
Today for #igquiltfest2021 it’s all about quilty friends. So here is a quilt block (bound and quilted),that was the pattern for the potholder quilt that a group of quilt fiends and I made last autumn. Many of those friends I get to ‘see’ on #saturdaynightcraftalong every Saturday night. So although we can’t stitch in person, we know we are stitching together! And the finished quilt will be in a book due out next year, when we will hopefully be stitching together again! #potholderquilt #quiltblock #quilted #handquilted #patchwork #friendshipquilt #bigstitchquilting #makersgonnamke #enjoytheprocess #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts
Some Saturday morning stitching on my #kawandiquilts . Trying to apply what I learned in my class with @therootconnection 🧵🪡. Still a way to go putting process into practice, but loving every stitch 😍. #handstitching #handquilting #handquilted #qayg #scrapquilt #sewyourstash #patchwork #quilt #patchworkquilt #siddiquilts #siddiquilts #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #stitchtopiauk #stitchtopia @stitchtopiauk #travellingstitcher #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts
So I knew there would be a @libertyfabrics in the mix for #favouritefabricfriday , but how to select just one to start with ? I’ve gone with this one, no name as I don’t know what it was called, (help here would be great! ). I brought it over thirty years ago ( so it’s basically vintage now 🙄), to make my bridesmaids dresses when I got married. I had masses of it, as this was when the Tana Lawn was in narrow widths (36in ?). I had three dresses to make and it’s a stripe, and that took more fabric to get it all where I wanted it on the dresses 🤓. I’ve not sewn much with it over the years, despite having lots of off cuts, but the colourway has inspired me endlessly 😍. #libertyfabric #libertytanalawn #libertyoflondon #favouritefabric @libertylondon #namethatlawn
Day 11 on the #igquiltfest2021 , and we are asked Why do you Quilt? I’ve thought about this all day, and yes I might have come up with something deep and meaningful eventually.
But I’m leaving it at this, because the time I’ve spent thinking about this I could have been thinking about and making a quilt 🤷♀️. #scrapquilt #qayg #patchwork #quilt #patchworkquilt #handquilting #handquilted #bigstitchquilting #ejoytheprocess #makersgonnamake #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #quiltingonthego
It was hard to pick what to show for today’s prompt from @amyscreativeside for #igquiltfest2021 .
Reuse, reduce, recycle.
I’m the first one to stitch with any great fabric, new or old, scraps and yardage.
So I’ve gone with the bit of secret sewing that is on my design floor at this very moment. This block is cut from an old sheet from the 1970s. It was the starting point for the rest of the quilt. Like a lot of you I love that vibe, and using fabric from that period has really boosted the quilt design, and saved the sheet from landfill. I also find it quite ironic that I’ve recycled an old sheet into a quilt 😃. #reusereducerecycle #vintagesheets #patchwork #scrapquilt #quiltersofinstagram #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #upcycle
Today on #igquiltfest2021 is Heirloom Quilts. I’ve never thought of any of mine in that context so I’m drawing on the old quilts I that I collect. This signature quilt seemingly had intent. There are dozens of embroidered pieced blocks with the makers name, Year and state. The quilting is what is termed heirloom quality, as it’s very fine and even in stitch length and pattern design. And yet I brought it on Ebay, for very little money, mostly because it was sad to think of it going to the wrong home or being dumped as no one would buy it. Whether this was intended to be passed down the generations, and took a wrong turn , who knows. But it has fascinated me for a good while, especially as one of the blocks is signed by someone in England (no town specified) ▶️ adding to the mystery 🤔.
And on a completely different note, having listened to a fascinating talk between @heidi.parkes , @entropies and @zakfoster.quilts I made a conscious decision to photograph the quilt crumpled #softbulk 😍. #livingandlearning #oldquilt #patchwork #handquilting #handquilted #heirloomquilt #friendshipquilt #signaturequilt #quiltcollector
So today @amyscreativeside has given us the prompt, scrappy finishes.
Most of my quilts are pretty much scrappy as I rarely use a whole fabric line in a quilt. At the moment I’m excited to be learning about a new to me scrappy style of quiltmaking, the Kawandi quilts of the Siddi people. It combines all of my favourite things, using up scraps and hand stitching 👌. #siddiquilts #kawandi #kawandiquilt #scrapquilt #usewhatyouhave #stashbuster #sewyourstash #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts #stitchtopiauk #stitchtopia #qayg #handquilting #handstitching
This block was made in 1993 , and has come out into the open due to today’s prompt from @amyscreativeside for our #igquiltfest2021 . Lessons Learned.
A block is just a quilt block until you make it into a quilt. This block and so many others get made by me as samples, tryouts, or are spare from the actual quilt made and finished. And I keep them all with notes and patterns. But this week I’ve been having a huge tidy of my sewing room , and have collected literal a hundred odd blocks. So I’ve learned that I need to do something with these blocks when I make them, as filing them away ( for 28yrs 🤦🏽♀️) is not a quilt. Look out for some kitchen sink style quilts on the horizon, and I’ve ordered more batting 😁. #patchwork #quiltblock #handpieced #handsewn #handstitched #quiltblock #makersgonnamake #enjoytheprocess #carolynforster #carolynforsterquilts
