Pot luck off-set coin quilt

It must be pretty obvious by now that I love, love, strip quilts.  I love the simplicity of them and how they really show off the fabrics.  My latest strip quilt is a variation of a design called chinese coins, or stacked coins.  

You can see where the pattern gets its name as the coloured fabric columns look like piles of money.  Often the fabric coins are stacked exactly on top of one another.  In this case, as the coins are off-set, they look as though they have been piled higgledy pigglegy.

A single jelly roll, from the Pot Luck collection by American Jane for Moda, was used to make the quilt coins.  I love the retro look of these designs and colours.  To me they seem very reminiscent of the 1950s.

For the back I used a fantastic giant text print called Nummer, from Ikea of all places.  Many quilters use it and this was the perfect project for me to try it for myself.  I think it is the perfect partner for the quilt top; the large writing works so well with the little numbers on the tape measures. 

The quilt was professionally long arm quilted with a design called feathers.  I chose it because of the tiny chicken fabric.  After washing, the quilt did shrink a bit but I don't care.  It is still a great size (about 60 inches square) and I love the textured look and feel that the quilting creates. 

Poppies for ANZAC day

Today is an important day for Australians as it marks the centenary of the ANZAC Gallipoli landing during WW1.  

Since 1921, the Flanders poppy has been used  as a symbol of remembrance for soldiers who have died in war.  Last year I wrote about the 5000 Poppies project, a community art project in Australia that started with a modest ambition for 120 poppies.  Since then, the organisers have been inundated with poppies. The poppies I contributed have joined over 250,000 handmade poppies to create a moving tribute of respect and remembrance for all those Australian servicemen and women who have served over the last 100 years.   

Poppies, whether knitted, sewn, felted or crocheted, were donated from around the world and have been made into a stunning field of handmade poppies now on display at Melbourne's Federation Square.  It is a beautiful and touching display in memory of those who served.  Lest we forget.  

Rae's quilt - a remake

Those loyal followers of Dashwood Studio will remember this lovely quilt, appropriately nicknamed the Stacked Books quilt.

The very talented Rae from Fabric HQ designed and made it to show case Dashwood's beautiful Retro Orchard fabric collection.   

This quilt has been admired by many and a number have asked for a pattern so that they can make their own version.  As it was made with no thought of making more, sadly there was no pattern.   So Rae asked me to draft one up from the original quilt.

Cue much measuring and many calculations,

Selecting and cutting fabrics for a test version, 

And finally piecing and machine quilting.

Here is the final test version, made up in Origami Oasis with Flurry in green used for the contrast strips and binding.

Even if I say so myself, I think this version looks just as pretty as the original.  Stacked Books is a terrific design that easily lends itself to other fabric combinations.  It is a great usable size too, being approximately 1.2 x 1 metre, and would make a fab throw or child's play mat.

If you'd like to create your own version, Fabric HQ will be running a class to make this quilt later in the year.  Keep an eye on their website or sign up for their mailing list to be notified of the class dates.