Thursday, September 26, 2013

English Country Garden - My Union Jack Quilt and a Giveaway

Where did the week go, is it really Thursday, I lost a day somewhere!
I have not blogged for some time! House hunting and  moving and a sick dog! .
So apologies up front this is going to be a long post.
Here is a sneak peak of what I am about to share!
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Where did the week go, is it really Thursday, I lost a day somewhere!
I have not blogged for some time! House hunting and  moving and a sick dog! .
So apologies up front this is going to be a long post.
When I started my first quilt what I really wanted to make at the time instead of a 9 patch block was a union jack quilt.  But being new to quilting I could not find a pattern for one, I came across the Victory garden quilt pattern online and absolutely loved that version but inexperience put me off making it. 
Victory Garden

Then I played around having a go at paper piecing a few months later and managed to make a Union Jack Cushion.
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I absolutely hated the paper piecing aspect of it and it took me absolutely hours to make with an awful amount of mistakes and wasted fabric, so I gave up. But not before trying one more time using traditional colours.  I never did do anything with this block!
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BUT that Union Jack quilt would not get out of my head and so when it was my month  for the Stars in their Eyes Bee I decided to have another look online to see if I could find a pattern.
I also played around with Union Jack Pincushions, more photos in the link.
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BUT that Union Jack quilt would not get out of my head and so when it was my month  for the Stars in their Eyes Bee I decided to have another look online to see if I could find a pattern.
I found one on an online store Whims and Fancies  but it was not the right dimensions so asked  Soma the designer of the pattern if she could make me a pattern with the true proportions - 1:2 of the flag.  She designed a flag for me that has a finished block of 8x16 inches.
Unfortunately I ended up needing it slightly bigger and didn’t have time to get in touch with Soma to redraft it again for me,  so instead I ended up using this pattern designed by  Traceyjay Quilts.  It is not the true 1:2 proportions that I originally wanted but pretty close. The block measures 12x18   So if that doesn’t bother you then I recommend using that pattern as its also free. 
But if you want to make your flags authentic then I would use the Flying Union Jack Pattern by Soma of Whims and Fancies, the proportions are true to the Union Jack Flag, having 1:2 proportions and it is only $2.50 and I am sure if you want a different sized Union Jack then Soma would be happy to oblige. Its also an easy pattern to follow.
Flying Union Jack - Paper  Piecing by soma1773
And be sure to also check out her gallery Whims and Fancies on Flickr . If you’re a Doctor Who fan (which I am) Soma and a friend did a  Doctor who along (sew along ) for a Doctor Who quilt.  Here are a couple of blocks included in the quilt along.
Cyberman Doctor Who Quilt Pattern Weeping Angel Doctor Who Quilt Pattern
I really wanted to take part in this but at the time I had a sick dog and was moving house, but you can still take part and find more details here.
GIVEAWAY
Soma has kindly sponsored a giveaway of  one of her paper piecing patterns. 
Geese around the Sun
Geese Around The Sun - Paper Piecing Geese Around The Sun is a star and flying geese quilt pattern to make an 18" x 18" wall hanging. So if you would like to win this pattern: Here's How to enter
  • Leave a comment telling me about your experience of paper piecing and what if any projects you have completed using this method.
  • Follow me on Facebook, there is a button at the top to do this.
  • I will randomly choose one winner from all of the entries below.
  • This giveaway is open to everyone, all over the world.
  • I will randomly choose a winner by 10pm CST on 10th October.
And if you want to start following me that’s OK too Smile
Somas other patterns are also available at  Whims and Fancies on Etsy  and Whims and Fancies on Craftsy
So now the big reveal of my Union Jack Quilt
If you follow me on instagram or flickr then you may have already had a sneaky peak of this quilt.  I managed to do a photo shoot the other day,
This quilt would not have been possible without all the fantastic friends in the Stars In Their Eyes Bee.  The blocks these ladies put together are absolutely gorgeous and I love each and every one of them.
Thank you so much. I love my quilt!
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18 comments:

  1. I love your union jack quilt - it's on my wishlist!
    I've only done a little paper piecing
    I'm a new follower!

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  2. You rock! Persistence! I love your uj quilt, and my daughter does too (hint, hint! I'd better try one out!) I first saw paper piecing during a SAL a couple years ago, with a garden theme, hosted by Jennifer Offenstein. I read her directions, and those of verykerryberry, and shape moth, over and over again. Didn't t try it out to the New York beauty qal, months later. There were so many different participants, with a wealth of tips, that I finally "got it" and I've been hooked since! Lovely pattern by Soma, how generous!

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  3. Oh so gorgeous! I used paper piecing to do the center medallion on my Marcelle Medallion quilt. Once I got the hang of it, I really enjoyed paper piecing.

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  4. I absolutely love the idea of doing union jack blocks as a bee, the finished result looks great! I have pinned this for future reference. Thanks for joining the linky and as far as paper piecing goes, I LOVE it, done quite a few things the most recent of which was the block for my bee in this weeks post.

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  5. what a gorgeous quilt! These are such cute blocks!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  6. I love your Union Jack quilt! It turned out so beautifully. I think the white sashing and pink border really make it bright and cheery and feminine, and I love the over-all quilting with its swirls, and hints of flowers and leaves. Just gorgeous, and so sweetly set off by the countryside photos. Love it, love it, love it!

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  7. Oh my! Your Union Jack quilt is phenomenal. I bet you are super happy with it!
    Thanks for linking up this week.
    I love paper piecing in small doses - the best thing I have made with it is the feather on my recent sewing machine cover. It drives me crazy whilst I am doing it so I don't enjoy it as much a simple sewing but I love the results and how precise it is.

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  8. Your UJ quilt is completely stunning! I have made a couple of single UJ quilts (throw size) and they came together fairly easily. I have the link to the pattern somewhere if you are interested.

    I'm quite a newbie to pp having only made a few blocks but it's fun! I just made a feather block and an Arkansas Traveler block. Thanks for the chance to win the fab pattern :)

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  9. Just over a year ago I had never attempted paper-piecing but since then I have had a go at New York Beauty blocks, pattern tested a couple of paper-piecing patterns and joined in the And Sew On paper piecing BOM!

    Love the Bee quilt, what a great idea!

    Hope your sick dog troubles are now behind you.

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  10. That Union Jack quilt is wonderful.
    I would have never thought of a Doctor Who quilt as a fan I think that is a great idea.
    Denise

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  11. Oh that is so gorgeous!! I love love love it!! xo

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  12. Your quilt is AMAZING!! I love it!
    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  13. Oh my gosh!! I absolutely love your quilt!! Its gorgeous!!!! I will tell you that I haven't done much paper piecing but have given it a bit if a whirl. Its do hard for me to waste so much fabric! LOL

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  14. Oh my goodness. Your quilt is just beautiful. Popping over from Around Tuit.

    Anne xx

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  15. Love your colorful UK quilt! Pinned. How about that Dr. Who quilt along, so cool!

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  16. Beautiful quilt! Love the colors! Thank you for linking up with {Handmade Café Link Party}!

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