A finished quilt...it's been a while

I finished my Anna Maria Horner flower quilt!

The design is simple patchwork squares mixed with a few pieced patchwork squares all hand quilted using paper templates. I hardly ever make large quilts, I did once when I first started quilting but never again since ;) This one is big enough to cover my bed nicely I didn't measure it exactly but it is about 185cm by 215cm or 74" x 86"

I used Hobbs Tuscany silk batting and Little Folks voile for backing which makes this quilt so luxuriously soft and light weight despite it's size - I absolutely love it!!

I decided to commit to a bed full of lush AMH prints and made a few folksy flannel pillow cases as well. I am thoroughly enjoying these warm and rich colours in my bedroom and all the different soft textures to snuggle up under at night.  

The only problem with my bed being all cozy and warm like this is I never want to leave!

Thank you all for your votes I came in third in the Sew Mama Sew true love contest :) Please check back here Monday as it is my birthday and I plan on doing a little give away to celebrate.

 Have a lovely weekend,

x Leila

How to Quilt Flowers - a video tutorial

Ok, so I feel like I should set a disclaimer first, I'm very nervous both when I made this video and now that I'm about to hit the publish button. I'm babbling and I'm uhm-ing a lot and I mispronounce words and have a weird accent and...well this is new and just making me nervous lol!
But I made this video to answer some of the questions I've had about how to hand quilt the flowers I'm quilting on my AMH quilt.
So here goes nothing...please don't laugh!







 Now how helpful was my 'burying the knot' mime?! ;-)
I forgot to mention that I peel the paper pattern away as I go, it helps me to see where I'm burying my knot as I change thread colours. I just keep pinning my pattern down to ensure it stays put.

Thank you for watching...I've always wanted to say that!

x Leila

Edit to add: I used Swedish tracing paper for quilting, we call that 'pattern paper' here.

Making amends

Months ago I finished this quilt, I enjoyed playing with the design in my head first, and then on paper. My heart skipped a little beat when I found the perfect fabric to work with. When insecurity set in I threw myself out there and asked for your help and received such great advice and encouragement - thank you!
My heart sang as I sewed out a horrible period in my life into these pieces of fabric. And when it was finished I was in such a hurry to share that I tripped over myself, taking pictures in bad lighting,editing without knowing how to, wich resulted in me cringing each time I look at them.

So today I'm making amends, I love this quilt for all it means to me personally, for how my friends both on and off line have responded to it so dearly.  It deserves a better photo...or two ...oh go on then three ;-)

Birds and Empty Cages.

my tall brother holding the quilt up for me :-)

Phew that feels much better!

I've been happily sewing more +&x blocks {love them!} and will be back soon with some progress shots.

x Leila