Thursday 26 September 2013

Holiday Mini Quilt

Introducing my appliqued and quilted wall hanging of McLeod's Tables on the Isle of Skye, Scotland.
Fiskavaig, Isle of Skye.

Just like a real landscape, this wall hanging changes in different light and keeps surprising us as we walk past it.

The Inspiration

In 2012 we went on a lovely holiday to the Isle of Skye, off the west coast of Scotland.  Every summer the Island's artistic residents open up their homes and studios for anybody to come in and see their work.  There's even an official map and guide.  One of the studios that I visited twice was the Skye Quilt Studio.  Not only did we get a detailed tour of the quilts on display, there was also a proper little shop set up in the loft / attic space.  So right there and then I decided I'd like to design my own wall hanging based on the lovely view from the windows of our rented accommodation using fabric purchased on the Island.

This is only my 4th ever completed quilt, and it makes me so happy to look at it and think of that lovely part of Skye - Fiskavaig - where we enjoyed this lovely view over the bay out to McLeod's Tables.  We spent days walking out to the peninsula on the left as well as to the pieces of land jutting in from the right - my Mister even caught us some fish from the peninsula on the right.

Here is a collection of my photos that I have used to inspire my quilted wall hanging.

And this is the photo that gave me the idea for the gold thread quilting stitches at the bottom of my work:
I took this sitting amongst the grasses whilst on the peninsula
looking back towards the house from behind the yellow trees

The Construction

I started making this almost as soon as I got home (blogged about it here) and got as far as appliqueing the sky when I became distracted with other things and put it aside.
 

I took it out again last month when I saw a competition at Celtic Thistle Stitches to create a mini quilt based on a holiday memory.  And so I took it out again (blog mention here)  and finally completed it.  There's nothing like a deadline to get me motivated into action!

I have mostly used needle-turn applique and a little bit of machine stitching.  The quilting has been done on my machine.  I drew the design myself onto freezer paper templates.  Completed it measures 14.5" x 18.5"

(I'd probably choose different fabrics if I could start again, but I bought them with just the landscape colours in mind and at the time I didn't really have an exact idea of which exact part of Skye I would try to recreate.  And so although the colours may not be the most accurate tones, they are special just because they were bought on Skye when the inspiration struck me.)

For the back I chose a piece of fabric with an actual sky print as a play on words.


and this is the first time that I've ever used free-motion quilting!
I can't wait to see all the other Mini Holiday Memory Quilts over at Celtic Thistle Stitches!
Viewer's choice voting has now begun!  Go here to vote.
Grab button for Celtic Thistle Stitches
I wonder if viewing all the other holiday quilts, cushions and accessories will give you the travel bug or the creative bug?


19 comments:

  1. That's amazing Nessa! I love the FMQ and the golden reeds at the bottom. I also can't believe what nice weather you had on your holiday!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, I was looked at fabric art right before I clicked over to read my blog list and find your stunning creation! So very lovely - this really makes me want to learn how to quilt and embroider so I can make something as beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  3. beautiful work there nessa! what a lovely memory of your holiday!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is outstanding! I can't believe it's only your 4th ever quilt! I especially love the gold thread stitches at the bottom that look like grass. Just stunning :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. It is really wonderful! The grass stitching is my absolute favourite bit but I love it all.

    ReplyDelete
  6. GORGEOUS!! I'm getting all dreamy looking at these lovely pieces of art, Nessa! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow, it is stunning. I can't believe that was your first time FMQ. Really lovely and I'm not surprised you are enjoying looking at it. I do love Skye too. Juliex

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great idea to use the view, and the effects of the light is rather like it is in real life up there! Love the choice of backing too :o)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nessa, I think your "Skye" backing is the same fabric I used for my North Dakota sky! Really love your project.

    ReplyDelete
  10. this is so amazing - such a fantastic holiday memory.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a fantastic idea! And of course its absolutely stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh this is so beautiful Nessa! I love that you quilted the grass like you did, very creative and beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is beautiful and what a beautiful spot to visit too.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for linking up to the competition Nessa, I love your mini quilt and your stitching for the grass was inspired! Good luck

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your quilt totally reflects that stunning scenery - lovely x

    ReplyDelete
  16. Really beautiful quilt and your FMQ is wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is gorgeous, how lovely that Fiona gave us the push we needed to get these finished!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for wanting to leave a message, but I have now had to stop messages due to rude spam.

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...