Porthole Petal Quilt

Years ago when I started writing this blog I would share the gestation of every quilt, with sneak peeks and progress reports until the day I could say 'it's finished!'

But here's a quilt I have been working on, intermittently, since the summer and I realise I haven't mentioned it here once! I think this is due to too many projects and too little time these days.

I loved learning how to make portholes at Lu Summer's class at FQ London 2012 Retreat, and made this cot quilt pretty much as soon as I got back. But I wanted to do something more grown up with this technique and also wanted to show off all the lovely Flea Market Fancy that I had, finally, taken delivery of at the shop.

So I chose some nice pastelly Kona and added some Melody Ross Vintage Ladies and some polka dots, and started portholing some petal shapes. Here's a big pile of 'holes' ready to be filled.

This is quite a restrained palette for me, and I wasn't sure if is was really doing it for me. However, I showed it to my Scottish blogging buddies when we had our Sunday Sewing Day in July, and they were all quite encouraging, so I kept on making the 8 inch blocks during my summer holidays.

I made 36 and was about to sew them together but other projects and work must have got in the way so I only got round to it a couple of weeks ago.

When I found I only had 34!
I went back to my stash to make another 2 and somehow that orange colour leapt off the shelves and demanded to be included (along with a couple of new Blend fabrics that had arrived that week). I am really pleased it did as I think it was the 'oomph' that was missing.

I used another Blend fabric by Maude Asbury (from her Kitchy Kitch line) fot the back, and machine appliqued some of the left over cut-out petals on to it.

That orange demanded, again, to be part of the border (it's a very forthright colour). I just love it, even it's name is great - School Bus!

And then I really went for it with the machine quilting (for me).
My Pfaff has made machine quilting a total joy! I never would have thought the FMQing could be fun, but it actually is with my beautiful new machine (I also never knew I could have such feelings for an electrical appliance!).
I used the walking foot to go round the petals and fill in the cross sections. Then I FMQed the middle of the petals, (with an actual pattern!)

 Look at that fancy stitching on the border! So easy and quick!

It took me most of this week to finish sewing the binding (in snatched moments, even during one of my evening classes!). And finally I have a day off today and the sun is shining (a bit).

I usually always have a person or need in mind for every quilt, but really I made this one to show off the fabric in the shop (so we can sell more of it) and to explore the technique further. I may give it away at some stage, but for now I think it will go on display in the craft room. Luckily FMF has a long run and we have just ordered more (and widened the range), so the quilt isn't out of date yet!

Now it's washed and dried it looks very snuggly, I think the extra layers in the middle of each block add to this.

I have to say, the colour palette is not exactly seasonal! This is what comes of starting a quilt in the summer and taking so long to finish it. Still I hate to have too many half finished projects so this is another one ticked off the list and that makes me very happy :)
In case anyone is interested (I always forget about these quilt stats) it measure 142cm / 56inches square.

I may be quiet for the next couple of weeks as I am preparing for the Country Living Fair in Glasgow which starts next Thursday. Not only am I having a stand but I'm also giving a demo everyday (Felt Robin), just to pile on a bit more pressure!
If anyone reading this makes it to the SECC, please come and say hello, and if you get a place on one of the demos - no heckling please!!