Celtic Solistice Parts 1 and 2

As a follower of Bonnie Hunter and her Quiltville blog, I've started two of her mystery quilts - my first one Double Delight, then Easy Street, last year! I thought this year I'd try her Celtic Solistice and do some of each step.

Bonnie designed the quilt using colours that reminded her of Ireland and her 2013 visit there for the quilt festival and to guide a tour of Ireland, so blue for the sky and yellow for the sun, and the colours of the Irish flag... Orange, green (also for the rolling green fields) and white.

We've come back from visiting my sister who lives in Ireland with her family, so it seems really appropriate to make this quilt.

I am using Bonnie's colours for their significance. I am only making a quarter of the blocks to start with... To make a table cloth for our table that we use daily!


This is the first step...

Then the second step...

I had a slight problem with getting the pieces together in the right order...

So there was a little reverse sewing...

And then, I am only showing the ones that look OK! May have a bit of fudging with some of the others.... Not sure what measurements I was using!

Looking forward to the next clue!

Gosh is it really March?

Not sure why I haven't gone on to sew Part 2 of Easy Street. I have been working on a quilt for the drive for the people who lost their houses in the fires in Southern Tassie. Just sewing the binding on...

Then I have to put together an applique wall hanging which has 12 blocks of Australiana made by me and members of my Tuesday night group.

Then I have to finish a quilt I started at retreat last year so I finally have show and tell for my 3rd retreat! This quilt is close to my heart as it has fabric from a range called Bryant Park - my favourite park in New York just behind the Public Library!

Last time we were in New York there was a Christmas Market there and this ice skating rink.

Then I have some cushions to sew for my sister's birthday and then I shall see...

Gosh, I think I need to go to bed so I have enough energy!

Those pesty flying geese

Well, I think I have finished all the four patches for my Easy Street. I made two wonky flying geese and thought I would ask Bonnie during a quilt cam if there were any special tricks to them.

Her advice - no just practice, practice, practice and sew slowly and accurately...

So, I decided to practice. I've wanted to sew a chair cover for my sewing/office chair, so number one is.... Six inch flying geese...

Still needing the binding sewn. Quite a few of the triangle ends are cut off, so I thought I should practice some more....

So, my piano stool is a bit scratched from that naughty pussy cat sharpening his claws... So a piano stool quilt was next.

This one I have finished and it makes sitting on the piano stool much nicer... 4 inch flying geese. I did make 49, but I've only used 42. I think practice has improved my flying geese a lot! I've learnt more about how to sew them, what is easier and what is more difficult, and am very pleased with the result!

And a bit closer

Don't look at the quilting...

Now I suppose I shall be able to get back to Easy Street. I have been worrying about my colours... But I think I shall just press on!

Part 2 here I come...