Tuesday 4 August 2009

William Morris quilt top finished


Close-up of centre
I have had a few days at home recovering from a coronary angiogram...............a result of 25 years of high blood pressure. And we know...........stitching soothes the soul. So after much contemplation I chose Brer Rabbit for the centre. Drawings done Saturday and put together tonight. I used nearly all of Barbara Brackman's new 'Morris Workshop' range of fabrics for the applique and centre backgound, with the Iris pattern as borders. http://mordac.unitednotions.com/storefrontB2CWEB/simplesearch.do?action=process_simple_search
I thought that an appliqued sashing and/or border would be just too much. Now I have to quilt it!!


According to the Art Gallery of South Australia 'Brer Rabbit' or Brother Rabbit as it is also known, was designed by Morris in 1882 as an indigo discharge and block printed Cotton. I have used the oak leaves and birds from the orginal design and of course the rabbits. The rabbit fabric I chose was a little pale on the cream background so I had to do some heavy stitching around the edge so it would stand out. The best laid plans still trick the eye!! here is a link to the orginal design: http://www.artgallery.sa.gov.au/agsa/home/Collection/detail.jsp?ecatKey=2994
And Ruth....your package is on its way!

20 comments:

  1. Wow! This quilt is breathtaking! I truly am amazed at your talent Michele. I have been thinking about you for days wondering how things were going. Guess we have more in common than applique! Glad to hear you are well and back to creating. I will show this new quilt to my friends at my applique group tomorrow. We are all fans of your work! Take care.

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  2. Hope your recovery is quick. Stitching does make everything better. I love the Brer Rabbit center and the Morris Workshop fabric is lovely. I have placed an order for some. Have fun quilting it. It's just beautiful!

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  3. Oh Michele, this is the most stunning quilt. You have such an eye for design and colour. It just takes my breath away.

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  4. Hi Michele So glad that you are back on that road to recovery. Just love that quilt, especially those little birds :-)
    Cheers
    Lynne

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  5. What a gorgeous top!! the fabrics and the motifs are unbelievable you are so lucky to have this additional talent

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  6. just beauiful so inspiring
    keep well
    loved the video learnt so much

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  7. so inspirational
    also loved the video

    keep well

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  8. So sorry to hear that you have been ill. Take care. Your quilt and the DVD are brilliant.

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  9. Truly beautiful.
    Thankyou for sharing.
    Esther

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  10. Hi Michele, I love your Blog. When ARE you coming down to the shop....I have WM fabrics available....LOL that should do it. You'll have to check out our new website. All of our WM Fabrics will be on it shortly. Hope to see you soon. Love Sue

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  11. Hi Michele, Love your Blog and the new quilts. Long time no see though...when ARE you coming down south to see the new shop? We have plenty of William Morris Fabrics on hand....that should get you in...LOL.
    Have a look at our new website too our WM fabrics should all be on there by the end of the weekend. Catch you soon. Love Sue

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  12. Michele, you are the only one who can make rabbits elegant! Love it. Relax and take care of yourself - you are very important to all who love your work.

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  13. Dear Michelle
    could you please explain how i copy the oppossite side of the friends designs on to sticky tracing paper please.

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  14. what i really meant to say is when i turn the paper over its sticky so how to i get to copy the mirrored side.
    should i do a seperate drawing and hold up to window
    O for a light box.
    In the vidio it looked as though you did it all at once.

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  15. dear girls
    Help i have a beautiful clean home and everything spotless i have retired children all left
    my husband tells me my patchwork and craft is obssesseive i sit in the evening and quilt dont enjoy tv
    i have never negleged my home duties worked for 20 years after the children born
    Help i fell so bereft with out my love of art.

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  16. Wow! I am proud to be part of the design team, Michele, William M. and me.

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  17. When will Sampler II pattern be available - I just love the whole quilt and cannot wait to start on it. You work is incredible and I love Barbara's fabric - WM Morris is one of my favorite artists

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  18. Wow, wow, wow-wow-wow! I am a woman of limited vocabulary, but what else needs to be said?

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  19. OMG, that is absolutely gorgeous. What a skillful quilter you are! I can hardly wait to see the finished quilt, and am adding you to my blog list. Gorgeous!

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  20. This is a gorgeous quilt and I love the center...beautiful fabric combinations and of course impeccable applique and design.
    I think you may have improved on Willam Morris's original...shhh....don't tell him. He might get jealous!
    Congratulations!

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Thankyou for dropping by and sharing in my journey. And thanks especially for your lovely comments….I may not always respond (especially if there is no email address) but please know you are appreciated x