As I’m still waiting for my border fabric to arrive for my hummingbird quilt I decided to start my new Block of the Month quilt. I’m pretty excited about this one and I’ve been itching to start it since the first pack arrived at the beginning of the month.
The quilt is called Woodland Wreath, it’s by a designer called Andrea Walpole, her company is Raggedy Ruff Designs and she does the most beautiful pictures and quilts of wildlife using free motion embroidery. As soon as I saw this quilt I loved it (even before I knew it would become a BOM) but I also like to do BOM’s to learn something new, I’m hoping with this one to learn free motion embroidery.
The quilt is going to be made over about seven months, this month the panel is the family of rabbits, there’s a spare panel to make too to use later. So far I’ve been very impressed with the pack, pages of clear directions and pictures. I’m getting the fabric from her too and it’s all carefully labelled with the name and what needs cutting out of it. Andrea is also also sending a comfortable amount of fabric, plenty to get the piece required, but not so much you could make two!…and there’s a facebook page in case you’re feeling lonely!
Last night I set too and made the two background blocks. They went together very easily. I’m glad I chose to buy the fabrics from her as she is using fabrics I would never have thought to try, like a lurex gold fabric, or linen which is a bit heavier than the rest of the cottons.
The next bit was to cut out all the applique pieces using freezer paper (provided) and lay them in position. It looks really cute at the moment…
Now I have the scary bit, free motion embroidery! Andrea doesn’t glue anything in place, she just holds it firm (I watched her youtube videos for tips) I don’t think I’m that brave yet, I think I will put the tiniest blob of glue every so often just to hold it in place. I’ve got everything crossed, feeling a little apprehensive, just got to take the plunge!
thecraftycreek 
So, not quite sure what a BOM is!
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Hi, a BOM is a block of the month, so each month you get the next part of the design, sometimes you don’t even know what the finished design will be, like My Splendid Sampler. I suppose really it breaks a design down and makes it less daunting than receiving a whole quilt design at once.
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It’s amazing what you can learn!
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I’ll be interested to see how this goes for you. I have not caught the free machine embroidery bug, but I will enjoy watching you try it!
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I like the effect, but it might be a bit too ‘random’ for me, we shall see 🙂
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I’ve never tried it on material, but love to do free sewing on paper. It’s a bit crazy and a bit risky but good fun. I hope you enjoy it.
This quilt is looking lovely already. I wonder what the other blocks are going to be like. (And what an incredible amount of organisation Andrea has put into this.)
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I’ve been watching your fabric ones with interest as I’ve loads of my mum’s sketchbooks and I did wonder about stitching on some of them.
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wow! looks like this is going to be really interesting!
your bunnies are looking great already!
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Thanks Claire, it’s a gorgeous design.
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Good luck! It looks like exactly your cup of tea, and you’ve made a good start. I’m sure you’ll overcome the nerves and make an excellent job of it.
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Thanks Kate, as Andrea says, take a deep breath and start stitching!
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I am looking forward to seeing your progress!
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Thanks Laura
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This is a really ‘you’ project and I’m looking forward to seeing your progress now that you’ve nearly finished with your hummingbirds. I really ought to get back to free motion embroidery – it’s scary but fun and the only embroidery I can actually do with even a modicum of success.
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This is going to look wonderful.
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I hope so, it’s starting well 🙂
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Oh wow – I love the bunnies already
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Thanks Jane, they are so cute!
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My sewing tutor says you have to be relaxed and to just let go, I’ve had a play and enjoyed it, your skilled with a machine so I feel you’ll get on fine x Have a play first, I’m saving up for a machine that will let me free motion embroidery x
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I think she’s right, you’ve just got to go for it!
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Is this pattern or kit still available? It is beautiful! How big is tbe quilt?
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Hi Donna, the quilt is still available as a BOM, including fabric etc, or I think you can just buy the pattern. she’s also just released the Summer Wreath quilt which is beautiful too. It’s 40″ square. Here’s the link to the quilts…https://www.raggedyruffdesigns.com/shop/28258171/full-quilt-kits. They are lovely to stitch.
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