Three years or so ago I stitched a Spring Wreath quilt, it was a design by Andrea Walpole of Raggedy Ruff Designs. I’ve made several of her designs and kits now, they all raw edge applique with free motion machine embroidery and they are beautiful designs, this is the spring one…

Isn’t it gorgeous! Well she has since brought out a summer and an autumn one which are lovely but I have resisted so far. However as soon as the first block for the Winter Wreath appeared I was smitten!…

I have quite a vivid memory from many years ago (last century!!!!) when I was driving home from work along a country lane. As I turned a corner I disturbed a barn owl in the middle of the road with what was probably it’s tea. It rose up off the road in my head lights, it was quite a magical moment. The centre block of this quilt is just how I remember that moment…

The quilt looks like it will have a similar layout to the Spring one as the star is starting in the same place. I love the way Andrea does her backgrounds, they’re very subtle but with little pops of colour and variety both in fabrics and blocks.

With these quilts the components of the applique bit are drawn on freezer paper, ironed on to the batik and then cut out. Batik fabric doesn’t fray as much as standard quilting fabric as it’s a denser weave. Andrea just holds the pieces in place which she stitches them in place, I’m not that brave so I use a tiny blob of fabric glue. The first task is just to stitch them all down with some brown thread. I used to worry how neat (ornot!!) this bit was, but I know know that actually it doesn’t matter if this bits a little wobbly as it won’t be noticeable at the end. This is what it looks like at this stage…

Next is the ‘fun’ bit, adding all the detail. Andrea’s instructions talk you through each stage and it’s actually a very forgiving style fortunately!

I had to google barn owl pictures to check on the colour of their beaks and legs, yes they are pale grey! So here’s a close up of my owl…

I’m well chuffed with him, looking forward to doing another block, though I’m going to alternate this quilt with making the other quilt kit of Andrea’s I’ve started called The Secret Garden.

If anyone fancies a go at one of these designs do have a look at her website, she has several block of the month quilts as well as stand-alone designs, I find doing a block a month makes it manageable and affordable. For all the fabric, design and instructions it’s about £30 per block and she sends out one block each month. She’s doing a gorgeous panda one at the moment. If you like the designs but don’t fancy the applique bit she also has lovely printed panels.