Easy Swap UK Mini Quilt - DONE!

This summer I signed up for my first ever swaps and, with my usual over ambition and enthusiasm, I didn't stop at one!

The first of these was the Easy Swap UK hosted by Nina of Bossy Oz.  The brief for my partner was either red, black and white, or rainbow plus low volume.

I went with red, black and white just to try something a wee bit different.  I added some light grey to the mix too.



Last year I participated in the Little Blogs Quilt Bee and Celine of Espirit Patch had requested foundation paper pieced (FPP) pineapple blocks.  I was intimidated by trying a new technique but soon realised FPP is easier than it looks and a guaranteed way to deliver clean lines and matching points.  You can see my first block from that bee here.

As my mini was going to be for someone else, someone I had not met, I wanted it to be something a bit special but still not too complicated to sew.  I instantly thought back to the pineapple block. My partner had said they liked log cabins too and I thought there was sufficient similarity between them to go for it.

I opted to quilt the mini using "Stitch in the Ditch".  I was using white thread and it was inevitable that I would be successful on the white fabric and wobble on the black.  However, it was my first time doing quilting like this and, again, I wanted to try something a bit special as it was a gift.  I didn't think my usual stipple would compliment the design at all so I braved it out. The front looks good and the back looks ace!

I sent it off to my partner along with some perle cotton in matching colours so she can use her favourite shades in other work.

UK Low Volume Plus Swap

 Back in June 2015, I signed up for the UK Low Volume Plus Swap.

I had no plans to make a plus block quilt, but thought it sounded fun.  I had lots of low volume charms (all different) having participated in a swap a couple of years ago.

The swap was organised by Joanna of My Quilts and Other Stories and the tutorial used was by Craft Buds.

This is my pile-o-completed blocks:

I should have taken individual photos but I sent them before I thought of it!  For once I was well ahead of deadline.

This is one of the lovely blocks I recieved in return:

So now I have the first 6 blocks of a new quilt and yet another project to add to the WIP list!   

Linking up with Lee at Freshly Peiced for Work in Progress Wednesday