Author Archives: mlwilkie

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About mlwilkie

Software Developer, Mother, Wife with keen interest in art, design and crafts of all kinds.

In the Neighbourhood

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It is finally complete!!

“Neighbourhood”

Neighbourhood_Finished_Front_Closeup

The original design was inspired by a rug I had seen. This was one of my first designs when I started participating in Quilt Design a Day.
QDAD_Neighbourhood_Day313June2014

As soon as I decided that I would make this I knew that I wanted to make it with Oakshott Cottons. Michael Oakshott from Oakshott Cottons kindly sponsored my quilt. The vibrancy of the oranges, yellows, pinks and purples truly make the quilt amazing. I wish you all could see it up close.

Neighbourhood_Finished_Front
Photo taken at the Biltmore Conservatory with the most amazing orchids (helper is my son)

I did not want to waste any of the Oakshott cottons, so I made an improve “totem-like” strip for the back. I love this as much as the front. The straight line quilting turned out just like I wanted. I used Auriful Sunshine variegated thread. It gave so much texture to the quilt and the color changes in the thread added another (subtle) level of interest.Neighbourhood_Finished_Back
Photo taken at Biltmore Estate (husband is the helper this time)

The best thing about a 4 hour road trip is that you can get some hand stitching done……my project – the binding. The fabulous yellow binding – is Kona School Bus.Neighbourhood_Finished_Action_shot

I am hoping to submit the quilt to Quiltcon Quilt Show, so another plus…I have finished in time for submissions!!

Details

Name: Neighbourhood
Dimensions: ~ 31″ x 33″ Mini Quilt
Design: Michelle Wilkie (inspired by a rug)
Quilted: Straight line quilting  Aurifil #4658 wt. 50 (Sunshine Variegated Thread)
Fabric for Front: Oakshott Cotton + Kona Oyster
Backing: Dottie, Cotton and Steel + Oakshott Cotton + Kona Oyster
Binding: Kona School Bus

Additional Blog Posts

Quilting Close-ups
Quilting process and steps
Back Details
Top Finish
Design + Initial Color Palette

Oakshott-ButtonLinking up with Alyce @Blossom Heart Quilts for Sew Cute Tuesday (see button on the right) and Amanda Jean @ Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it up Friday.

 

Sunday Stash: Online Fabric Shop Closing Sales

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The past two weeks have been a little chaotic with online fabric shops announcing closures. I was definitely a little sad in their announcements, but I did make the most of the sales.

From Pink Chalk Fabrics, I stocked up on Kona Cottons, Momo Mochi Dot Linens and some Joel Dewberry Herringbone prints.
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From Sew Fresh Fabrics, I added some navy and teal prints to my stash. On the end, i also added some Kona Oyster because who doesn’t need more Kona neutrals??

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Lastly, yesterday, Contemporary Cloth made an announcement on their cease to sell fabrics….so I picked up some Impressions Oakshott Cottons (picture to come when that wonderful bundle arrives).

Those were my unexpected purchases this week. Linking up with Molli Sparkles for Sunday Stash (see button on the right).

 

QDAD: Quilt Design a Day (Week 14)

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This week I decided to take on my own study – a study minimalism. New Zealand Maori designs  are predominantly colored red, black and white.

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This limited color palette helped focus the color palette and add to the study of minimalism, this week. I managed to do 3 series of designs.

Series 1: Houdini

“Trapped”
In this first design, I was hoping to capture the idea of feeling trapped. The black background showing the blackness, fear, and emptiness this may bring.

QDAD_TrappedintheDark_22September

I played with the design a little more to see how red would change the look and feel. I love it with the red.QDAD_TrappedRed_22September

“Escape”
This is obviously a follow-up to “Trapped” and represents release/freedom/escape.

QDAD_Escaped_22September

Again, the look of the design in red.QDAD_EscapedRed_22September

I was thinking through the escape and placement of the white bar and decided to move it further away and place at the opposite side.QDAD_Escaped3_22September

Series 2: Quartet

Series 2 is designed to be a set of 4 panels that would/could be placed as side by side wall hangings each at 6″ x 12″. Here are the initial 4 panels.
QDAD_Panel1_24September QDAD_Panel2Red_24September  QDAD_Panel3_25September QDAD_Panel4_25September

I have redesigned the second panel to look like this, which I may actually use if I make these up.

QDAD_Panel2_24September_Option2Red

Series 3:

This series, which may not be complete, was playing with squares and rectangles and how sections align and are sectioned off.

“Intersection”

 

QDAD_Blocks2_26September

“Fenced”

 

QDAD_23September

I really enjoyed the design activity this week and love looking at the simplicity of color and shapes. I am linking up with Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts for Let’s bee Social (see button on the right).