Competition Winner is....

The Winner of the Dresden Plate template is....Teresa!!

Congratulations, Teresa. I will email you to get your address. Sorry Joy and Joyce!!

Since there were only three entries, I just wrote the numbers on paper and got someone from work to pick it out of a cup!! So much easier than using the Random number thingy. Well, it's easy to use, it's getting the image that's a pain.

To add some colour to this post, here is a picture of a very old UFO that I am trying to finish. I got it to this stage about 15 years ago, then I stopped sewing and there it sat. I've dug it out to finish it. I don't have any of the cream left, so I can make any more blocks. It's a bit of an odd size, too long for a baby quilt but not quite wide enough for a lap or single bed quilt.

I found a purple and black stripe fabric that I think will make an interesting binding. I am going to try and pick up some batting during the week and get it quilted on the weekend. Man, I am powering through things now I've discovered machine quilting. I got my Japanese X and Plus and a baby quilt, quilted on the weekend. Yay!!

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Pink and Gray Log Cabin and Competition

So I've finished a pile of traditional layout Log Cabin blocks using modern colourings. Now comes the hard bit, what layout do I use? Below is a collage (thanks  PicMonkey!) of some of the more common Log Cabin settings.

As with my Repro Log Cabin blocks, I'm having trouble deciding what layout to use.

Competition 


NOTE: I had the wrong date for this competition - it finishes 18 Feb 2013!!

Anyway, in an effort to make a decision, it's time for a bit of audience participation. I've put some more detailed photo below. The prize is a 20 wedge Dresden Plate template from Matilda's Own. Somehow, I've ended up with a couple spare of these, so I figure better to give them to a new home than just sit in my cupboard. It's brand new, never used.

If you've never used these templates, they are super easy to use. You can complete a plate very quickly and it's all straight sewing, no funky seams.

So, to enter the competition, just post a comment telling me which layout you like best for these blocks. Or, if it's not shown here the name (or a link to a picture) of another setting you think I should try.

If you want a second entry, then start following my blog or let me know if you are already a follower.

I will cover postage costs and it's open to anyone, anywhere in the world. Competition will be drawn Monday 18 February 2013 (Aussie time).

Barnraising

Fields and Furrows

Streaks of Lightening

Log Cabin Star

Straight Setting

Sunshine and Shadow

On a side note, if you are interested in Log Cabin quilts, a publisher is making a free ebook (pdf) on Log Cabin Quilts available. You have to sign up, but the book is really good, a bit of history of the style, diagrams and names of various layouts and some REALLY useful tables of cutting instructions for various sizes and styles of Log Cabin. Definately worth signing up for. They also have five other free ebooks if you sign up for a website account.

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Repro Log Cabin Comp Winner

A little bit late with this one, but it should affect the results. So the winner of the Dresden Plate template is:

Congratulations to: Cait 

who voted for Barnraising (which I called Barnstorming). So, I've emailed Cait, and should have her prize to her by the end of the week.

The Results

• Barnraising - 3
• Fields and Furrows - 1
• Streaks of Lightening - 5
• Star - 9
• Sunshine and Shadow - 1
• Other - 1

Very interesting results, all options got at least one vote. And the votes pretty much align with my top choices (Star, Barnraising and Lightening). I think at this stage I am going to go with the majority and make the Log Cabin Star. I think I will make a few more blocks, to make the barnraising outer section stand out a little more. And I have the feeling that I might have another one or two Log Cabins in me at some stage.

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Repro Log Cab Pattern and Competition

So I've finished a pile (about 36) of traditional Log Cabin blocks. They will be 7" finished. Now comes the hard bit, what layout do I use? Below is a collage (thanks  PicMonkey!) of some of the more common Log Cabin settings.

I don't have a real favourite at the moment. But this block is a real good example of how important getting good definition between your lights and darks. I'm working on a pink and gray log cabin as well, and you get a very different look when the colours don't contrast so strongly.

It's quite small at the moment, so I will probably need to make some more blocks, but they work up very quickly.

Competition 

Anyway, in an effort to make a decision, it's time for a bit of audience participation. I've put some more detailed photo below. The prize is a 20 wedge Dresden Plate template from Matilda's Own. Somehow, I've ended up with a couple spare of these, so I figure better to give them to a new home than just sit in my cupboard. It's brand new, never used.

If you've never used these templates, they are super easy to use. You can complete a plate very quickly and it's all straight sewing, no funky seams.

So, to enter the competition, just post a comment telling me which layout you like best for these blocks. Or, if it's not shown here the name (or a link to a picture) of another setting you think I should try.

If you want a second entry, then start following my blog or let me know if you are already a follower.

I will cover postage costs and it's open to anyone, anywhere in the world. Competition will be drawn Moday 21 Jan 2013 (Aussie time).

NOTE: if you don't have a Blogger account or you are a No-replay blogger, please make sure to leave an email address so I can contact you if you win!!

Barnraising (Not Barnstorming!! duh!)

Fields and Furrows

Streaks of Lightening

Log Cabin Star

Sunshine and Shadow

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Support

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the support. I hope my previous post didn't come off too whiner or bitter sounding!

I suppose what I was trying to get at is that it's good that the judges were being strict on wanting everything documented. And I am the first one to admit that these two pieces of documentation weren't the best I've ever written (I should've supported the use of single gold thread, instead of double for example), but there has to be some leeway when asking for documentation otherwise you will get a limited number of items always showing up, for example, while they are wonderful, how many of the little 14th C German brick stitch bags are out there?? Alot, because someone wrote some really great documentation on this topic, so for someone looking for a quick project, that they can full document, this is an easy out. Same with the heraldic bag, I found one great article that gave all the necessary technical info and historical background, so in essence, all I had to do was make the bag.

Yes, documentation is great, but that needs to be balanced against the goal of encouraging the design of original pieces based on period techniques and materials and context.

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Slight Frustration

I just realised I haven't posted for a while, life can slide by!! Well, I didn't win the comp at Crown. But Mordenvale did have 3 of the 4 entries, so world domination plans are well on schedule.

I am however, somewhat frustrated about my projects. I got the judging feedback sheets back and I am really surprised. The very ordinary wool pouch got a better mark than the Baronial badge! I was really shocked. And the reason was frustrating. Basically the pouch got better marks because it was more a straight copy from an existing piece than the badge. I know my documentation on both was not as good as it could've been, but I think the badge was better, as it was an original design, using multiple period examples as evidence, using period techniques (although marked down for using single gold thread rather than two - another item which I'm willing to argue the point) and for a period purpose.

I've always been led to believe that an original piece is marked higher, rather than a straight copy. But obviously this isn't the case. At least it bodes well for Midwinter.

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