Sunday 10 November 2013

Oakshott Liberty Love

Months back, Oakshott fabrics were kind enough to send me a stack of Impressions, a set of 16 colours all shot with a white warp (vertical) thread and I immediately knew my plan, starting with some Liberty lawn from Jo's shop- she lives close by so I got personal delivery.
The next part of my plan was Alexia Abegg's Green Bee Diamond Ring Quilt Pattern available here.   I remember seeing this pattern in multiple photographs a few quilt markets ago and I knew it was perfect for this- big cuts of fabric that will allow the prints and the colours to shine. Liberty and Oakshott are a similar weight so this marriage is a happy one.  The Liberty is more densely woven but they play together very nicely. The background fabric is one of my favourites: Kaufman Quilter's linen in grey which has an etched crosshatch linen style pattern on it but is soft quilting cotton, very quiet but it says just enough.
There are a few practical things to over come in the pattern- drawing a massive quarter circle to start with.  I used my Dura-bac board which is a large gridded piece of cardboard- v useful for pinning and in this case securing a drawing pin.  I bought this at a bootsale many years ago and I see them in charity shops from time to time.
The design looks like it would make perfect paper piecing but the scale is too large so instead I traced all the diamond pattern pieces on to freezer paper including seam allowances.  Because the diamond will form a circle you need to piece with a high degree of accuracy so each seam corner point is marked on the pattern and I then use a pin and fabric pencil to transfer it to the reverse of each piece of fabric.
You can see the pencil dot marked with the arrow below.
Once these points are pinned each I work my way round the diamond in order taking care not to stretch or distort the long diagonal bias edges.
When each diamond is complete I spray and press felt.  Earth Friendly starch it flattens and stabilises the fabric rather than producing a crispy shirt collar effect.   The smell is gentle and natural- I am very sensitive to fragrance of any kind.  I found it invaluable when Lynne and I were sewing up our 500 blocks for the book and I now class it as essential equipment, a bottle lasts ages.
I have just returned to this project after months away and I am around halfway round the ring.  If you are on instagram I have been posting these with the tag #diamondringquilt.
Matching the Oakshotts with my various bits of Liberty lawn is a happy task. I need to get a wriggle on, I am planning this as a Christmas present.



Whilst this project is on the way, I am planning my next with a bundle of Italy which has a silver grey warp.  I saw these at retreat when Michael and the Oakshott team set up the stall for the Saturday night market.  I am thinking something with a simple block and lots of light prints, Ohio Star is my block of choice and I have a pack of Denyse Schmidt charms that are shouting me- just need to make a sample to check on sizing and scale.  You can see the silvery threads peeping through the Oakshott colours below.
Thankyou to Oakshott, you know how to make me very happy!
sib blog

14 comments:

  1. Lovely effect! Wish I could see it in person! I'm curious-why didn't you iron the freezer paper to the wrong side and mark the points there?

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    1. I do, not sure what is going on with the fabric sides in that pic!

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  2. Your work is absolutely stunning Kerry, I adore the colours and patterns, just divine. Have a wonderful week and thanks for a fab post. Big hugs
    Dorothy
    :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  3. Oh magic! I have little stacks of Liberty and Oakshott just biding their time until I have cleared the decks a bit. Great pattern choice xxx

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  4. Gorgeous .......love the fabric and the pattern is fabulous for showcasing.

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  5. Really beautiful. Lovely mix of neutrals and prints but really can't go wrong with liberty either, can you?

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  6. really gorgeous - one day I need to get my hands on some Oakshott - I am sure it looks even better in real life than in photos! Can't wait to see your finished projects :-)

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  7. Beautiful fabrics and pattern! How are the Oakshott fabrics to work with? I have an idea in my head they act like Tana, am I off the mark?

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    1. They are as light as Tana- hence they are good together. They cut very easily. As the weave is looser they can benefit from a little light spray starch to prevent fraying. They don't take well to unpicking- again because the weave is looser. Very nice to hand sew as the needle glides through.

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  8. Oh.... those Oakshotts and Liberties lay very nicely together indeed! Beautiful! The Impressions have lovely blues and greens. I didn't think it could get better than their fabulous burnt oranges and reds!

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  9. spectacular.Can´t wait to se your project finished!

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  10. Oooh, very pretty, looking forward to seeing the end result :o)

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