"Buttons and patches and the cold wind blowing,
The days pass quickly when I am sewing"
~Author Unknown

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Fabrics with Jane!

Thank you all so very much for your kind comments about my first UFO finish. I wanted to share with you my next UFO. It is one that I had started a couple of years ago but, due to far too many things going on with my quilt group, I have neglected.

A couple of years about Makower UK came out with a line of fabrics called the Jane Austen collection. I love the collection and ordered a number of the fabrics immediately.

The fabrics were inspired by the quilt that Jane and her sister Cassandra made. It is still in her home in Chawton which is a museum. I have been fortunate enough to have been there a couple of times. It is amazing to walk through her home knowing she sat there and wrote or visited with others over a cup of tea. Of course, speaking of tea, even Jos enjoyed going to Chawton due to the excellent care of the lady who owns the tea shop across the lane. She had him supplied with a nice pot of tea and the newspaper.

I also started working on a reproduction of this quilt many years ago but lacking enough fabrics at the time for it, it too has become neglected. *sigh* This was in a time when I did not have as much stash as I now have. One day I will pick this project back up again too.

This was one of the first projects on my list of UFOs to finish this year as I really love this unique project. Makower UK also created the pattern for the Pride and Prejudice quilt. I put on my Pride and Prejudice audio book to get really into the mood and start working on my patchwork. I had it completed up to the triangle borders before it became a UFO. But no longer! I have completed the next two borders with one more to go. I am really excited to get this one ready to sandwich and start the quilting.

"Her needlework both plain and ornamental was excellent, and she might have put a sewing machine to shame."

~James Edward Austen-Leigh speaking about Jane Austen

23 comments:

Pondside said...

What a great project - and I love the piano music that accompanied today's post.
I think I have a copy of every version of Pride and Prejudice ever filmed. Every time I view one of them I see or hear something new. I wish you hours of wonderful sewing and listenting to come!

Anonymous said...

Be still my heart....so lovely!

Siobhán said...

Wow, Heidi, that is so neat! And just too perfect for you, with your affinity for Jane.

Kaaren said...

Now that quilt just takes my breath away, Heidi. I'm sure I spent 5 minutes looking at it.

I'm soooo looking forward to seeing it completed.

Christine said...

That is lovely! P&P is one of my favourite books

faerieeva said...

I love the quilt, and Noah's ark quilt before that. Starting up again seems half the work of finishing a new project, because once you are doing it, it seems as if you remember why you loved it so much in the first place.. and then fall in love with it all over again. At least that is what happens to me all the time.

Jackie's Stitches said...

It's gorgeous! I really love all the triangles!

onlymehere said...

How fun for you. I love that you put on the audio while you worked on the quilt. What an inspiration and great idea. I have a couple of unfinished things to do also but I posted three of them today so I'm content for now. I just need to work up the energy to get my new sewing room done. I wish life wasn't so busy bz I'm really anxious to get it done! You've done a beautiful job and I'm glad you shared Jane with us today!

hazel c UK said...

Another beautiful project to finished Heidi which I am sure you will do in record time. It is looking lovely.

Hugs,
Hazel (UK)

Nancy said...

Hey, you have an on fire needle. I remember when we visited that museum
(house) and also the tea across the street. I took pictures of us in the tea room and put them on the calendar I did for all of us a couple years ago.
Love you, Mom

Barbara said...

What a beautiful quilt Heidi. I too, love anything about Jane.

Hugs, Barbara

DonnaTN said...

Another beauty in the works! You are really getting those ufo's/wip's finished up!

Anonymous said...

Weer een quilt uit een verborgen hoek! Deze had ik volgens mij nog niet gezien en ik vind hem erg mooi. Heb je de driehoeken zelf in crazypatroon gemaakt of was de stof zo? Erg mooi met dat blauw erin. Succes met het quilten. Gaat het machinaal of met de hand?
Groetjes en hugs
Elly

Linda said...

Heidi, this is just so beautiful. I'm a huge fan of Jane Austen and how wonderful to be able to tour her home. Lisa and I are reading P&P...it's our mini book club ( two of us) selection this month:). hugs, Linda

Andylynne said...

I'm ashamed to say it's been awhile since checking in here. But I found you and I love this blog too.

angelasweby said...

What a lovely fabric range, Heidi and so perfect for this quilt. it's really stunning. I'm m not surprised these fabrics caught your eye. As usual the accessories in your photo are exquisite. I love the little portrait in that perfect frame.
Love Angela xx

Beatrice said...

Wow every now and then My blogger lets me make a comment and I'm so pleased it is yours...your projects are so stunning it almost makes me want to quilt...I say almost, I just can't put my stitching down long enough to sit at my machine..lol!
Hmmm audio is a good plan, mind you the TV works well for me!!
I look forward to seeing more of your quilts!
Groetjes uit Canada

Beatrice said...

Wow every now and then My blogger lets me make a comment and I'm so pleased it is yours...your projects are so stunning it almost makes me want to quilt...I say almost, I just can't put my stitching down long enough to sit at my machine..lol!
Hmmm audio is a good plan, mind you the TV works well for me!!
I look forward to seeing more of your quilts!
Groetjes uit Canada

Tanya Willis Anderson said...

So pretty, Heidi!!

Tanya

Sonja said...

vrolijke quilt! wordt weer een pronkstuk!

corry said...

So gorgeous, love the triangles and fabrics!

Brigitte said...

Oh what a most lovely piece this is. Watching a certain movie or listening to certain music is so motivating when the piece you stitch or quilt has to do with the music or the movie. I loved watching the Beatrix Potter movie while stitching on her sampler.

Heleen said...

Oh oh wat ontzettend mooi!