Cottage Garden Wall Hanging

Sunday, June 30, 2019

I was just looking back through my Instagram feed and realized I started this project in February 2016!?!  Wow.  Three and a half years from the time I started this project to the time I finished and blogged about it.  It was just one of those projects that was great to stuff in my purse and take on the go.  So I would take it on vacation or to soccer games so I could stitch during warm-ups.  I actually finished this several months ago though...just took a while for me to actually get some photos and sit down to blog about it!


Even though it took forEVER I actually really loved this project.  Wool applique is one of the easiest forms of applique out there and I have a tutorial for it saved in my Instagram Highlights for those of you interested in learning more about it.


I have quite the collection of wool scraps now.  Aren't they pretty?


This pattern is called Cottage Garden by Norma Whaley.  In her pattern, Norma suggested making scrappy 20-Patch blocks but I wanted a little bit more of a traditional look so I decided to switch things up a bit and go neutral.  I felt it kept the focus on the applique blocks.  But either way would be cute don't you think?


The pattern mixes cotton and wool so it's a great stash buster.  
Here are some close-ups of a few of the blocks.  


They're sweet, creative designs with a folk art flair.



I love how the pattern incorporates a traditional signature block in the bottom corner!


I asked Denae Hansen of Plain Jane Quilting in American Fork, Utah to quilt it for me and she did a fantastic job!  I love everything she did, from the cross hatch quilting in the 20-Patch blocks to outlining the applique to the leaves in the border.  It turned out so pretty! 


The only fabric I bought for this was the wool and the inner border fabric, which was purple, totally out of my comfort zone!  Are you a "purple person"?  I feel like you either love it or you hate it.  I normally am not a fan but felt like it complimented the blocks without overpowering them...so I went for it!


Now I just need to find a spot for it in my home.  I love it so much and originally planned to hang it somewhere in my house but if you've been around here for a while you know I don't really love to decorate with quilts anymore, for some reason.  So we'll see what I end up doing with it!


So, have you tried wool applique before?
If so, did you love it as much as I did?
If you haven't tried it yet, I hope I've inspired you to try it!  The possibilities with it are endless!

Have a great day friends!
Amber

8 comments:

  1. I love your colors--I made one a few years ago using a kit I bought from Norma, so it was more country colors. I love your spin on it!

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    1. Norma's style is so great so I'm sure it's beautiful!

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  2. Beautiful quilt! Hope you find a space for her soon. Happy Stitching!

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  3. That is really pretty! I agree that the neutral squares keep the focus on the applique. I haven't done wool applique but did buy a bit of wool so I could try it. Just trying to finish up some projects before starting a new project.

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  4. Amber, that looks amazing. I've not done wool applique yet. I started a Dear Jane quilt and have got all the applique ones done, loved doing them. Will have to give wool applique a go. Thanks for sharing. Sharon x

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    1. Oh wow, a Dear Jane quilt is definitely a bucket list quilt. Good job! Wool applique will be a breeze after that I'm sure. Happy stitching!

      Amber

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