Welcome to the Northpole!

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Finally! I got the book more than a year ago, but didn't want to start a 2nd applique project during Dutch Treat. Dutch Treat is done (at least the blocks) - let's go!

 

On the page of the authors Pieceocake there are lot of videos for the technique used in this quilt. With these videos and everything I learned from Regina Grewe I feel confident to start that quilt.


I started with two very easy blocks to practise the handling. There was no need for working with Overlays during Dutch Treat, so that's new for me.

 

3 trees:



3 Stars

 

The result: the handling is easy.
But I have to be careful with the complicated blocks. I have to place the pieces very precise underneath the overlay.
And: during Dutch Treat I was used to a very stable underground, because it consisted always of two big pieces of fabric. Here it's different. I must not pull the thread too tight, otherwise the background fabric will shrink too much und look pleated.

And oops - I have only 4 colours of Superior Bottom Line! I won't go far with that. I ordered a ring with 35 bobbins (that's what amazon is there for).


Well - then I started to think.
I have some darkblue fabric. During the weeks I planned Dutch Treat I went through all quiltshops I saw with a tunnel vision of 'Indigo-fabric for Dutch Treat'. I bought several, always a small amount, 10 or 15 inches. None of them did rip me of my stool, none of them was indigo enough. Then I found the british shop and got the shweshwe-indigos there.
So for more than a year I have a bunch of darkblue fabric - perfect for the Northpole!

 

I made the 2 blocks already with this fabric. But then - as I said - I started to think. I don't want to have the same background fabric for two adjoining blocks.  I need a plan!
The book gives the measurements to rough-cut the blocks (they have to be bigger at the beginning because they may - and will - shrink during appliqueing). 
Ok - I cut the remaining 14 blocks of newsprint paper:

 


and distributed the paper on the blue fabrics, always with the book in hand: which block adjoins which one? (Sorry if the photo is dark - it was late in the evening)


Yep, there was enough fabric. I cut the 14 blocks right away. The blocks with there newspaper-templates are stowed away on the shelf.
I can start with the 3. block! This time Sprinkles Ice Cream Shoppe.


But - what kind of fabric shall I use for the blocks? I don't have that many different colourfully patterned fabrics, and plaid fabric not at all.
But who says my Northpole has to look like the one in the book?
I have a whole bunch of Christmas fabric which I problably will never use up - let's do a christmassy Northpole!

 

I started with the easiest house, Sprinkles Ice Cream Shoppe. On this photo the house itself is already done. (For documentation I show this block in steps. The rest of the blocks will be shown only when finished.)


Overlay on top and piece No 2 positioned below:


Piece No 2 ist done, piece No 3 already in place:


Piece No 3 is done, Overlay on top and piece No 4 is placed:


Snow, roof and treestump are done:


The second roof is done, and the treestump got a tree:


All that's left are small pieces. But Christmas presents have a higher priority!

 

Well -

Pinterest, our all friend and helper, knows that I'm looking for pictures of that quilt. And showed me this photo: Quilt von Helma de Jong. I asked Helma and she kindly allowed me to show her photo here:

 

Now that is something different!

Hm - I think I have to reconsider my decision to use only Christmas fabric. How about green and silver on the dark blue background? I played in EQ7 with several colours (it didn't work as I hoped, EQ7 has no silver and not the greeens I'm looking for):

Difficult.

I have to check my stash. I dream of something like emerald, silver, soft green and blue and maybe turquoise or so. Maybe as an accent burgundy red.

 

Hey - have a look! These blocks were made of my stash. I'm afraid I have to make Sprinkles Icecream Shoppe again in these cool colours - I'd love to!
I am curious how the blocks will look at the end, so far I appliqued only the fabric pieces. But I started collecting some decoration stuff. I want to sew it on after the quilting.


Well - and this was the end of it for now.
Christmas was over, then January and I felt like everything, but not like christmassy quilt blocks.
During the whole summer everything lay on the sewing table (or nearby) and stared at me reproachfully.
I was really worried - will the North Pole become my first UFO quilt?
And I felt I had soooo many blocks left, I had made only half of them.


Then came Helma's new comment - she finally managed to end HER creative break after 4 years and finished the quilt. You can see the link below in her comment. Isn't the quilt great? Somehow it gave me exactly the kick I needed. If she makes it after 4 years, can I do it? Besides, it's the middle of December (2019) and I feel a bit christmassy.
So I took out the blocks and made an inventory. And see there!!! Only 3 blocks are left! and the roof of the fourth. And the super-easy block Ice Cream Shoppe, which I want to sew again in the new colors. This is doable! And indeed - within 5 days all blocks were sewn:


And last but not least the big sled with the four reindeer - I was scared of that. And it took me forever to choose the fabrics for it. But I am very satisfied with the result:


Okay - now I have to go shopping. I bought beads and buttons in star shape right at the beginning (= about a year ago), but now I definitely need metallic yarn.
And maybe some ribbons. Let's see what I can find.
According to the book one should first attach the ribbons and yarns, then trim the blocks and sew them together. Then quilt. And at the very end add the beads and buttons.
The order makes sense.
But in the end all I did before the quilting were two silver ribbons around two trees. The rest has to wait.


After quilting, but before decorating:


And here with decoration!


all blocks 'raw' and after quilting/decorating:
(as usual: click on the photo to enlarge it)

 


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Comments (4)

  • Carla
    Carla
    at 20.12.2019
    Looking very good and it's a great idea to cUT your blocks out so you know you have enough. I used freever paper as a template on my last applique quilt less chance of making a cutting error
  • Sarah
    Sarah
    at 20.12.2019
    This is going to be a lovely project and the ring of bobbins are such lovely colours!
  • Jocelyn Thurston
    Jocelyn Thurston
    at 20.12.2019
    This is a fabulous winter project. I love how carefully you are doing your planning...I could take a lesson! Happy Stitching.
  • Helma
    Helma
    at 21.12.2019
    Hallo Nina,
    How are you doing on you 'Welcome to the North Pole' Love you colourpalet. I finally after four years finished my version. Can't wait to see yours. Want to take a peak at mine here's a link.
    https://helmadejong.nl/?p=8176
    Greetings Helma

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