Another quick entry on my progress working on Esther Aliu's Love Entwined BOM before our next part is posted. My compass is completed (hand pieced), the ring is attached and has the seam allowances basted under - ready for applying to the background. My little dots are appliqued. These little puppies were a challenge to be sure! I gathered the raw edges as you would for making yo-yos and appliqued them down. Of course I read a better way to do these after I finished, but they are done.

Back side of compass

     My mother always told me that the back of your needlework should be as neat as the front. This definitely is the case with piecing and pressing seam allowances. I lightly whip-stitched the edges also because I am so obsessed with hanging threads! Silly.

     My yellow center star seems a little "blouse-y" (for lack of better words). I think I may baste some batting to the back - kind of my own trapunto. Another technique I have never tried. The first of more to come as I work on this quilt. Was this coverlet quilted? Or was it a summer cover with a backing and no batting? There is so much applique that I am wondering if there will be any room.

    

     The center square is prepped and I'm beginning to get everything placed. See my curly 6-petal flowers? They will lay flat once they are basted. I have 8 zig-zag units prepared but not pictured. What? I think there are 160 so I have much catching up to do!! And part 3 is coming this Thursday.

     Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you, Esther Aliu, for making all this possible! It is a joy to be part of this process.

     What a challenge I've entered! And I can't remember how I found Esther Aliu's site but I am so very glad I did. Esther drafted a quilt that was made in 1790 England. It was featured in Averil Colby's book, Patchwork, printed in 1956. We don't know where this quilt is today, or that if it even still exists but hopefully with this new interest through Esther's efforts this lovely work will be found. Visit Esther's site to read more about Love Entwined and how you too can join in this journey.

     I've chosen various fabrics from Moda's French General line, a few from Makower, and may even include a few batiks as Edyta Sitar does so beautifully...if I am brave enough. My background is a soft cream from Moda and it drapes so nicely. I think it will "play" well and contrast nicely with the colors I've chosen - which are my interpretation of the colors Esther has recommended. The original picture of this "fine marriage coverlet" is printed in gray-scale so we can only make educated guesses.

     I marvel as I visit other participant's blogs and see the colors and fabrics they have chosen. My confidence in this area is a bit shaky. I chuckle as I say that because this whole endeavor shakes me up! It is all part of the thrill I guess, and to quote Esther, "an adventure is not complete unless it is challenging as well."

           I'm striving to keep these fabrics in the box I have purchased to help keep me organized. This project may get messy with all the fussy cutting and small pieces. And a notebook with page protectors to store each month's directions from Esther.