TGIFF – it’s here!

My turn to host TGIFF! How exciting! Hope that you’ve been madly working on a project to finish in honour of the occasion ;) Or is that just me?

Happy to say though, the madness paid off. I finished my paper pieced Iris Garden wall hanging!



Ahhh. I thought I was in love before, now I know I am. I think this is one of my most favourite projects. Ever. My favourite colours, my favourite flower, my favourite quilting technique. Lots of favourites make this a special project!



Excuse the bright sunlight highlighting each pieced section – it was the only way I could get a photo that comes even close to the vibrant colours of this project. I used four different shades of green, four shades of purple (a mix of Kona Cottons and Bella Solids– shame I can’t remember all their names hehe!).

This is the reference chart I needed to keep track of what colour went where:

As you can see – it was much needed!!

Despite having lots of pieces, no seam allowance included in the pattern (Iris Garden by Eileen Sullivan – I’d highly recommend her patterns!), and using freezer paper for the first time, it actually went together quite easily! A few unpicked seams – particularly at the end to line all the sections up but that was about it. The hardest part was deciding on the quilting!



At first I stuck with my usual straight line quilting – adding a bit of green to the leaves.
But then… I got brave.



I added a little bit of FMQ around the border. That’s right, I said FMQ. Something I am terrible at. I traced the design onto some paper and pinned it to the quilt then sewed over it. It’s still not terribly neat, but I think it passes muster. Barely.



I think the border adds a nice little touch! My Wombat Stew girls helped me pick the colour for border and binding – and as usual, they were spot on. Thanks gals!

It finishes at about 23” x 30”. I added some hanging triangle sleevey things on the back. Now to just find somewhere to hang it. Currently it’s on the door of my sewing room so I can admire it.

So now it’s your turn! What fabulous Friday finish do you have to share?



Link up here, and make sure you pop around and visit some of the other fab finishes this week (and leave a comment, because really, don’t we bloggers just live for comments?!).