FYI... I think that the fabric that Jill refers to as "calico" is what we call cotton "muslin" here in the states.

I know nothing about handwork either and I don’t normally do any handwork so this is all easy easy easy, it’s just back stitch and I use DMC Perele 10g and I use the lot I don’t separate out the strands as its the thickness that I want and that sounds all to hard me when travelling, and I use the biggest needle I can get away with, I wanted to have the thread thick so that the stitches stand out, because the thread is thick and the needle is large that’s why it’s so quick quick. This was all worked out for travelling or sitting in front of the TV or patio or the caravan.

I have used a few gold’s but have found that you have to get a dark one as some of them are to pale and look washed out on the quilt, the one that I like now is DMC Perele 8 col 783 10g, but you could use any colour you wanted, I think this is the third one I have made and it’s the heirloom look that I was after so use calico but I do wash it very very well first, you could also use bright thread for a different look. FYI I use a light box to transfer the stencils and just use a thin pencil as the thread is so thick it covers it.

I also use the iron on Pelion/Vilene in the thick one as this gives it a thickness to the fabric and also makes it easier to hand sew on I find, I don’t quilt it like you do a normal quit, all I do is use calico as the backing and either lay right sides together and sew around leaving a hole to turn out and then use a fancy machine stitch around the edge about ¼ inch in or have also put top and backing together and bind it like a normal quilt, you could use flannel.

Although most of you would have a lot of stencils if anyone wants the stencils I use I have them on A4 paper and can email them to you, just send me a email with the reqest in the subject line.

p.s. In Australia you can buy a cheap calico or one thats a little bit extra and is a tiny bit finer and has a little bit better look to it so thats the one I use, but of course any fabric would work.

Patchworkjill wrote:
What a great car project! Hmmm, you have me thinking, since I have to travel with someone who doesn't like the radio or music and headphones seem rude

I know so little about handwork. How many strands of thread and what kind of needle did you use?

Lovely work, Jilly. What a treasure!

Jilly - that is so fun.

Oh Jilly! What a lovely heirloom this will be for someone! Thanks for sharing!

It's lovely Jilly, the motifs show up really well. You must do a lot of driving and caravanning

Love your quilt Margo.

This is mine that I have recently finished a cot quilt or baby throw, it is something I have been working on when travelling in the car, it's just calico with stencils drawn all over it at random and then hand sewn using only a back stitch with a gold coloured DMC Cotton Perle, and it was soooo easy to do while driving or just sitting around the caravan at night and totally mindless which is what you sometimes need.

It’s not the best photo and I should have re pressed it but didn’t have the time.

Great quilt, Margo! Almost makes me wish I was that new mom.
I love pieced backs, I think they're so much more interesting than just plain one color.

I really love those square swirls in with the all the curvy quilting! Looks great.

Such a pretty quilt Margo and the quilting is fantastic. I'm impressed with how straight the back piecing is. I'm sure I would have it slanted.

Margo, you are going modern! Love the shifted diamond, so much more interesting than if you had completed it and centered it on the quilt. And what a lovely gift for a new mother.

Lovely quilt, and beautiful quilting

Love your modern quilt!