Well finally the Caribbean quilt is finished. Now officially and simply named. 'The Market'

My stats tell me I began it on the 13-1-2013.

A few people asked me what size it is, 113 cm X 68 1/2 cm. Its a medium size wall quilt.

The design is similar to paintings I saw in Haiti on a tour and my own illustrations and art expressions.

Its the first quilt I've made on the Sweet 16 and I learned a lot as  went along.

This quilt is to be the raffle quilt of the year for the Quilters Guild of South Australia.

So what did I learn.

1. My stitches were much more to my liking when I was able to change from the standard size 16 needle to a size 12.

Unlike many of the Illustrative raw edge quilt techniques I use sometimes, this is precision stitching right on the edge of the fabric with a thread the same color as the fabric.

The images are illustrated with pigment ink which also blends the thread color to the match the base fabric color.

I want the picture to look like a painting.

2. I don't have a stitch regulator, the stitches are quite even, although I would like to test one just to see the difference.

3. Rhythm in the way you move the quilt is the key.

4. I was uncertain if I could stitch right on the edge of the fabric… and indeed I could quite successfully.

5. The border quilting I began by marking the design with a white pen… but very quickly I found I could work freehand and I enjoyed the experienced more.

I'm anxious to do a series so the sketch book and camera will be getting a lot of use in the next few weeks.

Quilt No 2, was a little different and the second quilt made on the sweet 16.

Part of the Amazing Alphabet series. This quilt is intensively quilted and  I had to be able to quilt fine detail to outline the 'X' and the flags, legs and hands in black.

I was able to achieve that but I have a long way to go before I attempt to use it on the Bayeux Project.