My Wonky houses quilt reveal!

Here it is finally finished. I say finally because I pieced this way back in September/October 2009. Wonky log cabins were Round 3 of  The Old Red Barn Quilt along  and we were expertly led by John aka Quiltdad. The centre blocks are wonky bento box and the inner border is 1/4 log cabin blocks.

Around the same time that I was making this quilt top, wonky houses were around the blogosphere and flicker and I was keen to try some out also thinking they would  look good paired with the wonky log cabin blocks.

After it was all finished I was pretty stuck as to how to quilt it so it was on my too hard pile for a few months. I also had issues with what sort of batting to use and where to buy it from. Eventually I purchased a bamboo batting from Spotlight. The large middle area is free motioned quilted with swirls and the inner border just with some straight-ish lines.

I used 4 colours of Perle cotton  to echo quilt around the little houses (and little trees too)....

and some really random wavy lines around the outer border which I loved doing. I really love the extra texture and zing of colour that Perle cotton gives to a quilt although it was very hard on my fingers and frustrating until I found the right needle to use. The needle I ended up using was quite thick like a darning needle but still quite sharp. Also I used a number 5 thickness of cotton, which was a little too thick. I think a no. 8 thickness is the one to go for.

The backing is made up of strips of varying widths and lengths of leftovers from the front with some more complimentary fabrics from my stash that needed to be used. (to make way for newer fabrics!) I have to say I like the back as much as the front.

I didn't really love this quilt while it was in my 'too hard' pile but now its all done and with the addition of the Perle cotton quilting I like it a lot more now.

Oh and if your keen to participate in a quilt-a-long I hear The old red barn quilt-a-long on flicker are talking about starting round 10! Go on over and see how much fun they are having!