- Are these pieced or is a printed fabric? - opheliaspins
'Florence' quilt
Here's the quilt I have just finished for my daughter. She chose the fabrics and the general design. It's a couch quilt to snuggle under in winter!
The quilt is named for Florence Broadhurst because the fabric patterns remind us of her 1970s wallpapers.
"The complex, eccentric and talented woman who was Florence Broadhurst was born in rural Queensland, Australia in 1899.
By the time of her death in 1977 Florence Broadhurst had lived and worked in Australia, Asia, and England; performed professionally on stage; been befriended by royalty; exhibited her paintings; and started an internationally successful wallpaper company whose success was based upon her own designs. She also found time to run a trucking company, start up a dress salon, play marbles with a strong competitive streak and agitate for women’s rights."
As would befit such a colourful character, she was murdered while at work - aged in her mid-70s.
More info here - www.signatureprints.com.au/aboutus/aboutus_flobro.html
The site includes examples of her wallpaper and fabric designs.
She is close to my heart cos I also was born in rural Queensland, and, though I have done some exotic travelling (e.g. pre-Taliban Afghanistan) I have nowhere near her breadth of achievements.
Australian cinemas were showing a feature biopic about her in 2006.
Comments and faves
JIGGS IMAGES, bellrae15, jude hill, sheree's alchemy, and 73 other people added this photo to their favorites.
Annieshouse (59 months ago | reply)
What a great story and a fantastic quilt! Love the back, too!
JIGGS IMAGES (59 months ago | reply)
A beautiful Quilt Gillian, it would brighten any cold winter night!!! I love the fabrics you have used, are they all from the same range? Thanks for the info on Florence Broadhurst too, she sounded like quite a character. I'm with you too on the quilt back designs, It makes the quilts more interesting to have something other than a plain backing.
bellrae15 (59 months ago | reply)
I love this - both front and back. What a great job you did!
tirralirra (59 months ago | reply)
It's great to hear your responses and glad you like this 'creation'. Many of the fabrics are Amy Butler and a couple of Kaffe Fassiet. She just grabbed what she liked and mixed in things that seemed to harmonise with the bright bold patterns. That's one of my favourite parts of quilting... the first stages of selection and design.
mini_milly04 (59 months ago | reply)
Wow, this is just beautiful! Great selection of prints.
sheree's alchemy (59 months ago | reply)
This is a stunning quilt in my book. Love the colors and mix of patterns. You did an amazing job adding alot of visual interst but still not overwhelming the eye.
Your daughter is a lucky girl!
And thanks for sharing the information on your inspiration.
Sheree
birdieoodle (59 months ago | reply)
love it!
opheliaspins (59 months ago | reply)
Gorgeous! I love this!
dalbhat (59 months ago | reply)
beautiful. beautiful quilt and beautiful story.
all handmade things seem to have a story to go with them.
i enjoy hearing them.
tirralirra (59 months ago | reply)
Opheliaspins... the checkerboards are pieced. You can see that I made a mistake with one and got the lights and darks mixed up so they don't alternate properly. I decided to let it go, but I keep seeing it even though it's not very evident when the quilt is in use! So I'll know not to do that again...
Quilts look so different life-size compared with photo-size.
tirralirra (59 months ago | reply)
Thank you mini, sheree, birdie, ophelia, dalbhat for leaving your comment. It's wonderful to hear that this quilt 'hits the mark' for you.
astridpersons1 [deleted] (58 months ago | reply)
really, really very very beautiful: great motifs and colours
treasureup (57 months ago | reply)
I LOVE this quilt! Your sashings are so unique. The fabrics are great and it was interesting to read about your inspiration for the quilt.
tirralirra (57 months ago | reply)
So glad you like it! I think there is a lot of happiness sewn into this one.
teetertoes (57 months ago | reply)
Original design and color combination -- quite beautiful!
handmadebyalissa (53 months ago | reply)
What a beautiful quilt! And the back is wonderful as well!
becauseimme (52 months ago | reply)
This is beautiful! I love the colors and the design.
magikquilter (50 months ago | reply)
Absolutely unspeakably brilliant...you mean you are a fellow Aussie? I am off to check out your profile now. Please please add all of your lovely stuff over time to our group...love everything.
magikquilter (50 months ago | reply)
You are in Sydney also....can't believe it a fellow Sydney quilter!!!!!!!!!
Kristy Gaidier (47 months ago | reply)
This is absolutely beautiful!!
SUSANNAH DASHWOOD (36 months ago | reply)
That is absolutely stunning!!
ThisDomesticBliss (35 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Creative Quilts, quilts from your own patterns and inspirations!, and we'd love to have this added to the group!