This will be an Aussie Heroes Quilts production.
This was the initial fabric selection and an assortment of iron-on patches to fit the brief. I’m particularly loving the dark navy blue fabric with white kangaroo silhouettes which is going to be the backing.
Subsequently I decided not to use many of the scraps I thought about using, since some of them are, well, floral/girly. I want to get it right for my first one! This quilt is going to a Petty Officer Master Technician in the Navy, and I have to get it on its way by 25 August at the latest.
I have a plan, and this is what it looks like. The nice thing about all the AHQ quilts is that they’re smallish, and therefore faster to make than my usual double to queen size. There’s a standard size we have to stick to, to ensure it doesn’t weigh too much, that it fits the bunks, and that it can be stowed away in kit easily and quickly. So I can crack on fast, make the quilt fit the recipient, and once it’s away, start the next one. Thousands of quilts and laundry bags have gone out, but so many thousands more are needed, and each one goes to a grateful and appreciative home…
Here’s progress to date. The chequered patches went together like a dream, everything lined up without trouble – it must be a good omen! To contrast with the crisp blue and white blocks, I’m going for greyish, muted solids and co-ordinating large scale simple botanic prints meandering from side to side. The ‘extras’ that reflect the recipient’s interests are going to be added in the solid colour squares, here and there on the quilt top. There’s also a co-ordinating block for the back which will contain the AHQ label.
Here are the embellishments. The drawing is going to be the appliqué patch, which will be fairly tricky. I’m still working out how to do it, but it’s going to be good if I can pull it off. OK, little quiz: what is the significance of the coloured strip at the top of this picture? The clue lies in this quilt’s final destination. Answers in the comments box. No prizes except kudos, though!
Back to the sewing machine.
talltalesfromchiconia 
How perfect is that kangaroo fabric for a backing?! I think it’s great that you know who will be the recipient of your quilt – it makes it a much more ‘personal’ project.
I know – so I bought a bit extra! I know his name, rank and number, favourite colours and interests. It’s enough to let me personalise it a bit. And if I’m lucky, I’ll get a letter or email when it arrives.
Lovely, lovely… and what great fabric with the kangaroos!
Isn’t it! I think I’m going to have to hoard it jealously to make it stretch as far as possible. I’ve already decided not to make the whole back from it and insert some of the front fabrics instead. Any thoughts on the quiz item…?
Semaphore? But don’t ask me to decode it.
Signal flags, the kind that were run up the mast in the days of sailing ships. Very close! Each one represents a letter of the alphabet in this particular array, although often a single flag has another meaning as well as the letter it represents.
Doh! Of course! Semaphore are the waving flags!
It is going to be gorgeous, i always learn something over here, hope you are having a great day!.. c
Thank you! I owe this whole enterprise to you, since you provided the original inspiration. With luck this one will be finished this week and on Monday I can take on a new one.
you work fast! .. c
The kangaroo fabric for the backing is perfect. You are so busy and productive right now – yay! 🙂
I will have to make sure I keep some balance, otherwise this could easily start to take over! But for now, I’m having a lot of fun.
Terrific – I love doing quilts that I can chain piece. As you say, they are quick.
I love the short cut for 9 patch blocks. This whole quilt will be quick to make, which is good, because I’ll be able to get on to the next one even faster and some other
service person will get a bit of love too.
Love the kangaroo fabric! And the car patch makes me want to go “brum, brum” like a child!
Cute, eh? I was surprised to find them in the haberdashery place. I used to have a Beetle myself years ago, a brilliant egg yolk yellow. Such a fun car.
Beetles should be bright colours I think. I’m not such a fan of the new ones, the vintage ones look a lot better.
Okay I seriously love those blue kangaroo’s… where is that fabric from.
Our favourite shop, Spotlight. It’s a slightly heavier weight than most quilting fabrics, and it also comes in white with navy kangaroos. Do you want me to get you some – the bolt was in the Sale section so it may not last?
Kate your AH Quilts looks fantastic 🙂
I’m so glad you like it! I’m going to do a couple of AH laundry bags next, and then I’ll take a short break and work on my own quilting projects for a bit.