
Wow!!! We are all blown away with the skills and inspiration of the blocks created as part of the 150th Birthday Celebrations of Liberty London.
Some chose to depict 150 in their work, some kept to a simple block while others let their creativity run wild. There is intricate embroidery and exquisite applique. Embellishment by hand and machine. What they all have in common though is a love for Liberty and a love of sewing.
From the person new to sewing or new to Liberty, to those with a lifetime personal connection to the store and the fabrics, all have contributed to create a gallery of gorgeousness for us all the share. Here we share the blocks that were made by our customers. The main ‘quilt’ photos show all the blocks that were brought in to the shop for us to send as a collective. The others were posted direct to Liberty as they are from customers whom live further afield, including one in New Zealand!
Julie made her block in memory of her mother-in-law who worked in Liberty, Cheltenham many moons ago.
Maria was inspired to make her block after seeing a vintage magazine. We love her use of machine free-motion embroidery. Amazing detail.
Lesley has used lots of detailed embroidery and bead embellishment to create her floral block.
Janet made this lovely block showcasing Morris fabric, The Strawberry Thief.
Look at the incredible stitching of the thrush in this block by Jane. She loves the Strawberry Thief design by William Morris that has been used by Liberty in their Tana Lawn.
These two blocks were made by one of our mother daughter couples who participated in the block making. Neither Cheryl or Stephanie had used Liberty Lawn before but they embraced the opportunity to be involved. Cheryl decided to utilise the transport theme depicted on her fabric selection and has included cars, buses and a taxi. She thinks the border fabrics look like Tube maps.
Daughter Stephanie made one of the blocks suggested by Liberty but appliqued a design to echo the fabric design.
Sonja and Margaret, our second daughter mother coupling made these two beauties. Sonja embraced the sewing theme beautifully and Margaret concentrated on the floral element with a sneaky 150 hidden amongst the blooms. A mix of applique and stitchery.
Mum Carol and daughter Michelle made these two blocks. Carol made her large flower from inherited vintage Liberty fabric, fussing cutting the centre to show off the purple flower. Michelle used small English Paper piecing to create her fussy cut applique design.
Mary made an owl the highlight of her block. It includes detailed hand stitching on it and in the block. Mary loves visiting the store and always taps the wooden owl that sits on one of the ballustrades.
Mandy made her block in memory of her um her loved butterflies. We love the addition of the hand embroidery and the lace trim.
Sarah has always loved the Dutch Doll or Sun Bonnet Sue so it was an ideal occasion to showcase her in Liberty fabrics.
Cecily is a beginner and we think she has done a great job with her log cabin design.
Siobhan based her design on the Liberty miniature doll and mouse that she has had since childhood. She brought a selection of her Liberty ‘toys’ for us to see on our LiberTea morning. Some still even had their labels. Such a treat to see.
Amanda has used her fabrics with some reversed to give a different shade. Her lady sat drinking coffee is a nod to her love of Liberty, meeting her friend, both wearing red lipstick, and also time with her grand-daughter.
Another Cecily, this time one who has loved using colour, applique and English paper piecing. The border fabric is called Tresco, named after the vibrant island which is part of the Isles of Scilly.
Sarah loves sight hounds including whippets and Italian greyhounds so wanted to incorporate them into her piece. She also used the silhouette of a Victorian lady as a nod to when the Liberty store was established. The dress has a ruffled 3D skirt like a proper bustle. Incredible detail.
Bridget did her nursing training at St Barts Hospital, not far from the Regency Street Store and spent many happy hours there. She used the crest of the hospital as the central design for her block.
Kerry-Anne sent her block direct to Liberty as she is in New Zealand. She wanted to juxtapose the traditional vibe of Liberty with a more modern curvy block and this is what she created.
Honor made use of the English rose in her design as she thinks Liberty is the epitomy of English design and quality.
Gill let her imagination run riot and came up with this block with lots of paper pieced elements. Look at the tiny diamonds in the border.
Carol combined a simple 9 patch block with pretty embroidery designs by Gail Pan. So pretty.
We love this pinwheel block even though the maker wasn’t happy with the fabric selection she has created a fun piece. The pinwheel is 3D so you feel like you could make it whirl around with a quick blow.
A simple way to display the pretty floral fabric that has been used for this block.
Katie couldn’t decide which block to send so sent both. She loves using the tiniest of scraps for crumb piecing so both block centres are made of the smallest pieces joined together.
Another indecisive sewer. Janet made three blocks to send. All very different and very pretty.
Joan made her block from 1 1/2″squares and made her own papers for them and the triangles. She used her stash of older Liberty fabrics.
Di made her block using one of the designs from Liberty. It is a traditional Ohio Star and her points are perfect.
Michelle used the same block to make as a sample for the LiberTea morning. She decided to keep it as a reminder to be more accurate with her piecing and cutting as her points are not so perfect. It is good to see how different the same block can look made up in different fabrics and with different emphasis of the layout.
We can’t imagine how much fun, and hard work, it will be for all those involved in putting together all these blocks to make the supersize quilt for display in the Liberty Regents Street Store in May. We will of course keep you updated once we have more to share. Thank you to everyone who took part in this through Coast and Country, it has been a delight to see the progress of each and every piece.