Griet Lombard’s class “Sparrows in my Garden”

I chose to do the class as a way to learn what to do with the doilies and embroidered dressing table sets that I had collected primarily to use as quilt labels. I had become aware that I had more than I was ever going to need and this seemed a nice little project to use them up.

I began with the idea of using a cream tone on tone fabric as the background on which to arrange the laces and embroideries that I had, but quickly realised that I had enough serviettes and tablecloths to make the backgrounds from. All the cloth, laces, embroideries etc were freebies that I picked up from the “free table” at KAAC. They were other people’s throw outs so I had no compunction about cutting things up. I know that one or two members of the class struggled with the idea of chopping up pretty embroideries.

After making a few blocks I realised that I was overthinking the design process so loosened up and just began tossing stuff at each block . By working faster I felt I was achieving a more relaxed result. I began to add cats to the mix because the neighbour’s tabby regularly patrols my garden. 

My colour palette is different from Griets – I think everyone in the class will end up with a different result simply because we all had different pieces of embroidery and material.

-Fyvie

Block completed by Fyvie depicting a cat for Griet Lombard’s class “Sparrows in my Garden”

Two blocks completed by Fyvie depicting birds and a cat for Griet Lombard’s class “Sparrows in my Garden”

Close up of detail

Sampler used by Griet Lombard in her class “Sparrows in my Garden

Fyvie debuted ‘There are cats in my garden’ in the 2021 Contour Lines Exhibition, winning a Life members award.