Leaf blankets

I have been writing about how leaves falling to the ground in Autumn form a blanket over the earth protecting it from the cold to come in Winter for many years in my sketch/ work books, so thought it about time I made a collection of Eco leaf prints into a large quilt. It has resulted in 3 pieces. 

A collection of prints of cherry leaves that resulted in beautiful green prints with a couple of rose leaf prints to complete it with commercially  dyed green, to bring out the rich green of the leaves. This is layered with a bamboo wadding ready to quilt. Still working out the detail of the quilting pattern. It has resulted in a double bed sized piece.

A collection of prints made after a walk through the Silk Wood at Westonbirt, not quite so big but long enough to wrap myself in it, when I need comfort. Waiting to be quilted. 

I made this to use as a backing cloth for the green piece, using all the pieces I thought weren't a good enough print. I didn't really plan this, just grabbed pieces from the pile and joined them together, with very little conscious thought as how it would look overall. Unfortunately it doesn't show so well in this photo, but I'm really pleased with the piece. It has a lovely quality of mark all across it, that I can enhance with hand stitch, and additional coloured fabrics. It's become a piece in it's own right. 

I really enjoyed the piecing of it, as it reminded me of how I used to work, collecting together fabrics and then just beginning to work, with no end product in mind. It's such a lovely free way to work.