Marsala Spice Top
Yay! It’s not completely as I envisaged it, but it’s ok. No idea whether I’m going to get it quilted in time, but if I don’t I’ll just enter it as a top only. If nothing else, I really like how the block came out in large quantities (and large sizes).
Obligatory close-ups/gate picture:
I’ve started putting a back together for it, using some spare blocks and the un-dyed fabric I bought:
The centre is together now and I’ve started adding the necessary borders, only to discover that I fluffed my calculations a bit and I’m short on two sides. Argh. 🙁 Back to the fabric shop on Monday, I guess!
A Marsala Side-Project
While I was making the Marsala Spice blocks I ended up with a pile of HST units needing a home, so I pieced them randomly together:
Then, because I wanted to test out a possible idea for another quilt, I stacked pairs of blocks together and cut them up again, then skiffled the bits about to make two new “fractured” blocks:
They trimmed up nicely to 5″ square and made 12 new blocks in total, to make this:
It’s an interesting effect, though quite difficult with HSTs of this size and density; the reverse is a nightmare of seam bulk.

I was thinking of turning it into a cushion or maybe adding the blocks to the back of the main quilt, but those seams would make it rather less than comfortable. It’ll probably be a wall hanging, assuming I don’t break ALL the needles trying to quilt it. :s
More info on the Pantone Challenge can be found at On The Windy Side and play crafts.
Also linking up with Can I Get A Whoop Whoop!, TGIFF at Quilting in Amsterdam and Oh Scrap! 🙂
Looking good! I’m working on my project as well 🙂
Thank you! It’s certainly been an interesting project. 🙂 Good luck with yours!
I love the Marsala top. The way the stars all intertwine is wonderful! I enjoyed reading your process of working with your scraps. I too start sewing and cutting and playing with leftovers usually creating some “interesting” projects. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!
Hi Cynthia, thanks for visiting and commenting, and for hosting a great link-up party. 🙂 I love popping over to see what you do with your scrap projects!
Your Marsala projects are so beautiful!!!! Amazing.
Love from Amsterdam
Thank you, and thank you for hosting a great link-up party. 🙂
Nothing to do with this particular post, but…I was looking at prior posts and saw your information about pernicious anemia. I wondered if you’d been tested for Celiac Disease (might be called Coeliac Sprue where you are). The first step is just a simple blood test for the antibodies to gluten. Unexplained anemia is often the first symptom that is noticed for adults. In any case, I hope you’re feeling great now!
I found your blog through “Quilting is more fun than housework.” Almost anything is more fun that housework!
Heh, ’tis true – pretty much everything is more fun than housework! 🙂
Thanks for commenting – I haven’t been tested for Coeliac/Celiac (however you spell it) to my knowledge. It’s very interesting that you mention it though, since I have a cousin on my father’s side who was diagnosed as a Coeliac sufferer as a baby. I’d not heard about a connection between the two, so I shall look into it more. But I do feel a *lot* better than I did, thank you. 🙂 Stupid immune system… :p