to wash or not to wash

I have gotten eleven AMH feathers done. Enough for a baby size quilt (though my feathers are smaller than hers).  I am considering making more, maybe a lap or twin size.

 But then, I had a fearsome thought!  I was reading AMH blog about the care of her new linen line.  In it she mentioned how when washed, her linen shrink in length 1/4"-1".  I used Essex Linen Natural for the background fabric in my feathers and I am concerned that it will shrink way more than the other cotton fabric. So now I am afraid to continue.  Has anyone used Essex linen?  What do you think?

Feathers, how apt

Ever since I first say Anna Marie Horner's Feather Bed pattern, here, I wanted to make it.  I was hoping some one would teach a class on it like Molly Flanders.  The photos she shared of her students' work were amazing.  So, inspired, I gahtered up some material and got to work.

After piecing strips together, I realized the tip of the feather is probably too small.  I hope to change that on the next group.  The material has a stretch to it because of the angle it is cut on.  It will need carefull sewing.







Decided on the natural Essex linen for the background.

I have been making stencils of light weight cardboard to use with my rulers to cut.  I keep wondering if there is a better way.... I will no doubt figure it out on the last cut!

Linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced!

Zig Zag

A finished quilt that will be going in the Crazy Birds Studio Etsy store.

Finished at 42" x48".

 Quilted 1/4" above and below each zig zag.

Linking up to Finish it up Friday!