Milady's Brooch by Sara Lawson, SewSweetness.com
Can you believe that Edna Braithwaite? What a she-snake! (Although we do wonder when Tom is going to grow a pair, er, seem a little less lost…) And Edith, girl, are you sure about this guy? Germany, really? Of course, we’re talking about the developments in the latest installment in the Downton Abbey super-saga.
And our Downton frenzy is building, as Season 4 unfolds before us, and our fave characters (both upstairs and down) have come out of suspended animation while we watch where their privileged lives lead them next. The frenzy is also building in Generation Q‘s Modern Downton Abbey Block Challenge, too. We’ve begun receiving entries from readers who are intrigued by using Andover’s historically accurate Downton Abbey fabrics in original blocks with a modern design aesthetic. Our thanks to those entries we’ve already received.
However, the holidays obviously slowed things down a bit for us, and we suspect, everyone. Soooo we’re extending the entry deadlin for our DA Modern Block Challenge until Feb. 5, 2014. At that point, our judges will convene, and we’ll announce a winner shortly thereafter.
You can STILL play along. It’s simple: Go here to get the full scoop on rules, prizes, and how to send in your entry.
Meanwhile, we’re happy to keep fueling the design fire, with a teasing glimpse of an original DA Modern block by Sara Lawson of Sew Sweetness. It riffs off a design she created for us, which we’ll be sharing with you in an upcoming issue. So consider this a serving of Jazz Age eye candy, okay?
Milady’s Brooch
” The inspiration for the block was that I wanted it to look like a woman’s brooch. 
I thought it would be interesting with circles of different sizes appliqued to solid fabric in a staggered formation. The block was assembled using foundation paper-pieced templates that I drafted on my computer; two templates (A and B) formed each quarter of the block, and then the block was pieced together. I decided to use the dark black print for the background and a combination of purple and black/white prints for the thin points of the star.”
now it’s your turn
What images of this so-popular series do you find inspiring? Maybe that beautiful passementerie on Lady Mary’s dress in Episode 3, with its graceful swirls and loops…or the incredible collar embroidery on Lady Edith’s coat in the train station scene in Episode 2? Choose one image you can’t forget, and see how you can bring a modern twist to it!
“DowntonTM and Downton Abbey®© 2013 Carnival Film & Television Ltd. All Rights Reserved Under License To Andover Fabrics.”
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