Horses and Carriages

One of the most fun parts of making the Fairy Tale Quilt has been adding all the tiny details, with whatever comes to hand. This week, the two lumpy horses on the quilt, with physiques that  look like they could barely stand up, let alone pull a carriage, have finally acquired manes, legs and tails, while their carriages have got some wheels, to make the job of hauling around princesses a bit easier. 

Cinderella has a roomy pumpkin to travel to the ball in, with little net curtains at the window and sturdy wooden buttons for wheels, which hopefully won't joggle her around too much. 

Cinderella's pumpkin carriage trundles off to the ball

Meanwhile, the princess from Puss in Boots is taking a ride in this fancy carriage, pulled along by a rare leopard patterned horse with a steely glint in its eye. I had fun decorating the carriage with ribbons and sequins, and glossy buttons for the wheels. The Ugly Duckling, looking rather cute, is splashing about in his pond as she goes by.

The royal carriage, about to be waylaid by Puss in Boots.

Like everyone else, princesses get hungry, so I've added a handy baker's shop for them to call in at. There are five currant buns in the window, round and fat with sugar on top, made from tiny chunky buttons with a white bead sewn through the holes.

Hopefully no-one has noticed the Gingerbread Man making his escape down to the river. I wonder how far he will get. 

Off goes the Gingerbread Man

There are some feisty princesses in this book, illustrated with beautiful embroideries by Belinda Downes. My favourite is the African princess whose husband hatches out of an egg. They live happily ever after, of course, but she keeps the pieces of eggshell, just in case he needs to go back from where he came.