I'm trying to play sew a little every day, thinking that eventually I will finish something. Over the past week though, I've found it difficult to settle on just one thing - more so than usual - so I'm picking up projects & putting down projects as my mood suits.
Still, while not actually finishing anything, it does feel good to have moved a few things a bit further along. Here's a little peek . . .
Still, while not actually finishing anything, it does feel good to have moved a few things a bit further along. Here's a little peek . . .
I'm using a technique inspired by Anna Maria called raw edge embroidered appliqué and am adding in more details with embroidery embellishments.
Today I focused on the large leafy area in the upper right hand corner of my floral collage, adding lots of kantha stitching and some simple backstitch along the finer stems. I'm wanting to fill in the seedpods with satin stitch, but I need to buy the right colour thread for those.
Today I focused on the large leafy area in the upper right hand corner of my floral collage, adding lots of kantha stitching and some simple backstitch along the finer stems. I'm wanting to fill in the seedpods with satin stitch, but I need to buy the right colour thread for those.
Next, I moved onto the larger stem that winds its way up through the collage, using a feather stitch variation in pink & brown floss.
I love how a large print can create a focus, or set a mood, and I hope my floral collage provides a great centre panel with which I can work with later, maybe into a quilt. This handy grey & white spot by Kaffe is one of my “go to” fabrics for backgrounds.
I am enjoying adding these perfectly imperfect stitches onto my #lockdownapplique project during some quiet time. Nothing beats working on something and creating such amazing texture with each stitch.
Here’s hoping your Sunday is full of slow stitching too. Linking up with Kathy for 'slow sunday stitching' here at kathysquilts.
I can see straight away that I need to get more variety into those grey & black geometrics. NZ is moving to L3 on Monday and on-line shopping will be easier, so I predict a few 'add to cart' moments in the very near future!
And another happy mess on the cutting table
- because I am very easily led astray!
- because I am very easily led astray!
I also spent a bit of time this week joining up leftover lengths of batting and making up a scrappy back for my 'norah' quilt. And then I got a real workout crawling around the floor basting up the three layers.
I started with my usual simple straight line machine quilting yesterday to anchor the quilt layers. I'm using a neutral colour thread rather than the dramatic black perle cotton of the original Norah quilt, as I want to continue with the soft sherbety look for this quilt.
Loving looking at all the fabrics as I quilt this. There's lots of old special strips from many collections over the years, with some bits of fabric pieced to make up a row, and you wouldn’t know it from looking at the whole thing but it all adds to the charm of this quilt . . .and that's what quilting is all about to me!
Loving looking at all the fabrics as I quilt this. There's lots of old special strips from many collections over the years, with some bits of fabric pieced to make up a row, and you wouldn’t know it from looking at the whole thing but it all adds to the charm of this quilt . . .and that's what quilting is all about to me!
So that's whats been happening around here lately,
- I'd love to hear what you are currently sewing too?
- I'd love to hear what you are currently sewing too?
Linking up with Wendy for this weekend's 'peacock party' here at wendysquiltsandmore
and with Cyndy for 'oh scrap' here at quiltingismorefunthanhousework
Until next time, Linda
Your hand stitching is resulting in a beautiful textured look--very nice...
ReplyDelete~ ~ ~ waving but a bit tired of all this.... Julierose
Your piece of embroidered applique is looking stunning and the addition of the strips in Courthouse Steps style really make the the centre pop beautifully, great idea Linda. Happy to read that you're not going with the black quilting, I have seen photos and I think a softer colour quilting thread is the ideal. I'm in a rut at the moment with my quilting, hoping to get back into it tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteThat's very very cool - something totally unique. I've been trying to get through my pile of UFOs...finished the Meadow Mist Designs Mystery Mosaic quilt yesterday with its binding, and today pulled out all blocks from her QAL from the year before (her Modern Plus sampler quilt) and began to sew the rows together.
ReplyDeleteThe appliqué is extremely interesting. And I love the fabrics under the machine. I’m going to try to find the original Norah quilt.
ReplyDeleteYour applique is beautiful - can't wait to see the finished product.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand hopping from one project to another. It's hard to focus right now. I love your applique project. Does it involve fusible or are the pieces all stitched down with raw edges?
ReplyDeleteYou sure are staying busy. It all looks like fun from the improv stitching on the applique to the scrap sewing to the quilting. I think I need to play more in my sewing studio instead of working at my craft.
ReplyDeleteI have been watching progress of your embroidery project over on instagram. It is so fun to see.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you were able to link up with Oh Scrap!
Your stitches are so lovely and I bet the texture is glorious when you run your hands over it.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely no harm in having a few distractions around the sewing room. We all need choices.
ReplyDeleteYour beautiful handwork makes me want to start some, too. I see what you mean about the borders and am glad you can do a bit of shopping soon. But my favorites are always scrap quilts so the final two blocks tug at my heart. Have fun and stay safe. Thanks for sharing all this inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI love a quilt with memories stitched in and it sounds like that's exactly what you've got here. Like Ann, I look at your hand stitching and think I want to try it too.
ReplyDeleteLoving your appliqué project with all the stitching on it. Glad to hear I’m not the only one who gets lead astray!!
ReplyDeleteI love your embroidered appliqué -- it's simply glorious! There are a lot of gorgeous prints in my own stash that beg for embellishment like that to make them truly shine. Do you plan to add any beads or bling once the stitching is complete?
ReplyDelete