Jan 26 16
Hello From the Sewing Room!
I have not posted in ages because I got so tied up with the stuff of life that I have not had any time to sew or quilt. Don’t you just hate it when that happens?! I’m happy to say that I am now making up for lost time and plan to fully immerse myself in all things fabric and thread for the foreseeable future. This picture below is of my main cutting/marking table in NC:
I posted this picture because it has literally been EONS since the last time it was clear enough to have this much exposed (aka “use-able”) space! I look at that space and think “all systems are go, go, GO” in my sewing world now! My first project is to finish piecing the top I’m making from several test stitch-outs of an embroidered wreath that has a few variations in edge stitching and in interior designs. Here’s a shot of one so you know what I mean:
In this next shot, they have all been joined together and I used a reddish/purple mottled fabric for the corner and side-setting triangles:
I used a large square ruler to trim off the excess fabric (I always make my triangles too large and then cut them down after piecing):
I then added a mottled gold fabric border around the whole thing to set off the colors better. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo of it at that stage. I’ve been working on creating 4 MEA cornerstone blocks that will be the “join” for 4 wide outer borders. Here is one as it is being appliqued/embroidered on my Babylock Ellisimo:
I decided to add an alternate tulip colorway in 2 of the 4 blocks. Here are the first 2 finished:
…and now I have finished all 4:
I am deliberately making this outer border really wide. I like to challenge myself with my free motion quilting and in my world right now, that means coming up with free motion work that couples ruler work with fun freehand free motion quilting. For this design, I am creating a 9 1/2 inch wide border and because I really want the quilting to show, I need to use a fabric that is not busy at all or the quilting won’t show. I’m using a mottled “blurple” fabric (that’s what I call a purple that has more blue than red):
and here is what the final quilt top looks like:
(Sorry, my designs walls have quilts-in-progress so my only choice is to lay it out on the floor) I’ll give you a sneak peak at some of my preliminary ideas about that outer border quilting:
Can’t wait, but that is likely months away…on to the next project!
I love the feathers. Gorgeous as usual.
Patsy you are killing me with all this beauty. This is so awesome it makes me want to lick my screen. My time is coming. I know it is. Right now I have embroidery orders to get out to the world.
TOTALLY agree with Marietta — Almost too beautiful to look at first thing in the morning!!!
Just stunning work. I love how you incorporate all those vibrant colors together and come up with an elegant result. Well done!
I love your designs for the border! Did you draw those freehand? Great plumes and swirls — you have a great eye for those.
BTW — I think we should add “blurple” to the Crayola box of colors . . .
Diane
Patsy, This is gorgeous, stunning! I can’t wait for you to get to the quilting stage! When I saw the first pic with the reddish purple setting triangles I thought, Oh dear, she is going too far with the bright colors this time. Hahaha! I was so wrong!! You are so brave with colors and when it is all together at the end it is absolutely exqusite. I am learning color bravery from you. It is wonderful to watch you work.