Merry Christmas

  

I stitched some monograms for prezzies this year. These are from Crabapple Hill Studios, the Hopechest pattern.

For dad, I stitched the constellations of the southern sky. I got the idea from here and then found a map of the southern sky on the internet and traced it off the laptop screen. It fitted the embroidery hoop perfectly - which I left on as a mount. 

I used white DMC thread and Japanese indigo fabric.

Forgot to take a photo of the final finish :(

Off to prep the #4 CCCQ block to take away on our NZ holiday.

Merry Christmas and I'll 'see' you next year!

Cheers

Carole

CCCQ Block 5 - James Carlile

This week I have finished the 5th block of the Chester County Criswell quilt. I like the way Sharon used two fabrics for the 'crazy nasturtiums' so I did the same, except I'm using blue instead of green fabrics.

I have also done some more hand piecing for my Morrell quilt as I had another 'Morrell Sit and Sew Group' session on Wednesday which was joined by another friendly group of happy quilters celebrating the end of the year.

I also pulled out my 12 Days of Christmas quilt for some machine embroidery and applique on this block. It won't be finished for this Christmas but I might get all the centre blocks done.

21 Today!

21 today - I've finished my 21st broderie perse block for my Morrell quilt so only six more of this style of block to go  - yay!

I like the roses from this fabric as they look old. I used needle turn for the vase and machine blanket-stitched the flowers and leaves.

I've also been working on Block #5 of the Chester County Criswell quilt - the crazy nasturtiums. I liked the way Sharon used two fabrics and decided to look at some pics of nasturtiums on the internet. I liked this one because of the blue hue in the leaves as I am using blue fabrics (instead of green).

For the stem I traced around freezer paper with a silver gel pen.

Then when I came to the leaves I was going to use the freezer paper and starch method but I couldn't get smooth curves.

So changed tack and decided to trace the shapes directly onto the fabric using the light table (box). I should do this more often as it completely by-passes the use of freezer paper.

Two leaves done and five more to go - one for each day on the bus next week. Then I'm on holiday for a month - woo-hoo!

I'd better start thinking about Christmas, might even put up the tree today.

Cheers

Carole

Fiddle - Faddle

The two blocks that I have finished this week were quite fiddly. I used the 'starch and freezer paper method' for Block #3 of the Chester County Criswell quilt, the Priscilla & Joseph Turner block. I hadn't tried this method before and found Erin's applique lessons on her 'One Piece at a Time' blog very helpful. It was quite a fussy technique but I guess anything can be the first time you try it. I was happy with the result and it's good for placing separate pieces accurately.

Liquid starch is painted on the seam allowance and then folded over and pressed with an iron.

Then the freezer paper is removed.

 

Then the pieces can be placed on the background fabric with the pattern underneath it. 

I didn't make the leaves and stems in one piece as per the original, I decided to make the stems with a 'Clover' bias maker.

I initially stuck the pieces to the background fabric with applique glue but wasn't happy with the placement so I ended up pulling it all off, getting new background and then pinning. 

I found the starch and freezer paper method good for sharp points and once it was all prepped it was quick to sew as all the seams are already turned under.  Erin also has a tutorial on how to deal with pointy points that also helped me.

The other block I finished this week was this hand pieced block for my Morrell quilt, this was also very fiddly because of all the different small pieces. Like Janet's (from Quiltsalott) recent post on pressing hand pieced blocks I also find pressing challenging and have been inspired to photograph the back so you can see swirls where pieces meet...

The pressing seemed to take ages. Next time I'm going to try pressing as I go along, as I think it will make this task easier.

So, after all of the fiddle - faddle with these blocks I'll be happy to tackle the next CCCQ block  which is 'paper cut' applique - my preferred method.

Cheers

Carole