Sunday 29 March 2015

Patchwork and Quilting

Did you all remember to move your clocks on an hour this morning?  It was a bit of a shock when we woke up at 10am!! but at least it was a Sunday!

Thank you for all your comments last week I have replied to each of them and found them all hugely interesting to read.

As usual a busy week again but this week saw the last of my patchwork and quilting workshops so I thought I would share my creations with you.

I didn't really want to make a quilt but fancied doing something a little smaller.  I started off with the idea of making 6 placemats in 10 weeks - one a week and 4 weeks to tie up loose ends, or so I thought.  Well 10 weeks later I have made 3 and even those aren't completely finished!! Never mind you win some you loose some!


This is my first mat and is the only one I finished completely.  I used Japanese Folded patchwork for this one and joined each square with hand stitching.  Not as easy as it first appeared, because of the bias on the circles of fabric, they seem to develop a mind of their own when you are stitching them and I didn't have a walking foot at this stage either!

Is there a foot on your machine you wouldn't be without and why do you find it so useful?


My second project is Somerset Patchwork.  As you can see I only completed 3 squares and need another 3 to complete the placemat in the same 3 x 2 configuration as the first mat.  These are all hand sewn using small rectangles folded into triangles.  I really enjoyed making these although they are quite time consuming and use a lot of material.  I haven't really fathomed out how to join them together yet and have even thought I may make them into individual coasters instead!!


As you can see, on my third project, I still have the border to turn to the back and stitch in place.  This was one of those times when the project evolved as I went along.  I planned to do a tumbling blocks design and had seen a 'quick' way of doing it on line, but this didn't work out and I was left with lots of strips of fabric sewn together.  I cut them into diamonds and this was the result, which I am rather pleased with as it turned out completely different to what I had in mind.


Once again, my final mat is still unfinished. I knew once the course ended I would struggle to complete it if I was part way through a design.  I was using a Seminole patchwork design and originally I had planned to make a different strip for the centre but I ran out of time.  Don't look too closely you can see a few mistakes in this one as I rushed to finish it!!

I have enjoyed this course but I'm not sure patchwork and quilting is for me!  I like the patchwork bit best but get very irritated if I can't get the design accurate.  The quilting bit doesn't float my boat either.  I need to master my free machine embroidery but find it very difficult to slow my 38 yr old Frister Rossman machine down - it's all in the foot control you see!!!




Just a quick update on the Wedding Dress progress.  For one reason or another it's been on and off over the last few weeks but we have now decided we are definitely making.  I am making a mock up in calico first, the pictures above being of the bodice and now I am working on the skirt.  Can't tell you too much just in case the groom to be is reading!!!

Off over to Handmade Monday now hosted by Lucy Blossom Crafts.  I always look forward to this link party as it is such a friendly community.  
Hope to see you there x

29 comments:

  1. You are really inspiring me to learn to sew. I have wanted to for ages, but never seem to get around to it x

    ReplyDelete
  2. I too struggle with quilting, for me its the accuracy. Hope you manage to finish the placemats:)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I keep meaning to start a quilt, but it seems such a big job! I am so looking forward to following the wedding dress progress, a calio mockup is a great idea. My favourite sewing machine foot is an open toed one as it means I have clear view during appliqué!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've just had a look at your post. I can see what you mean, I shall have a look and see if I have one of those :)

      Delete
  4. Lovely work! I like the handsewn Somerset patchwork it's beautiful and you can see how much work has gone into it, I would be no good at patchwork because I struggle to get anything accurate. A great idea to have a mockup of the wedding dress first, good luck with it. :) x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, the trouble seems to be no matter how accurate you are with the cutting out, the material has a mind of it's own :)

      Delete
  5. I love looking at your patchwork- our teacher showed us the Japanese work in your first pictures a couple of week's ago and I really like the thought of doing it but first I have to finish all my other patchwork projects! All your different patchwork techniques are really good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I shall look forward to seeing your pieces soon :)

      Delete
  6. Goodness what complex projects you've been working on this week! I don't know how you have the patience for all that hand sewing and you make such a beautiful job of it too. So exciting that you're making the wedding dress, i know it will be gorgeous :) x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I never do anything by halves, I seem to jump in with both feet. Thank you for your confidence in the Wedding Dress!!! :D

      Delete
  7. Loving the Fabric patterns and colour! As "busy" as they are, they really do "match" well! - Anyhoo, good job on all of those fiddly bits!
    :-D

    ReplyDelete
  8. My mind boggles! I was reading your post and trying to imagine the complexity of your quilting and gave up and decided you're a genius! I also love the patterns you've used. You've got a great eye for coordination. I'm also working on placemats right now but just straight up boring double crochet!

    xo Louise

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure your placemats will be wonderful too. At least you may get yours finished!!! Lol :D

      Delete
  9. I love the mats and they are so intricate with the patterns. I could not do without my ribbon foot, makes applying cord or ribbon so easy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've just had a look at that foot. I can see why you find it so useful :)

      Delete
  10. Well quilting and patchwork may not be for you (although you do it beautifully), but I'm very glad you came on the course or I wouldn't have met you. The colic version of the dress looks like it's coming along well xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Argh autocorrect! Calico not colic!

      Delete
    2. Lol! Thank you, that's lovely of you to say Lucy. The feeling's mutual. I'm looking forward to getting together for a natter in the not too distant future. Love the typo!!

      Delete
  11. Patchwork can be very intricate and time consuming so well done you for what you've done so far. They're going to look stunning when they're finished.

    As I do a bit of patchworking I wouldn't be without my 1/4inch or stitch in the ditch feet. The 1/4inch foot does help toward getting them stitched accurately, though I still manage to get mine slightly out.....

    Give yourself a break then see how you feel about it after that. To build your confidence why not try a simpler design. I'd love to be able to quilt but it does take time, and a lot of patience (for me anyway), to get right. There are though lots of lovely 'straight' line designs you could use.

    Good luck with the wedding dress. Brings back memories of when I made mine 20 years ago.... xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hmmm ... 1/4" foot. Something I did not bother to purchase. Perhaps that's where I went wrong Lol! I made my wedding dress too, 30 years ago now, but that was a completely different kettle of fish - a huge poofy skirt which hid a multitude of sins not a figure hugging one I'm attempting this time!!

      Delete
  12. I look forward to seeing the wedding dress, though i expect there will be a wait until after its debuted at the wedding.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I may be able to show you the occasional snippet :)

      Delete
  13. Your patchwork pieces are so pretty, the colours go together so well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Lucy, they are a bit zingy but I'm not one for hiding away!!!

      Delete
  14. Your quilted pieces are so pretty. I love the design and colors. How exciting to make this special dress. I hope you will show us a photo when it's finished.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you. Just try stopping me posting pictures of the wedding dress!!! I shall be so relieved when it is finished :)

    ReplyDelete

I really appreciate all the lovely comments you leave so thank you for taking precious time to do this.