What's Blooming Today?

I'm working on a quilt that involves both quilting and embroidery.  As you can see, I couldn't wait to start putting the quilt together even though I don't have all the embroidery work finished.  The fabric is Good Fortune designed by Kate Spain for Moda Fabrics.  As soon as I saw the fabric, I knew I wanted to make the free download pattern, Glow Happy or is it called Happy Little Lanterns?, from Lecien. The pattern has 5 rows of lanterns.  Each row is in a different color wave.  Good Fortune comes in 6 color waves - it was a challenge to decide which one to leave out.  I got the idea to embroidery one lantern in each row with flowers found through the fabric.  This is my first one and as soon as I got it embroidered, I had to sew one of the rows together and put the left border on to see how it looked.  I have only 4 more blocks to embroidery.  But, don't hold your breath waiting for the finished quilt.  I'm sure it is going to take a while to get those embroidered blocks done! 

And, Let Your Imagination Bloom!  Ronnie

What's Blooming Today?

 Here's Block 2 of Flower Garden by Kim McLean. I have been hand appliquéing these blocks basically using Pearl P. Pereira appliqué techniques .  She uses, among other things, freezer paper, starch, and an iron. 

I've wanted to do another project for a very long time- Simple Gifts designed by Mary Sorensen.  Simple Gifts is an appliqué pattern with intricate flowers, butterflies, bees, lady bugs and even a dragon fly. So I thought if I could learn to hand appliqué these big flowers, I would be ready to try my hand at Simple Gifts.   I have to admit...even though this block, block 2, measures 12" by 16" (a big flower), getting those concave curves to work takes practice.

I love the colors of this quilt.  I know none of the fabrics really seem to go together but once all the blocks are done and assembled, they will look wonderfully colorful!

Just want to let you know, The Quilting Garden is having a 15% discount on all of their fabrics except those already on sale until midnight, Thursday, May 10, 2012.  So what are you waiting for?

And, Let Your Imagination Bloom!

Ronnie

What's Blooming Today?

The Quilting Garden is starting a new block of the month in June-- Petal Pushers .  This 12 month block of the month includes the pattern and all of the fabric needed to complete the top and binding of this 46" x 58" quilt designed by Pearl Louise Designs.  The fabric, by the same name, is also designed by Pearl Louise.  Sign up today and join the fun!

And, Let Your Imagination Bloom!

Ronnie

What's Blooming Today?

I thought I would give you a progress report on my Sewing Roll stitchery project that I'm having so much fun with.

The first picture is the inside.  The stitching is complete, but I still need to add a pocket with the Pointed Dresdens to the left side and attach a little drawstring bag in the center. 

The second picture is the outside.  As you can see, I'm almost done with the embroidery stitching.  On the inside, I stitched the Pointed Dresdens on before I embroidered the flower design.  On the outside, I'm doing the embroidery first and then I will add the two sets of Pointed Dresdens.  I think it is easier this way because I like to use a hoop when I embroidery and the fabric kept getting in the way.

The third picture is a close up of the outside and the fabric I'm using as the stabilizer.  I am finding more and more stitchery projects recommending some type of stabilizer to be placed behind your fabric you're stitching on.  I came across Staple Fusible Woven Weft. It is 100% cotton, 45" wide, pre-shrunk, machine washable or dry cleanable and easy to use with naturals and synthetics. I really like the fact that it is fusible--I don't have to baste it to the fabric I am stitching on.  I also like not being able to see any of the threads on the back show through on the front.  To top it off, it has a nice soft feel to it.  You can find Staple Fusible Woven Weft   at The Quilting Garden.

And, Let Your Imagination Bloom!

Ronnie

What's Blooming Today?

Here is my first attempt at hand appliqué.  This is the first block of many I plan to do from the Flower Garden pattern by Kim McLean.  I've been learning several different hand appliqué techniques recently - I hadn't realized there are so many different ways of doing hand appliqué!  The technique I used with this one is based on Pearl P. Pereira Appliqué Techniques.  She actually has a tutorial DVD, Appliqué Techniques with Pearl P. Pereira, which I found to be very simple to follow.

I'm always looking for new techniques on how to do a particular quilting project.  What is your favorite hand appliqué technique?

And, Let Your Imagination Bloom!

Ronnie