a little drop pf laudanum

Jane needed some calming down...

After the complexity and busy-ness of the centre and surrounding 20 blocks in my version of the Jane Pizar coverlet,  I felt an element of simplicity and calm was called for. Hence:- the Laudanum border.

So, a decision was made to add a simple sinuous reverse applique border using only two fabrics: a reproduction antique Dutch chintz from Den Haan & Wagenmakers and an old Karen Jarrar ombré arboreal print that I have put off cutting into for quite some time!

Inspiration for the border came from an antque English coverlet which was entirely paper pieced, found in the 1995 British publication Quilt Treasures: The Quilters Guild Heritage Search (ISBN 0 86417 713 5).

A little play on the photocopier and the right size and scale was settled upon. A quick redraft onto some heavy card and I had a sturdy template to run a thin pencil line around.  

Matching centre lines was achieved by careful pressing and pinning, 

Then basting from the back, and more basting following the curves.

A little careful snipping and we're ready for reverse appliqué.

The trick is to snip away the top fabric only a little at a time, otherwise you may get too much fraying. Keeping the seam allowance quite small, well under a 1/4 inch, it's then just a matter of needle turn appliqué with a matching thread sewing the top fabric to the one basted underneath.

Unlike "reverse sewing", reverse appliqué is both progress and fun.

And just for fun, I thought I'd show this ittle sweetie - a Christmas gift from me to me, made by the talented Jenn from Rabbit Hill Primitives. The little bird is fashioned from vintage velvet, and Jenn has distressed the little box to appear old and worn. I wonder what treasures I might store in it?

Hoping there is time for sewing in your day.
K

sscs 2011 revealed

Now that Christmas Day is passed (in the Southern Hemispere at least) I would like to reveal the gift I made for my SSCS partner.

My partner is also from "down under" - well, across the ditch down under in New Zealand. (I trust Michelle is safe, although she is well away from Christchurch our NZ friends have once again been rocked by strong earthquakes.)

The quilt I sent to Michelle started life about 20 years ago! The centre applique block was one of three I made with the intention of making 9 for a large Whig Rose Quilt.  It was the first applique project I had ever attempted. For various reasons I never did finish the 9 blocks and the three completed were put away.

After joining Chooky's SSCS and stalking Michelle for a bit, I remembered the Whig Roses and decided to use one in an updated arrangement....funky polka dots and big boofy rose border.

Then the quilting ...what to do, what to do.

I love hand quilting and adapting traditional quilting patterns, so in keeping with the funky theme, I used larger stitches and 2 different colours of Sulky thread, a medium grey for the centre...

...and a medium green for the border.... tulip pattern adapted from a Pepper Cory book.

 love how the corners of the border worked out

The finished quilt - approx 36" x 36", bound with some of the rich green of the leaves and stems.

...and backed with more polka dots...

More photos on my sidebar in a Picasa Album.
Michelle, I hope you love it as much as I have enjoyed making it.
xox

on christmas eve

my Christmas wish to you

 

 

Peace

Happiness

Health

Love

and

time to quilt

xox

K

20 blocks a-sewn

In the past week little snippets of time have been stolen from the busy leading-up-to-Christmas-holiday crazy schedule to sew. It has been a welcome relief from the manic nature of what has become Christmas, the luxury to sew, and thereby clear the mind. Sewing is my therapy.

Last night, the last pieced block of the 20 which are to surround the hectic pieced centre of my Jane received it's final applique stiches.

And on Saturday, at the last MO workshop for the year, there was time to make  decisions on block arrangement.

Here is a little sample of the latest....

 and some sewn together - this will be sewn on the left hand side...

The light is poor this morning, overcast skies again, our Summer hasn't really arrived, and our forecast is none too appealing - rain and storms and cool temperatures, not a real Summer at all, so more sewing is probably on the cards.

Looks like we may have one sunny day...

 

Plus I've caught a Summer cold, so annoying after avoiding germs throughout Winter, so this morning I am staying away from work and attempting a little 3R's:- regroup, recoup and recharge.  I'll let my needle and thread help with that.

Happy Christmas to all.

note to self

 

... and if all else fails....

the elves visited this morning

While I was out walking this morning the elves delivered my SSCS parcel!!

 My tricky Secret Santa didn't put her name anywhere..all I know is she is from Ontario Canada...

Inside the little box were two little parcels...no peeking!!!!???  (the note didn't say no squeezing, feeling, sniffing or otherwise mauling though)...I WAS allowed to open my ornament gift .....

 ...and this sweet little felt mitten was inside....

No Christmas tree up yet, we tend to wait because the fresh ones don't last terribly well in the summer heat...maybe next weekend, so in the meantime my little mitten is being proudly displayed on the new pink lacecap Hydrangea.

Thank you very, very much my SSCS partner and I hope to find out who you are when I open my gift on the 25th! Also thanks very much Chookyblue!

Finally today, I might get some sewing done. It's been so insanely busy lately I miss the mental quiet that  sewing allows. The banana bread is almost ready (smells yumm) and my sewing date will be here any minute...I have rediscovered the whereabouts of my sewing basket and I'm ready with needle poised!  Have a great Friday.