Applique takes time, and sometimes the pressure of the social media world of "I must post daily inspiration", never takes into consideration that slow stitching is supposed to be just that... slow.
Block 463
When you see me pull my Chuck Nohara blocks out, then you know that it is vacation time, or I am at least at a point I am slowing down. Since I was away from my sewing machine for the whole summer, I had to at least have a little something around for my itching fingers.
Block 620
The last time I posted any real progress on my Summer Garden project was last year... and let me just say that this is not a project that I plan to finish any time soon. My aunt, who is a seasoned quilter, is always reminding me that it's not about turning out one quilt after the other, as quickly as possible, but about enjoying the process... a good reminder for all of us, don't you think?
Block 696
But I am actually ok with my snails pace progress... and have no apologies for taking it slow. Even a garden never grows overnight, and those stop and smell the roses moments make it worth it.
Block 602
Somehow, every time I think about my Summer Garden project, the nursery rhyme from Mother Goose always comes to mind...
Mary, Mary, quite contrary
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockleshells
And pretty maids all in a row.
Wanna slow stitch with me and are in the Hamburg area? Then be sure to check out my previous post because I will be teaching a starch applique class.
Are you in the Hamburg area and would like to learn more about the
starch applique method? Then, mark your calendar because I will be
teaching a two day class (in German, of course) at Patch-Yard, September 29th & 30th!
We'll start out with a couple basic shapes to make a simple applique block. Simple shapes are often the foundation for creating more complex blocks.
... and it wouldn't be a starch applique class unless I shared my Top 10 Tips. There's so much more to share than what I can pack into one blog post.
All my patterns will be available in print, including my mini Home Sweet Home applique sets...
You can find out more
details, and register for the class on the Patch-Yard website, as well as find some of my favorite applique notions. There is limited space, so be sure to get in touch with her
now. Hope to see you there!
Do you sometimes struggle after you have all your quilt blocks finished to find a way to connect it all? Well, I have three projects in the works right now where that just happens to be the case. Sashing is the most obvious answer, and with good reason... it's simple and doesn't overwhelm a project. But then sometimes a project needs a little more than just simple.
I was over the moon excited when I stumbled on @janemichelquilts post and saw how she put her Brimfield blocks together. Just a step above simple, yet obvious enough to be annoyed with yourself that you didn't think of it first.
It was pure brilliance to take the small houses block, add a simple center, and then it transitions into the perfect flower cornerstone!?! Once
I figure out the exact direction of a project, it seems to push it
along a little faster.
This is the third "green quilt" that I have in the making, and yet I would like each of them to have a different feel. For this quilt I've pulled in some patina green, and pale aquas, while my yellow stars applique quilt is more yellows and chartreuse green. But they are all planned for the same room, so there should be enough to still tie them to each other.
... but since I still have two other quilts to figure out how to connect, I would love to hear your favorite way to connect quilt blocks. Sashing, or something entirely different?
Wait for it... are you ready? Did you happen to notice the small, little quilt below? Believe it or not, it actually happens to be my smallest quilt to date!?!
Perhaps, a small quilt may not seem like a very big deal for you, but it kinda is for me. I'm a go big or go home kind of gal, and quilts are no exception. Time and time again, my quilts have grown bigger than expected, and I even have a few friends who tease me about it. I suppose it has to do with the fact that I don't want to make quilts that would leave my toes cold.
But, what this 46" inch long quilt lacks in size, it makes up for it in quilting... another to-date piece of info is that this is also my most densely quilted quilt. I ended up echoing many of the shapes, and did simple straight line quilting for the background, turning at unexpected angles for interest.
I opted for a simple black and white binding from Carolyn Friedlander. While I really loved the red and white fabric that was in the running, and it matched perfectly theme-wise. I usually tend towards a more subtle binding, or perhaps a binding that you don't really notice because I don't want to take away from the star of the show.
... and of course, that 30" basic grey grunge deliciousness takes the show.
Quilt: Pattern: "A" Is For Apple, self design
Started: May 2018
Fabrics: Basic Grey Grunge fabrics, Kona cotton white
Finished quilt size: ca. 42" x 46" in. (ca. 106 x 116 cm)
My first finish for the Q3 Finish-Along
It was not my intention to be MIA for so long. Good intentions are sometimes just that... which is why my summer vacation whisked me away without so much as a peep. Traveling for long periods of time and blogging don't exactly fit together, not to mention lugging sewing supplies here and there... (although I did a little of that too)
... so I'm back from my vacation, and it looks like I have a lot of cacthing up to do. I had planned my Zen Chic Contrasting quilt as a present for my parents to match these pillows, and had a deadline to get it finished before I flew in. There was a point when I thought I might have to bind it once I got in. Luckily I was able finish it and snap a few pictures before I left, but didn't have enough time to share them here... and then the laziness and business of summer set in.
I used the different meeting points in the quilt for my quilting lines, and it seemed natural to keep this with simple straight line quilting. Like my Facing East quilt, I varied the widths of the lines for interest, and if I'm being completely honest... it gets done faster than if I had quilted them all the same width.
... and what else would you expect, but a pieced back? I suppose that it's turning into my trademark. Sometimes it does feel a little like making a second quilt top, but I like putting those leftover bits to good use.
... are you somehow hearing the song "Fields of Gold" in your mind about now? I loved shooting a few pictures in these wheat fields. Hmmm... it makes me think that I should plan all my quilts to match whatever is blooming in the fields outside.
Stay tuned for a few more catch up posts... so, how was your summer?
Quilt: Pattern: Contrasting from Brigitte Heitland for Zen Chic
Started: May 2018
Fabrics: Basic Grey Grunge fabrics
Finished quilt size: ca. 57" x 65" in. (ca. 145 x 165 cm)
