Jan-Feb-Mar Review

My 2010 Quilt Challenge for this year is still on track and may just be the most fun resolution I have ever set to follow. To share my progress with you, I thought it would be fun to do a review every three months with some more details. Take a look at the projects done so far as journaled on this blog:

    

--Quilting Books on Review--

My goal is to try new techniques from the quilting books in my own library first and then from ones I buy or borrow from the library. Two other goals are to use fabrics I already own and to first learn these new skills by making smaller projects.

As I believe when trying new techniques the success of completing the project is far greater when the project is small. If one does not prefer the technique, not much time or materials have been invested into a project that will never see the light of day.  All quilts should have an opportunity to shine!!

JANUARY 2010

Simple Stained Glass Quilts
Daphne Grieg and Susan Purney Mark

In The Back Country

 

Book Project                               My Quilt

My first project was really fun to make and there are many more projects in the book that I'd love to try. I usually don't stick with the exact directions on most patterns, so was impressed that I did for this one. I did make some changes to how I used color in the inner border.  I found cutting out the leading fabric with the art knife just like drawing. The  finished design was truly magical. This project is: 19 3/4" x 22 1/2". Mine was very close at: 20" x 22 1/2".

Fantastic Fabric Folding
Rebecca Wat

Kimono Sampler I

 

Book Project                                       My Quilt

My second project was a stretch for me as I am not really into fabric folding, so I did find the technique of folding a real challenge. However, I was really happy to see Rebecca include the kimono samplers, as they are much simpler to make. That made it possible for me to continue and be able to succeed in a finished project.  There are two other projects that I wish to try at a later date because I like the design, however, I would certainly replace the folding flowers with appliqued ones. This project is: 57 1/2" x 57 1/2". Mine was 27 1/2" x 27 1/2".  This smaller size is because I used the cutting instructions from the Kimono Sampler II but used the construction process from the Kimono Sampler I.  That worked really well for me.

FEBRUARY 2010

Quilts from the Selvage Edge
Karen Griska

Glass Tumbling Blocks                        Garden's Edge

 

Book Project                                    My Project

My third project was inspired from the quilt project shown above. My goal was to try making a border using selvages and then do something on the center block. I love applique so created flowers cut from selvage squares. I figured there would be opportunity to create a quilt from this book after I had collected the selvages from all the projects made during my quilt challenge.  However, since I didn't wish to wait until then, I created a design of my own. The project shown is: 48" x 49". Mine was 25" x 25".

Flower Pounding

Ann Frischkorn and Amy Sandrin

Good Chi

 

Book Project                   My Project

My fourth project was interesting to create and noisy too. You can make one of these any time of year, whether you choose flowers from your garden or the local flower shop. I decided to use outdoor plants, but still needed to keep it small because I didn't want to create too much noise. So, I made a smaller vase for the flowers and added butterfly buttons for added interest. I was surprised when a purple bud pounded out green. So there are many more great ideas left to explore in this book. This project is: 15 3/4" x 25". Mine was 15 1/2" x 23".

MARCH 2010

Watercolor Landscape Quilts
Cathy Geier

A Lake Superior Maple (Level 2)

 

Book Project                             My Project

My fifth project was filled with challenge and intrigue. Since this was the only project I wished to try at first, it was what I made. To me, size matters, and many quilt projects are just too large for me to make. I thought perhaps the fabric choices would create a quilt that wouldn't work,  but was rewarded along the way. The fusible grid worked well for me. However, with the more challenging projects this is what Cathy suggested: "If you do decide to do one of the more advanced quilts, there might be more scalene triangles and these aren't as easy to put together on the fusible because of the bias stretch inherent in the product... just be careful! I don't want to see you get frustrated." So, I will try foundation next time, as the grid would be too small for more complex designs. That is why I didn't choose the project "A Room with a View" this time. This project is: 27" x 31". Mine was 22" x 25 3/4".

Thanks for reading...

SIXTH PROJECT - APRIL 2010:

My sixth project will be shared next week...

Easy Does It For Autumn/ Art to Heart
Nancy Halvorsen

ISBN: 632552005211

 
 


Enjoy your quilting adventure for... 2010!!

Flower Pounding

Book:
Flower Pounding by Ann Frischkorn and Amy Sandrin

Time to reveal my next project... I choose the project, "Good Chi" on page 54.

I definitely enjoyed this book and am happy that I finally took time to check it out. Also, part of my goal is to actually use quilting books that are in my own library.

Book, Muslin

The instructions were very good and there are lots of photos of other great ideas for projects, in the book's gallery. I will definitely revisit this book, and will enjoy creating more interesting projects as new flowers present themselves to me. But, for now, here are my results....

The first step is to treat the fabric so the pigment from the plants you use will be successful in imprinting the fabric. They recommended a 100% cotton muslin for this project. I had several strips of muslin that after treating were about 4" wide. These were sewed together to make it the desired size for printing.

Then, the fun begins...

as you go on an adventure to pick the flowers, leaves, weeds, etc. for your project. This can be as close as your backyard, walk around the block, or local flower shop. What is great about this technique is that it can be done any time of year. If there are no suitable candidates in the outdoors, then your local florist can be a welcome spot. 

WARNING:

This technique can be addictive, very noisy... and your patience is required!!

I used different branches and flowers from a variety of trees in the yard. Not all of them are shown, but here are the two main ones. The day I took these pictures, it had been raining. It is good to test them on scraps to see what dye color they will produce. I found it very interesting that what I thought should have printed purple actually printed a pretty green. So, be prepared for surprises!!

  

 

Yellow Flowers

 These flower buds printed green

When placing the plant parts onto the fabric, they are taped down with masking tape, and then pounded so the dye can come through the fabric. This is done in stages, and depending on the complexity of the project selected, will take time to complete. You decide how much or how little imprinting will complete the project!!

My suggestion...
is that you have another project to work on while you wait for each stage. If you are not patient enough then you will smudge your fabric if removing the plant remnants before they are completely dry. I found that out!!

The printed fabric - once dried and cleaned up

The design outlined with a black fabric marker

I made a smaller vase as I didn't think I'd have tall flowers to add, so it does look different then the original design. I ended up choosing a plainer fabric for it, as my border is more decorative. It was a hard choice to make and in the end I decorated it will a flower (made with a stencil and the red flower buds) and gold fabric marker.

 

The vase to hold the flowers

After the top was done and the vase added, I still wanted to add some more design below the vase. And, this was a perfect spot for some butterflies. I added a total of 3 yellow butterfly buttons.

I added a mock binding in a dark green, and used a lighter green for the binding that matches the leaves on the border fabric.

The border and mock piping

Good Chi

Finished size: 15 1/2" x 23"

Next week only...

My next book choice and reveal will take a one week break... so that I can bring you a birthday surprise. Your comments next week, will result in a prize draw for my own eBook, "Quilter's Candy Delights" and a bonus, that I"ll tell you about next week.

My list of featured books is available on my website, check it for more details.

Happy stitching!!

Spring Has Sprung

If only in your dreams…

Perhaps where you live it is still some months away and you have seen so much ‘white’ that you may want a splash of COLOR.

Here are a few ways to perk up your mood:

• 
  
  If you are into gardening, check out the new seed catalogues to dream up your next garden plan for the upcoming season. I love this seed company, but I know there are many others.

 http://www.veseys.com/

• 
  
  Or.. buy yourself a bouquet of flowers for your home, to help you remember how beautiful and uplifting they are so you can still enjoy the remainder of the winter season. Why wait until Mother’s Day to enjoy the beauty of flowers!

• 
  
  Do you quilt? Then.. it may be the perfect time to quilt up a bouquet of flowers to bring springtime into your home, even if it doesn’t seem like it’s ever coming back.

Tulips In Bloom  (34" x 24”)

I designed and made this quilt in 2006 and it is available as a downloadable ePattern on my website. If you’re interested in receiving it for FREE this week, mention it in your comment so I can reach you by email.  Otherwise,  no mention is necessary, if you just wish to leave a comment on this post.

FOURTH PROJECT - FEBRUARY 2010:


My fourth project will be shared next week...
Flower Pounding/ Ann Frischkorn & Amy Sandrin
ISBN: 1-57120-116-5 /

Enjoy your quilting adventure for... 2010!!