Finishing

Apparently this is a good time to be finishing things. I completed rosette number eight for my Millefiore quilt (shown above). I tried to update my quilt layout pic but I can't remember how (blush!) ... will have to review the software to find out. :)

I also finished another word strip for the charity quilt we're making with the Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild. We selected a text only quilt design and assembled a huge set of words about Baltimore (I did 'Preakness' before). I also drew 'Baltimore album qulits'. I've been dithering over just how I wanted to make this set ... but the deadline is looming large so I finally fell off the fence and made it up. :)

I used reverse applique (which I learned from Mimi Dietrich during one of my Baltimore album classes) with a 'modern' twist. The theme of this charity quilt challenge for ModCon is 'improv with intent' ... so instead of looking up some kind of traditional font, I wrote out the lettering free hand myself. I guess you could call this 'Primitive Linda' font? LOL. Also, instead of doing the applique by hand, I did it by machine.

Years ago (I _think_ it was in 1997, but don't hold me to that) I attended Quilting By The Lake in upstate New York to take a five day design class with Erica Carter (one of  my all-time favorite quilt makers). I ended up designing one of my favorite quilts that I've made (which my daughter now owns) which made heavy use of raw-edge applique shapes cut from fabric freehand with a rotary cutter (by me:). I also took two days of 'studio' study and spent that time exploring every method I could dream up of executing raw edge applique by machine.

One of the ways I dreamed up is now pretty common in some circles (I'm not claiming that I originated the idea - there are some ideas that just seem to occur to several people at about the same time, I guess ideas whose time has come? - and I just happened to be one of them) ... and has been sold by someone clever as 'Herky Jerky Applique.' Basically, you free motion embroider the edges of the raw edge shapes with a zigzag stitch so that rather than the even smooth edge you get with satin stitch, you have a hugely energetic jagged edge to the shapes.

Here is my word strip:

We were given a palette of colors/fabrics to use ... you might not be able to tell from this photo but the 'baltimore' is red on a gray background, 'album' is green on a yellow background, and 'quilts' is yellow on gray. I did the stitching around all the words with a medium gray thread. Here's a close up of the stitching:

I like the energy and vibration of the jagged edge stitches ... hope the committee does, too. :)

I've been knitting a set of winter goodies for my grandson, Baby O, this past ten days or so. I took apart a hat I had knitted that I didn't like - but the yarn was too pretty to waste - to make this set. I knit him a crown hat (he is 60th percentile for head size:), three mittens (you always lose one:) and a cowl.

(what do you think of that snazzy black and white doted lap board I used as a background? :)

I don't know if Eva will want to retain the buttons on his cowl - she can remove them if she wants though I don't think he'll be able to chew them off (I sewed them on very securely). I made fringe on the cowl 'cause she said he likes to play with fringe. :) I guess I should search for some mitten clips since I didn't make a cord. I didn't have a pattern for any of this, just approximated the sizes I _thought_ he would be now ... hope it all fits! :)

Anyway, finishing up things. Time to think about other tasks that need finishing, too. I owe several people birthday presents. :)

:) Linda







 

Comments

[LindaSchiffer]

LOL! NO, I doubt that my week is any longer, Karen. :) I piddle along with several projects in progress and sometimes they all get done at once. :)

Linda

[ThurnKaren]

You sure have been busy!!! Is your week longer than mine?