Debra's Design Studio

Hand Embroidery-Knotted Cretan and Butterfly Chain

2012-06-03T08:33:00.001-05:00

I sat down last night for a little hand embroidery. I really love the subtle colors and rough textures of this wallhanging. It is supposed to be vaguely reminiscent of the Texas landscape; probably the Panhandle more than Houston.

This is the Knotted Cretan Stitch with rows of Chain Stitch & a Silk Ribbon underneath. I like this combination--the textures, again, are really cool.

This is the Butterfly Chain Stitch with Silk Ribbon. The change in threads is very interesting. Love it too!

It's been wonderful to learn some new embroidery stitches and practice them on this piece. The Net is full of such great opportunities, isn't it?

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!

May's Sewing Themed Block

2012-06-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

Four weeks was enough during May to get my block completed. I kinda lost steam this past week; I think, partly because mentally, I felt like I had done as much as I wanted to the block. I'll add the Knotted Cretan (a May stitch) to the June block. This is the last block of the orange and yellows. June's block starts the group of green blocks. I think by the time I got to this yellow block I was getting bored with the whole red-orange-yellow group. The nice thing about this challenge is that the color changes at each month!

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!

The Irony

2012-06-01T07:00:00.000-05:00

. . . . of this quilt is that the batting is one of those mass produced Made in China patchwork quilts. Thrifted, of course, from my recent trip to Round Top with Sophie.

Some quilt historian a zillion years from now is going to scratch her head over my quilts. The fabrics definitely span many decades. In this patch alone, there are fabrics from the early 1980s through 2010. I even threw in a hand stencilled fabric for good measure! *wink*

I'm seriously groovin' on these pieced backs. They take more time to sew but they really help clear out the small pieces. The large bird print was a curtain panel & the gold across the top was a fancy border on a pillowcase. The rest of the fabrics were actually fabrics off a bolt! Oh, what a surpise.

There were still some asian inspired fabrics left + the flipside of the bird pillowcase. The next challenge will be to see how I can take some of the same fabrics and make a quilt that looks different.

This particular one has been claimed by Laura for her bellydancing friends. Apparently, bellydancers love asian things. Who knew?

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!

And Then I Get All Thoughtful

2012-05-31T08:44:00.000-05:00

I spent quite a bit of time in my walk-up attic last weekend. It will be getting very hot up there soon and my days of pawing through boxes will be over. So when I can take the time to look through my supplies slowly and can I say it? lovingly, I like to do that. What surprised me is that I have actually sewn alot of fabrics the past couple of years. Some of the boxes are not full (and a few, like the blues, are overflowing). What I also discovered is that the fabric on open shelving seems to haunt me more than the boxed fabrics. Opening the boxes to look inside was a new discovery. I can, generally, remember all the circumstances around my fabric & it is the nostalgia that gets to me some days.

Coming from a very long history of sewing, you can imagine that lots of fabric has crossed my path. This week I discovered a Facebook group that I am finding very interesting. It is mainly for sharing antique quilts. I'm not a huge admirer of pristine antique quilts any more than I am an admirer of overly showy artquilts. What I am finding extremely exciting are the utility quilts made from the fabrics at hand. There are some "newer to fabric" people than myself and they ask questions. I am not an expert on fabric but again, I've been around it a long time in various occupations and hobbies; so, I know more than the average person & can share that knowledge. Realizing how much I do know has been awakening to me too. (What I wish I had now is the notebook we made in college of all the fabric types. Do you know what "dimity" is? that was my fabric.)

In looking at some of the recent vintage quilts (circa 1970s), it's been surprising to discover how much they tug at my heart. I can remember my own life and its major milestones by the popular fabrics. It's more than a trip down memory lane. It's realizing that fabric, in very subtle ways, influences our lives; it's not that unlike technology.

If you follow along here you know that I have been experimenting with some raw edges lately. It has been forcing me to think more deeply about the role of fabric in (our) my life. Taking a shirt apart for its fabric sends me musing about the long hours I spent sewing shirts. Now, in a very real sense, I am like the original patchworkers--taking fabric from old clothes for a new purpose. It's a connection I hadn't wholly made before now. Or, maybe wanted to make.

I've been prompted recently by a reader to dig deeper & explore that which I don't know or can't even explain; to go where I don't think but create. Yesterday I sat and thought about that whole idea. What is it about fabric and what I do with it that appeals to me? In a nutshell, it's the nostalgia; but, that is not enough.

I've been struggling to do something with the nostalgia. Working on CQs is a perfect genre but it's almost too perfect in many ways. (Perfect inside of imperfect.) I need to push further outside of even the CQ boundaries. I can feel this unrest, discontent & I am sorting through the hints being thrown at me.

Inside those hints, I can see--layers, textures, period fabrics, especially household fabrics. I understand the allure of thrifted fabrics-they arrive with immediate nostalgia, worn personalities and dates of events. They have a stored excitement that I enjoy.

I think it's time to revisit some of those thrifted nostalgic fabrics with a different mindset. Instead of seeing them as undesirable and something to make up and get out of my studio, I'm going to look at them as little bits of history trying to tell a fabric story. I'm going to try to be the author of that story.

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!

Gonna Do That List-Red 9 Patch Top

2012-05-30T08:17:00.002-05:00

All the leftover 9 patch blocks from Garden of Hope (Cancer Society raffle quilt 2012)

Some gifted fabric

Some of my favorite red & white prints

This one will be headed to the Golden Retriever Rescue fundraiser in July.

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!

Crazy Quilt Inspiration

2012-05-29T08:16:00.000-05:00

Sometimes if I sit very quietly the solution to a question will present itself.

Quilt owned by Laura Fisher Quilts

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!

Hand Embroidery--Combining Stitches

2012-05-27T09:34:00.000-05:00

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!

Hand Embroidery-Butterfly Chain Stitch

2012-05-26T09:36:00.000-05:00

A new little stitch I learned this week called the Butterfly Chain Stitch. This is a pretty simple stitch with all kinds of adaptable uses. Feel free to stop by Tuesday Stitchers this weekend to see how other stitchers used the stitch.

Have a Creative Weekend, Y'All!

Hand Embroidery and Buttons

2012-05-24T08:26:00.000-05:00

I think it is safe to say I have alot of buttons. So in my ongoing effort to use my supplies, I have been trying to think up designs for ordinary sshirt buttons. They seem to accumulate rapidly.

I'm working on this month's CQJP which is a sewing themed fabric book. I'm using notions as embellishments so using buttons as flower centers seemed right.

I have a set of Dream a Seam plastic templates designed for embroidery. They have many shaped edges that make marking designs easy. Again, in an effort to use what I have, I've been playing around with the templates. I came up with this motif and decided to showcase the few vintage yellow buttons I have from my stash. I had more practice stitching those red bullion knot stitches too.

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!

Hand Embroidery-Pistil and Half Chevron Stitch

2012-05-22T08:20:00.001-05:00

Hand embroidery is slow; no doubt about that! It was such a lovely day yesterday I had to be outside stitching. We don't have this kind of weather indefinitely so the machine quilting can wait until the temps are in the high 90s. Yesterday I was able to stitch the half chevron twice around the outer border of my central medallion. The orange & cream colored thread is really cotton yarn (I think my mom gave it to me).

The gold floral trim was given to me by Angela. It's perfect in that spot. I added a little piece of blue dyed crochet trim. I'm really appreciating my dyed trims more lately (and using them too!). The trim is held down with a pistil stitch which is a long legged french knot. Very easy & effective to stitch.

This little piece of orange 70s trim was given to me by Libby.

I dyed this piece of ecru trim bright orange. I like having traditional trims in unexpected colors!

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!

TX Mockingbird Panel-More Hand Embroidery

2012-05-21T10:47:00.001-05:00

I was able to work more hand embroidery this weekend. The weather is so pleasant out on the back porch that I have to be out there!

I am participating in the yearly TAST challenge where we are given a weekly stitch to learn and explore. My friends at Tuesday Stitchers are keeping the pace with me. Toward that end, I like to add the weekly stitch to my TX Mockingbird piece the next weekend--as a little practice and to see if I can keep the learning momentum going strong.

I told you that recently Sophie gave me the skeletons from some shirts she bought at Goodwill. In the pile were some pajama bottoms. One evening I took the waistbands apart and discovered a very nice, gently gathered remains. I immediately knew they would be good additions in this TX piece.

This week's stitch is the Bullion Stitch Knot so I spent some time adding them to my herringbone stitch to anchor the edge of my new "trim". They are subtle from a distance and a nice little surprise up close!

Here are some more fabric scraps waiting for embellishment. I am very interested in gathered trim lately. This was made by tighting my thread tension and loosening my stitch length. It will automatically gather so you don't have to pull any strings.

I used some vintage drapes for patchwork and the remains were too appealing to let go. A gently ripped strip with some gathering through the middle and the hem used for other edges. I like how the off white kills some of the stark white.

One of the activities we are working in the Tuesday Stitchers group is to push our stitches into different arrangements. I am trying to learn some basic "go to" arrangements that I can quickly use in my handwork. When changing from one genre to the next, I have to remember that while I know alot in patchwork, I don't know as much in hand embroidery so I am working to learn some tricks.

Here's a seam treatment I am working with Half Chevron, Tied Herringbone and & Bullion Stitch Knot. I've used them to couch silk ribbon and an edge off the vintage curtain. I am also trying out some different threads. Here I am using some wool thread on the bullions.

Here's the central medallion before I embroider the new "trim". It blends better with the composition.

OK, out to the porch for me. The dogs are entertained by the squirrels.

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!

1st Asian Inspired Top Done

2012-05-17T10:17:00.000-05:00

This week's quilt top is done! I may put it on the quilting frame tomorrow. It's so pretty outside that I am going out to hand embroider on the porch today.

I did quite a few "Gonna Do That" ideas off my list on this one! It was fun to stitch with a whole different group of fabrics too. I have just enough scraps and the second side of the pillowcase to make another quilt. Then, I believe that will be it for my asian fabrics.

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!

More of What I Am Thinking

2012-05-15T09:14:00.000-05:00

Yesterday my idea was to get started using some of the 100 Crazy Quilt Marathon blocks for a strippy quilt. I thought I would pair them up with some animal prints that I would like to clean out of my stash.

I have a hard time when I have segregated themed prints putting them back into the general stash. It isn't until I have stitched my idea that I can return them to the stash as scraps. I read one time that one of the famous quilters felt that after she had cut into a piece of fabric, it had then lost its magic for her so she got rid of the remaining pieces. At the time, I thought that was a bit cocky but now I can certainly understand her thinking. I am almost to the point with some fabrics (and ideas) that they have not only lost their magic but are becoming a pain in the a$$.

So I went up to the walk-up to retrieve the stack of animal themed prints. I also pulled a blanket from the "batting" stash. Well, when I laid the blanket out with the sheet, I discovered they were king-sized. I generally don't make king-sized charity quilts & I don't have any quilts lined up right now for king-sized, especially not with the 100 Crazy Quilt Marathon blocks.

Upstairs right next to the pile of animal prints are the asian prints.

When I married Wes I noticed he had quite a bit of asian influenced items (remember his former wife hired a decorator for every bit of decor) so I thought he liked the style. I generally like asian styled items. Anyway, I bought a few pieces of fabric thinking I would make a quilt for the bedroom. Not too much later he told me "to get that crap out of the house and take it to the consignment store" (referring to the asian items). OK, good to know. The enthusiasm for the asian inspired quilt dropped to the floor and broke into a thousand pieces. There was no way in hell Wes was going to accept an asian quilt on the bed. So for the last 7 years that pile of asian fabric has been waiting for its 15 minutes of fame.

With my new enthusiasm for pieced backings (and as an excellent way to use up small yardage pieces), I pulled the pile and started an asian inspired quilt. I had a very lovely pillowcase that I decided to feature as the central panel.

I still wanted to use some of the 100 Crazy Quilt Marathon blocks in this quilt but the more I stitched, the more obvious it became that they were too big and too ugly for this project. So today I'll be stitching some 8" CQ blocks to use as the inner border.

This is one of my Clothesline Quilts. It grows out of what I have available to use. I always feel like these quilts can only be made at a particular space in time because before their designated 15 minutes, I probably did not have the right (thrifted) supply to use. In this case, the pillowcase was a newer acquisition and so was the exquisite fabric for the border.

Today I hope to get the top done. I was quite proud of myself for seeing the little stack of scraps from the border and realizing immediately that I could sew them into CQ blocks to use in this quilt. My plan is that by the end of the project all the asian fabrics will be used. We'll see, right?

Here's the top right now. I'm keeping it very simple so the fabrics do the work. Most of the fabrics were a bit larger scale & I would have lost the pretty designs had they been cut into smaller pieces. So I am happy to let the fabrics talk. There was a time when I thought that was a "cheap way out" for making a quilt but I'm over that now!

All the small pieces sewn together for the backing. This pretty much tapped out my collection of prints.

I have a few lengths of this deco fabric so I figured it would work for a nice wide border. I really like this fabric alot but it can go into the quilt. It's OK. This whole process is a very much "hold it here and see if it fits" process-totally spontaneous and actually quite fun.

Here's the start of the 8" CQ blocks. Time to make about 15 more. Isn't that peony pretty?

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!

Recycled Seams in Seam Treatments

2012-05-14T09:21:00.002-05:00

I had a pretty good weekend working some embroidery. My plan for my TX Mockingbird panel is to add "rough" seam treatments that sort of blend into the whole piece. I'm going with a mellow medium tone with textures here. Toward that end, I am trying some new ideas for "embroidery floss" that includes some yarn samples and couching down some seam allowances and torn strips from discarded shirts.

That gold ribbon is from one of Wes's cigar boxes. I painted that trim a long time ago. I was about to put it in the resale bag when I thought to hold it by the wallhanging and of course, it was spared.

It's hard to tell in the picture but that is a skinny piece of shirt seam allowance that I herringboned down with some fuzzy yarn. With the kind of sewing I do, I get all kinds of interesting scraps from clothes that I cannot bear to throw away. They have such interesting textures. I'm going to try to incorporate them more in my CQ work as "trim".

Time to get started on a strippy quilt with some of the 100 CQ Marathon blocks. The focus for the next few weeks is to use those in quilts.

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!

Looking for a Kidney Match

2012-05-13T13:19:00.000-05:00

Praying for a Miracle. Michele has a special request. Read about her sister-in-law's story here.

Have a Wonderful Mother's Day, Y'All!

100 CQ Blocks!

2012-05-11T09:55:00.001-05:00

Some serious scrapbusting, I tell you! I did it and with one day to spare!

If you have ever sent me any fabric, you can bet it made it into the 100 Crazy Quilt Blocks. What was left of the small miscellaneous block collection was cut up as center pieces. Fabric I was pretty sure I wouldn't use (if it was precut and small) went in too. A really good stack for experimental quilts this summer. Another item off my Gonna Do That List! Yea! Thanks for helping me accomplish this goal.

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!

I'm closing down the production line so I can get my weekly handwork done.

42 CQ Blocks and Counting

2012-05-09T09:04:00.000-05:00

At the top of the stairs of my walk-up attic is a very large rubbermaid container. I have to go by it everytime I want to be up there. Monday morning I decided its time had come. I took out the other boxes and bags that were in it -- my rudimentary attempt at organizing scraps--and started sewing CQ blocks.

I save really flimsy, ugly or misprinted fabrics for the block foundations. It's a great reuse for fabrics I know I won't use otherwise.

I also had a collection of pieced blocks and a few wallhangings that had been given to me that were never going to get done- even by me. Sometimes gifted items are just too out of the color range for even my eclectic stash, so they all went under the cutter in the name of CQ blocks. I added printed panels I bought thinking I would try machine quilting, failed painting experiments, shirt bits and pieces, thrifted clothes finally cut for their fabric. My CQ blocks are a real hodge podge of cotton fabrics.

I keep my smaller scraps segregated from larger pieces. When sewing CQ (or crumb blocks) I like to use them when the window of opportunity arrives at the very beginning when the center is stitched. No use cutting a long strip into smaller pieces. So I have these in various sized piles on my work table.

I'm in production mode this week and a little preplanning makes the process quicker. I don't want to be pawing through my rubbermaid for smaller scraps.

My larger scraps are in here. This is not the rubbermaid upstairs--it is 3 or 4 sizes larger. This is my working rubbermaid.

I am averaging 21 blocks a day! They are 13". Not bad! I don't have an immediate plan for them. I'd like to get some service quilts made and these will be handy as "pieced" blocks in a "modern" quilt setting. But, mainly, I wanted the blocks made so they organize those scraps better.

Do you think I can make 100 blocks by the weekend?

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!

TX Mockingbird Panel Hand Embroidery

2012-05-07T09:50:00.000-05:00

I had a most enjoyable weekend hand embroidering on my Texas Mockingbird Panel. I was determined to get all the machine embroidered patches sewn to the background. I have a nice collection of variegated specialty yarn samples that were given to me. They've been waiting for the perfect project and I believe this is that project. It was fun to see what effect they had when combined with the buttonhole and the crossed buttonhole stitches.

I love everything about this wallhanging; especially the rough and rugged look!

As I was stitching on this woodpecker I could hear a woodpecker in the pine trees!

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!

Clothesline Quilts Return

2012-05-04T13:42:00.000-05:00

Yea, I'm digging this. PIECED BACKS!

Holey Moley! What great stashbusters! I may spend the summer unloading some more smaller pieces before I return to sheets. What a great reuse backing--pillowcase header, designer drapery samples, thrifted curtains, gifted yardage. We got it all going on here!

The front is a menagerie of vintage goodness! Aside from the 2 large bouquets (which were on opposite ends of the same dresser scarf-gack!) the embroidery on these pieces was very well done. I'm not sure I would have embroidered 2 identical dresser scarves with kittens looking at strangely colored flowers, but, well, that's just me! The poodles are cute in a '60s kind of way.

I don't get the blue and orange flowers. But, who am I to judge? Someone looking at this quilt 30 years from now is probably going to say, "WTF was she thinking?" Ha! like that's my concern now!

These were yellow printed panels with instructions to do the embroidery, I am sure. They worked nicely for this quilt.

U-G-L-Y but the background fabric is very sturdy!

One of my experiments. One block was enough to tell me this was a good idea in theory but not one I wanted to pursue. I've been known to have months full of those ideas. That's why my parts and bits drawer got too full to close. Ha!

Have a Great Weekend! See you Monday!

Sneak Peek

2012-05-04T08:50:00.000-05:00

After making dozens of quilts in this style, I am finally getting the hang of it very well. There is a bit of math to conquer and it gets easier the more you make them; but, since each quilt is individual, you have to reinvent the wheel every time.

This top really cleaned out the last of the pieced blocks, vintage dresser scarves and what-have-yous. For one nanosecond I panicked that I may not be able to work like this much longer without the parts from my bits and parts drawers. The very ones I have been diligently unloading. Well, that's some dilemma, I say.

This little guy and his brother (the other end of the dresser scarf) didn't make the cut. They were, in reality, too cute for the quilt (and a little too childish). I kept thinking to myself, "OK, where would someone use this dresser scarf? In a child's room? with that amount of embroidery?"

I believe I have enough leftovers from the full quilt top for a smaller child's quilt featuring this embroidery. I might go in right now and add that to the Gonna Do That list so I can cross it off. *wink*

See you on the Flip Flop with a finished Quilt!

How I Think

2012-05-03T08:54:00.000-05:00

I know, get ready for some fascinationg reading with a blog title like that one! Ha! Ha! Not here.

As you know, I have given myself the "Gonna Do It!" Challenge for the summer (and probably the remainder of the year, truth be told) so I can clear out some ideas & supplies that have been in the queue for awhile.

After pawing through supplies and gathering them together in a central location in the walk-up attic, I decided I better make a list. I'm generally not a big listmaker but I really want to do these projects and get them out of my life.

I'm sure it is jibberish to you and if I don't accomplish them soon, they will be jibberish to me too. I've gone back and looked at notes I've written while in the passionate grips of an idea and it's usually a "Huh? WTF am I talking about?" moment. At that point, I think of another idea and the whole process starts again. I'm trying to avoid that for 2012. Maybe even start a new way of thinking.

Several years ago, like at least 4, I got a little interested in the vintage linens idea. When I saw this yardage at JoAnn fabrics printed with faux hankies, I thought it would be good to augment the non-existing hankie collection I own. At the time I may have had 5 hankies & none of them coordinated. But, in my mind, they became an item on my list to look for when out and around. Well, the price of hankies has gone through the roof so they have sunk to the bottom of my buying list. I still look for them but I rarely buy them (unless I find them in the thrift store). So I have this 2 or 3 yards of printed faux hankies to deal with now.

Following closely on the heels of the hankie idea was the idea to buy a mixed lot of linens on eBay. I actually got a very good lot with many usable linens that I am just now starting to use. Lately I have been culling through those linens and pulling the ones I know I will not use in a million years. Their 15 minutes of fame are very quickly approaching.

Laura has been hosting a few bellydancing parties where she has raffle items. Her homegirls have caught on to the desire to have one of my one of a kind quilts. Now that 3 girls have them, the rest want one too. So, toward that end, I have an outlet for some of my Gonna Do It! ideas.

It's a win-win for my summer goals. Laura's mother agreed to host a party for her in June with some other ladies besides Laura's friends so I immediately volunteered a quilt. I know, right, give me 2 weeks of unobligated time and I'm hunting down obligations!

The 1st thing that came to mind is that I should make the hankie/linen idea for the next raffle quilt. I'm past the point of wanting the quilt myself.

I've used the last of my roll of batting. I am waiting for it to go on 50% sale before I buy another roll. So I am forcing myself to work through all the miscellaneous alternative battings I have squirreled away under my longarm. It's easier to cut batting off the roll than design a quilt to an alternative batting but like the rest of my supplies, I need to work down the batting pile.

I pulled this thrifted flannel duvet cover to use for the batting. It's thin and I'm not 100% positive I want to use it but it was good for the layout dimensions. Instead of storing the info in my head, I decided to take a picture and write some notes about my idea.

The middle medallion is a scarf I've had since the dawn of time. I'm going to cut out the floral arrangement on the better end of this dresser scarf and applique it to the middle.

I bought this set of yellow vintage embroidered blocks while at a quilt show in Vermont and they will be good for turning the square middle into a rectangle.

The next row will be some orphan blocks-both pieced & machine embroidered experiments. Down the sides I'll add squares from the dresser scarves. The outside corners will have some CQ blocks, more linen motif squares and along the sides will be the faux hankies. The back will be some miscellaneous yellow and blue prints pieced for the vintage theme.

While it was all fresh in my mind, I wrote some detailed steps so I could remove it from my mind and move on to more important ideas, like whether I am going to buy spray paint and paint buttons.

Just as I was finishing up with the quilt planning, I got a phone call that extended quite long. I needed to go to the grocery store. I never quite got the momentum back to start working on the vintage linens quilt. So, in order to prove that I could accomplish something, I returned to my buttons.

I have a mini I'm Gonna Do That list that involves small hour or so projects. The buttons fall into that list. I've had this stained linen towel set for a very long time-I'm going to say 20 years. I've always loved them but no one else I lived with appreciated them like I did. Yesterday one of them went to its new reuse as covered buttons (from a kit-took minutes to transform). Love them!

While I was at it, I pulled out one of my buckets of buttons and started sorting them. It's disruptive while in the midst of a project to have to pull out the button buckets and hunt through them for buttons. There was a time when I enjoyed that but now it is making me crazy.

I also wanted to get a handle on the amount of various colors I actually have --- before I decide to spray paint the gazillion brown buttons other colors.

I have 2 containers--loose and carded buttons. The actual loose colored buttons were a minority to the neutral buttons. I may be spray painting after all. But, I could just make a promise to use what I have first before jumping off into another DIY project. Those brown buttons can surely wait another 5 years! or 10 . . . .

So, there you have it--the workings of my mind. The question today is--do I go piece the quilt top or get started on some hand embroidery?

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!

Last of the 9 CQ Blocks with Trim

2012-05-02T07:38:00.001-05:00

I was able to keep my nose to the grindstone yesterday and get the last of the 9 blocks trimmed. The trim really adds another layer of interest to the composition. I still have some blank spaces where I will add some little motifs but I can do that as I work on each individual block.

This block has an interesting "made up" treatment. I used the hem off an old pink pillowcase to fashion that ruffle. The silk rectangle to the right is the end of a tie. I lived in Illinois for quite a long time & once upon a time found this thrifted hankie so wanted to include it. The turquiose gingham is from a silk dress's hem. The edge has dangling beads.

I had to knock back some of the blue. I added the rest of the Illinois hankie and a corner off my vintage daisy napkin.

This block went under quite a transformation. The brown gingham heart is an apron pocket--it reminds me of the 20+ years I was married to my former husband-bride of the '70s! A filet crochetted honey bee because with a name like Debra, it's inevitable that you are going to be called the Bee.

Well, yesterday was a full day! Today I may go ahead and piece the string border I plan to use. Then I have to take a few days and get a quilt made for a friend.

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!

Covered Buttons

2012-05-01T09:37:00.002-05:00

As I have been sorting through the various linens trying to find good uses for them on my Blue CQ, I remembered I saw an idea once where bits were cut off and used for covered buttons. As part of my summer "I'm Gonna Do That" challenge, I decided that this CQ would be a perfect place to try that idea.
I've also seen some tutorials on turning plain eyed buttons into covered buttons.
Along those lines, I gathered supplies yesterday to try covering buttons with misc embroidery pieces.

A few thoughts--well, duh. I've already done this. So, maybe the challenge should be to "Write it Down with Notes" so you don't waste an entire day reinventing the wheel.

I'm very familiar with covered buttons. During my lifetime, it's safe to say I've done them many, many times. It's also safe to say, Buy the Kits. Covering your own buttons using a shank button or turning an eyed button into a shank button and then covering it, is a bit fiddly and quite frankly, a waste of time. While it cleared out 6 or so buttons, the results were so-so. If I didn't have the kits, maybe I would do this DIY project but really, it wasn't worth it to me.

Now, I know. And, I need to write that down somewhere.
I had the same feeling after this project as I did after a week of rolling paper beads. I have bigger fish to fry.

The upside? Now I remember why I have a ziplock bag full of button kits. (That I need to use)

The ugly candidates. 2nd revelation--I'm not going to use big brown ugly buttons on any of my projects. I really need to cull through these suckers and give them away. I'm past the point of thinking wooden buttons are cool.

To turn an eyed button into a shank, nip the end off a paper clip, slip it through the eyes and bend it out. This may be somewhere but I thought of it yesterday without an internet prompt (which is an AHA moment for me. *wink*)

The disadvantage is that you now have to cover those prongs with some batting so your button top is smooth.

To figure out how much fabric to cut, it's the diameter of your button + the distance from the shank to the edge x 2. I know, the math challenged amongst us have already tuned out. Just cut that little paper pattern off the back of the kit. (Actually, most buttons are standard size so you could use those patterns.)

You run a sturdy basting stitch around the edge (exactly like making YoYos), put the button inside, and pull the cover up. Reminded me of a shower cap (like I've had one of those on in the past 30 years!).

Here's my doily button. It got thick quick, especially with the added fabric underneath. But, it really is nice. Although, not nice enough to make more. Well, twist my arm, maybe.

One advantage here is that the DIY allows you to add all the layers. On the button kits, they get a little cranky with all the layers. I had to resort to pliers on a few of them.

It took forever to transform these ducklings into swans. By the time I had glued batting over the ridges, cut circles, basted and stitched, I had a headache and my enthusiasm was heading south on a fast train.

Three of the 4 corners of a little doily were pressed into buttons here. 2 by a kit and one DIY. While the outer results were similiar, the underside is quite different. If I were using these on garments, I would certainly take the time to cover the underside with another piece of fabric (see how labor intensive they are); but, for a CQ that is going to hang there, pheewt.

I'm pretty picky about the little tucks that can form around the edge of covered buttons. I found that the metal liner held the fabric in check much better.

Here's one of my own machine embroidered pieces. Wes thought it was the only decent one of the bunch. Imagine that.

A rose from the bits and pieces drawer made a decent button.

This is a tshirt scrap with some very funky netting over the top. Interesting but pretty bulky. I used a DIY form for it.

My 25¢ napkin is going to be a great buy. I was able to cut those fab buttons and have the outer border to use for trim. They were the last ones I did and at this point I was not above ripping open those packages of kits!

Aww, smooth. Aww, quick.

These were some previously covered buttons I did (when I bought all those kits-now I remember!) with machine embroidered letters I programmed the right size for the kits.

Phew! What a day.

Anybody want a collection of brown buttons? Holler, they are yours.

What's on your "I'm Gonna Do That" List?

April's Block for CQJP--Sewing Theme

2012-04-29T21:43:00.000-05:00

Here's the full view of my April yellow-orange sewing themed block for the Crazy Quilt Journal Project.

Now for some details for you to enjoy!

The floral arrangement was a happy coincidence! I've had both in different drawers but they wanted to be together. They fit so well! The outer flower is crocheted (by an etsy seller). I used my original outlined curve as an opportunity to make the scalloped edging around the block. Something had to be done with that poorly stitched outline!

Wheatear stitch to the left and a woven ribbon through some dressmaker's trim couched down with straight stitches. I had added the barred chain earlier in the month but it faded away so I added a single chain later. Overall it's a nice effect.

Pretty little tatted motif that Suz sent me--the colors are perfect for this block!

'60s vintage buttons from Sears Roebuck (I know because these are from my mom's sewing stuff and I remember those buttons!) with a thimble charm. I like this little dangling idea!

Little flat crochetted circle turned into a flower. The butterfly was tatted by Suz and flew in to land on that funky flower. Carol mentioned oyster stitch in an email so I gave it a shot--unfortunately, the perle cotton didn't translate well and they look like blobs. (But, my motto here is--this is a learning project. It does not have to be perfect.)

Wheatear done with 6 plies of DMC. I like the wheatear. It's a good "go to" stitch for the Stitch Stash. I also stitched a buttonhole to look like a satin stitch using one of Carole Samples' templates. I am a little dismayed that the thread soaked up the water soluble ink. I've wet it 2x and I can still see it. Hmmm. Again, moving on.

I wanted to practice my outline stitch a little more so came up with this figure 8ish motif. Those star/flowers are little felt cutouts from Michaels $1 bins. I find lots of good CQ stuff in those! I attached them with detached chain stitches. The whole attach/detach scheme!

You can also see a close-up view of the yellow circles. Again, detached chain with french knots.

Next month's color scheme is Yellow and then I am moving out of the red/yellow section of the color wheel into the Green/Blues. I'm really tickled with this project. I'm expanding my stitch combinations by trying to think of different arrangements and I am working with new colors. Because of this project, I was able to look at my blue CQ and realize that, Yes, Virginia, it needs some other colors added. I never know what my projects are going to tell me!

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!

9 CQ Blocks--Adding the Trims

2012-04-28T10:24:00.005-05:00

Adding the trims was alot harder than I expected it would be when I started. There is a fine line between too much and not enough and that line kept moving on me. One thing good about this style of working, I can always add or subtract if it bothers me later down the stitching line.

These are Before and After Trim Pictures:

This is the last block I worked on yesterday. Just before I closed up the studio, I decided it needed some white trim along the bottom edge. I'll sew that one later today. I used some wired ribbon and gathered both edges for some faux ruching. Then, I stitched it down & pulled out the wire. I like that texture alot! (by the robin patch) I've been making my own bias tape for these blocks-it's a fun way to cover the seam and gives me a spot to insert another trim. Angela also gave me a baggie of short ribbon pieces that are making their way into the blocks. Lots of rickrack (which I love) so this is a good way to use and enjoy it. I'm also mercilessly cutting off handmade trim from old stained linens-giving them another life.

I still have some very long lines on some of the blocks but since these are 22" blocks, I didn't want to get "all tiny and involved" immediately. I can probably dissect some of those long lines with embellishments. That will be my challenge! It just pleases me so much to see so many of my favorite things being sewn into this quilt. I know it is going to be a delight to sit down and do the handwork.

I have to take a break from finishing the trimwork on the last 4 blocks so I can get my TAST/CQJP sewing themed block done for tomorrow's reveal. If you would like to see what the Tuesday Stitchers are showing this weekend, here's the link. Always lots of interesting (and real down to earth) embroidery to view from a group of diverse stitchers.

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!