Sunday, December 22, 2019

Hugs And Kisses // 1

I feel I'm between things right now and need a project that bridges the gap. An easy one that doesn't require too much of preparation and thinking. Something enjoyable and that keeps my hands busy.

And so I started a new english paper piecing quilt that I'm calling Hugs and Kisses. I have a vision of what I want to do and I'm using pre-cut strip rolls I had on my shelves for a while. At least I'm starting with these and I'll see how far they take me. It is a little unusual for me to work with batiks but I'm enjoying looking at these fabrics for now. And if that changes I'll add other prints or solids. As far as colors I'm starting with pinks and will add lilacs, turquoise, and whites. That's today's plan but I'll decide along the way. It feels good to have a hand sewing project again to which I can always come back to.





Thursday, December 19, 2019

Behind the scenes

If I'm being a little quiet here it is not because I gave up quilting. In contrary! It is just that what I'm working on these days is more of behind the scenes and not so interesting sharing.
I can share this much though.

For example, I've been busy reviewing what I created in the past, adding labels and sleeves to finished quilts.
Here are a few pics from the past weeks.







I have also completed a new quilt of which I can't show much yet as it is a present for an upcoming birthday. I'll share it in a couples week but here is a camouflaged sneak peek for now.



There is more I've been doing but that is for another day. Soon.


Saturday, November 9, 2019

Scraps IV // 4 and last !

There have been lots of distractions during the last weeks but finally Scraps IV is all finished.
It's been an interesting journey and first time I decided to add hand appliqué in the end to bring it all together. I'm also happy with the addition of the hand quilting.
To me this quilt has a somewhat hippie look and I'm kind of surprised with what I did. Not least how I went crazy with the free motion quilting parts.
With the exception of the aqua gingham, the burgundy used in the borders, as well as the binding all fabrics came from my scrap bins.
Happy I'm done with it now and can move forward.

175 x 140 cm







Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Scraps IV // 3

I thought I was done but then I decided to add some hand quilting to accentuate the appliqués. I am not regretting it at all. It is adding marks and texture like an additional layer. I'm liking it.





Sunday, September 22, 2019

Scraps IV // 2

When it came to the quilting I had again a hard time deciding what to do. The top has so many different elements that made it hard to choose an overall design. I started by echoing the appliqué parts then added grids in the big pieced areas and some straight lines along the borders. Yet, I still didn't know how to continue. Finally, I decided to add some free motion quilting. I think that was a good decision but I will know for sure once everything is done.












Thursday, September 19, 2019

Scraps IV // 1

Back in June I started a new quilt using fabric from my scrap bins and improvising on the design wall. I let the design develop responding to what was happening on the wall. Some days were good days, others meant struggling with decisions and second guessing everything over and over again. It definitely is a total different approach than Strings I where I had a defined block design to follow. That one was just a joyful mindless sewing. This one required much more brain work because of all the decisions that needed to be taken along the way.

Today I'm sharing some work in progress from the start to the almost finished top.












Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Strings I // 3 and last !

Happy to share my finished quilt. I named it "Strings I" because it's such an enjoyable sewing and happy result that I foresee more in the future.

135 x 108 cm
Foundation paper pieced, machine quilted.
With the exception of the backing and binding only fabrics from my scrap boxes have been used. Another reason to love this quilt.













Monday, August 5, 2019

Strings I // 2

Once it came to the quilting part I had a thought or two about how to go. I didn't want a dense quilting as I like quilts to be snuggly. Of course some straight lines are never wrong but I wanted to keep the feel of the blocks even to emphasize the design. I'm really happy with my choice and it makes for a nice backside too if I may say so myself!







The quilt is bound meanwhile and I hope to be able to take pictures soon.


Saturday, August 3, 2019

Strings I // 1

It's been a while that I've posted here. Truth be told it's because posting on Instagram is so much easier. And also getting feedback and communicating back and forth through the comments is so convenient and quick. But I still think that a Blog offers advantages Instagram doesn't have. It really is a great tool for documenting my quilting journey. Features such as the Blog Archive, Labels, or the Search field to name a few make navigating and revisiting the past so much more agreeable and convenient.

So I've decided to catch up and to keep posting here as well. Maybe just a little less than on Instagram and definitely more only related to my quilting than before.

After completing Lima back in March I had a hard time deciding on my next project. I often have so many ideas for the next quilt I want to pursue that sometimes I block myself out. Looking for the perfect next quilt design can be tough. What if the one you decided against would have been better?

To loosen up and deblock I finally grabbed my scrap boxes rummaged around and decided to make a string Quilt. Best decision ever! I had so much fun with this quilt. Within a few minutes I decided to use paper foundation to render a perfect square, defined my color scheme and got started. Today my quilt is completed and waiting for the label. Even a next one is being quilted by now. Those of you following me on Instagram have seen it all. For the others here are some pictures of the work in progress.







Up to here this was pure fun and (almost) mindless sewing. Then of course I had to play around with layout options...






And I was in troubles again!

But then I remembered what my initial plan was and while I really loved some of the above options I went back to square one and assembled the top.



And this is how the finished top looked



That's enough pictures for today. More to follow soon!