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colorful

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Love Thy...

27 August 2020

neighbour X work in progress X cross stitch X Aurifloss

My current cross stitch project for the year is coming along well, there's been a little bit of unpicking but that is most often the result of late night stitching. The pattern is Love Thy Neighbour by Modern Folk Embroidery and I started stitching it as part of Jacob's Summer Stitch A Long. Summer may be nearly over but I am in no rush to finish. The original pattern is stitched in one colour but like my last finished cross stitch I enjoy making it my own and mixing it up.

I'm enjoying stitching this motif by motif, choosing the colours as I go. I didn't pick a full colour palette before starting and have added in colours when needed. The overall vibe is happy colours, a mix of bright and pastels, and despite the rainbow layout of floss below, the colour pairings/groupings for each motif are intentionally not too matchy matchy. I really like a bolder, more mismatched style. I keep thinking 60/70s, a happy hippy Clothkits look.

top row #: 1103, 4020, 2530, 2425, 2435, 2220, 2150, 1135, 2606

bottom row #: 2880, 2888, 2860, 2835, 1148, 5006, 2805, 2815, 2021

Not shown above is the Very Dark Navy used for the text and focal frame, it is #2785.

I really like how the dark pops but your eye is still drawn around the piece. Still a way to go but here is my progress so far - and please excuse the wrinkles but this is a work in progress and my iron only comes out when absolutely necessary...

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Ripples Quilt

28 September 2017

bright quilt, with square centre and jelly roll strips

I have to admit to being completely in love with this quilt. It's vibrant, bohemian vibe makes me really happy. This is the kind of quilt that would cheer you up on dark nights and add lively colour to a room.

The pattern is the Ripples from the book Sew Jelly Roll Quilts & Gifts by Carolyn Forster. I used a jelly roll of True Colors by Heather Bailey - with great graphic prints and rainbow colours.

You can watch the Sewing Quarter demo here.

vibrant patterns and colours on quilt fabric

I chose to quilt a diamond motif in the centre using red, purple and blue Aurifil thread. I used different weights of thread too to give a subtle shift in texture.

centre quilted with three concentric diamonds

The quilt looks even better 'in use', folds and drapes show off those lovely prints.

quilt that is scrunchy like it's thrown over something

The pattern is simple but striking and it was made easier with the Creative Grids Multi-Size 6" Flying Geese & 45° / 90° Triangle ruler - that's a mouthful! But I've been using this ruler a lot and it's incredibly handy for so many quilt blocks and patterns. If you're looking to add to your collection then that's a great choice because it does so much.

Now I have to be totally honest, there were more triangle sections than you can see in the quilt. I pieced them together and set them to the side of my machine. Went off to do something, came back and kept on sewing strips, completely forgetting the triangle strips that were on the other side of the table. Doh. When I realised I unpicked one row and ended up piecing them into the edge. Sadly I didn't have time to unpick more so those triangles didn't make it. It doesn't effect the finished quilt though and you'd never know if I hadn't told you!

close up of corner of quilt, detail of graphic shapes on fabric

I did reserve some jelly roll strips for the binding, I couldn't resist using the black and white along with the blue prints and it gives it even more flair I think!

quilt folded so all corners are visible and you can see binding

This week I finished another #icecreamsodaquilt block. I am enjoying using all my Liberty scraps and this blue one has some hidden Hello Kittys!

english paper piecing quilt block, star shape made of diamonds, kites and hexagon thirds

Finally I wanted to let you know that I will be teaching at the Sewcial Retreat next March! In a beautiful setting, not far from Oxford it's going to be a fun weekend of sewing and relaxing. Organised by Purple Stitches you can get all the details of the retreat here.

image of pretty building amongst well kept grounds and lawn

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