Hearts Quilt week 8 - Fun Time

Some stitching fun was had this week

The 'sun' puff started life as another project last year, but it was not suitable for that in the end, so it has ended up on this patch with embellishment.

Velvet heart

And a flower

I make no excuses for putting bullion stitches in the middle instead of French knots. I had my fill of FK's last week.

Hearts Quilt week 7 - Dresden Plate block

 Straight From the Heart 

Week 7

The Dresden Plate block is progressing.

My monogram is centred on it and the French Knots surrounding the middle are now complete.

I have to admit, before I go any further, that I did not personally stitch this Dresden Plate block. My mother did.

It was one of the first "lessons" that I taught her when I was doing the 2 yr City & Guilds Patchwork & Quilting course.

As a professional seamstress she was always making clothing and garments, but had never ventured into quilting. When she saw the fun things I was creating on my course she was very eager to learn what she could about this new style of stitching.

The fabrics used on this piece are all recycled from dresses,skirts, and tops that were either my mothers, mine or my daughters. 

This quilt of many memories is for me.

The seams of the Dresden Plate will be embellished with stitches in the crazy patchwork style.

Valentine's Hearts Inspiration

  Hearts From The Past  

Here are a couple of heart projects from my previous blogs

(just in case you need a last minute card idea)

Straight from the Heart Quilt - week 6

 Straight from the Heart Quilt 

Week 6

I created a Dresden Plate block for the Monogram (from last week) to be placed in the centre.

When finished, the French Knots will be all the way around the Monogram, but at the moment I am about one third of the way around.

You can probably see that I am trying to blend the colours. It's a long job, but enjoyable.

I'm thinking I will go back with these colours again and stitch right up to the stem stitch circle around the motif, as I'm not sure I like the yellow fabric showing outside of the circle.

I'll continue with the French Knots like this for now though, and then make up my mind later whether or not I will be covering the yellow.

The Dresden Plate story will come next week, as I'm running out of time today.

 Tatting 

I haven't progressed any more with needle-tatting, but I have tried Shuttle Tatting now, and here is my first ring completed.

I think I like this technique, but I got in a right mess (just after this photo) trying to get another ring done. I just cannot get any subsequent rings to 'pull' into a ring.

I shall keep trying.

 Selling House and Packing 

Oh boy is this a horrible job. I have so much 'stuff'.

Tony has bought 'another' shipping container so that we can pack and store everything that we want to take to the new place, but do not necessarily need to use here. The thoughts behind this is that we empty the house of 'clutter' to make it easier to keep clean and tidy, and help make the rooms look larger, and stage it so that it is more appealing to prospective home buyers.

I have packed away all my blue & white pottery from the Welsh dresser, all my sewing stuff including tools, fabrics, wool, threads, art equipment etc., books are packed, office paperwork packed, surplus kitchen things are packed, precious items are safely packed, photos and mementos packed. All boxes and surplus furniture are now in the lounge and hallway awaiting 'someone' to carry it all into the container.

Now I have to start on the bedrooms and walk in wardrobe. How do I know what clothes I can pack away? It may be a year before I see them again.

Oh woe is me......

My Monogram for Crazy Quilt

Here are Step-by-Step photos of the monogram I created for my 

 Straight From The Heart 

Crazy Quilt.

I penciled a circle on my fabric then started the stitching with a whipped running stitch to outline the letters (my initials).

Next I filled the middle of the letters with herringbone stitch.

The herringbone stitch was then laced.

And then I added French Knots in the spaces with lavender thread. 

Close-up of the French Knots

Next I made a Stem Stitch circle in a pastel pink around the monogram

 And then added another circle of Stem Stitch

Close-up of the Stem Stitch circles

Then I filled in the middle with Back Stitch in a dusky rose

And the finished Monogram......... 

I know it it usually required to "sign" quilts when completed.

As usual, I am doing things back to front.

This Monogram of my initials is for the front of the crazy quilt.

With a bit of luck (and time), next week I can show you the setting for the Monogram.