One of the must-haves in the toolkit of every quilter or sewist is a pincushion (pin cushion works, too!). I am always looking for cool pincushion patterns so I can make them for myself or to give them as gifts to my friends. [Edited: June 23, 2020] Last night I dropped everything and locked myself in my studio to make these pincushions - I could not help it after I saw them! One had pieced houses and the other had machine applique'. I could not choose so I made them both! In no … [Read more...] about Pincushion patterns that will make your heart stop!
embroidery
Embroidery
I was thinking about my friend Diana this morning. She does beautiful embroidery - delicate, with gorgeous colors, and very precise. It reminds me of the work my mother used to do when I was growing up - Brazilian 3D embroidery. So, I looked around the house for some of that work, but only came across these hand towels I purchased in the Northeast of Brazil. Aren't they great? [Oh, I love when blogger rotates pictures for you! $%%$#@^!!!] … [Read more...] about Embroidery
Embroidery and Applique Inspiration
As I always quilt my projects, I own a few books with quilting designs. Looking at them, one can easily see how they could be used as patterns for embroidery and applique. Have you used any designs as such? Those with continuous line lend themselves more readily for stitchery and applique. One book in particular comes to mind, with designs so lovely I have thumbed through its pages very often for inspiration: Hari Walner's Continuous-Line Quilting Designs: 80 Patterns for Blocks, Borders, … [Read more...] about Embroidery and Applique Inspiration
Applique Group Quilt
Or should we call it The 3am Club, since I started this post at 3 am this morning? Anyway, I will start with a piece of background fabric and an applique motif for a wall hanging. Then, I will mail it to the next person, who will have TWO weeks to hand applique something new, hand embroider or embellish an existing addition, contributing to the work. She (or he?) will send it to the next person, who will add her (his?) own something special. We will send the project around as many times as … [Read more...] about Applique Group Quilt
Winter Wonderland
Crabapple Hill Studio has amazing quilt patterns with embroidery blocks. Inspired by some friends at my quilt guild I started working on their Winter Wonderland pattern. Instead of doing redwork, I decided to work with varigated floss in blues and grays. I cut, marked (using Pilot FriXion pens), and basted all the blocks for the quilt and am almost done with the first block. Although I anticipate it will be a few months before I get it done, I put the block I am working on, along with a couple … [Read more...] about Winter Wonderland