Thursday, October 15, 2015

Square in a Square Blocks and Hand Embroidery Added

Four patch blocks for center block.

I'm skipping ahead to work on Square in a Square and Cabbage Rose blocks.
Hand embroidery added in contrast color.

Machine quilting practice using different tensions..


 In working through Liberated Quiltmaking II by Gwen Marston, I skipped ahead to Square in a Square and Cabbage Rose blocks, just because. I decided to use some fat quarters that I won as a door prize at one of the quilt guilds I belong to. The prints, colors in the fat quarters are not something I would choose  to work with, but I thought that it would be good practice in making due and using what I had on hand. Adding some other fabrics to the mix for pizzaz, I made up a lot of four patches. I'm going to use them for centers in Square in a Square and Cabbage Rose blocks. Then I'll sew them together with other Liberated Quilting II blocks into small quilts and use them to practice machine quilting. I want to work at that until I get results I'm comfortable with. However, big quilts will still be sent out to a long arm quilter because they do such a great job.
Today I've been hand embroidering and working on machine quilting, experimenting with different tensions. 
Also, good news, Sujata Shah, who wrote the book, Cultural Fushion Quilts, will be moving to the West Coast soon, in case you hadn't heard. Very exciting, she is booked to speak at one of the quilt guilds I belong to. It'll be good to see her there.
That's all for now, have a great day!




10 comments:

Pamela said...

Interesting fabrics in your SIAS blocks. I really like the hand embroidery.

VivJM said...

Liberated Quiltmaking II is my all time favourite quilting book - I look forward to seeing your progress! The hand embroidery really makes the block sing, especially on the yellow fabric. Beautiful work.

Ann said...

Good idea, Janie. I have a bunch of fabrics I'm trying to use up. Small units would be a good idea. Thanks.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

It's always a delight to come and visit your blog to see what you've been working on. I can always count on something fun, and in colours that make me happy,.

Queeniepatch said...

Good thinking, using the gift fabric to practice on. Did you find the right tension for the machine quilting?

Kaja said...

It's a good idea to use up your fabrics in this way - and I bet they take on a new life after you have finished with them. I wish someone exciting would decide the middle of England was the place to live!

Janie said...

Yes I did, and you know what really helps me, is to think of machine quilting as a kind of embellishment. Then I relax but if I'm thinking about right-wrong nothing works out.
How are you, Queenie?

Carli The Quilter said...

Nice embroidery Janie! I am so pleased that Sujata is moving out to the West Coast! Very cool!

Carli The Quilter said...

Nice embroidery Janie! I am so pleased that Sujata is moving out to the West Coast! Very cool!

Carli The Quilter said...

Nice embroidery Janie! I am so pleased that Sujata is moving out to the West Coast! Very cool!