Machine Stitches

 Does your machine have those programmed stitches on it that you never remember to use?   Or you don't know where to use them.......same here!
  So when I needed to  cover the edges on the  fused flowers, I  decided to try a few of them.  That is a serpentine stitch  around the outer edge.  It gives a fun finish to the flower.  For the center I used the uneven zig-zag stitches.  I'm not sure what they are really called.

  For the purple flower, I used the same uneven zig-zag, but I shortened the stitch length to give a more open appearance.

  To stabilize the piece, I simply placed batting behind the top.  The batting prevents distortion.    On both I used  Isacord embroidery thread.   Once everything was stitched down, I then added the backing and quilted.  So all the "uglies"  from the embroidery stitches, do not show on the back.












  Finished size is 15".....a cute wall hanging, or table topper.
  I like this one well enough to try another version and play around with the colors.


 













  Speaking of  color.....Color....yep some color was bought and given to Sir Old Man for the workshop.    Lol!!!  I found duct tape in red, turquoise, and camouflage.  Now he has no excuse / no reason to use that old gray stuff.   He should just be glad I didn't buy the pink, or the one with ducks on it!


  Happy stitching.

Finishing the Batiks

 I promised a photo when I finished the batik quilt of Drunkard Path and NY Beauty blocks....the "not a jacket quilt".   So before the temperatures soar into the high 90's today, I took a few photos outside.
  I love the central light source in this and all the movement in the pattern and the colors.  This one is named "Free My Spirit"....to reflect on the discovery that I am a square motivated by spiral.   I could probably say get out of my box and most people would understand,  but I like  imagery.

  It wasn't a hard decision in planning the quilting.  It was a no brainer for .....spirals.  I practiced on paper for a bit to get the open spiral for this one.   Actually, a lot of pencil practice.  I needed the design firmly planted in my mind and hands.  I wanted a more open quilting, not as close as I often do.  Here are a couple of back views and a front view of the spiral quilting. 

 

  

 A tip to stitching the spiral pattern.... begin the curve to the left if your open area to fill in is to the right.  If the area to fill in is to the left, begin the spiral to the right.  You curve to the right, and return to left and move into the open area.    Again, practice on paper to understand the movement. 

   Confession time again.....I ended up using 3 different colors of thread on the quilting.  I used Isacord thread, and I am zipping along doing the spiral dance and oops, no more thread!  No problem,  I thought the "oyster" color matched "cloud" well enough.  And when I got to the very last corner....out of thread again.  So I finished off with a very light blue.  Just saying, it's not perfect, but it is me.  And  I will be ordering the larger spools this time. 

   I have to finish up the label and make a sleeve, and this one will be done.

   Our weather went from early May to mid-July, or so it seems.  The heat and humidity are awful right now and will be staying around for a while.  So I am retreating to the sewing room  to make more bias stems and  blocks for the String Me Along quilt.  Will I ever use up these strip scraps?

Happy stitching. 

Planning the quilting

        Not a very productive week so far......ear infection and vertigo = doctor visit + medication.    So in my down time, I am planning/drawing ideas to use for the quilting on the blended braid top that is ready to be quilted. 
      The black strips are strong in this quilt, and I want less focus on them.  So I will quilt them down using a close design---probably a loop and stipple. 
It is just a meandering stitch with a loop thrown in every so often to change direction.  I like the texture it creates and is great to "eat" up any fullness or stretch in the fabric.  By stitching the black sashings and border down/dense, the braids will move forward---or so I hope. 
      The braid strips are about 6 inches wide, so they will require some quilting.  I could use straight lines, or even wavy lines through each braid, stitch in the ditch.    But that sounds boring to me.    So here's a couple of pages  from my sketch book........

     I love doing swirls and curls and tear drops.   The teardrops on the right, I think are just too dense for the braid--even if I space them out in  a long run.   So I went to the swirls and curls.    I prefer the small curls and vine at the top-- near the pencil--for the center of each braid.  I can curve the line  and keep it open so it is not too dense. 

     So  the quilting design is planned.   Now  to pick the thread color.  On the black, that's easy....black isacord thread.    For everything else, I chose "cloud" isacord thread.  It's not a blue, or a grey, exactly but blends nicely with so many colors, especially turquoise and purple. 

  I sketched a couple more ideas for the journal quilts, so I have to put those into production when I get over this vertigo. Since they are so small, they don't take long.   And I am "craving"  a watercolor design....I don't know how else to express it!  I have been on this use up the strips tear for a month or so, and I have been ignoring my floral stash.    It's calling me...loud and clear.   I have a photo of a window box I saved for just this occasion.  Maybe next week.  Till then, happy stitching.

I think it's Spring?

I think it's Spring, but the last 3 days have felt like Summer!  And to think that one month ago I was thinking the warmth would not arrive soon enough.   So it is time to change out my seasonal banner.  Here's the one  in watercolors for spring.
  I have started free motion quilting on the french braid in batiks.  I ordered the Isacord thread and decided it was time to get on with it.  I just kept putting off getting started because stitching on batiks using free motion can be very trying to my soul.   Why?   Batiks are usually a higher thread count and may have a residue of dye or wax left on the fabric (even after one washing).  All three can cause major friction on the thread as it goes in and out of the fabric.  The result can be tension problems and thread breaks that create lots of frustration for me.  
I am definitely a convert for free motion quilting with Isacord.  No thread breaks, or snaps or fraying, when  I do circles and change direction.  I am using  a 50 weight cotton bobbin thread, and the tension looks just fine, and a size 14 quilting needle.   So...back to stitching.

The Red Pear

The Red Pear is  quilted and needs a binding, but I wanted to share it because the quilting turned out so well.  Stitching on batik and moire fabric in the background can be a nightmare.  I used Isacord thread--oyster color.  I had no problems , no breaks at all.   

I ordered several other colors from red rocks thread and it arrived already today.  Can't wait to use it to quilt my french braid quilt.