Sunday, March 15, 2020

Mid-March Updates

So far March has been chaotic to say the least. I haven't felt like doing anything serious or difficult, so here is an update of some ongoing projects.

Exit Strategy - more hand stitching

I added some interesting bits by hand to my Exit Strategy 1 piece.

I chose some variegated yarn but wanted to do more with it than just couching. What to do - I don't knit or crochet but I remembered that once upon a time, I could braid.

I quickly found a hair braiding video on YouTube and amazingly enough, once my fingers started, they knew exactly what to do! I was very impressed since I haven't braided anything in many years.

Making a braid of variegated yarn

Adding the braid around
the embroidered leaf





I didn't really like the FMQ that I had done around the leaf (it was a darker green), so I couched the braid over the stitch line. I like that better and will eventually FMQ in the negative space around it.
Couched yarn
At the bottom of this block is a very thin strip of fabric that got mostly chopped off. I wanted to add something over it, but after playing around, I found that I didn't have to hide it. I just added couched yarn for better visual interest and movement.

The piece of couched yarn is made of recycled silk saris. I love that it goes from one colour to another. The piece that I added starts with a grey blue that matches the whole piece while the orange part is the same as the one used in the bottom-right block. I'm deliberately trying to add some connections between each block. That's also why the yarn extends outside of the block. 

Exit Strategy 1 - so far

FMQ another journal cover

I started quilting a journal cover for a very special friend. Since Lise loves pink, I thought that this special piece of vintage Japanese fabric would be perfect for her. I started by matching my Kimono silk thread to the fabric.

Silk thread to quilt the flowers
Here is the first try. To practice my FMQ for tension etc. I started on the yellow flower in the corner since most of it will probably not show on the finished piece.

I used a brighter yellow for the outline and tips of the flower and then FMQ the base of the petals as well as the middle with a yellow-orange.
FMQ the yellow flower

First try at FMQ














I've now finished FMQ the Japanese vintage fabric. It's always difficult to figure out how to quilt the negative space. I decided to just echo the flowers and leaves.

Finished FMQ
What I learned
  • From a learning point of view, I thought that it was fascinating that my fingers would still know how to braid after at least 15 years. The funny thing is that when I was thinking about it, I would get all mixed up. I really had to let me fingers do their thing!
  • I was explaining what I was doing to my son, and he pointed out that I have an "isolated space" at the bottom of the top-right block with all of the FMQ. I'll have to think of something to make it connect with the rest of the piece.
  • FMQ with silk thread is always a pleasure. This was no exception.
  • I didn't have the energy to participate in Challenge 11.5 of Project Quilting but they just announced Challenge 11.6 which is "Vibrant and Vivacious", so I'm hoping to be up to the challenge.
  • The Fibre Fling 2020 sale and show has been postponed from April to October. This will certainly give all of us more time to make art. It's also going to be more difficult to finish my Exit Strategy piece for March's OMG. 
Related links

Linking parties
I'll be linking up to many fun linking parties, including Free Motion Mavericks with Muv. Don't forget to link up there this week. Slow Sunday Stitching, Can I Get A Whoop Whoop?, Off the Wall FridayFinished or Not Finished Friday,


14 comments:

  1. The Japanese fabric is exquisite! The echo quilting was the right choice. Lucky is your special friend!

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    1. Thanks so much Jill. It really is lovely to FMQ on!

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  2. Oh wow! What a very fun and artsy project. Love your color combos and creativity.

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    1. Thanks Kathy. I'm really having fun with these projects.

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  3. Love the line... couched yarn made from recycled silk saris! How fun is that?!?
    And that photo of all the pretty threads... yum!
    Enjoy your hand stitching today!

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    1. Thanks Kathy - I had a lovely day quilting today, both hand and machine stitching. What a treat!

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  4. I love visiting you, Andree and see what fun things you are doing and experimenting with each time. Your Japanese vintage fabric pretty is amazing! But.....then so is your Exit Strategy 1 pretty!

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    1. Thank you so much Kim. I have to keep experimenting and having fun, otherwise I get bored too easily :-)

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  5. Oh my goodness that journal cover is beautiful. Love your quilting!

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  6. Nice work. I love the quilted kimono fabric :)

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  7. Hello Andrée, Those flowers are absolutely gorgeous! Just what we need to cheer us up in these weird times...
    Love, Muv

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    1. Thanks so much Muv. It is very cheery, isn't it. I've yet to get back to it, so I should do that soon!

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