This month, I made two blocks. They block preparation was different than the blocks I have completed so far. The background was constructed of two coordinating fabrics cut and arranged in quarters, and then quilted. The appliqued design was then applied. Here is the first block. The pieces are set on the block and I am deciding how to applique it. You can see the coordinating background fabrics.
After applying the pieces with fusible web, I begin the applique process, creating detail and depth.
There were three new techniques introduced this month; the first one was free-motion quilting. The quilting in the center of the leaves is an example of free-motion quilting. "Free-motion" means that you drop the feed teeth on the sewing machine and move the fabric freely in any direction you wish, as you sew. You use a darning foot for this technique. It is sort of like "free-hand drawing" with your sewing machine. I know this looks pretty simple, but it takes a bit of practice to keep the speed of your movement consistent as you continually change directions. Eventually, the quilt will be quilted through all layers using this technique.
The next technique used on these two blocks, is "couching"; that is applying a decorative cord or trim with a special couching foot and stitch. This was my first attempt at it, and I simply applied the silk cording around the flower edges, but I could really get creative and think of many ways to use this technique, especially in trimming garments.
The third technique I learned this month was how to sew buttons with my machine; all you need is the right foot. The machine is then set to a wide stitch (aligned with the space between the holes in the buttons), and a zero stitch length (so it doesn't feed forward), and watch it sew! Amazing, eh? How have I lived without this foot for so long?
Here is the finished block. Of course, I still need to add the borders.
The second block was prepared and assembled much the same:
No holds barred! I am ever pushing the boundaries of my comfort zone - and this month I really tried to let loose with color. Since the last two blocks were "cool" colors, I already knew I wanted to use "warm" colors again, which will lay diagonally opposite. So enough with the chit chat. Here are the blocks-
I started with these pictures, because they show what the block looks like before the applique work. It is pretty "simple" and one-dimensional looking. As the appliqueing begins, detail and dimension begin to emerge.
Two blocks were completed for this month. Here is the other one;
Here are the four blocks as they will be arranged in the center of the quilt. I still need to add the borders.
By the time I was working on the fourth and fifth blocks, I was really enjoying using contrasting colors and every different stitch I could think of. It certainly creates a lot of visual interest. I am finally starting to feel like I am "breaking free" from my "box" - my limited, conservative use of color and texture.
Oh, and one more thing...thanks to my little photographer who took all these pictures because she wanted me to blog about this. I love my Rebecca Pearl!
Ah, decisions, decisions! I think this quilt is more about decisions than about sewing sometimes. I had wanted to work more "cool" colors into the second quilt block, but somehow, I didn't. So I thought I would continue that color palette for the third block, since it will be arranged diagonally with the second block. I seem to have purple on my mind this month. But at the same time, I must also leave some color options for the other two blocks in this four-block arrangement.
Here is the third block:
Again, it is missing the borders, but I will decide that after next month's blocks are together. Although the colors seem pretty simple - green and purple- there are really four different fabrics in this block. But the visual detail mostly comes from the patterns and colors of stitching that were used.
Many different stitches - each with different stitch widths and lengths were practiced, before deciding which ones would look the best. My Bernina is an old mechanical 1031, so it does not have a lot of stitches the newer computerized machines have. But I don't care. I wouldn't trade it for anything. It is the best machine I have ever sewn on and I am grateful to have it! Let's just say I have to figure out how to achieve some of the desired "looks" without simply pushing that button on my machine. The "circular tool" was the newly introduced tool this month. The corners of this block were cut from a circle which was first embroidered with this tool. I was unable to use one for my older machine, so I had to make do without it. But that is okay. It gave me the opportunity to really use my skills and a little ingenuity to achieve the same look without it.
Btw, the owner of the Bernina store was looking at my machine while I was at class this month and said this was the machine that he just can't keep in the store. It was only made for one year, so there aren't many of them. He said whenever he gets one in on a trade, it is gone the same day!
Meet Bernina foot #34 - the clear open-toe foot. It is used for different types of applique work because you can see through it and control precisely where the needle stitches. Precision is extremely important for keeping a stitch pattern perfectly aligned on the edge of the fabric. This is the foot I got this month.
The quilt block I made for month #2:
This is one of four blocks that will make up the center of the quilt and will share an inner border. I still need to add the border, but didn't want to pick those fabrics until I completed all four blocks. I decided to use "cool" colors on this block and the next, since I used "warm" colors on the first block. I'm not sure I like the background quilting stitch I selected for this, but hey, I am trying to get outside of my "comfort zone" and try new things.
Welcome to my new blog, Sew Uniquely Yours. I hope you enjoy reading it, and I look forward to reading the comments you share! I think I was born sewing. It is a gift the Lord has given me. I can hardly remember a time in my childhood when I was not sewing something. I had no sewing machine, so I sewed by hand with a needle and thread. I also never went to a fabric store until I was in my teens, but used fabric from old clothes, or remnants people had given to me. I suppose I started with doll clothes, but was sewing my own clothes completely by hand by the time I was in eighth grade. My youngest sister was a year old at that time. I would take the left over scraps of fabric from whatever garment I made for myself, and make a matching outfit for her. I made patterns out of old newspapers. No one ever showed me how to do it, I just figured it out. I am the kind of person that always wins the "Guess How Many Jelly Beans Are in the Jar" contests. I can look at you and tell you what your measurements are, for whatever it's worth. But it does come in handy for sewing. My older sister also loves to sew. When we were in high school, we made a three piece tailored suit for our father for Christmas. He still wears it. We also helped reupholster a vintage wing back chair. My parents still have the chair too, but have since reupholstered it again. We took three semesters of sewing in high school - that's all they offered. Our teacher decided to allow us to continue sewing for credit as an independent study class each semester until we graduated. I loved to take apart dated clothes and remake them into current styles. Right before I graduated I made my self a four piece suit, which I wore for my first real job interview after I graduated college. (And I got the job!) Since then, I have enjoyed sewing for my home and my family, and have also made many quilts, both appliqued and pieced. One quilt I helped to make is in a museum in NJ. I also work with a friend of mine who has her own design business, and I help make custom window treatments, bedding, cushions - pretty much everything for the home that you can make out of fabric. I eventually did get my dream machine - a beautiful Bernina (sorry Viking fans). I always thought, if my house ever caught fire, my Bernina and my photo albums would be the first things I grabbed before I ran. I am even a member of a Yahoo group for people with the particular model of Bernina sewing machine I have! I know that is really over the top. Well that's a wrap for now. I hope to link some of my favorite sites, and share new ideas and projects as I do them. I look forward to reading comments from anyone else who shares a love of sewing, or just enjoys reading my blog! Thanks for stopping by. Happy stitching!
