Quilt Block-of-the-Month #4 & #5

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!

Quilt Block-of-the-Month #3

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!

Quilt Block-of-the-Month #2

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.

Quilt Block-of-the-Month

For the past few months, I have been working on a "Block-of-the-Month" quilt.  I have always wanted to make one of these, but could never find the time.  Recently, I had a machine cleaned at my local Bernina store, and saw a picture of this quilt.  I stared at it for several minutes.  I really liked it.  I really, REALLY liked it.  It is called "A Garden of Stitches".  "Hmm...I think I just might be able to make the time to do this one," I thought.  So I signed up for it on the spot.  I paid for the whole thing right then and there.  Once I decide to do something, I'm all in, lol.  One thing I especially liked about this pattern is that each block incorporated a different technique, whether it be a specialized foot, type of stitching, etc.  I also wanted to learn how to use some of the newest products used in quilting, that I have never used before.  All in all, I was looking forward to learning how to use my machine to its potential, and end up with a beautiful new quilt for my bed in the end.

Here is the first block.

Unlike pieced quilts, where you select medium, light and dark fabrics for specific parts of the pattern and layout, this pattern required selecting many, many different fabrics.  This seemed overwhelming at first.  It is not easy to "picture" what your entire quilt will look like when you are selecting fabrics, colors and patterns a block at a time.  There are no repeats in this quilt.

Ultimately, I decided to incorporate as many colors as possible, and use brown in all the borders to "unify and neutralize" all the blocks.  Every block begins with a 14 inch square of ivory cotton.  Next, it is layered with quilt batting and the background pattern is quilted.  Every block will have a unique pattern for its background.  Again, I decided to use a "coffee" colored thread on every block for continuity.

I think you make a hundred decisions for every block you quilt; what pattern, stitch length and width to quilt the background, what color, texture and patterns of fabrics to use, what applique stitches you will use for each piece of the pattern, and what colors will produce the desired affect, as well as what border colors, patterns and textures will work, not only for that block, but will eventually look good with the adjacent blocks, and ultimately, in the quilt as a whole.

This first block utilized the "walking foot".  This foot is expensive, but amazing!  It feeds layers of fabric evenly and perfectly aligned.  No bunching, pinching or slipping!  I have always wanted one, and finally decided to buy it for this quilt.  I am totally hooked on it.  I will use it for every block and for many more projects thereafter.  I also experimented with several new stitches for applique, which I have never before used. 

Born Sewing

     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!