Improv Appliqué Pillow

My latest improv appliqué piece was inspired by dried coral. I wanted to create a shape that mimicked its organic curves, specifically the holes within the coral. The technique I used was the same as my previous improv appliqué pieces (cutting the appliqué shape by eye, basting it a quarter inch from the edges onto the background, and using needle turn to sew it down), with the addition of careful basting around the shapes to be cut out within the larger appliqué shape. I cut the holes one by one as I appliquéd them in order to maintain the structure of the piece and avoid distortion. I'm really pleased with how flat I was able to keep the piece using this strategy.

I had a false start with the quilting, trying out some ocean-like waves which went awry. I set it aside for a while and ignored the impulse to put the whole thing in the trash can. After a couple hours of laborious unstitching, I decided to create a dense, random crosshatch. I love the texture, and the bonus of dense quilting for an appliqué piece in particular is how durable it makes the pillow.

Another change from my original design is the shape of the finished pillow. I started with a square, but I didn't like how the appliqué shape moved across the square. It works so much better as a rectangle, although it hurt a bit to lop off a good 6 inches. It was worth it in the end, as the piece achieves just what I set out to make - a natural, serenely flowing shape.

You can find this unique, quilted pillow in my etsy shop.

Metrolink Quilt Top

It's a quilt top! We're in the middle of a wet, gloomy stretch of cold weather here, so a couple of quick shots by an open door will have to do. I have to say it is so satisfying to see all those neat 90 degree corners matching, and I'm still loving the bright scraps against the black essex linen.

Now on to basting and quilting. I think I will use straight line quilting to emphasize the geometric piecing.

Modern Table Runner

I have to agree with Jacquie: I never get tired of improvised log cabin blocks.  They are the perfect arena for play.  I used some lovely scraps of hand screen printed fabric from Blueberry Park to make some fun, minimal, improv log cabins.  My favorites are the ones that are missing a log or two. 

I surrounded the log cabins with Essex Linen on my new design wall.  If you do any improv piecing, this makes such a difference.   I don't know how I've gone without one for so long!

The quilting is a simple serpentine stitch on my Bernina.  For most machines I hear it is stitch #4.  I usually mess around with the stitch length and width to get it just right.  I love this stitch because it creates a nice texture with the ease of straight line quilting.

This extra block became a pot holder. Bonus.

I just need to tie these up in a bow and deliver them to a special friend who has encouraged me to think BIG this year.

Rectangular Wonky Stars

 

This tiny block was an experiment with making a rectangular wonky star block.  Instead of beginning with squares, as in regular wonky stars, which are a super fun block to make, I began with itty bitty rectangles.  They work out just the same, except you have to be careful to which side of the rectangle you add the star points.  I put an adorable Japanese fabric fussy cut in the center of the rectangle.  The block finishes at 1 7/8 x 2 1/4 inches.

 

I set my miniature block into the front of a Perfect Zip Bag (pattern by Elizabeth Hartman) via reverse applique and added some hand stitched details.  The outside of the bag is black yarn dyed essex which has incredible texture and at the same time is super soft.  Thanks to Rachel for sending me some!  I hope I can find more somewhere soon.  Love this stuff.

 The lining of the bag is oval elements in a great dark purple and plum.

I enjoyed making my first block so much I made another.  This on is slightly bigger and pieced into the front of a cell phone case.  I think I prefer the reverse applique setting, but this one is sweet too.

 They make a cute pair; I think I'll keep them.

Fabric from Afar

Two packages from overseas arrived at my house this week, and it made me think how cool it is to have access to unique fabrics from all over the globe.  I found both sources on etsy!  Look at these gorgeous hand printed lovelies from Maze and Vale in Australia.  The rainclouds just get me.  I love the feathers too.

I've had my eye on a number of fabrics from UniqueShiny based in Seoul. These great paper-like prints come as a panel on a single piece of linen/cotton blend.  The other panel is information about Hangul, the Korean alphabet, and traditional Korean houses. 

These are all going in my special fabrics bin for just the right project. 

Black, White, and Red All Over

I'm testing a pattern for a friend.  I won't be able to show you what I'm making until May I think, but, here are the fabrics I chose.  There are a couple of Annie's Farmstand prints, a Cosmo Cricket ruler, several  from Circa 1934, the new Pezzy Prints, Heath, Ruby Sundae Stripe, Essex linen/cotton, and Je Vous En Prie by Yuwa. What a great excuse to buy some fabrics I've had my eye for a while.

Falling Leaves Runner and Placemats

I'm so excited to finally be able to share this project with you.  It seems like a long time ago that I started these blocks for the solids challenge.  You never saw the results because I decided to submit the pattern to Fat Quarterly (a modern quilting ezine published quarterly).  The pattern for this runner and matching placemats is in Issue 6, available for purchase now. I got an advance copy, and there are some great projects in this one. The issue is all about different substrates, so if you're interested in using voile, felt, linen or other fabrics, check it out!

I paired kona solids, from a charm pack, with Essex linen cotton blend.  It has all the texture and appeal of linen, but it's a bit easier to use.

The leaf blocks are made with a combination of improv piecing and a template (that my tech savvy friend Lauren digitized for me - thank you!).  I show you how to piece the curves and trim down the blocks for perfect squares.

The gorgeous quilting on the runner was done by the fabulously talented Angela Walters.  Doesn't it looks like the wind swirling around the leaves?  I had a lot of fun creating the pattern.  Please, let me know if you read it or try it out!