Meshwork update

This image was sent to me yesterday from a student who attended Saturday's class. I think she has the "bug".  For more inspirational patterns check out these meshwork books.  Unfortunately I have just heard today (3 September) that these books are no-longer in print - so if you do come across one of these books - make sure you buy them - maybe your only chance.


We did have a problem with the clover fusible tape and a couple of batiks.  Some batiks have a residue on the surface.  I'm pretty sure that this maybe the reason the fusible tape would not iron onto it.  I have also noticed this problem with fabrics containing a metallic or painted surface.

If using batiks for your meshwork then I recommend that you pre-wash them and do a test strip with your tape before cutting more strips.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Kapiti Quilting Club - Meshwork Class

Yesterday I had the pleasure of running a Meshwork class for the members of Kapiti Quilting Club.
They hold their club meetings a the Waikane Bridge Club and we were fortunate to use these wonderful facilities for our class.  Fantastic space, great light, warm and everyone had their own table to work from.

I have had Windows 7 installed and have lost the wonderful photo editor I usually use to trim down my photos and reduce their size.  So these pictures are large files and hopefully won't take to long to load onto your screens. 

Here is samples of yesterdays students work.

 

 

  Was a very enjoyable class and I look forward to maybe tutoring at this club in the future.  Thank you ladies, you were a pleasure to teach.

Happy meshing.

Another use for Clover Wonder Clips

I have been using these Wonder Clips for a year.  What a brilliant idea - no more pricking myself in the legs with pins pinned into my binding as I hand sew them down.

I have however just discovered (some of you probably already do this) another use for these wonderful clips.

To help me crotchet the front and back of my cushion together I used these clips to hold them in place. Wow - for the sides that may not have been totally the exact size, I was able to ease and hold in place - they don't slip like with pins.

Center is a hank of Misti Alpaca
Hand Paint Worsted.
The rust is Tekapo

That's another UFO finished.
Happy Stitching.

How do I choose my quilting designs?

From time to time friends, students or customers ask me for quilting suggestions for their quilts.

When I am deciding how I want to quilt my quilts I take the following into consideration:

Who is the quilt for?  Male/Female, Adult, Child, Friend, Business Colleague or maybe for a family member or event.  Quilting design needs to be age or event appropriate.

Is the piecing the feature of the quilt or will the quilting be the feature? 
If the piecing is the feature you do not want to cover the quilt with a busy quilting design only to have it completely disappear. Something simple maybe more appropriate.
If the quilting is the feature like modern quilts or quilts that have lots of blank space/areas, then you need to consider the design pattern.

Does the quilt top contain lots of bulky seams?  You don't want to bring attention to these lumps.

To get inspiration I quite often take photos of patterns I see around me.  I was fortunately to have a short holiday with a friend last week in Rarotaunga.   The first two pictures are rocks on the beach made from coral.  If you scroll your mouse to enlarge the images you can see the patterns.  These can be replicated very easily as quilting patterns.

Scroll onto the leaves and note the different line widths.

Leah Day (freemotionquilting.BlogSpot.com) has fantastic "filler" pattern ideas.  The majority of her designs are small therefore are great for filling in gaps.  These of course can be enlarged to all over quilt patterns.  I have a couple of her books.  You can buy these in media form.  Very worthwhile investment.

If your design is small then use pen and paper to practise before you commence quilting.  This does help get you into the "rhythm" of your design.


Play around with lines.


Diagonal and wiggly lines

directional lines

Close up of Lee Ann Newton's quilt called "The comfort of Stitch"
look how she has incorporated small patterns to help enhance features
within this quilt

Freemotion scribble with various coloured grey thread and
directional red quilting to enhance the flower petal shapes



quilting on the fabric lines to enhance them.

You can scroll into these photographs to see the quilting detail.

The colour of your quilting thread is also important.  If you are using a solid colour as apposed to variegated, always lay a piece of your selected thread on top of your quilt.  Thread always looks darker on the roll. 

And finally - make sure if you are machine quilting that you have inserted a new needle. Remember - the average needle lasts for 8 hours sewing time before becoming blunt. Nothing more disappointing than a blunt needle pulling a thread causing a run in your quilt top or snapping your thread. 

I also use photographs to inspire quilt colour ways. For example, when I visited Helen Marshall's (helenmarshalldesigns.com) home last year I picked up these leaves (below) from her driveway.  These leaves became my colour palate for my quilt Autumn Blaze

I hope this has been of some help.  Happy quilting.