Fabric Weaving

This week I've been experimenting with different bases for applique. There's a great series of videos about weaving with fabric on Jude Hill's blog https://spiritcloth.typepad.com/, so I've been messing about with remnants from the scrap box. 

Here I've cut the fabric into 1 inch strips and tacked them onto a backing before adding the applique. I wanted to hand sew the raw edges, but in a way that doesn't need to be too neat and would be fun to do - there's nothing worse than spending ages trying to make all the stitches identical. The solution here was to use several different colours round the edges in a simple over-sew stitch. I've used running stitch to hold down the top sides of the woven strips, although this would work better as an  quilting stitch over a thicker backing, which is what I might try next. 

Here the strips for weaving were cut roughly and are a mix of different fabrics. I also cut the shapes for the trees and the little house without too much deliberation, and have stitched them on with running stitch around the raw edges. I tried a variety of ways of securing the weaving - I think the running stitch from the last sample works the best. 

I'm going to try weaving with some bigger strips next - as usual, I've gone for the tiny and fiddly first. It certainly makes an interesting base, without the effort of creating patchwork, and with the added advantage of no bulky seams to sew over.

Meanwhile, I'm about a third of the way through quilting the orange quilt - so plenty to keep me busy!

Hares

I slipped my small camera into my pocket when I went on this morning's walk.  As it was bright and sunny I was hoping to take some photos of the hares that I see most mornings and I wasn't disappointed.  I took the photos from behind the trees on the edge of the field.  

Getting there

Quilting has begun on the orange quilt. I'm going for an all-over close pattern, so that the felt wheels will stand out. The wadding is a triple layer of old flannelette sheet, tacked firmly in place so that it can be quilted without a hoop. 

While the quilting slowly progresses, I'm taking breaks on the sewing machine with another gears idea. This has been the most indescisive project ever! It started with 4-inch quarter wheels, which I decided were too big. They were chopped into 2-inch squares, and, at the same time, swapped from hand applique to machine. Then they lanquished for a while, but the other day I got them out, decided on an arrangement, and started tacking them onto backing cloth. Got fed up of that, and got out the good old fabric glue. Now I'm over-sewing all the raw edges with machine zigzag. At the moment, I'm thinking I won't bother to be too neat with the finishing, and I may add some more cats - spot him if you can!

Looking forward to a new project. Mum mentioned Hogweed the other day, and I thought I might make him a little moonlit landscape to wander about in. Hopefully, I will use up a good portion of the small scraps that are accumulating in the scrap box. At the moment, I'm just playing with ideas. 

Nasturtiums

After a lot of ideas came and went I finally settled on my old favourite, the hexagon, for my nasturtium patchwork.  The original idea started from the fabrics I have which would make good nasturtium colours.  My design has kept the flower shape in those fabrics but uses embroidery for definition.  The picture shows the first 5 nasturtiums surrounded by green stitching which will blend into the surrounding green hexagons in the patchwork. 

Creatures and Cogs

I've been busy with a variety of techniques this week. It's good to be able to swap between projects, but unfortunately this means the kitchen table is always covered with disconnected piles of thread, wool and material.

The dragon mobile did get finished, however. It was hard to get a photo of the whole thing, especially as it kept spinning round, but here is a rather thoughtful dragon, and a star in the background. The dragons are needle-felted over polystyrene balls to give them a nice fat belly. The stars were sewn from fleece and glittery felt, with just a tiny bit of stuffing to pad them out. 

Here's another crochet animal, of undetermined species because a lack of wool meant  I had to make some adjustments to the pattern. These are very quick to whip up, and I'm thinking of adapting the pattern to make some sort of fantastic beast. This should use up some of the glittery wool I've been hoarding!

Finally, the orange quilt is all pieced together now, and I've started on the applique. The gear wheels were painstakingly cut from wool felt, and now I'm hand-sewing them into place with tiny stitches. Going round all the little cogs is requiring bucket loads of patience!

The Goole embroidery

Here is the finished Goole embroidery which I have really enjoyed sewing.  

Bright patches

It's been a busy week with needle and hook. The orange quilt has progressed from piles of triangle to mostly squares, sewn in a pinwheels pattern. The next step is to join the squares together, and then I will have to consider what applique to do on top.

I fancied doing a crochet project for a change, but only have odds and ends of wool. There is enough, however, to whip up some critters. This rabbit  pattern is taken from Kerry Lord's book called 'Edward's Menagerie' ( a fitting title) which Deb treated me to for my birthday a few years ago. He's very soft and squishy, and may acquire some friends in the near future!

Finally, some signs of spring in the garden, growing in the walled beds outside the patio doors - very cheering.