The improv blocks inspired from the colors in my garden are put together into little table-toppers and mini-quilts. On purpose I experimented a bit with a variety in fabrics to achieve different textures:
The top one is 14" * 14", machine quilted with diagonal straight lines 1" apart, has cotton batting and the rest of the coarse and heavy linen from the book-bag as a backing. It makes a sturdy little quilt to put under a vase of flowers on our dining table.
This next one is 18" * 19" with crosshatch straight line quilting 1.5" apart, thin polyester batting and cotton sheet backing. The block is framed with 100% linen. This one has a very soft and nice drape. The linen is a bit more challenging to sew with. It makes a nice little quilt for a table, too.
The third quilt is 18.5" * 19" machine quilted with straight lines 1" apart, cotton batting and cotton sheet backing. The sashing is the same white linen. This can be a little wall or table quilt. The difference between the second and third is the batting. I like to use these as a reference for the softness and drape of these two different battings. There is nothing like feeling both of them to compare and decide which qualities you are looking for in a particular quilt. So, in a way it is a start of building small sample quilts....
This last one is 20" * 38.5", machine quilted with straight diagonal lines 2" apart, cotton batting and quilters cotton backing. The sashing is a soft cotton/ linen mix from Pink Chalk, lovely and soft. (Look like she is sold out?) This table-topper also has a nice soft drape. I like the contrast of the bright colors in the natural cotton / linen sashing.
This is my second attempt to use a different quality fabric (linen or cotton/linen) for sashing. I admit it is a bit more challenging than using 100% cotton, but the contrast in texture adds a different quality to the quilt.
This is my first attempt at using a tool to space out the lines evenly without marking the top. It comes with the machine and is easily attached with a screw. I don't know why I have never done this before, it is easy and saves the trouble of marking, except for a first reference line!
I am thinking of adding to this small collection of reference quilts with more samples of different machine and hand-quilting. It makes sense to try things out in a small scale. Even if I have been known to do the very opposite! At least this is an ambition...
So this finishes my long post of basic "experiments". Happy stitching everyone...
10 comments:
I love how you have used nature to inspire your craft!!
Beautiful!!
It is very interesting to see what you are doing and to read your discussion. I love the choice of colors. Your discussion has made me think more about the batting I use. What a great picture of your hydrangea.
Beautiful work! I love it all! Happy sewing!
You certainly have been busy, and I love everything.
You have been a busy bee! Just lovely.
Those are beautiful, and what a great idea to use them for references. I love it!
Hi Marit,
Your mini quilts are lovely, as is your garden.
Fun inspirational pieces!
Vicky F
I love your little quilts! We have a lot of the purple and green colors here in the Pacific Northwest in the springtime, and I love them together. Your quilts capture those colors so well.
I've been thinking of using some linen in my quilting too. I have some pieces that are "calling" to me! Can you tell me what the challenges involved with the linen were? I love the way the linen looks in your pieces.....a nice, subtle contrast in texture. I'm thinking of both piecing with the linen, and also using it as a background for applique. Thanks!
Wow! Just found your blog thru the Christmas block swap - I love your quilts! Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi marit! Please send me an email I have to ask you a special question. Thanks V
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