"Affairs of the Heart" - Embroidered block no 1

 I am having a what if moment - what if I don't applique all of the block? What if  I just embroider some of the blocks instead and sprinkle them through the quilt top with the appliqued blocks hmmm...What do you think? Below is my practice hand embroidered stem stitch block. I used Gutermann Sulky col 4106 it's a variegated thread - this is what they would look like.

 

I need a small and portable project to take with me while on our 3 month trip overseas starting in July- so I am planning on taking all of the completed applique "Affairs of the Heart" blocks with me so I can start on the second step of embellishing them with embroidery - but what if I take all of the unfinished blocks as well and embroider them.

 

Until next time happy quilting

Anne

"Affairs of the Heart" blocks 10, 11, & 12 down only 23 block to go

This is my Block no 10,  I will be adding embroidery to all of the block later on but isn't she a beauty now? 

 

This is Block no 11 -  I wish my photo's could capture the true colours of the fabric better. They are very bright and in your face. 



And this is block  no 12 - If you look closely you can see the Embroidery details I have marked with a Clover - White Marking Pen (Fine). I love this pen, the markings disappear when you hit them with a hot iron. I plan to embroidery all the blocks and sew them by hand using stem stitch with a variegated Gutermann Sulky thread colour no 4106.

Thanks for dropping in... happy quilting until next time.

Anne:)

"Affairs of the Heart" 7 ,8 & 9 down only 27 blocks to go

I am so happy to show you these blocks, this is block no 7

 

 

And block 8

 

and block no 9

 

 

Happy quilting until next time.

Anne

"Affairs of the Heart" 6 down 30 blocks to go

"Affairs of the Heart" block 6 - These blocks are so beautiful.

Ooops!! I forgot the colour rule of applique: Threads must match the colour of the applique fabric not the background fabric. Yep I have unpicked all the offending blocks. I must also remember to choose threads that are darker than the applique fabric.

And the best way I have found to end my threads is to use the "Double Tailor's Knot" This knot was used by tailor's who made garments by hand. This knot is very, very strong and will not come undone.

I take the needle to the back of the applique block then tension the last stitch by holding your thumb over the thread, I then lay my thread in a circle away from myself to form the circle. Passing the needle under the thread of the circle and into the background fabric catching a few threads (make sure you don't come through the applique on the other side) then pass needle up through the centre of the circle, by pulling the thread tightly, the knot is then formed,  the Double Tailor's Knot is formed by repeating the above steps in the same place.

Until next time, happy quilting
Anne

 

It's Done - Dylan's Stardust Quilt is finished.

And he loves it. His big smile and hugs warmed my heart when I gave it to him.

The quilt label was the very last important step to finishing this quilt. This time I drew a heart on a piece of muslin approx. 5¼″ x 5¼″ in size and I monogrammed  the following using my Janome Horizon machine.

We are made from Stardust so shine so shine Dylan shine.

Quilted with love for Dylan Howell,

18th Birthday,

by Grandma Anne,

25th May 2013

 

I stitched interfacing (stabilizer) to the front of the label (covering the label), stitching a scant ¼in seam all the way around the edge of the heart label, I then cut a small slit in the middle of the interfacing and turned the label inside out, the back of the label was now encased and all of the seams were enclosed,

then I ladder stitched the label to the quilt back in one corner by hand.

And a big thank you to everyone, who has encouraged me along the way, I have really appreciated all the advice and comments I have received.

 

 I am on the lookout for a new project to quilt for my next grandson's 18th birthday Lachlan. I will keep you posted when I find one.

Until next time. Happy quilting
Anne
 
 

Update Dylan's "Stardust Quilt"

OMG, the weeks have gone by so quickly the time has flown, this quilt has to be finished by the 25^th May, only a few days left to get it finished in time for my grandsons 18^th birthday on Saturday.

So here is an update on what I've been doing, the quilt has been sandwiched and hand basted (the back is a mirror image of the front only the colour placement in the stars is different on the other side) Whew! It was a mammoth job to get this step done.

and thanks to Leah Day's blog at  http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com.au/p/365-designs.html I was able to used combinations of different stitches from her blog 365 + Designs to free motion quilt this  baby.

 

 

Then I squaring up the quilt

Now I only have to put in a few more hours into preparing the binding and it will be ready for hand stitching. Yay. Fingers crossed I make the deadline.

Until next time happy quilting
Anne

 

"Affairs of the Heart" 5 down and 31 blocks to go

"Affairs of the Heart" block 5 -    I love the colour combinations on this one.

 

Until next time happy quilting

 

Anne