1) the binding was the first quilt I'd done properly. It's not 100% perfect but I've since made a couple of mug rugs to practise and it's looking much better. I'm also going to try rounded corners too.
2) I desperately need a new sewing machine - one that can actually quit! My brother machine is so basic that I can't even drop the feed dogs, let alone get a decent free walking foot. The needles seem To need changing Everytime i use the machine, which is rubbish!!
I'm going to select the machine I like, and then save save save!! It's so tempting to buy gorgeous books and fabrics and patterns, but I'm not doing any thing I make justice at the moment so I need a new machine :) my machine is the reason there's so little quilting on the quilt! I would only be able to do straight lines in any volume, and even then the feed dogs seem to drag the fabric through which bunches the backing up! Ah well, I'll figure it out!
3) I need to be patient whilst cutting, piecing and sewing it all. I'm normally so desperate to see the final product that I rush things and am then not completely happy with it!
At least I know what I'm doing wrong and how I can improve...
4) use basting stitches instead of pins
5) buy some fusible web or bonding spray for sandwiching the quilt.
On the plus side, I really like the colours that make the quilt and the pattern was a new experience that I really enjoyed.
It's all a learning process, and honest reflection helps me improve - sorry for my ramblings :) xx
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Second Quilt Finished
I love this quilt. It's really not perfect, but I love it and I wish I could keep it. But it's for newborn baby girl and hopefully she'll love it too!!
I'm making another one in similar fabrics for myself. Double bed size is going to be ambitious but I'm looking forward to the challenge.
And I'm also looking forward to starting my Siblings Together quilt. It's going to be for a young(ish) boy, made with some kindly donated fabrics. Thank goodness for a day off work tomorrow!!
Terrible pictures, sorry!!
I'm making another one in similar fabrics for myself. Double bed size is going to be ambitious but I'm looking forward to the challenge.
And I'm also looking forward to starting my Siblings Together quilt. It's going to be for a young(ish) boy, made with some kindly donated fabrics. Thank goodness for a day off work tomorrow!!
Terrible pictures, sorry!!
Stash Building
I was having a rubbish day, so I took myself off to ikea and bought some fabrics. I know it's not the best quality, but I love the fact that their fabric comes in a good width. I'm currently in love with the having contrasting backs for quilts at the moment too so it was great to stock up on some fabric brig enough for continuous backs not pieced backs.
Here are the fruits of my labours...
Here are the fruits of my labours...
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Adobe Illustrator - Learning the (VERY) Basics
I spent yesterday attempting to learn and understand Adobe Illustrator - it wasn't easy, and I'm sure I'm not using it correctly. I had great fun using my new scanner to scan in some of Barbara's artwork, and then using the 'object mosaic' and 'swatches' to separate and pair colours.
I don't have much to show for this but I've put my first attempt below...I love the colours, but think the shapes need to be a little smaller and have more background between them. I'll have a go at tweaking it later, but right now I don't think it's terrible for a first attempt!
Original Artwork:
First Test Design:
I love the greys and the beige, but I need to try and pick out more of the yellow/green from the right hand side, and the browns from the left
Thoughts appreciated :)
Kim xx
EDIT: Looking at them together like that, it's very difficult to see the link. I think this design needs to be more linear to reflect the use of the hessian which gives the amazing texture. Still, it's only a first attempt!
Kim xx
I don't have much to show for this but I've put my first attempt below...I love the colours, but think the shapes need to be a little smaller and have more background between them. I'll have a go at tweaking it later, but right now I don't think it's terrible for a first attempt!
Original Artwork:
First Test Design:
I love the greys and the beige, but I need to try and pick out more of the yellow/green from the right hand side, and the browns from the left
Thoughts appreciated :)
Kim xx
EDIT: Looking at them together like that, it's very difficult to see the link. I think this design needs to be more linear to reflect the use of the hessian which gives the amazing texture. Still, it's only a first attempt!
Kim xx
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Design Ideas
I'm playing with Adobe Illustrator today - i would love to be able to design my own fabrics and I have a head start on the colours. My fabulous mother has so many gorgeous pieces of artwork and colour collections that I'm going to adapt and incorporate. It's going to be great - I hope!!
Colour swatches are coming together and I'm excited to start using them.
I also went to RHS Wisley yesterday and took some glorious photos of plants. I have some brilliant 'texture' photos of bark, wood, stone and light/shadow arrangements. How exciting!!
Colour swatches are coming together and I'm excited to start using them.
I also went to RHS Wisley yesterday and took some glorious photos of plants. I have some brilliant 'texture' photos of bark, wood, stone and light/shadow arrangements. How exciting!!
New Quilt Top
Yesterday I finished my next quilt top, made for a present for some soon to be first time parents. They don't know it's coming and I really hope they will like it. I'm absolutely in love with it and I'm debating making another one just for myself!
My original plan was to make an oatmeal coloured quilt, as the gender of the baby is still unknown. However, my 'neutrals' stash is pretty poor, so I bought some Dylon dyes to try making some very pale pastel colours to mix in. A couple of not so great attempts later and I had a very light shade of blue to use and a gorgeous yellow and green. I found a lovely grey check fabric in Ikea (and subsequently saw the same favric in their home already - hurrah!!) I love seeing quilt colours come together and soon I ended up with these...
GORGEOUS!!
Was worried about the hand dyed panels running in the wash but thankfully they didn't.
The backing is currently drying and then I'm ready to make the sandwich and start quilting. I'm going to hand quilt this one - a big challenge, but one I'm really looking forward to!!
My original plan was to make an oatmeal coloured quilt, as the gender of the baby is still unknown. However, my 'neutrals' stash is pretty poor, so I bought some Dylon dyes to try making some very pale pastel colours to mix in. A couple of not so great attempts later and I had a very light shade of blue to use and a gorgeous yellow and green. I found a lovely grey check fabric in Ikea (and subsequently saw the same favric in their home already - hurrah!!) I love seeing quilt colours come together and soon I ended up with these...
GORGEOUS!!
Was worried about the hand dyed panels running in the wash but thankfully they didn't.
The backing is currently drying and then I'm ready to make the sandwich and start quilting. I'm going to hand quilt this one - a big challenge, but one I'm really looking forward to!!
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