Top

 

Artwork for sale:

5 Circles

 

 

 

 

 

Journal Entries by Subject

site stats

Entries in deep summer shade (4)

Monday
11Jan2010

Square Free Motion Quilting

DateMonday, January 11, 2010 at 8:55PM

Square-ish is more accurate.

This is a small commission project is modeled after my Deep Summer Shade quilt.  Same basic design but smaller, less blue and more brown. 

The first step was to design in EQ6 so we could agree on the size (via email).

The second step was to review fabric choices, construct quilt, straighten edges and add border.

The third step is to quilt and finish edges. I had originally intended to quilt nice and straight, 1/4" from the seam lines.  However, once up on the design wall, the quilt wanted to be quilted in a square-ish pattern.

The pattern reminds me of cobblestones.

AuthorSuzan Engler | Comment3 Comments |
tagged ,
Saturday
19Sep2009

Update on Wavy Border

DateSaturday, September 19, 2009 at 10:14AM


The wavy border has been turned under.  It took lots of snips with scissors and lots pins to hold the curves in place long enough to press.


Did mention a lot of pins?  I used spray sizing while pressing with the iron to help the fabric remember my intentions!  The spray sizing was sprayed into a bottle cap and then applied with a paint brush.  This keeps it just where I want it without rippling the freezer paper.  I will wash the quilt after quilting and before the leaves are added to get rid of the spray sizing.  It is preferrable to not leave anything in the quilt but fabric, batting and thread!


Here is the quilt with the border pinned in place on the design wall to validate that the border is straight and the quilt is centered.  It looks different on the wall than it did on the work table and needed a few adjustments.  I measured on the table so theoretically it was acruate but I always go with my eye.  My theory is that even if it measures correctly but there is an optical illusions it will look "off".

I am anxious to applique the border down and start experimenting with the Superior Threads that arrived this week.  

I'll keep you posted.  Have a creative day!
Suzan

AuthorSuzan Engler | Comment4 Comments |
tagged , ,
Sunday
13Sep2009

Wavy Border

DateSunday, September 13, 2009 at 10:10AM

I am working on the black border for Deep Summer Shade.  It will be wavy on the inner edge where it reaches the rest of the quilt and straight on the outer edge. 


The border is upside down on the quilt as I work with freezer paper and spray starch to form the "waves".  I usually use a glue stick to shape my applique but thought spray starch might be better in this situation.  Glue is definately quicker.....  I am also playing with the leaves; maybe they grow along the wavy black border?




I went to the book store last night.  I will read these during lunch at work so I can figure out how to have more control over the layout of my blog!  I started sewing when I was 11 because I wanted control of the color, fit and style of my wardrobe.  I like control!  There is a lot about life I cannot control so I take it when I can!


A note of apology to those who receive feeds of my blog. Blogger is publishing whenever I hit the enter key! So you may receive several feeds while I am still drafting my blog. Thanks for your patience and thanks for following!

AuthorSuzan Engler | Comment2 Comments |
tagged , , ,
Saturday
12Sep2009

Fabric Leaves and Orbit Gum

DateSaturday, September 12, 2009 at 9:47AM

I am experimenting with fabric leaves for my Deep Summer Shade quilt.  I was very inspired by Maggi's willow leaves.  I bought a few quarter yards of sheer fabric at the local Hancock's Fabric.  I did not even change thread color I just started sewing.  I zigzaged leaf shapes and then cut them out.  They ripple and curl sightly whcih gives them a nice dimensional quality. I'll probably combine the sheer leaves with ones made from batik. 

I plan to add a black wavy inner border to the quilt, it needs more organic lines. I ordered a bunch of threads from Superior Threads for quilting and cannot wait to see how they work with the other elements. 

Speaking of quilting, I was inspired by the lines in my Orbit gum package!  Although this quilt will have a branch and leaf quilting lines. I will find some other quilt to use a circle pattern similar to the design on the package and gum wrappers.  You never know where you will find inspiration.

AuthorSuzan Engler | Comment2 Comments |
tagged , ,