Jennie's Threads

How time flies when you are having fun! It is nearly two weeks since I last posted and I haven't finished much in that time. I have been getting on with a lot of different projects.... but not really finishing any. The Vignette quilt continues. I have done over half of the embroidery on the first block and it is looking gorgeous and I have started piecing the second and third blocks - I have another 6 Shoo Fly blocks to make, then it will be fully pieced, ready for transferring the embroidery designs. I hope to get it ready for the embroidery this weekend, as it will be ideal for my holiday stitching. I have embroidered all of the June Calendar Girls and mostly made up the mini quilts, but I still have the hand finishing to go. Last weekend we were back at the Fat Quarters for out Nikki Tikler sampler quilt class: we made up the Wedding Ring design. I decided to stitch mine together backwards (it was choice not mistake!) and the end result looks like a flower. I have also s...

I did something completely different this weekend. Linda and Aunty Barbara and I spent Saturday and Sunday doing two day-long workshops with Jennie Rayment (the Calico Queen) at the Fat Quarters. The first day was three blocks from Jennie's new book called Roman Candle, Girandole and Trumpet Cracker. Jennie's technique is different from anything I've tried before, though similar in theory to traditional Cathedral Window Patchwork. The basis of the technique is that a square of fabric, folded on the diagonal, then the raw edges sewn into seams, results in a shape of fabric that can be manipulated and rolled - and the folded edge, being on the bias, will roll into a curve. It was absolutely fascinating to see the blocks come together. I have finished piecing the blocks, but haven't finished rolling and curving yet - here are some photos so far: This is the Roman Candle (above). The central red area is made up on eight separate pieces and you roll back the edge...

I just can't control myself and have to tell you all how gorgeous the Vignette quilt is. I started the embroidery yesterday and it is fabulous. I was stitching all afternoon and into the evening and only got as far as the first butterfly so I think it's going to take some time to get it done, but I am enjoying stitching it: I've swapped the tiny chain stitch on the butterfly for a line of light brown backstitch with a line of pale pink backstith right next to it (the pale pink on it's own is too light on the calico - it needs the brown to contrast against it). I think I now need to order some more embroidery thread as I'm getting through it pretty quickly! Happy stitching.