A Creativity Challenge

Sewing & Quilting
On a recent visit, my Aunt (a very talented quilter!) gave me the pieces and parts of an abandoned quilting project.  The focal fabric featured a  Kaffe Fassett print in a deep reds and related hues.  Any of you familiar with his wonderful fabrics and designs for both quilting and knitting, know that he is fearless in the use of color and large scale prints.  I was so excited to get these blocks, but at this time I know I do not have the time to make a large, formal quilt.  However, I was itching to play with the newly inherited loot.

Inherited quilt pieces: featuring the 'square in a square' and pretty coordinating fabrics

Challenge: Come up with a smaller scale project featuring the bright 'square in square' blocks AND use only materials from my stash (on hand fabric supply).  In a creative quilting course I took last year, we worked on exercises that focus on constraints as a way to step beyond our normal perspectives and perhaps arrive at an interesting and perhaps fresh result.  My constraint is to work within existing resources in my studio.  Since my typical 'comfort zone' is usually aqua, green, turquoise, teal, violet, blues and combinations of those colors, starting with deep red was a plunge into a whole new palette set. 

First decision: project scale:  table runner.  Next, what fabrics and coordinating colors?

Result:  

Choices from the stash, focusing on complementary colors 

The purple in the focal block really presented an opportunity to coordinate with complementary color ways.  Additionally, the assortment I came up offered some variety, texture, and movement with the assorted prints.   Next, a design for the runner.  I really want to keep it simple - not use a lot of fancy and intricate blocks and patterns, since the fabrics are busy and the color powerful (plus it would be faster to assemble and see how I felt about the result!).

Next Issue:  How it came together.  Decision about quilting design looming ahead. 

Knitting:

Sweater pieces ready to sew together and add a neckline.  Almost finished, and just in time for the (eventual) warm weather.

Completed

Charley Harper prints from Birch Fabrics: multiple prints.  Pattern adapted from Jacquie Gering, published by Interweave.

I did rip out neutral stitches and replace with blue - all the same now!
Whole cloth side: Charley Harper by Birch Fabrics 'Nuthatch'

So, yes, I did sit down and on a snow day here in Central Pennsylvania, I removed all the stitches where I accidentally used the wrong bobbin (see previous post).  Although everybody was so nice and told me I shouldn't, and I do not worry about the Quilting Police carrying me away, it did bother me and in the end, made the change.  Now I am happy with the final result and it is already in use in the house.

Then the question is 'What is Next', which isn't a fair question as I always have multiple projects going at any one time, like most knitters and quilters.  But the next thing I will talk about in terms of the creative process is a sweater that has been in the works for some time, but I am finally closing in on completion.  It is difficult to complete things when you do not work on them, but I have to set aside personal projects from late August until Christmas in order to work on projects for the holiday season.

This sweater is my own design, inspired by an inexpensive sweater I got in a department store.  I liked the style and shape, but the yarn is not of a particularly good quality.  I also wanted to make a sweater for warmer temperatures (it will get warm again, won't it??), so I chose one of my very favorite yarns Madeline Tosh Merino Light in a spring-summer color way, Grapefruit.  I am working on completing the second sleeve and soon will be ready to put together the back, fronts, and sleeves then add neckline band (similar to bottom band shown below).  Stay tuned for progress reports.

The Ups and Downs of in the Creative Process

About a year ago I made my first quilt block, thus branching out from my existing passion for sewing (aprons, bags, accessories, and some garments).  Since then I've made a lot of blocks (really a lot!!) and done some modest quilting projects.  So in January, I decided I wanted to make something for our own home, which I do not do much.  I'm always getting little hints, that would be nice here...

One side to be 'whole cloth'

So I'm totally in love with the wonderful fabrics that were recently released by Birch Fabrics with Charley Harper prints. We have what I've discovered is now called a 'mid-century modern' home and these fabrics are perfect.  A friend and I sent away to California to grab some of the special booty for ourselves.  Then I saw the project I wanted to do and needed to get more fabric for the backing. Panic! Sold out all of the place.  Finally located what I wanted, placed the order and waited.  

Charley Harper prints chosen for the wedge pieces

Many little decisions crop up in every sewing project, and this is no exception.  First off, the two sides are very different in coloration and feeling, which is not typical but I want a piece that can be used at different seasons and with different table settings for us. The blue side is already graphic enough to be effective and interesting in whole cloth, so the other prints could be the wedge pieces.  Another decision: use the gold twigs as binding, since the gold will unite both schemes.

Next, decide the print order and directional orientation was decided.  I was working from a pattern published by Jacquie Gering, but I wanted different sized pieces (bigger) and more pieces.  I also had eight prints to work with, not a different print for each wedge as the pattern suggested.  Most of the prints are directional, meaning they run one direction.  Cutting was a careful process to make sure that within a set of wedges each faced opposite directions (a design decision by me).

Lay out order and orientation of wedges

Once pieced with neutral strips between each wedge, the batting and whole cloth backing are put together and the 'quilting' step began.  Yet more decisions: what color(s) of thread? What type of stitching design?  I decided I wanted grey on the wedge pieces, and neutral on the insert  pieces between the wedges.  Grey looked great on all the prints, but would look terrible on the blue, gold and neutral on the back.  I tried threads in all three colors and decided that blue worked the best, gave texture, showed up but did not glare and stand out like neutral and gold.  Good! Since I am new at quilting, straight line techniques are all I will venture, but since this is so geometric, I think that will work well.  Follow the wedge shape in concentric lines.  Good again.  Go.

"Echo" stitching pattern, following wedge shapes

Loving the effect of grey thread choice

All is great, over two days I got all 17 wedges stitched, trimmed the excess, and put it on the table to review the look 'in situ'.  Wonderful, right?  NOOOOO!!   

I spotted a major problem - I accidentally used the wrong color thread in the bobbin for 6 of the 17  wedges on the blue side.  Some were in neutral and others in blue.  What to do?  Live with it? Claim artistic license (I meant to do that!!)? Rip it out and fix?  I am always told to let things stand a bit, don't react instantly.  See if you can live with it.  Is it big, small?  

Leave it or fix it?

What should I do?  Next chapter coming soon.

Back in the Groove!

I know it's been a while, but I have not been idle! Over the course of the past months, I've been working hard, and taking workshops to further my creativity. Also, I added quilting to the my growing list of creative endeavors.  And now, it is that time of year when I plant myself in the workshop and craft the holiday items for my local favorite shop (Tait's Harvest Shop) and for my website.

Additionally, this year I added some new items to the line up: fabric scarves, table runners, fleece scarves and neck warmers, and Christmas stockings.  



Chiffon Scarves





Fleece Scarves - perfect for transition temperatures

 Exciting things for the holidays are brewing.  Here are a few pictures.



A sampler of knitted scarves and neck warmers - great fibers!




New! Hand crafted 'made fabric' stockings




Some of the wonderful fabrics for aprons and spice trivets


In case you're interested in this summer's progress, here are a few things I've been working on:



"Improvisational" Pillow - pieced in 'wonky' blocks




Custom designed, special order for Tait's Harvest Shop to be used in the store




These fun slippers, featuring a clever knot design are a class I am teaching in October at Stitch Your Art Out, Pine Grove Mills, PA




A few of my friends (I love you guys!) and I knitted various versions of this shawl




Cynthia Spencer (pictured) will soon be publishing this pattern of mine in her Really Clear Patterns

This is also a class coming up in December. 

Late Winter, Fresh Aprons Delivered

Just in time for the February special events at Tait's Harvest Shop (their website)!!  I've put together some new aprons, a combination of traditional styles with updated touches and a funky newsprint print in fun and functional apron styles.  Perfect for any season and any reason! 



A favorite 'shortie' style: short body style with a deep working pocket on the front, fully reversible




Pretty and graceful body style; lace trim and generous neck and waist ties




Fun style with ruffle trim and a kangaroo pouch style centered pocket




Classic butcher style apron in an updated stretch cotton fabric with lurex accents and a smart accent trim




A market-style half apron with two pockets and wrap around ties



Six new zipper pouches added as well! 

Newest Scarves - Fleece!

Although we are presently in the coldest days of the year, soon I will visit the warmer climate of the south, where we still need warmth, but not the heavy wools and weaves we need right now.  So I decided to make something to carry forward into the late winter-first thaw that will come soon enough, much like winter in the Carolinas.  

This is a set of soft, light weight fleeces, with decorations at one edge, which add some whimsy without interfering with overall 'wearability'! Since this is a first set, they are a variety widths and lengths, including some neck warmers. 

They are presently available at Taits Harvest Shop in Centre Hall, PA



Long scarf with 'ghinko leaf' design, flower design neck warmers in background




Stem and leaf design with felted wool 'flower buds'




Longest scarf - can wrap three times!  With geometric design




Traditional length long scarf with 'pop art' leaf design




Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All!