what if

what if #91: indian style patchwork

again i am looking for a freer style, patchwork with out seams, something to recycle scraps and thread ends, something portable. what if (?) i use torn rag strips, couched down over ragged edge patches? that is what i asked myself. marker grid (2" boxes) on double layer of linen. overcast patches in alternate boxes. ragged torn scraps 1/2 wide. backstitched first straddling the edge line. over-casted and pulled into place. also tried 2 strips twisted. more potential i think here for decorating the dividers.

what if #:90 basting as design

let's revisit baste makes waste. basting could stay, right? what if (?) we think like that.
basting stitches are usually big and lazy, what if we tack them down. all the way through so both sides are tacked. ( not to mention quilted at the same time). the knots stay too, why not?
this what if was conceived and executed on site while working on FEVER.
nothing stopping us from asking what if (?) we baste in a specific pattern before tacking. less waste, nice effect. yes. let's do that.

what if #87: chained applique part 2

...so after this post, i thought i would take it further and ask what if (?) i patch some pieces together so each one can be a different color. or fabric. well, i am glad i asked that question.

a chain of caramel cats. ready for applique.

what if#84: chained applique

remember those great folded paper chains we used to make when we were kids? i wondered if (?) that could be applied to fabric.
indigo on indigo star, ragged edge, tacked with indigo thread. 2 1/2" star motif
excuse me while i perfect this idea and do a tutorial....later...

what if# 82: patchwork as applique

well, if (?) you have a few stray blocks around and don't have the time to make a bunch more, you could always apply them to a base cloth or an existing project. that can work and give some added variation and dimension, not to mention use up some things that are laying around...

4" wonky log cabin blocks made by the talented dijanne cevaal from her beautiful hand dyed fabrics... appliquéd to a quilt in progress as a border treatment.

what if#76: crooked star on purpose

just playing around with wonkiness. planned wonkiness. pieced by hand. i was thinking what if (?) i just draw some crooked stars and use the english paper piecing method to put them together. 

all the pieces are different with different angles...so care must be taken to know where they go. since this is a one way commuter project, i prepped the pieces, ironed them, removed the paper and basted them down to a base cloth just to keep them in place. i simply lifted them off as needed and it was fairly simple to keep them straight.

i have done a quick scan of the first try. better picture  later. (3.5" square overall)

now i am asking myself what if (?) i rotate one crooked star. every-which-way. i could use one pattern block to get a very varied looking arrangement. i will try that.

using some shibori dyed fabric from here on this one.

what if#75: reworked patchwork

when i first started using the sewing machine i pieced a lot of small pieces to test effects. and this one worked fine but it was just plain and too much like what's out there. so i though what if i dirty dye it? ok. it was different but i was still bored until i wondered what about cutting it up and weaving it with some discharged black corduroy? and now, even though it is only basted. i like it. a lot.

what if #70: part 2- developing the sketch

the idea here (continued from) is to cover the sketched base with stitch. the base is both a guide and a stabilizer. the fabric underneath is a slippery old light faded slk jacquard, i am using a split stitch to fade the embroidery into the sateen weave base. this is part of my march TIF and it is a gift, so it will be completed at spirit cloth. the method works well, but it is quite slow.

what if #69: part 2-on loom quilting

this patchwork weaving trial (continued from) has gone well. stretching the strips on a frame (an old picture frame) holds everything in place nicely. as opposed to this method.i actually thought what if i just quilt it while it is still on the loom. it was very easy to handle and stabilize this way. this is a small piece, 6" x 12" , to be used as part of a lion applique over here, but i can think of many more things to do with this going forward.

after the piece was removed from the loom. it held together just fine without a backing. i am excited with the feel, the texture and the possibilities.

and there is a survey going on over on the other blog, in case you don't visit there.

what if #70: applique as sketch

i wanted to do a fairly detailed embroidery from a sketch on a piece already in progress. i thought what if i trace that sketch onto a lightweight base and use it as an applique, as a guide to embroider over. i am sure there are easier ways, but it was a question that needed an answer and i didn't have to buy anything special. the window makes a great lightbox.  the muslin base adds nice subtle padding.

..(quick scan)
...applique is  1.5"
...muslin with micron pen
...single end embroidery
...applique blanket detail, to be fringed

in process...to be continued.