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 #89: soft edge diced dots

actually i am not sure what the question was, but i was inspired by some paint leftovers and i tried some softer edge discharge on indigo with soft scrub, continued from here but i used wet fabric and no stencil. and then i sliced and re-pieced, because i was thinking what if (?) i did that, probably left over from some other thought. at the same time i was wondering what if (?) i pressed the seams outward instead of to one side. i did that and now i am wondering if (?) this side wouldn't be interesting to work with.

what if #88: worn seam as design element

something simple, just a question like what if (?) worn seam effects (i like to call this seam shibori ) were incorporated into pieced design. old linen pants, cut up, seams opened, re-pieced to confuse the eye. ( can you see the new seams?) i like it. more experimenting to come.

what if #85: free pieced frames

....i have been focused on edges lately and i just wondered if (?) the frame could be an interesting theme for a quilt block. each block here is 5" square. i am turning all seams into the frame , figuring that if (?) i quilt only the background, the framing will raise up a bit with the extra padding.

what if #81: un-quilting

over dyed patchwork, un-sewn to see IF(?) the seams resisted the dye. unexpected resist in seam overlap. thicker fabric, in this case corduroy has more potential for the framing effect which shows up on the back.

what if #77: see through patchwork

well it was what if (?) i use sheer fabric in patchwork this time... the seam allowances are usually the issue here, i plan to iron and tack the seam allowance toward the opaque fabric to clean the window edges... this is cool and merits more experimenting. and then what if (?) the batting is something to be seen as a shadow effect behind the window....oh gosh you could go on and on......

3.5" square block cut and dirty dyed from old sheer linen embroidered napkin.

for applique version go here.

what if #72: dirty dye seam resist

.......i accumulate of old what-ifs. one of these was just sitting there and so was a sludgy blackened dye pot.....and i thought what if i just quick dip this and open the seams?.....so i did. i ironed it dry to set the dye quickly which also set the splotches from the murky water. i have started to un-sew it. possibilities. i have also noted to myself that sewing with contrasting thread would be better if i intend to later remove the stitches.

overdyed cotton chambray

machine tucked free style

5"x7"

what if #65: whipping a machine stitch

.....i created this quilt woven piece a while ago. and i quilted it on the machine. and that was a question that went something like what if i quilt this by machine? will i like it? and i still don't like machine quilting even if it is faster. but then  i asked  myself  (as i recall) ...what if i was to whip that stitch with a contrasting color, to make it look twisted, would it help? and it certainly did. i almost forgot this one...it changes the look and texture, and by golly, maybe i can do some machine quilting after all.... here and there....maybe.

cotton woven strips cut with curves
woven together
machine quilted to poplin
embroidered dots.
clipped and machine washed.
machine stitch whipped with 2 strands black floss.

what if #64: seam wrapping

mending methods have my interest at the moment. i am still working with the vintage piece i started in the previous post. i should mention i quickly dipped it in in brown dye to disguise some staining. some of  hand stitch seams have pulled apart so i thought what if (?) i wrap the seam in a bar of satin stitch. in this case i am going all the way through and catching the backing fabric. i used one layer of thin cotton batting and gauze so i could really get a feel for the tension created. the stitch forms a gully type line on the back and fits in with regular quilting. the method is decorative and very reinforcing. not to mention the texture. and again, quilting and embroidery become one step.    

what if #56: free tucking

i often think that breaking up a large open area in a patchwork would be nice, sort of a same color mosaic with just seams forming a design. i thought what if i just fake it with tucking. a short cut, but surface interest.
i used a sewing machine. just fold and stitch close to the fold. a grid first, all lines sewed in one direction and then in the crosswise direction. zip zip. patchwork. but nice and uneven.
there are a lot of possibilities here and it is a great lazy way to use big blocks and break them up. a few more: