Spirit Cloth

quilting-building the fabric tapestry

two different variegated colors mixed together worked well for the little roses. i really should take more care to note the actual colors. but i usually just work from a pile of tangled floss.

the linen appliqués are contrasting nicely with the velvet ground.

...applique, i love mixing fabrics. all weights and weaves. as long as they are all natural fibers, they all work well together and wash well and wear well.

TIP -when using different  fabrics it is only important to understand their structure and carefully stitch them to weave them into the ground fabric without tension. varying the thread weight, the size of the stitch can make a big difference. some are stitched and quilted only to the surface and some stitched all the way through.

quilting-tapestry embellishing

the tree appliques are progressing...finding it convenient to use several needles at once-threaded with different colors for embroidery. it is helping me to see the effects of the color plan, instead of stitching all of one color first and then another, etc. you can see how the colors and stitches are working ( less to tear out if you don't like it) and it is also more interesting as a process.  like tapestry weaving... the needles are like little bobbins of color.

tip if you are not using a color for a while, wind the excess thread around the needle and stick the needle into the fabric off to the side to get it out of your way.

this edge technique gives a nice ethnic decorative binding to a ragged applique.

quilting a magic forest

applique trees are coming together and i can feel the  magic as they whisper stories in the wind. i've planned that quiet day to get the rest of the forest edge planned and basted.

i am using a combination of ragged and regular applique.

the quilting, which was originally a challenge on this reversible quilt has turned into a really exciting element.  the red swirls form the lava side have already given the velvet forest floor a magical motion. the backs of things always hold unintentional surprises. more on this later.

applique letters-P

is for Peace. Sew for Peace.

i am experimenting with tiny stipple stitching and some purposely uneven couching techniques for a naive look on the embroidery.

P is also for pretend, it is actually pretend couching , just over-stitching on a split backstitch. easier to handle on a commuter train.

i  may leave this alphabet intact as a study piece and applique the letters directly for the quilt writing to avoid a build up of too many layers. 

yes i think i have just decided to do that.

journal march 27

journal pages will be switched to my new blog. need to finalize format first.