As I continued from here, and started to quilt the background... I wondered what if (?) I use stitches to give the impression of a patchwork background... I marked a fine grid using a pen and tiny dots to set up a framework and stitched every other square in contrasting thread to color in the checkerboard. I think it forms a nice order and surface interest. and brings it into patchwork mode.
In my never ending quest to redefine patchwork, Ii found myself asking what if I just use the stitches to define the patchwork pattern ? I made myself some templates out of graph paper, so I could play around with this idea. i started with a nine patch and traced around a square that was a 3" a 3" block. I like 1" squares. Then, I drew some dotted lines as guides. Just quilting alternate squares. A nine patch without patching. I think it is a splendid start. I will try a star next. and I shouldn't skip the fact that I wondered if variegated thread would give it more dimension. Because it did.
And a note about the fabric. This is a linen Jacquard double cloth. not an easy thing to get. But I find stitching on 2 layers of fabric the easiest, for stability and body. The nice thing about any double cloth if you can find it is that it is 2 layers of fabric woven together. Two pieces of fabric pre-basted! AND you can hide thread ends in between the layers. Reversible. Ooh yes! Double cloth is amazing as a fabric friend.
tip. Don't buy graph paper, there are many sites like this where you can print your own an any scrap paper. Oor better yet, use a ruler and a pencil and draw what you need.
stitched patchwork
3x3 inch double cloth block quilted with 2 strands of hand dyed variegated embroidery floss. Reversible.
I like the texture, and that it looks like weaving. I like that it is quilted, patched and reversible just like that.
Continued here.
Continuing from here, I asked what if I try a star? But what if (?) I just draw the star freehand, the lines will look like the shadows of a seam if they show a bit and that is ok. Yes that is ok. I like this a lot and now i will try something bigger.
7" drawn star block on one layer of cotton linen. Pattern stitching done kantha style ( rows of running stitch) with 2 strands of DMC. The red is variegated. I like the way this crosses two cultural traditions.