what if ?

what if #32: part 3

after the third layer was exposed i wasn't sure what to do about the next one. there were so many organic shapes... the only thing i could imagine was a grid of some kind. my desire for order always surfaces. i just drew in an angled grid to soften the effect, a harlequin type diamond pattern ( a sort of cut-away patchwork) is what i envisioned. the lines are stitched with a single strand of variegated floss doubled back on itself to shorten the repeat of the color change and the cutting, although confusing to follow, shows signs of pleasing me.

another layer of soft lightweight cotton has been added with no intention other than stabilizing layer 4. all other what-ifs will be additive.

continued from

what if#34: random framing

what if i expand on the idea from here...and just cut windows in on fabric and overlay it on an already stitched piece?
linen with window cutout over what if #33.
6x6"

frame quilted

unplugged.

the cropping helps isolate the focus on details and the flat overlay enhances the texture.

and there is also a concept of reverse patchwork forming here.

and something related to mending.

finished / unfinished over here

what if #35: playing with seams

...my thought process has continued from what if #31, as it relates to the focus on seams. time being short these days, i did not completely  document this process in pictures but i thought about what if  the process becomes a permanent part of the design?

overdyed cotton linen. (liking the flax grin through)

paper piecing.

traced template with permanent marker
ironed over template following trace lines.
hand stitched overcast method.

what is interesting here is the documenting of how the fabric shifts when handled,  which could not be seen with out the lines. i also like the random design effect generated.

what if #36:fake patchwork

what if #31 and #35, where i was playing with seams led me to my final what if about "how things seam". and this one is about the look of seams and how to imitate that. no point. just curious. 3 versions left to right.
...1. fake nine patch, cotton, 3x3", tiny backstitches forming grid, various shades of white and grey to give the illusion of seam and shadow.
...2. fake nine patch, linen, couched marker lines to give the illusion of coarse stitches. center X done the same way with finer line.
...3. fake nine patch, horizontal piecing with contrast stitching. vertical stitching to simulate seam. can you tell?

what if #37: how things seam

..all those what ifs to do with seams have now been combined with my skitched story trial and we have the beginning of a new piece " how things seam seem". to me any way. i think i will go pillow on this one.

when there are random pieces laying around i always think, what if i stitch those together? which was actually leading me to what if i make a what if quilt? i haven't gone there yet. but i will maybe i will make that a 2008 project.

to be continued....

what if #38: not all about embroidery

probably no one remembers this one, which was about a silk sandwich and then all about embroidery. well now it isn't. it's about plugged and unplugged. fast and slow. together. the center panel is what if #22 and the rest is electric jude. special gifted scraps have been pieced in. i guess this is a prelude to the what if quilt in which i will utilize all my little what-ifs that have no home. i changed my mind 1000 times here. changing your mind. it's ok.

14"x 13"
mostly linen with silk, velvet and cotton scrap inserts, gifts from others( can you spot yours?)
center panel hand stitched
patchwork borders machine pieced.
unfinished (so far)

what if #41: wonky in transit

...i am having trouble finding time to practice on my sewing machine, what if i try that new wonky piecing from Tonya, but this time...unplugged?
commuter  version
unicorn
6" x 6"
linen, cotton, cotton pinwale corduroy
hand stitched
materials:
pencil and paper for doodling
precut scrap (strips)
very small rotary cutter, very small cutting mat, very small ruler
needle, thread, a few pins, tiny scissors and nimble fingers

this was quite entertaining for me and the onlookers.

note: no iron, press seams flat between thumb and fingers

continued here....

what if #42: the nature of dots

i have always been obsessed with dots, and spots, and the tiniest motifs floating on an open ground. at the same time, i am  learning to piece by machine which is new for me. this what if, is a series. i accepted Robin Ferrier's invitation to post on side by side and i will use the opportunity to continue to explore variations on this theme. it will be about small spot motifs, and also about inspiration from nature. and  i will be working in linen mostly...the project will also be a lot about the fabric, its texture, its structure , its history, its beauty. off i go...what if i explore the nature of dots? that small pieced patch is 3/10ths of an inch!!! the black dots are painted.

hey! and you can catch the queen of the series Lee over at side by side too! oh what fun...

i will make a category for this series... to connect the dots.

what if#43: patchwork applique style

what if i use that fussy fit appliqué method for a traditional patchwork design?
no reason, just for the hell of it.

hand drawn with micron pen on recycled cotton striped mens shirting fabric (doubled).

outlined in back stitch using black and white cotton jaspe  20/2 weaving yarn

turned appliqué scraps in linen and silk fit inside outlines.

pieces cut extra large so excess is stuffed under giving the illusion of trapunto padding.

scanned, better photo later.

as promised, photo that shows the effect...

completed here

idea expanded here

what if#44: one fabric patchwork

what if a patchwork block is pieced using both the back and front of the fabric to create the motif.  that could work.

one fabric nine patch
english paper piecing method
front and back of printed dot on cotton
3" x 3"

a good approach for a limited stash.
back  of fabric has a nice worn or antiqued look to it.
many more possibilities here, a series.....

and i have included the back of this block, because it inspires me...