Good Morning, Quilters!
Today, I would like to share my Vase of Flowers quilt.
But first, I recommend this interesting video on How Soap Kills the Coronavirus. The video is short and explains the importance of soap-not just water–to kill germs. It includes interesting graphics on how soap destroys germ cells! Who knew handwashing could be so interesting!
Needed: Keeping Busy
Like many of you, Minnesota is in a two-week stay-at-home lockdown. I’m mostly a homebody anyway–but tell me I CAN’T go to the gym and guess what–I suddenly WANT to go to the gym!?
(Maybe someone should tell me I’m not allowed to dust!?!–Somehow, I’m pretty sure I’d find the strength to accept my fate.)
But I digress…
I decided I needed something to keep my hands busy besides tootsie rolls and M&Ms.
So I pulled out the brightest colors in my fabric stash.
The Plan
I thought I’d cut out some big shapes and hand applique and embroider them. I did this several years ago for a quilt called Flower Fantasy.
Flower Fantasy
For this quilt (approximately 24 x 24″), I layered the fabrics with batting and backing and then embroidered through all the layers.
This was an improv quilt. No planning-not much thinking–perfect!
After layering the quilt sandwich ad the applique shapes, I randomly chose floss from a bag and began hand embroidering through all the layers.
This project really satisfied my need for color-lots of bright hues and plenty of variety!
Plan Fail
However, sometimes plans fail.
Last week, I created a quilt sandwich and began collaging shapes.
Once I had a composition I liked, I pinned the pieces in place. (Glue would work too!)
Next came the fun part–I gathered random pieces of embroidery floss and started hand stitching.
Unfortunately, each hand stitch was labored. I tried several different needles and I pushed on.
Finally, (after it was too late to tear out the hand stitches) I gave up.
It seems the scrap of batting (unsure of the fiber) I chose was too dense for the large eyed needle.
A New Plan: Machine Quilting Mixed with Hand Quilting
So I left the hand embroidery in place and finished the project by machine quilting it with heavy weight thread.
I LOVE the combination of hand and machine work!
Good News/Bad News
Fortunately or unfortunately, I finished this raw-edge applique in short order. While I rather like it, I’m faced with the original problem…
Tootsie Rolls
M & Ms
and
Fritos
OH MY!
What about YOU?
Are YOU still feeling creative?
Do YOU need a little mindless project?
Do YOU find quilting therapeutic?
We’d LOVE to hear!
Signed,
Not-Getting-On-A-Scale in Minnesota,
Lori
Be sure to take advantage of Bluprint’s two weeks FREE!
Use my affiliate link to get my three classes–what a deal!
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to Lori Kennedy Quilts. For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com. Thanks!!
24 comments
Stacy
Love your flowers! I’m in northern NY so spring is coming slooowwwwly here too. Thanks for the remaks about trying Bluprint. I’ve been enjoying your classes there. stacy
Sue
Lori, your comment about dusting made me laugh out loud! I hear ya!
I’m enjoying this time to get a lot of sewing and quilting done. Most everything is for my baby granddaughter. All I want to do is make her things! And that’s about all I’ve done since September 🙂
Louise M Haddon
This is really cute! Since I retired a year ago I am use to the free time and being alone. I have many projects that I am working on. My problem now is that there is so much on line with new free projects coming out daily. I want to do them all! Saving some for later and trying to concertrate on the ones I have already started.
Karen
Loved the hand washing video! It was a great graphical explanation–definitely fascinating. Also your quilt is adorable. Regarding food, I’m having trouble getting the treats I want delivered so that’s a help in the junk food department. These are weird times and the key is being adaptable.
Karen O'
I’m in CA, where restrictions are really strict.
This time has given me the perfect opportunity to work on a block of the day, 365-4 1/2 blocks! And a fabric repro of a Renoir painting I’ve been doing for 18 months. And, I’m exploring the amazing and wildly popular Paint by Number hobby. This isn’t the PBN I did as a kid. Wow, really cool, complicated kits.
My house has never been so clean! Yesterday I cleaned every window track with spray cleaner and Q-tips!!!
We will all get through this. I’m focusing on the things I can control. I miss my volunteer activities very much though.
Stay well, stay safe, stay strong!
PS. My food vice: Wheat Thins! Hope there is no restriction on how many boxes I can buy at one time.
Marta
What a memory lane! When I was in my 20’s (dark ages) I used to put away 1/2 gal of orange juice and half box of wheat thins for supper after work at the doctor office..well. maybe some american cheese with it. LOL.
Now a days, 50 years later.. a banana and two vanilla wafers with cup of hot choc ! I reward myself with that after finishing certain seams..
Suzanne
Hi Lori! Glad to know you’re well.
By any chance did you try using a crewel needle for that applique project? They have a long narrow eyes, very sharp points and will go through some pretty heavy stuff, I often use one to bury threads. Maybe one would work, maybe not and I do understand about labor-intensive stitching. I ‘m not a fan of any sort of hand stitching except for when it’s necessary to finish the inside of a garment properly, I don’t mind that.
My weakness happens to be Swedish fish and gummy bears. Mine are gone and I’m getting a little desperate.
Hubs and I have been home for over two weeks now and he’s going a bit stir-crazy. He’s even taken the dog out for a walk a few times – wow! – he NEVER walks the dog!
My wonderful daughter has been shopping for us, God bless her, but I worry for her as well – she’s past 50.
We live in a very quiet neighborhood and have nice neighbors so we can go outside and stand in the street to chat while still keeping the appropriate social distancing. It’s really kind of fun. And some of those neighbors have offered to shop for us too!
Like you, I don’t mind being home bound. I’m learning how to bake bread, something I never thought I’d do. I can take my time doing chores, (I hate feeling rushed) I can read, and of course, I can SEW!!!! I’m never bored and don’t think I’ve ever had that problem – even as a tot or teenager. I sewed back then too as Mother had begun teaching me when I was around 7 years old; I loved it from day one. As long as I’ve been able to do something with my hands or read, I’m good. I seem to remember her telling me I was her “easy child” because she could give me some paper, scissors, glue, crayons or whatever and I’d stay entertained for hours (a piece of pretty fabric for my Barbie doll was good too!)
Right now I’m working on a commissioned project. It’s a whole-cloth panel with the alphabet in big red letters and teddy bears all over. A friend’s grandmother had begun to make it for a new baby in the family but sadly she died before stitching much. The little bit she’d accomplished was uneven, puckered and had to be undone. It just about broke my heart to take out stitches made by such dear loving hands but it couldn’t be helped. I’ve bordered it and am ready to ‘sandwich’ and quilt. It’s a darling piece and a lot of fun to do. And when that’s finished, I’ve got plenty of UFO’s and other projects to keep me busy!
Also like you I’m sure, my daily prayers are for those who are ill, those who are grieving, the medical personnel who are working so hard, and for this country, that this awful virus will soon begin to slow down and die out.
May God bless us all and keep us well.
Maureen B. in B.C.
Actually, if you read the Johns Hopkins blurb on the virus, they DO NOT recommend dusting .. well, with a feather duster any. This can disperse the virus and it can get in your eyes and up your nose. So, either use a damp cloth, or give it a rest. I vote the second option. Just don’t let your sisters near the dusty surface. Mine wrote 1812 on my coffee table … lady dog!
I finished the centre of a poppy-quilted quilt-as-you-go Quilt of Valour earlier this week, it just needs borders and a binding. Now I’ve dived both feet into creating masks for our community. I’d rather be quilting, partly for the creativity, but mostly because in a perfect world this hideous thing wouldn’t be upon us and we wouldn’t then be needing the masks. Keep calm and carry on.
Lori, you’re truly inspiring. And btw, what’s not been available at our grocery stores for a while are Lysol spray and potato chips. Now we know what all those people are doing behind closed doors!
Barbara S Snyder
Lori, thank you so much for keeping your sense of humor and sharing it with us. Your posts are always a happy bright spot in the day.
G2MomPerson
Do Not Dust!!!!! And, when you are done Not Dusting at your house, you are welcome to come to my house & Not Dust here! *grin* Love the cheerful flowers! Perked up another gray day in Wisconsin.
Ronna
I love this sweet little quilt. I am currently separated from my sewing room with all my lovely fabrics and works in progress. I find that I miss that little steam hiss from my iron and the whoosh sound the rotary cutter makes as it cleanly cuts through fabric and the gentle hum of my sewing machine as I merrily sew along… sigh.. I will never take all that for granted again. I did borrow my best friends little Singer Stylist machine and grabbed a few Jelly Rolls at Joann’s right before the lock down. One is all black Kona and the other an earthy tone rainbow of hues. I’m making a lovely little Quarantine Corona Quilt. Should be a nice lap size. I am thinking doing some hand quilting on it for definition but we will see. At least its something to keep me busy. Thank you for the inspiration. Happy Sewing!
Marta
Love the flowers! I had just decided to embroider the edges of a quilt instead of putting on a binding. I made a sample a few days ago and let it sit. Liked it better when I returned to it. I turned up the batting and backing one inch and then turned under the quilt top with the top very slightly extending over the backing. I am using perle cotton as my embroidery thread. Now I am excited to see how it will look after I finish! I may just have to put some flowers in the corners… LOL…Thanks for such cheerful fun Lori ! We neglected to stock up on M&M’s. The Easter colors are probably out by now.Thankful for TV church these days.
Marta
LOL….. Now, I see Jan in Maine is using perle cotton too. I used it because I had hand tied the quilt with perle cotton in colors to match the fabrics in my Around the World quilt. First effort at hand tying, I enjoyed it.
Norma Snow
Here in CA we went on lockdown early. I haven’t been out for 3 weeks. I am working my way through a huge stack of projects using your FMQ tips and books. Fortunately I am well supplied with everything I need for quilting and now I have time. I really miss getting together with friends to quilt so I have joined several quilt alongs. Stay safe.
Jan in Maine
Hi Lori.
I did watch your Bluprint course on creating a quilt plan — lots of good, logical ideas and processes. Well done!
I worked about 60 hours/week so that I could quilt, stitch, whatever I wanted once I retired. I have been doing that, spending lots of time in my sewing room. Now, I am spending a bit more time there since I cannot go anywhere and I really do love it. I am finishing up handwork on a large Storm at Sea quilt. Last December I decided that this was the year I would become a decent domestic machine quilter and I have been working on it so that I could finish the quilt. I let it tell me what it wants. Most of it is machine quilted but a 4″ strip of the borders told me that it needed to be done by hand. Unfortunately, using #12 perle coton and a stem stitch is what it wanted. I’m 2/3 down the second side; it has been nice, somewhat meditative work.
Keep up the great work and, most of all, keep your sense of humor. All of this is just temporary.
Kay
Totally agree with you about having someone tell NOT to dust!!!
I’m been finishing projects but I know I should be dusting!
Maybe tomorrow….
Thank you for being online!
Meg HarmonMeg
I was quilting …. Then realized I will soon be outside gardening. Better get spring cleaning done inside. Ughh! I’d rather be quilting!
Doreen Sherk
I enjoy raw edge Applique, making it and just the look of it. Your project is adorable and you have given me an a great idea to get creative with experimenting with different stitches and to use up tons of embroidery threads not in the least scrap fabric. Snacking is a comfort in these times, but I have to remember when this is over my pants need to fit, so far I am not very successful at not snacking. Since I am having difficulty focusing on anything your idea may just do the trick. Keep up your great work and keep safe and healthy.
Mary Rose
Hi Lori. Not spending as much time in my sewing room as I’d like. Who knew staying at home would take some getting used to? My M & Ms are peanut!
Rosemaryflower
this is a really cute creation. WOWWW Lori, well done really.
It is fun to try out stuff again.
Yeah, sometimes it turns out completely different than we imagined.
Life is different for me. I am for the past 7 years caring for my parents, and now daddy since 2016. I always felt like I was rushing to take him to doc appointments, adventures to parks, drives around tow. Now I see him one day a week. His fancy neighborhood of oldsters is on lock down. I can enter bc I am a caregiver.
Then, the grand babies….. driving to get to my babies.
I feel FREEEEEE now. We have been on “stay home” for three weeks here in Northern Virginia.
I am working on three quilts at the same time, cleaning cabinets, enjoying tv with hubbs…
I think for me, this has just been forced relaxation, no time constraints, no requirements.
Janette
Love your raw edge applique!
I am sewing everyday, being creative keeps my mind at peace. Couple years ago did a crazy quilt off the Bernina blog(Canadian). Used a lot of the different stitches on my machine( B750QE) as well as different weights of thread. Was so much fun! Helped me to play with all those wonderful stitches and to be creative. Always trying new things, keeps it interesting.
Stay Safe and Healthy to All. God Bless!
Nancy
I love your flower quilt and I loved your responses to having to stay at home. I don’t have tootsie rolls or m&ms here at home thank goodness but the focus on food is a comfort!! I am a quilter I love to quilt both and and machine. It has kept me busy these past three weeks and is also a comfort. Now I here we will be here through April but oh well I’m finishing a lot of projects!!😄 love your quilting tips and your humor!! I could carry on for hours! Another comfort. Thanks for making me smile and laugh. Nancy
Cecile Batchelor
I am busy quilting in northern Virginia. On Monday night I finished a quilt I started in Spring, 2017. A king size bedspread–it would be my first bed quilt. I began quilting in 2013, after I retired. I began piecing this quilt in 2017, quilted it on my longarm in 2018, then fell and broke my leg (and had to have three surgeries over 1-1/2 years). I finally trimmed the quilt last year, and put a flange binding on it just in the last week. I put it on the bed on Tuesday morning–what a thrill! I will admit, my multi-colored floral dust ruffle doesn’t really go well, but it will be a while before I can buy another. Started a new quilt yesterday–how thrilling is that?
carol
just wondering what type of machine stitches you used on the edges of your applique (to hold the flowers down)?
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