French Quilt Block # 1 - Eiffel Tower

For this project I decided to do a French themed quilt with vintage "silkies" in the center of each block. 

All the blocks will be curved, using the freezer paper method I learned from Allie Aller. I will use three or four different patterns for the blocks, two from Allie and so far one that I designed myself. I found it challenging to design curved blocks to accommodate the usually rectangular or square silkies,  but I'm getting there. 

I've printed out 16 images, using TAP Artist Paper, but I'll be making the blocks one at a time so I'll have time to pick and choose which silkies to use for each. block. The inaugural block is, of course, the Eiffel Tower!!

Here is the first naked block, appliquéd in a fine zigzag with invisible thread. 

Benson's memorial quilt is finished!

Benson's memorial quilt is now finished and hanging on our living room wall. When the sun decides to come out I will take some better pictures of it. I really enjoyed making this wall hanging; it has helped me get through the grieving process. Rest in peace, faithful friend.

More Progress on Benson's Memorial Quilt

I finally printed an image I liked, using TAP Transfer paper, and have embroidered it to the background, instead of using trim.   I am much happier with it this way.

In the photo below, Benson's image is appliqued to the background using a narrow zigzag stitch and invisible thread.  There is a layer of batting behind the image.

More Progress on Benson's Memorial Quilt

The top is almost done.  Tonight I will be working on getting his photo in place, and some more embroidery, or some trim,  to frame the photo.

Progress on Benson's Memorial Quilt

I have finished the embroidery on the two side borders, and the first pass on the top and bottom borders.  Here are the side borders:

Update on Benson's Quilt

Yay, the top border is almost done!  I stayed up until midnight doing this and then just had to quit and go to bed.  I am just loving this Freezer Paper Method!  Thank you, Allie Aller!  The turned under edges are appliquéd down with a narrow zigzag using clear there.   It lays very flat and is a breeze to do.  I use lots of pins and stitch slowly.

I am thinking of doing some trapunto work behind the flower shaped center medallion.  And of course Benson's image will be round.  I plan to reprint it, a little larger, and hopefully with better resolution.  He is looking a little lost in the middle of all this!

I have used two methods to print the photos.  The first is to iron freezer paper onto tight weave cotton, trim to exactly 8 1/2 x 11" and run through the printer.  Then I peel off the freezer paper, and soak the piece in vinegar for 10 minutes to set the ink and let dry.  No rinsing.  The second is to print onto TAP paper, and then iron onto fabric.  

Benson's Quilt - Third Border

Wow, the freezer paper method rocks!  It is much easier than curved flip and sew and the pieces lay so flat.  I am backing some of the nappy fancy fabrics with knit fusible, but not all.  Silk does not not need it.  

I may reprint the photo, to try to get it more vibrant, and I would like to enlarge the center square, to avoid trimming so much from these fun borders.  

I will assemble it before starting the embellishments, as Allie suggests.  

Progress on Benson's Crazy Quilt

This evening I made block B, the right side border. I used the freezer paper method and it was a breeze compared to the curved flip and sew. I used clear thread to appliqué the pieces down and it really disappears, even before embroidery. 

Start of Benson Memorial Crazy Wall Quilt

I wanted to do something to help me grieve my beloved Benson who passed on October 31. 

I am using one of the lessons from Allie Aller's crazy quilting book. 

The first side of the border is done using the curved piecing method. I am thinking of using the freezer paper method for the other three sides of the border. Or not. 

I may assemble the whole thing before starting the embellishments. 

Stitch Sampler Band: Part 3

Here is the next and third segment of my Stitch Band.  Most of these seam treatments I have gleaned from the instruction sheet for Kathy's Basic CQ Class.  My block is pieced and waiting for the next lesson, which I think I will receive on Friday.  I can't bear the wait so I am stitching the what I can see on the diagrams I have.  Naughty, impatient me!!  But it is practice, and so much fun!

I also stitched a spiderweb this week.  This is a silk block I made from Allie Aller's Craftsy class: a straight flip and sew block pattern.  

Stitch Sampler Band

I have started this stitch sampler band.  I find that I am learning so many stitches and combinations and then I have trouble remembering them or where I learned them. With the band (thank you Sharon B. at Pintangle!!) I can refer to my band.  Most of the seam treatments in these three photos are from Allie Aller's Crazy Quilting book. I have the paper book but it is also included as a free E book with her excellent Craftsy class.

Allie Aller's Crazy Quilting Class on Craftsy

I am a big fan of Craftsy, and when I saw this class, I had to get it right away.  I told myself I would not start until I got some of my UFO's out of the way, and the wait was torture!

Finally I got started.  I have been collecting fancy fabrics, threads and trims for a while and now have plenty (is there such a thing in the quilting world?

Allie instructed us in four different ways to make a crazy quilt block: Flip and Sew, Curved Flip & Sew, Freezer Paper Appliqué and finally Intuitive Appliqué.

The class was very complete and informative, and I probably watched it 10 times!   By the time I was able to start, I had a good feeling about it.

I cheated and started directly with fancy fabrics, instead of the suggested cotton, because I had made 5 or 6 flip and sew blocks from cotton while waiting to start  the class.  

Those will become pot holders, because in my haste and zeal I chose too many busy fabrics and the result was disastrous: you can't see any of the stitching.  Not that these first attempts at stitching were worth seeing...

Here is one of those:

 Finally, I was able to start the class:

Block 1: Straight flip and sew

Block 2: Curved Flip and Sew

 

Block 3: Freezer Paper Method - Fan Block

 Block 4: Intuitive Appliqué (in progress)

Finished quilt

Close ups of each embellished block :

Quilt Label.  I don't know why it will not stay horizontal; it was the correct orientation before I uploaded it from Aperture.  Anyway you get the idea of how I did it.  Printed from computer onto printable fabric sheets, then bordered with trim and embroidered on (herringbone stitch).