Slow stitching - EPP progress & some Applique

I always have many EPP  projects on the go, that way I can switch between them usually on a fortnightly basis & never get bored of stitching the same thing. Here are some I'm currently focusing on.....

Back in August 2016 I started making some EPP Glitter blocks having drafted my own templates a little larger than those from Jen Kingwell's book Quilt Lovely

This is another great pattern for mixing up the fabric scraps

Where I'm at so far....

Then in October last year, inspired by some amazing vintage hexagon mosaic quilts, especially those of  Albert Small I decided to design my own mosaic. I started colouring in like mad & came up with this for a starting off point

Then the stitching began....

another round was added...

& another section

This is where I'm at today, the main centre pattern is nearly complete. I'm using 3/4" hexagons for this quilt

Next up we have EPP triangles. I had a quite a few redundant triangles cut for a border of another quilt which just didn't work out as I had planned.

One day I came across Linda Collins' Panama Pyramids FB group, (as you do) & finally found a use for these pieces & just had to join in!

These are so easy & quick to make up

Some more sets prepped & ready to stitch.

This is another great scrap project, I'm sticking to using Kaffe Fassett Collective prints & shot cottons for these

Finally, last week, inspired mainly by my love of blue & white china and images of Kaffe Fassett's collection as well as his fabulous mosaics, this design was born

Fabric mosaics using up even smaller scraps, each piece hand appliqued

Embellishing the ginger jar with some simple back stitch embroidery to give it a bit more dimension

A little contrast hand quilting added

This will be bound with the same darker blue spot fabric to add balance to the piece. I

already have more ideas developing on this theme.....watch this space!

Fairy Slippers

Remember these? The Snow Queen slippers were made for an exchange a couple of years ago following Annette Emms pattern from Issue 50 of Stitch magazine issued by the Embroiderer's Guild. This issue is sold out but Annette does sell the pattern in her Etsy shop.

Our local branch of EG wanted to make these 3.5" slippers as one of our Early Birds workshops so I adapted the instructions for a hand made version thus enabling all members to have a go.

These gold slippers were made by applying gold foil to bondawebed black felt before fusing the top layer of red organza.

Dupion silk bondawebed to black felt, detail below

If you would like to have a go at a hand made version, here are the instructions:

Fairy Slippers by hand
Ingredients:

Basic sewing kit including beading needles & sharp scissors
Plain fabric 10" x 6" (not patterned) can be cotton, organza, silk or satin (tight weave is best)
Bondaweb 10” x 6”
Craft felt 10" x 6" similar colour to fabric
Coordinating sewing cotton
Selection of coordinating/complementary embroidery threads & fibres
Small beads, sequins, fine ribbon, trims etc for embellishment (these slippers will be approx 3.5" long)
Slipper Templates from Issue 50 of Stitch magazine or Annette's Etsy shop

Method:
Fuse fabric to felt using bondaweb, if you are using a sheer fabric like organza, consider applying foil or fine fibres to the bondawebed felt before fusing the top sheer fabric.

Using slipper templates trace 2 sets of uppers & soles onto felt side of fabric & cut out.

Blanket stitch in matching embroidery floss using 2 strands & small stitches around the edges of all of the cut out pieces.

Now the fun starts, decorate your slipper uppers using embroidery, beads sequins etc.

Once the decorating is complete, make up the slippers by stitching first the back seam of the uppers, then attaching them to the sole using small slip stitches through the blanket stitches around the edges, using one strand of embroidery floss in the same colour used for the blanket stitching.

Once the slippers are made up they can be further embellished around the top edges with beading, or couching fine cord or fibres etc.
Enjoy!

Green organza on green felt decorated with French knots & beading

Back to Neutral

This piece was inspired by one of our EG members, Daphne's 'Low Tide' article for Stitches magazine (#42). I'm forever filling my pockets with treasures found whilst walking on the beach, so had an ample supply of broken shells to play with.

Gather a collection of mixed neutral coloured beads, all shapes & sizes

Tip: Stick adhesive backed sheet magnet to a mint tin lid to hold your beading needles safely

Collect up all your neutral coloured threads, here you can see rayons, stranded cottons, coton perle #5 & #8, & variegated threads which create lovely effects.

Use accent beads like these quartz crystal & tiger's eye chips

or luscious freshwater pearls

or even coloured ones like these

I really enjoyed working on this project & it's another one where you just make it up as you go along, basically you recreate with the help of beads the accumulation of shells & pebbles that you see in between the rocks & crevices at low tide.

another work in progress

Kantha

The South West region of the EG (Embroiderers Guild) were holding a Fabric postcard competition, the subject being "A Postcard from....." Having spent alot of time working in neutral shades for my last project I challenged myself to use brighter colours for a change, something which I find quite difficult!
I had heard of & researched Indian Kantha embroidery/quilting,so I just had to have a go & this is the result.



Traditionally Kantha is worked on old worn recycled Sari fabric creating lightweight quilts & shawls in the Bengal region of India.
The fabric here comprises of: a top layer of soft cotton(recycled from an old cotton sheet)over 3 layers of muslin basted together, this is worked in a simple running stitch using shimmering rayon thread (Indian of course) & the design is created by the placement of the stitches.

New Directions

Rock Pool

Since joining the Jersey branch of the Embroiderer's Guild last year I've reignited my enjoyment of creating with fabric & threads. Not having embroidered since a child it was quite an eye opener seeing how stiching & textile art has evolved over the years.......we are no longer laboriously working satin, stem & chain stich (the only 3 stitches I knew) on printed tray cloths & dressing table sets, but being far more creative & even incorporating mixed media with textiles & stitch........I havn't quite reached that stage, but watch this space!

My first project, as most, was inspired by the seashore where I live. I've always leaned towards texture & dimension so it was suggested by some Guild members I try Encrusted Calico, see here for project instructions.

I've had great fun working on this piece making it up as I went along & learn't quite a few new stitches along the way: Cup stitch, Parma braid (stems of the Fan worms), Woven picots, Buttonhole bars & Woven Stars to name a few.