The next two blocks on
hosted by Amy @the cute life
Block 4 is a Reverse Applique Block from Lindsay @Lindsay Sews
I decided this was a good opportunity to pull together some of the fabrics that I'm using across the sampler quilt. I created the reverse applique as Lindsay told us to but then I free motioned three times around each 'hole' using other colours 'teal' and 'pink' to show against the white background and give the block a looser more 'hand-drawn' feel. This reminded me a bit of a textile art technique that I've use in the past called 'stitching over the void'
The fifth block is a Sashiko Block from Jess @The Elven Garden
The block instructions said to trace a Sashiko design onto your fabric but I cheated a bit as one of my fabrics for this quilt already had a perfect design printed on it. I picked out embroidery threads in various colours/shades to represent all the other fabrics I'm using in the quilt and stitched around random printed circles on the block.
I'm not sure that I've really got the hang of this Sashiko thing - to me it's just good old hand sewn running stitch. I think the term 'Sashiko' really describes a specified Japanese design/pattern using the 'running stitch' sewn in white or red on an indigo blue background so I don't think my block really constitutes a Sashiko block merely an interpretation!
And here's the 5 blocks I've created so far
When I laid out the 5 blocks together in a row my assistant, Tatty and I were very much in agreement that the Scraptastic Block from Week 2 (Tatty's helpfully pointing the block out for you ;) ) just wasn't in keeping with the rest of the blocks.
What happened was that this block had to be created from scraps and at that stage I didn't have any scraps from my chosen fabrics so I raided my scrap bag. Now don't get me wrong I absolutely looovvve this block but the colours just aren't right for this collection. The photo on the left of the 4 other blocks together looks much better. So I've decided not to use this Scraptastic Block in my Something NEW quilt - I'll remake this block at the end of the hop using scraps from my chosen fabrics instead.
You can follow The Something NEW Sampler on flickr
Next Time:
Trapunto and Cathedral Windows
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How pretty all is but - sorry for that - your dog is so lovely and the way he lays down... funny.
ReplyDeleteNana
Hi Nana, she always lies like that popping her legs out behind her, it's so cute! :)
DeleteI agree - so pretty. And a clever way to do sashiko-like stitching.
ReplyDeleteHi Cynthia, I didn't like to call it sashiko as it's far from the real thing so I thought to call it an interpretation was the most honest description. Your work has inspired me but I think there's a bit more to it than a quick block tutorial to be fair :)
DeleteI think there are many definitions and possibilities with sashiko:). For me it's a lot about the thread used. But either way your stitches are beautiful and the way you've used an existing pattern within the fabric is something I've definitely seen with contemporary sashiko!
DeleteWow, thanks Cynthia. I want to explore contemporary sashiko more now :)
DeleteWhat lovely blocks! Your reverse applique is great. I've done it before using the needle turn method with multiple layers- effective but takes bloomin' ages!! I am sure yours was much quicker! Your quilt is going to be amazing when it's done and what fun learning all those new skills too. I've done Trapunto before, but not yet tackled Cathedral windows they are so pretty. I can't wait to see yours.
ReplyDeleteI'm a week behind now on the quilt Sarah - I'm quite looking forward to the Trapunto but the Cathedral Windows look a bit fiddly, I'll reserve judgement for now! :)
DeleteYour stitches in the Sashiko are so perfect. Congratulations! And I just love how your "something new" quilt is coming along.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen, I'm loving the Something New quilt myself and now I've decided to go QAYG it's taking on a life of its own. Thanks for doing the block party by the way, I think it's the best idea, we don't all have finished projects to share each week and so many of us take part in BOM's, Bees and the like that a block party is just great :)
DeleteLots of new skills to me, they look great and seem fun to experiment with. Tatty is too cute!
ReplyDeleteI've loved trying out all the techniques Deb and, as always, the ones I've least wanted to try have become my favourites! We adore Tatty, she is just too cute for words and has one of those amazing personalities that you're are so lucky to find in a pet :)
DeleteLook at you rocking the new techniques! I like the way you stitched the reverse applique circles and the sashiko was a nice cheat!:) I agree with you on the scraptastic block, you can always piece it in the back and it's still part of the quilt!
ReplyDeleteMy head's whizzing with all the new techniques! Did you see that Cynthia from A Quilter By Night commented that my Sashiko cheat is a contemporary Sashiko method she's seeing in Japan? I had no idea! :)
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