Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Flower Pots


Well, so far, so good. This is a picture of my first completed block from Flower Pots. I am doing this in the Asian/Oriental fabrics and am very happy with the results. The background has some shimmery lights to it so the silvers and golds of the applique fabrics work great. The second small block is almost done...I only need to do one more star...messed up the original star I had made so have to redo it.

The story of the third block which is the long panel on the right side of these blocks is sad. Since I am not used to working with large blocks of fabric for applique, I was folding the fabric so it would be easier. NOT a good idea! Actually, you could say it was a BAD idea. I like to snip the background under the applique so that it is easier to pull out the freezer paper after I am done and it has been soaked. Well, I bet you can guess what happened ... Yup ... with the fabric folded over I was snipping 2 areas ... one right where I wanted it to be snipped, and oh yes, another one underneath where I really didnt want it to be snipped. The first time I did that I was going to be able to put my applique over it so I used some Fray Block on the spot and continued appliquing above it, but woe is me ... I did another snip for another spot of applique, and yep, did the snipping again on the underneath and this time I am not going to be able to use it ... so I am going to stop on that particular piece, hopefully be able to save some of the background for smaller pieces and start over on another background panel. And of course, my applique is so small, that I really am not going to be able to take the pieces off to use again so will have to remake them. And yes, I really wanted to thank those who responded to my earlier question of the bias vines and suggestions of ways to do them ... I am using the basting on the vines ... what a concept! it is really a lot easier way to do it. More later on my continuing saga of this quilt .... never give up!! never give up!!! (alberta)

14 comments:

  1. Don't feel alone. I have accidentally cut holes in my quilts any number of times. I have also sewn my applique to my clothes, and even once, to a bandage. These things happen. Keep on stitching! Your block is lovely. Michele

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  2. I love it. I never thought I would with those kind of fabrics (not really into gold and shiny) but must admit, it looks great.
    I think everyone has been doing the double snip. I just hope you have enough background left to redo it.

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  3. This block is so interesting. I have never seen the Flower pots quilt. I'll have to google it. I love the fabrics you picked out and I, too, hope you have enough background left to redo it.

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  4. I will have enough background for this quilt as I have a bolt of the fabric and have used very little of it but I was hoping to do Lollypop Trees with this background fabric also and dont think that I will have enough for that. I got this fabric about 3 years ago. It is a Lakehouse fabric and I love it.

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  5. ps...The Flower Pots pattern is also on Glorious Color web site and is by Kim McLean. Love her stuff.

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  6. Oh how heartbreaking that you snipped right through the fabrics! Your applique is so pretty done in the Asian fabrics. I look forward to seeing your progress. :)

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  7. WOW!!! : ) Bertie, this is BRILLIANT!!! I absolutely LOVE it!!! Your quilt is going to be SPECTACULAR done in Asian fabrics!!!

    You have masterfully used fussy cuts. Your color placement is spot on! Your hand applique stitches are done with much skill and care.

    Never mind the slipped snips. We all have had similar mishaps. Glad to know it hasn't deterred you and you're continuing to stitch!!! I can hardly wait to see more blocks, Bertie!!!

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  8. If that happened to me I would applique a circle of background fabric over the snip hole, I'd know it was there, but accidents happen and I'm sure noone else would ever notice.

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  9. Lovely block Alberta, the Japanese fabrics look fabulous here!
    You poor thing, I'm glad you're not discouraged and am glad that you have enough background. As the Lollypop has many blocks, you can perhaps consider using a few different fabrics as the background? Also the Lollypop doesn't have a continuous border, which is a bonus in this case. I do that when I don't have enough background fabrics.
    I did the same kind of thing years ago, I was using the rotary cutter to remove excess fabric from the edges prior to hand stitching the binding. Sure enough, I cut through the finished quilt, quilting and all. It wasn't salvageable!
    You live and learn as they say!! Cheers, Kim McL

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  10. awesome block.. and super big hugs on the snipping incident... news at eleven and all that... maybe try designing over it if possible.. makes the piece your own!

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  11. Of Course!!! Kim showed us the original flower pots quilt a few posts back. I just didn't recognize this block. (she replied sheepishly)

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  12. I confess to a shelf of Orientals. Yours look great.

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  13. The oriental fabrics are beautiful!! Is it harder to applique because of the gold and silver in the fabrics? So sad about the over snipping, we have all been there done that!!

    Crispy

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  14. Actually the gold and silver is not harder to applique, partially due to the fact that most of them are just lines accenting portions of the design in the fabric but if the needles does go through them, no difference. This is also part of the reason I love these fabrics with these patterns. You can really get some bright colors in the Japanese fabrics.

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