TAST - The Feather Stitch

Sharon has chose the Feather Stitch as this week's stitch focus. Yes, this is one of my absolute favorite stitches! It appears in one variation or another on almost every crazyquilt piece I do! I don't know what it is about this stitch that I like so much. I think some of it is the rhythm of working it and I also think that it is a very visually attractive stitch.

Here is a photo of it as it appears on my Red Hat block:



When working it over a seam, I always use waste canvas for perfectly spaced stitches. I've added Lazy Daisy stitches and Fan stitches for a more interesting treatment. The Feather Stitch works up quite well on waste canvas so I've charted it out for you just as I worked it on the Red Hat block:



Click on either photo to go to my Flickr site where you can download a larger version of the pattern.

Here is how it appears on the now completed block:



To continue the sense of movement across the bottom of the image, I added a button cluster using buttons in various shades of purple, lavender and violet. The gold heart button draws the eye to the cluster and the rest of the buttons move the eye to either side of the image allowing the eye to "get into the flow" of the rest of the design.

This is complete now so next week, I'll assemble it and add it to my Etsy shop.

In the meantime, this will be my next little project:



I'm really needing to "think Spring" at the moment! I thought I'd stitch up this little Spring Cellphone Pouch and then I'll be doing some more purses.

For now, I'm heading out into the deep freeze to get groceries. Arrgggg.......

Red Hat Lady Purse Continued

I spent most of yesterday working on this project:



I moved the vintage trim down just a little bit. This adds some space between that and the feather stitch. Visually, it's more pleasing to the eye. I then beaded it with some glass flower and leaf beads.

Up at the top, I did some SRE, creating a Wisteria vine. At least that's what it's supposed to be! Notice the "movement" now around the image. I love it when I manage to accomplish that. There's a flow to this piece. The eye starts in the center with the focal point and then gently moves around that image. I accomplish this with my use of color.

Vines are an excellent way to bring movement into a crazyquilt project. You've probably noticed that I use alot of vines on my crazyquilts. It takes the "stiffness" out. You can use a vine to soften a hard edge. I usually start with some stem stitching, then decide if I want to use embroidered flowers, beads or SRE. I'll add that and then some leaves. In this case, I used some detach chain stitches for leaves, filled in with some seed beads and then added some leaf sequins.

My next step will be to finish up that spider web and then add my cat which will be in the bottom right-hand corner. Then onto the larger embellishments like buttons and charms. I have a hummingbird charm that I would like to use on this and if they work, I would like to add some buttons too.

More tomorrow....

Custom Purses & Cellphone Pouches

Yesterday, I assembled the last 3 cellphone pouches that I made. All I have left to do on them is to add the chain and the snaps. That's on my list for today.

I did some more stitching on the red hat purse too:



I painted the applique, sewed that on and started beading it. Looking at it on the computer, I might move the vintage gold trim down a little bit. I feel like it's too close to the feather stitch which is about the same width. Visually I feel like they compete with each other and I think I can solve that problem by moving it down just a bit.

I'll probably work on this most of the day today. The weather we've been having is making me an absolute crazy person. I feel like Bill Murrey in the Groundhog Day movie. Everyday I wake up and everyday the forecast is the same. It never changes. Cold and snow! I've never mentioned it before but I deal with Seasonal Affective Disorder. I can actually feel the storms and the changes in barometric pressure and it messes terribly with my nervous system. When I feel this way, the only thing I can focus on is stitching.

Janet asked me if this was a cellphone pouch or a purse. This will be a purse, the same style as the White Peacock Purse. I found beaded goldtone handles at Michaels for it and I have some gorgeous red upholstry fabric to use on the back.

I don't know if anyone is interested but I will gladly do custom purses and cellphone pouches. Any theme or any color. I can use photos too like I did with the vintage image of my grandfather. Feel free to email me if you'd like a custom project.

Red Hat Society Purse

I started on this piece yesterday:



As you can see, I did some SRE on the hat, matching the flowers in the image. I plan to add a few beads to that as well.

The metallic gold trim on the bottom right-hand corner is vintage, probably from the 50's. I found it at a flea market last Summer along with some vintage silver trim. The rhinestones and pearls were already there. These trims are gorgeous in person!

I'm going to do some type of vine to the right of the image, maybe more SRE.

For now, I have 3 cellphone pouches to assemble.

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm not at all into the Red Hat thing, but I like red and purple together. If you're interested in reading more about The Red Hat Society, you can find their official website here.

More Crazy Quilting

I started on this "Lucky Lady" Cellphone Pouch yesterday afternoon and finished it this morning:



Green and purple always seem to work so well together! And I've always loved this little Victorian Irish lady image.

My next project will be this:



I'm not at all into the Red Hat thing but I do love the way red and purple work together and I love images of ladies in hats so I thought this would be a fun project.

If you're new to my blog, here's a photo of another "Red Hat Society" project that I did:



This is a 15 inch wallquilt. The hat is hand-appliqued and stuffed with a bit of fiberfill to give it some dimension. It's available in my Etsy shop. I've lowered the prices on all of my quilts in hopes of moving them to new homes.