Cross Stitch Patterns inspired by nature, animals, holidays and scripture by Pamela Kellogg
Tuesday, February 03, 2015
Thank You To My Sponsors!
Something I like to do when I finish up a publication, is to thank my advertisers here on my blog. These very sweet ladies sponsored the Spring 2015 issue of Crazy Quilt Quarterly magazine. Please visit their Etsy shops and webstores:
Monday, February 02, 2015
Challenging Seam Treatments
In working on my current project, I ran into a seam treatment that just didn't show up well. As I've mentioned once or twice before (LOL!) I use waste canvas to stitch the majority of my crazy quilt seams.
Judging by the thread color that I used, I thought it would show up just fine but it wasn't until I pulled the waste canvas out that I could see that it didn't.
I do not like to pull threads out. I remember doing that so many times with counted cross stitch. Instead, I like to use beads and sequins to make the seam pop or at least show up better.
I went with electric blue beads for the points on the little fan stitches. That helped. Then I added larger aqua beads to the base of the fan stitches. Finally, I added some light blue sequins.
As you can see, this did make a difference. The electric blue seed beads elongated the fans. The aqua beads and the sequins are eye catching so they draw attention to the seam even though the actual stitching still tends to blend into the print.
I honestly thought this shaded thread color would have shown up just fine but it didn't.
Using brighter colored beads for a dark background or darker colors for a light background will help to bring attention to a seam that doesn't pop.
It's just a matter of choosing the right colors. You have to experiment. And it's not a perfect fix but if you dislike ripping as much as I do, this is a good alternative.
I do not like to pull threads out. I remember doing that so many times with counted cross stitch. Instead, I like to use beads and sequins to make the seam pop or at least show up better.
Using brighter colored beads for a dark background or darker colors for a light background will help to bring attention to a seam that doesn't pop.
It's just a matter of choosing the right colors. You have to experiment. And it's not a perfect fix but if you dislike ripping as much as I do, this is a good alternative.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Crazy Quilt Quarterly Magazine Spring 2015 Now Available
The 2015 Spring issue of Crazy Quilt Quarterly Magazine is now available!
Click here to order at Magcloud!
Broiderie Perse Embroidery
Early this morning, I finished highlighting the applique on this piece with Kreinik metallic #4 braid:
I used several colors of the Kreinik metallic rather than just one color. I wanted the applique to almost look like a painting rather than a piece of fabric applied to a foundation.
Don't forget, I will put together a simple tutorial for Broiderie Perse and post it sometime this coming week. I'm hoping there are some stitchers out there who will give it a try and send me photos for the Fall issue of CQ Quarterly.
I'm not going to share the entire block at this time but there are a few other things I thought I would discuss as I work on this.
I have one seam that I embroidered on this piece that does not show up well. Rather than pulling it out (which I almost never do), I will show you how I make it work using beads. It's all about working with color.
Every crazy quilt block offers some unique challenges. I've kind of gotten away from sharing my works in progress but I think it's time to get back to that. I'm sure some of the solutions that I use to deal with problem areas will useful to other crazy quilters!
Don't forget, I will put together a simple tutorial for Broiderie Perse and post it sometime this coming week. I'm hoping there are some stitchers out there who will give it a try and send me photos for the Fall issue of CQ Quarterly.
I'm not going to share the entire block at this time but there are a few other things I thought I would discuss as I work on this.
I have one seam that I embroidered on this piece that does not show up well. Rather than pulling it out (which I almost never do), I will show you how I make it work using beads. It's all about working with color.
Every crazy quilt block offers some unique challenges. I've kind of gotten away from sharing my works in progress but I think it's time to get back to that. I'm sure some of the solutions that I use to deal with problem areas will useful to other crazy quilters!
Thursday, January 29, 2015
More On Broiderie Perse Applique
I'm still highlighting the flowers on my applique with Kreinik metallic threads. The effects are quite lovely:
You may want to click on the photo to see it better. I still have a bit more to do but as I mentioned yesterday, I love handwork!
I've received several really great questions about Broiderie Perse applique and I will address them here next week. I want to work up a tutorial for everyone but I need a bit of sewing machine time to do it as well as a fully charged camera battery!
Again, this is a wonderful technique for crazy quilting and I want to make sure that everyone is comfortable in trying it.
I'm wondering, have you ever been intimidated by a technique? What sort of things have you been wanting to try but just don't know how or where to start?
I ask because I've always been one to just jump in and do it. I don't know if there's a right way or a wrong way to do any of these things. I only know my way and if that works, then it's good!
I say that because we've all be taught that there is a certain protocol for everything in life. And I agree that for the most part, there are right ways of doing things and not so right ways of doing things. But when it comes to being creative, those protocols can get in the way and limit our creativity. I think sometimes, they keep us caught in the web of "I don't know how so I can't do it" mindset.
I would suggest that if you were planning to make a traditional "sane" quilt with applique, there would be more rules about it so that it holds up to washing and everyday wear and tear. But for the most part, crazy quilts cannot be laundered or dry cleaned. So we can ease up a bit on some of the rules that would apply to traditional quilt making.
So, that's my little piece of philosophy for today! LOL!!! Again, I'll post a nice little tutorial here next week. I really want to see some CQ pieces with Broiderie Perse. I will publish them in the Fall issue of Crazy Quilt Quarterly.
I've received several really great questions about Broiderie Perse applique and I will address them here next week. I want to work up a tutorial for everyone but I need a bit of sewing machine time to do it as well as a fully charged camera battery!
Again, this is a wonderful technique for crazy quilting and I want to make sure that everyone is comfortable in trying it.
I'm wondering, have you ever been intimidated by a technique? What sort of things have you been wanting to try but just don't know how or where to start?
I ask because I've always been one to just jump in and do it. I don't know if there's a right way or a wrong way to do any of these things. I only know my way and if that works, then it's good!
I say that because we've all be taught that there is a certain protocol for everything in life. And I agree that for the most part, there are right ways of doing things and not so right ways of doing things. But when it comes to being creative, those protocols can get in the way and limit our creativity. I think sometimes, they keep us caught in the web of "I don't know how so I can't do it" mindset.
I would suggest that if you were planning to make a traditional "sane" quilt with applique, there would be more rules about it so that it holds up to washing and everyday wear and tear. But for the most part, crazy quilts cannot be laundered or dry cleaned. So we can ease up a bit on some of the rules that would apply to traditional quilt making.
So, that's my little piece of philosophy for today! LOL!!! Again, I'll post a nice little tutorial here next week. I really want to see some CQ pieces with Broiderie Perse. I will publish them in the Fall issue of Crazy Quilt Quarterly.
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