Thursday, November 15, 2012

Next Criswell Quilt block, More Boutis and a win

I have finished Block 4 (Nancy Smith's block) of the Chester Country Criswell Quilt.






Here are a few progress photos...





..and a bit closer..




I have had a bit of a play with some different threads for my little boutis project.

First I tried DMC Perle 5, then a 4ply and an 8 ply cotton/acrylic mix and lastly a worsted cotton thread made in USA which was marked 4 ply, but would be equivalent to approximately a 12 ply.





In the photo above I have placed each thread next to the leaves I stuffed. The centre circle and the bottom left leaf are stuffed using the Perle 5. That thread was much too fine and gave no "puffiness" to the shapes. The leaf on the top right has 4 ply. It looks better than the Perle 5, but still not puffy enough. The top right leaves have 8 ply. I think they look much better!  Lastly the bottom left leaves are stuffed using Lily Sugar and Cream; a thread made in USA. I found a shop in Queensland that stocks this yarn. These leaves are really puffy!  The fabric I am using hasn't got a loose weave so the bulk in the eye of the needle made is more difficult to pull the threads through with this yarn.
Thank you to Heather who has given me lots of hints!!:)

Recently I entered an Aurifil thread giveaway on Kelly's blog. I was one of the lucky winners!




The pink and orange are perfect for that fabric from my stash!!   Thank you Kelly!

I'm still working on a couple of those "secret sewing" projects. :)

Lastly photos from the garden.

Our Kiwi fruit plant is covered in flowers at the moment. The flowers have a perfume that seems to get stronger after dark.




Have a great week!

13 comments:

  1. What a beautiful plant that is! Your applique is lovely and the needleturn looks perfect - so tidy. I'd be quite nervous of anyone seeing mine that close up!
    Wonderful to see your progress with the boutis - thanks very much for posting.
    all the best - looking forward to your progress
    Every Stitch

    ReplyDelete
  2. beautiful block think thats my favorite one so far.
    love your trailing vines panel
    oh how I love that quilt...
    Kathie

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your applique block is amazing Miriam, I love the close ups. And I would love to see your trapunto in real life (maybe Sunday?), I have never done it before. Great idea to experiment with the different effects from different threads. Wow, do you get many kiwi fruit from you tree? xo

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is the perfect place to visit to be awed by your gorgeous applique. I have never keen a kiwi fruit tree, actually never thought of how kiwi grew. Thank you...I'd love to smell the flowers.

    ReplyDelete
  5. beautiful reverse applique! I so want to try trapunto one day - thanks for the info.
    Pretty blooms and congrats on the pretty thread!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Un trabajo precioso, ¡enhorabuena!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What lovely work Miriam. I love the closeups too. I used that fabric in Block 3. Thanks for the photos and progress report.

    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love your Nancy Smith block - your applique stitches are invisible! What thread do you use? My Chester has been neglected but this has inspired me to get back to it. It's really interesting to see the different threads you are experimenting with on your boutis project -thanks for sharing this. I too have never seen or smelt a kiwi fruit plant flower, fascinating. Thanks for a great post :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your block is lovely - your applique is beautiful!
    I've never seen kiwi blooms before. They are very pretty. I have 2 daughters who just love kiwi's. Imagine a kiwi tree in your yard... :0)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great stuffed work. I did this in a class a few years ago and have class notes on yarns and needkes. Great projects!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it's rarе tο seе a nicе blog likе this
    οnе today.
    My web page western birthday party

    ReplyDelete
  12. So that is what kiwi flowers look like.
    I like your reverse applique block.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Beautiful Garden! Love the boutis and your reverse applique. Of course the Trailing Vine is fantastic too.
    Congratulations on your win!

    ReplyDelete