WIPW - The Next Steps

 For this Work In Progress Wednesday report, I can show you the flimsy of the

Hexablooms Quilt

now hanging across the glass wall.

Most of the white placement papers are still basted onto the metallic centrepieces; that explains why the quilt seems covered in big white blobs.

Actually, once they are removed, the gleam of the metallic fabrics will give the quilt a different sheen.

and the 135 hexagons that really are made of white fabric will stand out. 

So, for the second step on my list of things to do, I am planning to soften the starkness of the white with embroidery in metallic thread, golden lace and metallic transfer foil.

Step 3 will be shopping for batting and the fabric for the back.

Step 4 will be sandwiching and basting the three layers together.

 

Step 5 will be time for embroidery quilting. I'm toying with Cross Stitch, Straight Single Feather and Broken Chain Stitch, or rather a mix of them.

Step 6 will be adding a turn-over edge to every hexagon along the edge.

And to be able to do that I have already started on Step 1: making those hexagons pieces

I am also making a chart to keep track of where on the flimsy I will be working. MANY years ago I bought a pad of PATCHWORK QUILT DESIGN NOTE, which I finally have found a good use for:

Sunday Stitch School Indigo Sampler

I added #379 Spiral Trellis Stitch. This time I followed the advice of Rachel of VirtuosewAdventures and made the dome higher and stuffed it with wadding.

I love the result.

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 380: Valerian Stitch

For today, we have another trellis stitch. It is called Valerian Stitch and can be found in Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches.

Queenie's photo tutorial:

Mark a grid of squares. Space them with odd numbers.

I used five holes. 

Build a trellis of horizontal lines by starting 2 

holes outside the grid.

Space them 5 holes upwards.

Do the same with the vertical lines.

Next, change to a different colour thread and make lines

on the bias.

Before you start couching down the 

intersections, change to a Milliner's needle

with a small round eye, here on the right.

We are now going to stitch Bullion Knots 

over the crossed threads.

Wrap the thread 7 times clockwise around the needle.

Place your thumb on top and pull through.

Manipulate the 'worm' until it lies right across each cross

on the grid.

Anchor in the same hole as you came out from at the start.

Continue with the next Bullion.

Homework: Add Valerian Stitch to these samplers:

Friday Homework for Lesson 379: Spiral Trellis Stitch

This homework took much longer than I expected. It might be my slow stitching or my failing eyesight. What I found was that stitching with a monochrome thread was harder than with a variegated. The colour changes helped keep track of the 'bridges' between the knots.

Aida Sampler

Making a circle on Aida is not easy, so I eyeballed it.

 

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

Red Silk Kimono Scribble Cloth

WIPW - Not Much to Write Home About

WIPW- Work In Press Wednesday. There is not much to write home about, as I have been busy making a cushion and writing up a tutorial for the process. Anyway, here is my weekly report.

Hexablooms

I'm almost there! There are only a few more blocks to fix to the flimsy, and it will be DONE!

Sunday Stitch School Indigo Sampler

A shy row of #377 Raised Chevron Stitch.