A Little Break

Time has been in short supply recently. Because of this, I have not completed last week's Sunday Stitch School homework (#274 L-Stitch). Nor will I have time to introduce a new stitch today.

I will have to take a little break until things are sorted out.

Queenie

WIPW - Christmas Ornaments

In this Work In Progress Wednesday report I have put the Mandala and the Sunday Stitch School Stitch Sampler on the shelf. Instead, I made some Christmas ornaments to send with a greeting card to friends overseas.

Christmas Wreath Ornaments

I used the design and instructions from Needle 'n Thread's Stitch Snippet, but worked on a piece of leftover patchwork even weave instead of the recommended linnen.

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 274: L Stitch

How about an invisible stitch? There is a way to start an individual stitch without leaving long threads on the back or secure threads with a knot.

Look at 'Just String's blog posts for beginning and ending the L Stitch.

Below you can see my photo tutorial.

I also want to see if the stitch can be used to make the letter L. After all, L stands for a lot of good things like LOVE, LIBERTY, LOG CABIN QUILTS, LOLLIPOPS, LIFE, LEMONADE, LADY, LEGEND, LIFE SAVER, LILY, LONDON, LYCHEE, LEARNING, LACE, LITERATURE...

Start with a waste knot, then take some diagonal stitches.

Make a small Back Stitch.

Make the corner or the L.

On the back, you can see how the thread is held in place by the diagonally stretched thread from the waste knot.

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Push the needle under the diagonal stitch to trap both ends of the thread.

Both threads are held down as you can see.

Look at the front again.

Let's make some real stitches on top of the little L Stitch, e.g. a Cross Stitch.

You can hardly see the little L underneath.

Let's test another individual stitch. Here is a Lacy Daisy Stitch.

So it is time for a large L Stitch. Or two, or three...

Time to anchor the thread.

Place a small L Stitch underneath.

Turn to the back, snip off the waste knot and diagonal starter stitches and the final bit of thread. You can hardly see where the ends are.

On Aida the thread ends may not be super secure, but I think on an even weave they will stay put.

Homework:

Scribble L's here to your heart's content.

Friday Homework for Lesson 273: Chained Wheatear Stitch

 There is a nice flow to this stitch.

Aida Sampler

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

Mottled Wool Scribble Cloth

What's In a Quilt - The Green Man - Part 18: Embellishing

 I had high hopes for stitching a lot, but life got in the way. Why is December always so busy?

I only had time to stitch two strands of thread!

WIPW - Sprat's Head

 With only limited time I haven't made much progress to report on at Work In Progress Wednesday.

Sunday Stitch School Stitch Sampler

I made a circle of #123 Indian Edging and the first of several #98 Sprat's Head triangles.

QUILT SHOW in Yokohama, Part 4

This is the 4th and final blog post from the Yokohama quilt show 2023.

There was another part of this quilt show, for European quilts. Some of them seem to have been part of the European Meeting Patchwork & Textile Arts 2023 show.

'The Shape I'm In' by Sue de Vanny.

Slavic Mushroom Pickers by Magdalena Gasowska

Here is another fantastic portrait. Unfortunately, I forgot to get the details.

An animal 'portrait'! TIGER by Pairote Rabobpaiboon

This quilt was right up my street!

'Of a Feather' by Donna Campbell

Look at all the embroidery details! Felt and fancy stitching!

Before we leave the show, let's marvel at this masterpiece.

'Nearly Insane' by Rhonda Irving.

Viva quilting!

Next year the show will be held in Yokohama on 8th, 9th and 10th of November, 2024. There will be no show in spring.

QUILT SHOW in Yokohama - Part 3

Today I want to show you some of the floral quilts from China and South Korea.

Hydrangeas are very popular in Japan and many visitors fell for the beauty of this quilt by a Chinese quilter. I felt as if I could hear the gentle raindrops of the rainy season in June.

 

This Bargello quilt with flowers was also made by a Chinese quilter.

Some flowers are especially beautiful in snow, like these. Camelias? Peonies?, no the leaves are different...

A Chinese quilt with wadding for snow.

Spring has sprung as you can see in this scene with a blossoming cherry tree. The deep pink stands in good contrast to the blue-glazed roof tiles and stone walls.

See what wonderful quilts you can make with hexagons! And look at the glint in the vase! The play on light and shadow in the background also adds depth and beauty.

Sorry to say, the maker has a Chinese name that I can not read.

The last of the quilts in the floral series is a ZEN-tangle-like quilt in black and white from Korea. A beautifully made reverse appliqué quilt by I Unshu ＊イ　ウンシュ.

To be continued ...