Saturday 20 July 2013

So Simple.... So Brilliant

Do you find that some of the most simple ideas are some of the most brilliant... and most useful. Think of paper clips, bobby pins - bent wires!!

I came across one such idea a couple of days ago.
Those of you who know me have seen some of my applique and may have seen the baggies I keep my pieces in as I work. 
WELL... I have been reformed!

Check out this simple but oh so brilliant idea from Barbara Burnham.

Barbara shows how to make a folder that will hold all of the pieces in place until you need them. 

You can use it for hand applique of machine applique. Arrange your pieces by number or colour. No more digging in a baggy!!

It will also hold my hexagons in place as I arrange them into flowers. 

The next post show her needle folder!!

Guess what I'm doing today......

For those of you who are not familiar with Barbara Burnham she is the author of the book Baltimore Garden Quilt.



This book shows you how to reproduce this beautiful Baltimore Garden Quilt from 1848.



It is on my To Do list.

More about it here www.barbaramburnham.com

Thanks Barbara








Monday 8 July 2013

Seeing different colours.....

When you look at a pattern are you able to imagine it in different colours?  Or do you get stuck when trying to substitute different fabrics in?

Here are  samples of how different designs can look in different fabrics
                                                                                                                                                                         

 Here is Mountain Lodge in the original Black Bear Lodge fabric with the printed panel blocks as the focus.


Here it is again using Stonehenge Woodland Fern as the focus. The other values used are similar to the original - that is lights used in the same positions and dark & mediums in the same positions.
 Now let's go crazy.
By changing the positions of the values the look changes.
This takes more practice but don't be afraid to give it a try. Start small by mixing values around in a table runner or place mats.

 A perfect place to practice is in charity quilts. Most quilt guilds and some quilt shops make quilts for causes such as Children's Aid and people undergoing cancer treatment.
Not only do you get to practice switching up fabric but use up some of that stash but you can put a smile on someone's face as well.  Win Win






Below we have substituted a different border print. In this case different fabrics from the same line have been used. You really can't lose by using the coordinating fabrics from the same line or by pulling colours from your main print.
If you really aren't sure check with your local fabric shop or a friend with good colour confidence.






















And now....  here is something from the cottage.calm