Monday 2 June 2014

Side-tracked

When I am working on plain white fabric as a background  one of my concerns is that it is - well just that - plain white. It doesn't have colour or the texture of dyed fabric to add interest. So I have been experimenting with adding texture, using scrunched up very find cotton.


It was also a lovely day, so I took the sewing machine into the garden.




Here is a close up of the final effect. The cotton is rushed and then stuck down to a backing fabric. I tried using both bondaweb and temporary glue spray and both work well, but for this larger piece I used bondaweb. I did quite a few trials of patterns to see which worked. Some are too fine and just get lost in the folds, but line, particularly across the fold work well. For a background, I always like to mix and match the patterns a bit, so I've used 3 here. The quilting has to also be quilt large.


The patterns are more obvious from the back. I also had to quilt this from the back, to avoid getting the quilting foot caught up in the folds.


Here is back and front together to see the contrast. I really like this. From a distance what you get is a much stronger, more vibrant texture than quilting alone will provide. As you come closer, variations in pattern become clearer and draw you in.

I have in mind some pieced neutrals to applique onto this. I'm going to call it 'Sidetracked' because the piecing will look a bit like tracks - but also I am of course getting sidetracked from my show quilt for the Birmingham Festival of Quilts. Some ideas won't wait to come out!

And talking of show quilts, the two quilts I sent of to the Malvern Quilt Show have returned. As well as 'White on Black, Black on White' that I blogged about a couple of weeks ago, I had also entered 'Fracture' into the small wall hanging category

Malvern Quilt Show judges' merit 2014 quilted wall haning free motion quilting

There were no judges comments, but 'Fracture' came back with a 'judge's merit' rosette. I am really thrilled as I was afraid my ribbon for 'Square Spiral' might be a one off. So now I should get back to the FOQ quilt (to be named Cosmic Split) - or maybe I'll just get sidetracked again!!

Thanks for dropping by...

Hilary Florence


Please find below a list of linky parties. I may not link with all of the every week, but with some of them most weeks. Please go and have a look at some of the other wonderful quilts and quilters there.
Anything goes Mondays @ http://marelize-ries.blogspot.co.uk/
Linky Tuesday at Free motion by  the river­­­­ @ http://www.conniekresin.com/
Fabric Tuesday @http://quiltstory.blogspot.co.uk/    
Sew cute Tuesday @ http://www.blossomheartquilts.com/ 
WIP Wednesday at freshly pieced   @   http://www.freshlypieced.com/
WOW = WIPs on Wednesdays  @ http://www.estheraliu.blogspot.co.uk/  
WIP Wednesday at TN + TN  @ http://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.ca
I Quilt Thursdays @ http://prettybobbins.com/
Really Random Thursdays @ http://www.liveacolorfullife.net/
Needle and Thread Thursday @ http://myquiltinfatuation.blogspot.co.uk/
Off the wall Fridays @ http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.co.uk/
Friday linky party @ http://www.confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.co.uk/
Lizzie Lenard @http://lizzielenard-vintagesewing.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/where-has-free-motion-friday-gone.html

26 comments:

  1. Good to know you get sidetracked, too. If it weren't for deadlines, I sometime think I'd be sidetracked all the time. I love the view from your machine in the garden -- love to move out onto my patio in the summer for some stitching!

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  2. What gorgeous quilting textures!

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  3. stoppying by from the linky party Anything Goes Monday. come visit my blog, I have a giveaway.. I agree, gorgeous.

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  4. I'm so excited about your ribbon. I knew your first one wouldn't be a one off. I hope you continue to show (share) your quilts. I love the organic look of the texture in your quilt. There's an endless amount of ways that you can manipulate fabric. I love the look of pin tucks and smocking and think they'd be gorgeous in a quilt. There you go, inspiring me and getting my brain all bubbly with ideas (it's a good thing I have lots of room in there).

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  5. Love "Fractured" The quilting is amazing.

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  6. Lovely work, as always! Well done on the Judges Merit ribbon, too.

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  7. stunning quilting!!!!

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  8. Hello Hilary Florence,

    Your quilting is totally fab, and I'm not sure your sewing machine really is in the garden, from where I am it looks as though it is on the roof!

    Also, I just thought I'd let you know about the link up I have started on my blog... Would love to see you there!

    http://lizzielenard-vintagesewing.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/where-has-free-motion-friday-gone.html

    Love, Muv

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  9. Congratulations! Such gorgeous quilting. Looks spectacular.

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  10. I love the "old" look this process gives the quilt. Looks like my Grandmothers quilt washed many times which to me conveys comfort. Yep, a great look.

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  11. Have you ever heard of C June Barnes? She does textures with quilting like yours, but does it over wool felt for batting, then shrinks the wool with hot water. Then she dyes it afterwards. Your quilting is wonderful--I wish I lived somewhere that I could quilt outdoors, too hot here!

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  12. Lovely quilting!

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  13. What an interesting way to achieve more texture, something I wouldn't have thought of but it looks wonderful. Kudos again on your ribbon. It's a fabulous quilt!

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  14. Hello again Hilary Florence,

    Thank you so much for linking up with the first Free Motion Mavericks linky!

    Love, Muv

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  15. The texture is just wonderful, wish I could touch it.

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  16. Lovely white on white... and the texture is cool. I have never taken my machine outside. What a great idea.

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  17. What an interesting technique. I love adding texture and have also been staying away form white backgrounds for that reason. Something to explore!

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  18. Loving the Fracture wall hanging. You should be proud!

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  19. Wonderful texture! Fractured is way cool!

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  20. This is a totally new idea to me. How interesting. I went to Malvern for the first time and was blown away by all the different kinds of quilts. The Fracture wall hanging is amazing.

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  21. I am speechless. What an interesting technique!!!!

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  22. Congratulations! Fracture is beautiful! And this new round of quilting is gorgeous! Love sewing outside on bright sunny days!

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