Going to Pieces again

I have finished Going to Pieces!

...at least for the time being. I got a little bit carried away when I was doing the piecing and I still have a lot of strips left over. But that will be for another project. 

I had a large piece of sage green dyed fabric which fitted the colour scheme quite well, so used that for the back. I did all the quilting in a sky blue thread in both top and bobbin and I quite like the effect of the seemingly randomly placed patterns.

As the sage fabric wasn't quite large enough I added a couple of strips of darker green. I thought I would spice it up with bits left over from the quilt top. This turned out not to be such a good idea. The FMQ patterns do not marry up and quilting over two sets of seams was VERY bumpy!

I wanted both variety and repetition to hold it together. I think there are about 20 different patterns in total, but many many more strips. There is a lot more repetition than noticeable on the photos.

 I quilted each strip with one of the patterns. Where a strip was constructed out of pieces I used one motif adjusted to fit each piece.

And a few more close ups.

Thanks for visiting

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/ 

Let’s Bee Social @ http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.co.uk

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/

Fabric Frenzy Friday @ http://fortworthfabricstudio.blogspot.co.uk

Friday linky party @ http://www.confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.co.uk/

Lizzie Lenard @  http://lizzielenard-vintagesewing.blogspot.co.uk   

Finally - the 9th and final square in Learning Curves in 9 Squares

First of all I am going to start with a plea for help. A couple of years ago I bought a cotton backed gold foil fabric from a quilting shop - it was part of their Christmas range. This is not gold coloured, but a true metallic foil stuck to cotton. It cuts, stitches and FMQs beautifully. And I can't get hold of any more. The shop has sold out, can't remember which rep they have got it from and has no plans to get more. I have tried many shops in the UK, even big ones like Cotton Patch who can not help. I have searched on the internet and bought several things to try, but have not been able to find this cotton backed foil. I can't be the only person to have used this. If anyone could let me know of a source I would be VERY grateful!

I can't remember when I posted the first of the 9 squares from this piece, but there have been so many diversions to show quilts and bloggers festivals and other things. Sorry about that.

This is a long post - lots of photos - so get a cup of tea/coffee ready!!

Today we have arrived at the 9th and final Square 'How does your Garden Grow'

How does your Garden Grow form Learning Curves in 9 Squares

And looking at this photo, you might be forgiven for thinking how your garden grew was upside down! Or could it be the photo that is upside down? However, I think this motif works any way up and think of it as hanging flowers here. It is another design that you can stretch and squeeze at will giving short dumpy flowers to long thin ones and anything in between. It is what I call a 'there and back' design, meaning that it ends at the starting point. You need to travel along the guide lines to the next start point - or do an awful lot of stopping and starting. Guess which method I used!!

And now for the whole piece - all 9 squares together. I promised you a bit of a surprise with this. It is a very small surprise, and I think you will have guessed what I was planning before now. If not, just look at it for a moment or two before reading on.

Learning Curves in 9 Squares

I hope it is pretty obvious that the lines flow across the squares to form one continuous design. If not, let me know!!

The embryo of this piece was in a stitch sample that I did in orange thread with no other aim than to practise. I had some fabric dyed in the same orange and used it for a binding (and no, I don't usually put bindings on my practice pieces!). I really liked the look of thread and binding in the same colour. I had also wanted to vary/develop what I had done in Strata - my first show quilt.

Strata

So I thought I would experiment with similar organic flowing lines but this time divide the piece into squares, with one motif per square. The colour scheme was dictated by matching thread and dyed fabric that I already had.

Arrow Head and Cobbler's Nightmare from Learning Curves in 9 Squares

I call it 'Learning Curves' because it is a trial piece. So, what have I learnt?

Dividing it into squares certainly makes it a lot easier to quilt, and I do think the method works. I've slip stitched the squares together with double thread. The stitching isn't visible and it is strong enough to hold the weight of the quilt. Having one motif per square I think works well, as does the thread/binding colour link.

The importance of colour I have already touched upon. Paler colours just get lost at a distance.

For me, the biggest problem of the piece is a lack of focal point. Strata suffers from the same problem, (which is why I think it only got a 'satisfactory' in the show). Both pieces are an excuse for me to indulge in FMQ which I love so much, but I need to find a stronger design to carry it off. Humm. Back to the thinking board.

Oh, and one last lesson - don't take so many photos. I think this post has taken me almost as long to prepare as to quilt!! I hope you enjoy them.

All Aflame and Swirls from Learning Curves in 9 Squares

4 squares joining from Learning Curves in 9 Squares

4 squares joining from Learning Curves in 9 Squares

Fly away home and Sticks and Stones from Learning Curves in 9 Squares

4 squares joining from Learning Curves in 9 Squares

Arrow Head and How does your Garden Grow from Learning Curves in 9 Squares

Learning Curves in 9 Squares - detail

Hour Glass and All Aflame from Learning Curves in 9 Squares

4 squares joining from Learning Curves in 9 Squares

Learning Curves in 9 Squares - detail

Learning Curves in 9 Squares - detail

4 squares joining from Learning Curves in 9 Squares

Cobblers Nightmare and Not on my Parade from Learning Curves in 9 Squares

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/ 

Show and tell Tuesday @ http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/randi/

Let’s Bee Social @ http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.co.uk

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/

Fabric Frenzy Friday @ http://fortworthfabricstudio.blogspot.co.uk

Friday linky party @ http://www.confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.co.uk/

7th of 9 Squares and fmq Cameos 32 and 33

Something numerical in the title this week, and I hope it adds up to quite a bit for this weeks post!
We are up to number 33 in our fmq Cameos

Arrow Head - fmq Cameo 32

This is Arrow Head that I used last week in my 'Learning Curves in 9 Squares'. There is so much you can do - and so many different effects - that you can get with just one motif. Here it is in straight rows in a uniform size, with no dividing tram lines. I am not sure if this counts technically as a mirror image repeat, since the design itself is a mirror image of the arrow head. Anyway, I have lined it up arrow head point to arrow head point. Definite stalemate! Like this, the individual motif almost gets lost in the overall texture. The negative spaces come into play strongly and the eye picks out new motifs.

Arrow Head - detail from Square Spiral

Here it is as a single row (taken from 'Square Sprial') Doesn't it look different when isolated into a single row and framed between guide lines?

Learning Curves in 9 Squares - Not on my parade!

Not on my Parade from Learning Curves in 9 Squares

On to the next square from Learning Curves in 9 Squares - this is number 7. Every time I look at it I just see majorettes and batons. Well, maybe a sort of abstract Walt Disney version or majorettes.

This motif had a definite top and bottom and you do have to decide which way up you are going to quilt it. It is quick and easy to stitch - lovely getting into the rhythm of it - and it is great for going around corners.

Not no my Parade - fmq Cameo 33

It can equally be done military style in straigt line around a square, as in number 33 of our fmq Cameos.

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/ 

Show and tell Tuesday @ http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/randi/

Let’s Bee Social @ http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.co.uk

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/

Fabric Frenzy Friday @ http://fortworthfabricstudio.blogspot.co.uk
Friday linky party @ http://www.confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.co.uk/

The next 'more learning curves' 2nd of 9

Here is the second of the 9 squares that will make up More Learning Curves. I might have to rethink that name. To be honest, I hadn't given this piece a name as I considered it a trial for a larger piece - for which I don't have a name either!! And talking of names I haven't got one for the above motif as it isn't really an original. So let's call it 'swirl'. It doesn't close to form a circle and requires a bit of travelling back along the tight scroll to form the next swirl. It is very easy to open up or sew tighter giving a good variety of density. It is a brighter green that last week's 'hour glass'. I was thinking loosely of autumn colours choosing greens, reds and golds.

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/ 

Show and tell Tuesday @ http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/randi/

Let’s Bee Social @ http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.co.uk

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

We did it Wednesday @ http://www.sewmuchado.com/

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/

Fabric Frenzy Friday @ http://fortworthfabricstudio.blogspot.co.uk
Friday linky party @ http://www.confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.co.uk/

Arch intersection - free motion quilting Cameo 30

I missed out on a Cameo last week - sorry about that - so here we are back on track with number 30.

This is what I call a 'there-and-back' pattern, meaning it takes two passes to complete the pattern. I mentioned in the last post the idea of sewing backwards, and with these patterns I do just that - the first pass from top to bottom and then returning bottom to top. Getting the semi-circles to intersect at the right point is what makes the pattern. Just go for it on the down stitching, but coming back up you have to be careful to match the semi-circles at a half-drop. I don't get too fussy - marking this would be a nightmare. If it doesn't quite match, so be it. Watching the shapes that are being formed I find really helps.

I've put this in again on the horizontal, just to show a different aspect. I like the wide-open ribbon effect this one gives. You could stitch it without the gap in between to make an overall pattern, then you would have fun deciding whether you wanted to align the motif which would emphasize the circle, or do a half drop.

For more information about the 101 free motion quilting Cameos, please visit the 'fmq Cameos - so far' page.

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/ 

Show and tell Tuesday @ http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/randi/

Let’s Bee Social @ http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.co.uk

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

We did it Wednesday @ http://www.sewmuchado.com/

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/

Fabric Frenzy Friday @ http://fortworthfabricstudio.blogspot.co.uk
Friday linky party @ http://www.confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.co.uk/

Crossing over - free motion Cameo 28

The gentle meander becomes an increasingly sweeping curve with each echo. You can echo as many times as you want but keep the cross over at the same point. Just 3 can make an effective ribbon, or you can keep going until you have a broad band as here.

For more information about the free - motion quilted Cameos, go to the 'fmq Cameos so far' page.

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.

Let’s Bee Social @ http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.co.uk

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

We did it Wednesday @ http://www.sewmuchado.com/

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/

Fabric Frenzy Friday @ http://fortworthfabricstudio.blogspot.co.uk

Friday linky party @ http://www.confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.co.uk/

Waving in the Wind - free motion quilting cameo 27

A bit of a break from the black and white theme for this post. It is time for another fmq cameo.

Waving in the Wind - free motion quilting cameo 27

This is one of my motifs that was born of putting pencil to paper and just watching and waiting to see what happens, going with what I like, dropping what I don't and constantly trying out the 'what ifs'. For me it evokes crops waving in a summer breeze. Although the line crosses it is a continuous line and has a nice swing to it. I think it looks better stitched all in the same direction, which is a bit of a pain because it means you have to stop at the end of each row and start on again for the next.

Thanks for dropping by..

Hilary Florence

P.S. I'm linking this post to:

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/
Off the wall Fridays @ http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.co.uk/

Fabric Frenzy Friday @ http://fortworthfabricstudio.blogspot.co.uk

Friday linky party @ http://www.confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.co.uk/
Do go and have a look at some of the other fantastic quilts there.

To cut or not to cut?

 Actually, that isn't  the question. The black on white quilted piece shown in progress last week, is now finished. The question is, how do I cut it up?

I admit, I am very nervous now. If I get this wrong, a lot of work will to to waste, so for the moment I am still working with my paper layouts. Here are some more.

The shapes are quite nice, but the layout gives a very boring negative space...

so a couple of different arrangements...

a few more with a kind of 'zipper' effect, playing around with the amount of separation between the right and left sides...

or in alignment...like this one, interesting negatives spaces...

could this be the one???

thanks for dropping by...

Hilary Florence

P.S. I am linking this to:

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/ 

Show and tell Tuesday @ http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/randi/

Let’s Bee Social @ http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.co.uk

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

We did it Wednesday @ http://www.sewmuchado.com/

Off the wall Fridays @ http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.co.uk/

Fabric Frenzy Friday @ http://fortworthfabricstudio.blogspot.co.uk

Friday linky party @ http://www.confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.co.uk/
Do go and have a look at some of the other fantastic quilts and quilters there.

Trio of Leaves - free motion quilting cameo 26

Trio of Leaves - free motion quilting cameo 26

This is a spin off from the previous post 'Leaf Triplets'. The leaves have become more stylised and symmetrical. The curved stem has gone and the straight veins jet out at a 90 degree angle, each vein with an ending - triangles for the first leaf, circles for the second and kites for the third.

Thanks for stopping by...

Hilary Florence

Work In Progress

I like the idea of work in progress Wednesdays, but up until now, I have been busing working on a quilt for the British Quilt and Stitch competition and haven't been able to show that. Now I've finished that - all but the binding - I can join in the WIP fun!

This is going to be a black and white piece - not sure yet how it will work out, but this cloth will be cut up and appliqued when it is finished. Oh, by the way, as you can perhaps see, I haven't marked anything - not even the columns. I believe in learning to love your wobbles!!

Thanks for stopping by...
Hilary Florence

P.S. I have linked this post to:

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/

Do go and have a look at other fantastic quilts and quilters there!

Leaf Triplet - free motion quilting cameo 25

Leaf Triplet - free motion quilting cameo 25

The vase majority of my designs come from just sitting with pencil and paper and doodling. Sometimes I have an idea already in minds eye that need developing on paper, sometimes I have no idea and just wait to see where my hand takes me. That doesn't mean that I am blind to inspiration elsewhere.  The above leaf was inspired by wallpaper. The design was printed with a vast array of flora and fauna, but this one leaf immediately stood out as a potential fmq motif and I think it works well. It would be a bit fiddly to make, but it would also work well as a stamp. Although each leaf is a continuous line - up  one side and down the other, making the steam as you go along - each leaf requires a start and stop.

Thanks for dropping by...

Hilary Florence

P.S.   I've linked this post to   'Anything Goes Mondays' at  http://marelize-ries.blogspot.co.uk ,
 'Linky  Tuesday' at http://www.conniekresin.co.uk, 'Fabric Tuesdays at http://quiltstory.blogspot.co.uk, 'Sew Cute Tuesday' at http://www.blossomheartquilts.com  and last but not least 'Show and tell Tuesdays' at http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/randi/.    Do go and have a look at some of the other fantstic quilts and quilters there.

Leaf Print - free motion quilting cameo 24

Leaf Print - free motion quilting cameo 24

We are back to parallel lines. They are oh so flexible and rich in potential. I'm sure I have seen this idea in a drawing somewhere, but I can't remember where and when. Evidently I filed it away as inspiration for free motion quilting. Like the Funky spider web - this would be a great design for simple plain squares, especially if you kept to the idea of filling in the space between veins with parallel lines, but changed the size and shape of the leaf. Now there is an idea!

Thanks for dropping by...

Hilary Florence

Thorny Point - free motion quilting Cameo 17

Thorny Point - free motion quilting Cameo 17

I don't think I can claim that this is an original design. Many quilters and artists have used images of thorns or barbed wire to great effect in their work. I find it a very powerful motif and of course, by its nature, every time you quilt it, it will be different.

I quilt down one side, creating thorns of different lengths and angles as I go, then go back up the other side and complete them. In general in my quilting, I pre-mark as little as possible, but here, if you want interlocking, but not crossing lines in a good rhythm, in can help just to mark the line in first.

It works well as a single line, or a collection of interlocking lines to create a texture. The line can be vertical, horizontal or even curved.

Enjoy

Thanks for dropping by...

Hilary Florence