Dresden Mini Plates

Today, well really a couple of days ago I thought I'd try a new technique (to me) and make it a mini.  Small mainly because all, and I mean all, of my eventual studio is packed and covered in plastic as the build out goes on.  So here I am trying new things Mini Mondays and Technique Tuesdays.

I've always wanted to try a Dresden Plate, but didn't want to commit to the thousands of blades for a bed quilt.  The solution of course is to make it small.  Well if the quilt is small, shouldn't the plates be small?  Most certainly.  These are smaller, but probably not in the true miniaiture definition.  They are 5 inches across, the block is about 7 inches across and the whole quilt is about 22 x 29.  That fits my definition of miniature.

I also tried a new, again new to me, technique - piping.  What better place to practice something new than on a smaller scale.  I have to admit, this was a might bit tedious for me but I like the result.  Have  you tried anything new lately?

Its Sunday and I started working on the quilting the mini. I looked around the web for something appropriate and thought a cross hatch would look cute.  Have you ever tried to cross hatch without marking pens?  Remember all my supplies are covered in plastic.  So I went old school, ruler, blunt end object, and indentations.  If you do it this way, shadows are your friend.  (They help you stay on track.)  After the cross hatching, the next quandry is what to do with the sashing and plates?  Hmmmm.  (If only I was a better photographer)




I'm finished for now, note the first picture, and just going to leave the outer border alone for now.  I just cant decide what to do with it.  That and the fact that I'm having trouble FMQ today.  Try something new, have fun.

M

I'm continuing to work up idea samples for boutique items. Today it's a soup bowl cozie.  It went together extremely fast and easy using 10-inch squares of fabric and batting.  If you are going to use the cozie in the microwave while heating your soup, make sure everything is 100% cotton to avoid fire.  I've not tested this premise, but I'd rather err on the side of caution.  For full instructions, go to  Happy Hour Stitches, she has a well written tutorial.  Happy sewing.

Appliqué Tea Towels

Gosh I wish I had a better camera

I've been trying something new the last few days, appliqué.  No, not the hand stitched kind, I'm allergic to any handwork.  The machine sewn kind.  What started it was a trip to a Quilt Expo.  While walking around drooling, I spotted some patterns for appliqué tea towels.  Me being the adventurous type thought, I can do that even without the pattern, sometimes I talk crazy.  Well my first attempt was kind of straight forward, and I do love chickens.  Lesson learned:  what you trace on fusible comes out backward.






My second attempt involved yoyo's (yes I know handwork-bleh).  Lesson learned:  sometimes it's best not to ask the husband for his opinion.  I think it looks like a cactus and  that's all that matters, right?

What adventures have you taken lately?