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Thursday, December 29, 2011

Stitching and stuffing

I had a terrific Christmas and I hope you all did too. I must come back and show you the books that I got from Santa, he's the best!
I love the week between Christmas and New Year because I get to relax and enjoy my stitching again while the house is still reasonably clean and tidy. I get to dream about what I can tackle in the coming year and set some goals which usually last only a month.

You may remember this drawing I did. It's for the hand quilting and trapunto on the Coxcomb and Currants project.
This is my second try at tackling the stuffing of the shapes before the quilt gets put together and no, I haven't finished all the applique yet. I'm pleased to say that this time, I had a lot more success than the first go where I slit the muslin and stuffed the shapes and got distortion on the circles. It looked yuk.
I'm using a different method to the one in my tutorial. This time, I drew the design on the front of the background. I layered and basted some fine cotton muslin on the back of the block and thread basted the two layers together.

I then proceeded to baste all around the drawn design using a neutral coloured thread and stitches a little larger than my hand quilting stitches. I stitched inside the lines. I then stuffed the shapes from the back with yarn and a trapunto needle. Just in case curious minds want to know, it took me four evenings in front of the telly to get to this stage. The excess muslin has been cut away and the block pressed on several layers of a towel.
The photo below isn't showing the colours accurately but you can get an idea of what it looks like so far with the blocks.
Ignore all the yellow pen, that will all be gone at the end when the quilt is finished. You can read about the pens I'm using here that have been tested by moi.
In the antique quilt, the stems aren't corded but I decided to go ahead as it just looked more pleasing to me
Happy New Year to you all, lets hope the year brings us all good health and happiness. See you in 2012!

47 comments:

  1. Annemart BerendseDecember 29, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    Hi Janet, I love your white work! And thanks for testing the pens, might try them out. New markers are always welcome.

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  2. Donna KeatingDecember 29, 2011 at 6:39 PM

    Your work is lovely. Best wishes for the coming new year.

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  3. SusanDecember 29, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    That stitching is beautiful! And the red and green is so vibrant and pure, if you know what I mean!!!

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  4. SupergoofDecember 29, 2011 at 6:58 PM

    It's gorgeous!
    And a big inspiration for something that might be a new project in 2012,...
    :o)
    You are so inspiring!

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  5. AnonymousDecember 29, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    Wonderful trapunto ! What a lot of work !
    Happy new year to you, Janet !

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  6. Jess @ Scrappy n HappyDecember 29, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    It is looking amazing!

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  7. antique quilterDecember 29, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    Happy New year to you and your family, ah yes looking forward to 2012!
    Love the way the trapunto looks , wow!
    great job
    kathie

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  8. JoanDecember 29, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    Thats beautiful Janet - Interesting how you have done your trapunto. Something I have never mastered.. What is the white fabric you are using for the background?

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  9. Jane in CumbriaDecember 29, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    It will look stunning when it is all together. Beautiful design!
    Jane

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  10. UnknownDecember 29, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    Gorgeous! You do such lovely work. I'm still searching like a mad woman for those markers! I'd love to try them! They are not available locally, so I'm going to start hunting on eBay for them! Happy New Year!

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  11. CardygirlDecember 29, 2011 at 10:50 PM

    Just amazing!

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  12. AnonymousDecember 29, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    Wow Janet the trapunto work looks sensational. It adds a really special dimension.

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  13. MaryDecember 29, 2011 at 11:09 PM

    Beautiful Janet! I have always loved trapunto, but have not tried it. I checked out your tutorial and it is very clear....I think I will need to give it a try.

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  14. DarleneDecember 29, 2011 at 11:39 PM

    You continue to amaze and dazzle me, Janet. Wowzer!!!

    Happy New Year to you and yours.

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  15. NedraDecember 29, 2011 at 11:50 PM

    Such beautiful detailed work. I am impressed! The trapunto is a perfect addition to a perfect quilt.

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  16. CheriDecember 30, 2011 at 12:11 AM

    Wow, this quilt is going to be spectacular. Enjoy your quiet week and Happy New Year.

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  17. RuthDecember 30, 2011 at 12:17 AM

    That is absolutely amazing! I can't imagine ever doing it myself, but I sure to love it and appreciate all the talent and work that went (and is) going into it! Thanks for sharing!

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  18. VivianDecember 30, 2011 at 12:43 AM

    Love the red and green blocks. You have so much patience in your quilting. This is going to be great. Can't wait to see the end project.

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  19. Pinkadot QuiltsDecember 30, 2011 at 12:52 AM

    This quilt takes my breath away! What a beautiful masterpiece you are making!!!!
    I have never attempted trapunto, it is the perfect accent to all your gorgeous applique.

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  20. SpiceDecember 30, 2011 at 1:11 AM

    WOW, Awesome!

    It looks really great.

    Happy New Year.

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  21. Donna in SW PADecember 30, 2011 at 1:39 AM

    I use cotton voile on the back instead of muslin. Thinner and easier to get through. Donna

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  22. julieQDecember 30, 2011 at 2:01 AM

    Your trapunto is looking lovely, Janet!!

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  23. LoriDecember 30, 2011 at 2:01 AM

    That is lovely and will be worth all the time it took! Very [pretty and will be an heirloom.
    Happy new year!!

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  24. TeriDecember 30, 2011 at 2:26 AM

    It is truly amazing.....I'm going to try and find those pens.they sound wonderful. FYI everyone in our area has been all excited about frixion pens and I found out the hard way when you wash the marks out.....the color of the material comes out with it. The longer it is on the more of the color is removed.

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  25. imquilternityDecember 30, 2011 at 2:44 AM

    Wow...you really have patience. Your quilting/trapunto work is absolutely gorgeous and I'm not surprised at all. After all, it's YOU who's doing it! :)

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  26. JanetDecember 30, 2011 at 3:19 AM

    Just beautiful. You are going to have an heirloom quilt for future
    generations.
    Happy New Year to you and your family.
    Janet

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  27. ShirleyDecember 30, 2011 at 3:49 AM

    It is always a pleasure to see your stitching Janet and that quilt looks worthy of any museum piece. Fabulous stitching. Looking forward to the New Year and new goals.

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  28. reganDecember 30, 2011 at 4:13 AM

    Oh my....your trapunto work is gorgeous! I have never attempted it, but I would love to try. I'm guessing that after you've completed the quilt, and you've quilted around these shapes, you pull your basting threads out then? And are you basting just a thread or two width inside of where the quilting line will be? Do you need to overstuff, to compensate for that smidge of extra room the stuffing will have when it can move out to the quilting line? I'm just wondering about all the details as I can sometimes get way ahead of my project, and then realize I didn't do necessary steps in the prep! :o)

    I have one of those 'masterpiece' quilts in my head, and I want to do it justice when the time comes to start.....trapunto would look amazing on it! So I'm trying to gather all my wits BEFORE I start it! lol

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  29. Nifty QuiltsDecember 30, 2011 at 4:16 AM

    You are amazing! This will be a real treasure. A very happy new year to you and yours as well!

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  30. Sujata ShahDecember 30, 2011 at 4:30 AM

    You leave me breathless every time I visit your blog! Janet, this is gorgeous!
    Some day, I want to see all your finished quilt in one post.. Oh that would be a treat.. almost like visiting a quilt museum!
    Happy New Year to you and your family! Dream away of those new quilts... Please!!! I want to be inspired even more!
    Hugs,
    Sujata

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  31. SharonDecember 30, 2011 at 5:03 AM

    Looks fabulous. Since you are going to wash this after it's all together, did you consider using wash away thread for the basting? I've heard that it's great for this type of work. Wishing you a very happy new year, and I look forward to seeing many more wonderful pieces on your blog in 2012. Thanks so much for all your sharing with us!

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  32. AnonymousDecember 30, 2011 at 6:07 AM

    it is beautiful!! I am very impressed!!

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  33. RachaeldaisyDecember 30, 2011 at 6:08 AM

    Janet, this quilt is amazing! It's so wonderful to hear your methods though I'm a long way from attempting such a masterpiece. You are so right about this time of year, thinking of projects to finish and plans of new ones. I'm curious about how your quilting frame went.

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  34. MeredithDecember 30, 2011 at 7:47 AM

    I know you tested the pens but what is wrong with me I am still afraid to use them. LOl. The quilt is looking great. Have a happy new year.

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  35. Abby and StephanieDecember 30, 2011 at 8:19 AM

    Truly spectacular. Your love of craft shows in your work.

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  36. PatDecember 30, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    As always - your work is so exquisite!

    Wishing you all the very best for the New Year and many hours of Happy Stitching.

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  37. JanetDecember 30, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    WOW Janet! This project is so exciting!! I like how you explain everything for those curious minds :0) I LOVE how it is looking so far. So if you haven't actually quilted on your design lines yet you quilt this after it is stuffed,assembled and layered? I can't wait to see your further progress with this project!! The antique quilts with dense, gorgeous quilting and trapunto are my favorites. I think it is awesome that you are making one. I am so inspired.

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  38. JuliaDecember 30, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    Hi Janet...this is looking amazing. love the trapunto.
    I have been trying to buy those pens , but can't find anywhere in the UK that will ship to Aust, Could you please tell me where you bought them from.
    Thanks so much
    Julia ♥

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  39. FlourishingPalmsDecember 30, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    Your hand quilting is beautiful; the design perfectly suits the applique. You're amazing, Janet. Finishing a quilt as stunning as this one, during 2012, would be a big enough goal, by my way of thinking! But I know you are made of the stuff it takes to produce several spectacular quilts in one year. You're knocking my socks off... I've been running around barefoot ever since I started following your blog! (Poor me. ggg)

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  40. TarynDecember 30, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    Out of all your wonderful projects the Coxcomb and Currants is my very favorite. I love the red and green and the trapunto makes it divine. I got the Berol pens from Ebay and was surprised at how reasonable they cost, including the shipping. But I am in the US not Australia.

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  41. MarjorieDecember 30, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    I really hate it when you post amazing things like this. It raises the bar and pushes me to try new things. Thanks...I guess.

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  42. MarieDecember 31, 2011 at 5:36 AM

    Janet, your trapunto looks simply amazing - that green and red quilt will be another in a series of spectacular pieces that you produce. I'll be interested to see how you join the blocks. Love your blog - it is wonderful inspiration; wish I had half of your energy!

    Marie
    Pembroke, Ontario, Canada

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  43. SarahDecember 31, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    Wow Janet! Your work is just so beautiful. I love the blocks and I love the stuffed bit as well! I look forward to watching this project come along. Happy new year!

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  44. Sue-AnneDecember 31, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    It looks fantastic Janet! happy New Year.

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  45. LinaJanuary 6, 2012 at 5:26 AM

    I LOVE everything you do!!! This red and green quilt is BEAUTIFUL! I would love to make this quilt!

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  46. BarbJanuary 11, 2012 at 8:57 AM

    Looks great Janet. Thanks for taking us through your process.
    I've always loved this block.
    Happy 2012 to you and your loved ones.

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  47. Chinaberry GroveJanuary 13, 2012 at 11:11 AM

    Where can I get this pattern?

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