The Sewing Place
The Emporia => Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside => Current Projects => Topic started by: b15erk on June 20, 2017, 09:35:20 AM
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Peeping round the corner to the Dark Side, and wondering if I'll come out quilted! :)
I saw this particular design on here, and fell in love with it, I think Brenda posted it: https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/535717318149888722/
DD has asked me (again), to re-cover a nursing chair for her. I promised to do it a while ago, and had the cushions cut to fit, but we couldn't agree on the patchwork design, and she threw a throw over it. ><
This time, I want it finished. New baby is on the way, and she'll need a nursing chair.
I just need some advice about arranging the squares, and how many colours to stick to for a block.
Any advice will be welcome!
Jessie
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I just need some advice about arranging the squares, and how many colours to stick to for a block.
Jessie
If you go back to my original post over on the Dark Side you'll see the pics I posted. One only had three fabrics for the entire project. The others had lots of different fabrics. Even if you keep to white or cream for the lights you could use five different fabrics in each 9-patch block, and if you used different fabrics for each block and shuffle them around before re-assembling you could be looking at dozens of different fabrics, or you could keep it to just 2 or 3.
https://feltmagnet.com/textiles-sewing/quilting-101-disappearing-nine-patch-and-other-variations (https://feltmagnet.com/textiles-sewing/quilting-101-disappearing-nine-patch-and-other-variations)
shows different ways of re-saaembling the blocks after they have been cut apart.
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Play Jessie and enjoy it, I'm sure it will turn out fine.
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Thanks Mal, I've been doing that today. I forgot how long it takes to cut out and obtain reasonable colour matches though.....
Don't think I'll ever make a quilter. :S
Jessie
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I didn't have all the fabric I needed here yesterday to try out with the 'proper' stuff. Truth be told, I don't like it, and that's why it failed last time, but, it's what DD wants, so I'll make a really big effort....
These are just a couple of practise blocks to try to work out what goes where when you cut the 9 patch up!
Jessie
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Very nice Jessie, are you going to mix the colourways at all?
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Hi Jessie
Can I make a couple of constructive criticisms.
The right hand block, pinks and mauves works well. 0_0 The left hand block with flowers on white gives a very different effect because those blocks have an overall lighter tonal value than the surrounding "light" pieces. The attraction of the block is (to me) the way darker patches form a criss-cross pattern across lighter fabrics and that won't happen with those colour choices.
I suggest you don't use the yellow/green flowers & red birds fabric for this project, though I do like the fabric. Also the cream/yellow is a bit dark, can you find lighter creams or more white?
Lastly, once you have cut a 9-block patch up you don't have to reassemble with four pieces from the same block. Shuffle them around making each new block from four different 9-patches. That will spread all the different fabrics around and will make it look much more integrated.
Having said all that you are making a good start and you have nice accurate points where the squares meet. Keep going.
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Great stuff girls! Keep it coming.
I knew the right block worked better, but I didn't know why, so many thanks for the colour placement tips.
Off to try some more. ;)
Jessie
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I meant to say that the actual piecing is very accurate :)
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Now, I like the green and red block. I like how the plain colours pick up on the patterned one. However, I would ditch the yellowy squares and just go for plain white.......but what do I know, I'm not a quilter!
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Is this one ????
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RnQ0qGEqHnQJknPibIGOadcje8yDGfnNqJmp_TIhO6qwL6hHhfXV0zMWeZLzwzYHD58tVZhu6F9vWiYVf5PvXC9eV2KbbIFNz21CtBxT3c160JY3n3gHWtdPV3SwCdArRdWfaH_Mv7cAVfj7WnFAh1mOsVUjEKK4peTuSKRbLBmL6TLsu2G7Xs_tJYwYNJ5hKP8F4jE5zrGNR4evVo-Oiv4jOTWoTZ-358wFbP7exQ5Pv-JeFagHJfhqf_Dz3m6lJiuD1WDuxoblMo1YV_MHwRzSH619qnw1Gp0WQCI-yZ-NA7ptFHl8rJqUUYIEYHlQNzGJ0LTOLQPrp77sU9KTusJfD2IjcW-YxJA_32UxuPkkGjDR_1MKyvtcyt9qVKAYvhQOPKGIkPv2VcfZS5iPOZMy-lcZQeAxFEFaO7Oa_26b2bYqi4v_MBquJZYOboTI7HP2b9gJ2wCxNu5OgLowxoJ7peRe-Jy-mXX_6RUOGv8GUFNMFS54HI_d_bgO6HwLYOp4kuZTe7LUJRPMeSsUdPW-XK95ChWAIaPnMSzHOQEeOBuU6nnnj3_VDYu9tsb9KKA2ZpYQLjuNGq6rdwTv2L9HwibsAaPTyUZEY0QEuowXyQ=w1053-h789-no)
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Not really, it's along the same lines but there are no triangles in a dnp, just squares and rectangles.
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Girls, I now have a plan!! The D9P has worked wonderfully well, and with a few modifications, I think I can produce something passable to cover the nursing chair cushions.
The brief was to use four upholstery fabrics which imho do not go together. They still don't, but the D9P, has meant that although I'm using them all, they are not so prominantly terrible. I've added a few touches which I think diffuse the clash, and give it a bit of a vintage flavour.
I've also (after a wasted day), decided against incorporating some of the failed blocks I did last year. Instead, I will do 8 blocks of D9P, with embellishments and cut to fit (I'm sure 8 will be enough). Then, I will do the backs in either the green check, or spot fabric, the sides may be pieced, just for continuity.
Now, does that sound like a plan?
The samples I'll use for nappy changing mats.
Any other suggestions? I can't believe how much knowledge there is on this forum!
Pic below - feel free to advise.
Jessie
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Yes! that looks good 0_0 It's working because you are getting a balance of lghts and darks - albeit the opposite way around to the examples shown in earlier posts.
Your sewing skills are obvious - excellent seam matching and some applique. The lace I like, but have you stitched it down along the scallops? You don't want anything that little fingers could get caught in.
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That looks great Jessie, really lovely fabric combo. I wish I could appliqe so neatly and the lace adds a delicacy :)
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Thank you Brenda, your comments are much appreciated. I think I was overthinking the thing, and trying to utilise the horrid blocks I made last year too - those are now going in the bin.
Yes, I have stitched the scallops, but not right at the edges, so maybe I'll go and re-visit that later.
Atm I just want enough yardage to cover the 2 cushions, and I'll be a happy bunny.
Jessie
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You are so right! and you have done such a wonderful job with, quite frankly, fabrics I wouldn't touch with a barge pole.
Brilliant idea to applique the hearts, beautifully done as well by the looks of it!
Indeed a very cunning plan, my liege
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That is lovely, I like the appliqued hearts and I love pink and grey together. Well done with the seam matching too.
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I did a couple more blacks last night, and spent the evening cutting daisies from yardage - made an awful mess! Got some more supplies this morning, so things should zip along a little faster - talking about zips - I forgot to buy them, so I'll have to have a root to see if anything I've already got will work.... Velcro at a push.... or, Buttons!! I've got loads, and the buttonholer is all set up!! Result.
Jessie
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Very pretty.
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Nearly done 7 half decent blocks, and a couple not so decent, and as it turns out, I have more than enough.
I picked the cushions up at the weekend, and they are much smaller than I thought (see pics)
As always, I've created a problem. The finished blocks are 13" approx, and the width of the cushion, 17".
So, what do I do? Just put a border round the base block?
Then there's the back, which is the same width, but taller. Add 1/2 a block to make the length?
Problems, problems, I think I'll stick to dressmaking.... ;)
Jessie
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What are those dragonflyie things???
Applique ?? Transfers?? Sew ons?? Iron ons??? Did you make them yourself?? Buy them?
and they look different on the grey ???
We need answers !!! :D
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Im, those dragonfly things are my attempt at dragonfly applique, and yes I did make them myself, as an attempt to break up the horrid colour, which isn't grey, it's a sage green. I cut them from a bit of lace which was roughly the shape of a wing, and put some braid down the centre.
Applique is much easier since I bought the right stuff, I think the Americans call it Heat and bond. You iron it on the applique, and then apply the applique to the fabric.
Don't look too closely please! Apart from not being finished, it's a tad 'unorthodox' in construction :)
Jessie
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Will applique and lace be suitable for a chair cushion which might get a lot of use ?
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Lowena, do you know, that didn't even cross my mind!! :) I'm doing the 'back' side pretty plain so she can flip it over maybe?
The chair is mainly used for story telling, so, just 1/2 an hour at night. Tbh, I just want it off the to-do list!
I hope I never see this fabric again!
Jessie
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It's lovely and you should be very proud of yourself, they'll all love it <3
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I think it's very pretty and sissy and nearly too lovely to sit on.
Well done on bringing it all together. :pin: (That's a star :[)
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those dragonfly things are my attempt at dragonfly applique, and yes I did make them myself, as an attempt to break up the horrid colour, which isn't grey, it's a sage green. I cut them from a bit of lace which was roughly the shape of a wing, and put some braid down the centre.
I hope you didn't misunderstand my tone Bi5erk, they are wonderful,
I was just very curious as to how, what they were...
Are there two different types??? the ones on the grey look more 'translucent'...
You could sell those as card toppers / embellishments you know ... they are very good !!!
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Im, they really aren't good! I don't know why one pair looks more translucent, they are made the same. The body is different on the second set, and I don't think it works as well as the pink trim.
Onwards! I have bordered my first block! And, made the back for it! Ta Da! (Pics below) After I had done the underside, I had a thought that DD would probably prefer this, as it's simpler. So, the cushion will be reversible!
Now I need to make lots of piping, cut out the corner bits (very fiddly), cut out the bit that joins the top to the bottom, and make some button plackets.
Jessie
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What a shenanigans!! I had originally drawn patterns for these cushions, but not measured them up properly, just working on a 171/2" minimum measurement.
It was so frustrating to find that there a) isn't a straight line on either cushion, and b) they are different lengths from top to bottom and side to side.
This has entailed lots of unpicking and re-bordering, and I've just got the size approx right for the back cushion.
I'm not going any further without drawing a pattern, as it's easier to work with than foam. ><
Jessie
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That's just what I had to do Jessie, when I made a patchwork cover for a windowseat cushion....not one straight line or equal measurement :( Very frustrating :ninja: