Sweet Fabric:
the quilt project

  • Tumbling blocks...

    Tumbling blocks...
    The end

    in about 1/2 an hour the blocks fell away from the quilt.

    It struck me that the quilt is exiting my life in the very same way it entered. The blocks have little white stitches as a reminder that they were part of something bigger.

    There's still a bit to do but I hope to have everything in the mail by 31 March.

    Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the wonderful people who were part of the quilt project.

  • The Quilt Project...

    The Quilt Project...
    IMG_5426

    Last night The Quilt Project quilt was displayed at Abbotsford Convent. Lots of lovely folk came to have a look at our beautiful quilt. It really is something special. Our online community have worked together to make something really amazing.

    I feel immensely proud of all of us. To quote the smalls...

    "We did a big achievement".

    On a personal note...

    When the project began I felt confident that the community quilt we were creating was going to be something special and I thought it would be a bit of fun. Certainly, both those things are true but The Quilt Project has meant so much more to me than just a bit of fun.

    As each block arrived I traced the designs with my fingers and imagined the maker hard at work. When each row was stitched together I stepped back and nodded and thought yes, yes that looks good. It wasn't until I sewed the last row onto the quilt, draped it over the couch and let it spill onto the floor that I was fully aware of the magic that is this project. It took my breath away. Each of these squares is a moment in time, a piece of each maker's life, a memory anchor.

    I will be eternally grateful to all who participated for trusting me with these very precious squares, thank you.

    The Quilt Project now has it's own space. I hope that it's a space that the contributors will be proud of and one that everyone interested in making can enjoy.

    Two extra special thank you's to Bec for travelling to be there & to Nikki for being a fabulous support.

  • My creative space...

    My creative space...
    The Quilt Project

    is buried under 5m x 3m of redwork & so am I!

    I may or may not be able to dig myself out to get around to say g'day this week I hope that when you see the quilt either live or via photos on the blog you'll forgive me.

    Those of you who were interested in last week's space & my music boxes in progress might want to take a look here.

    You can visit my favourite space from last week right here.

    Don't forget to pop in & add your link if you're playing along this week.

  • A quilt preview...

    A quilt preview...
    Red Mountain
    Bottom Row

    Square by Jess

    Did you know that Flip is coming to Australia? It's going to be available in time for Christmas.

    I'm one of the lucky folk who gets to trial the new Mino HD Flips. The camera arrived yesterday & so I decided to make a little Quilt Project video for you.

    I have a gadget geek brother who owns an earlier model of the Flip which I've used a bit...you can see those efforts here.

    Obviously the quality is far superior using the new flip & the addition of a tripod jack is fabulous as is the mobile phone size. It's smaller than an iPhone & just as easy to use.

    The most appealing thing for me is the fact that our videos can easily be stored (if I can do it anyone can) in the same place as our images rather than hanging around on teeny tiny digital tapes which neither myself or The Date know how to manage on the computer.

    I guess the main questions are...
    Would you buy it? Yes...built in USB (for quick & easy camera to pc transfer), built in battery, super easy to use. Tick, tick, tick.
    How much is it? Look here.

    So you'll probably see a bit more video around this space in the next little while if I can get over the fingernails-on-blackboard-cringe when I have to listen to my own voice.

    The most exciting video news in ages is that Handmade Nation will be released on DVD November 3. This movie made me proud to be a maker of things. If you haven't seen it (or even if you have) signup to receive an email alert to let you know it's available.

  • The Quilt Project ...LIVE FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY...

    The Quilt Project ...LIVE FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY...
    Invite

    The convent is located at 1 St Helliers Street Abbotsford in Melbourne.

    More information about how to get there here.

    What better venue to have our quilt stitched by (mainly)women displayed than at the convent?

    If you've been following the project & you're available on the 23rd we'd love to see you.

    Just RSVP by replying to my RSVP comment on this post or if you're shy you can email.

    The Quilt Project site will be launched on this evening also & will be live on the 24th of October.

  • My creative space...

    My creative space...
    My Creative Space Thumbnails

    OK...enough of the red. I did consider "staging" something for today but that would just be a lie. Mucking around with thumbnails today & thinking about the layout for the quilt.

    featured in this shot clockwise from top left:
    mary janes, crafting friends, kettle tree by Bindi, lovebirds, ferris wheel & fish by Cassie.

    Thanks for leaving the place nice & tidy last week.

    Don't forget to pop in & add your link if you're playing along this week.

  • A red day...

    A red day...
    The Red Tree by Kelly Mitchell

    block submitted by Kelly Mitchell

    Today I've pressed & photographed 48 pieces worked in red. I Jerry built myself a "studio", set the camera up on the tripod & away I went. I've resized a few of the images & I'm feeling a wee bit excited about the finished quilt.

    I was pretty nervous about the iron but I used a low setting & just waved the iron over the back of the squares.

    I'm an all or nothing kind of girl. Today was all about the red.

  • The quilt project...

    The quilt project...
    runner

    I'm very happily back to Melbourne drizzle. It was lovely & cool on the run this morning.

    This is my most recent pair of Asics. I did actually head into Active Feet before I headed out of town & am now sporting a new pair of runners (toe not yet worn through). My shoes were stitched by hand which I thoroughly enjoyed. I used stem stitch, running stitch & chain stitch for the shoe. I chose to french knot the tongue & the ankle cushioning which was very time consuming but very satisfying.

    Perhaps not the best time to take off ... I arrived home yesterday morning to a mountain of quilt project blocks. Each of them are wonderful & I am very much looking forward to sharing the completed "quilt" with you. I am horribly behind with the Flickr commenting but you might like to see some of the amazing pieces worked in red that have been sent in here.

    If you've been following the project & if you think you might like to see the completed quilt in person ... you might want to mark 23 October in your diary. Details coming soon.

    It feels good to be home, I'm looking forward to catching up on all your news & having a chat.

  • How to turn a photo into an embroidery design...

    How to turn a photo into an embroidery design...

    (for non-drawer types)

    Step 1:
    Take a photo of what it is you want to embroider.

    Runners

    Step 2:
    Use either photoshop or picnik to turn your image into a pencil sketch. You could stop here if you want your embroidery project to be "photographic".
    If you don't have access to either of these applications you could just photocopy or turn your image black & white.

    Runners

    Step 3:
    Print your pencil sketch image.
    Muck around with your coloured pencils to work out which elements you want coloured.

    Colouring

    Step 4:
    Using a light box or window trace your design with a fine liner.

    Tracing

    Step 5:
    Scan & size your image according to your project requirements.

    Stage 3

    Step 6:
    Then trace onto your fabric using a water soluable marker.

    Creative Stitching

    Begin stitching.

  • Thumbs up...

    Thumbs up...
    inspiration

    Click image to see more on Flickr.

    If it weren't for the quilt project I may never have "met" & fallen in love with...

    'lil sonny sky

    & if you think her inspiration shot looks good. Wait until you see the finished piece.

    Lisa has an etsy store too & sells beautiful, beautiful things.

  • French...

    French...
    French

    I'm absolutely all about the redwork. Things could be a bit boring around here until it's done but I promise to mix things up a bit.

    Colouring in with French Knots is so satisfying (if a little on the slow side). It's touchability is high which is pretty important to me.

    I'm a bit worried that my piece will be a bit on the grubby side by the time it all comes together.

    Check our quilt project progress here.

  • My creative space...

    My creative space...
    Creative Stitching

    I've made a pretty solid start on my square for the quilt project. I can't wait to get home from curtaining so that I can stitch a little more.

    I'm really enjoying the slow & steady as I'm feeling there has been so much rushing. Rushing the kids around, rushing to make decisions about the house, rushing to pick things up...you know the drill.

    You can visit last weeks favourite space here.

    Don't forget to pop in and add your link if you're playing along this week.

    OK :: The link isn't working...again! Sorry but this is the perfect opportunity for me to plead with you all to sign up to JS Kit. Then we can all just visit from your name. It will take us straight to your blog if you sign up! Even better if you upload an avatar then I can see at a glance exactly who you are.

    Have tested further (& now rushing to curtaining...argh). So...if you comment with your blogger id or JS Kit it's going to work. I'd still love you to consider an avatar if you're so inclined. I really like to know which "Kirsty" just by seeing your little image. It seems this is actually a JS Kit issue. I've logged a help ticket.

    THANKS & sorry.

  • Scruncher or folder?...

    Scruncher or folder?...
    Quilt Project Beginning

    I'm a roller!

    When I learnt to embroider from my highly skilled neighbour she was most emphatic...

    "embroidery works in progress should always be rolled"

    I'm all about the kit, I have kits for every craft project. So, before I could begin stitching up my quilt project design I had to make up a special quilt project kit.

    I thought I'd share with you the step by step.

    I think these would make a great (& almost free) gift for any stitchers in your life.

    So no more scrunching or folding people...it's all about the roll.

    PDF how to available here.

    How To Fabric Covered BoxView more presentations from kootoyoo.

  • The sum of us...

    The sum of us...
    Sum of us

    Andrea
    Bindi
    Carole
    Cassie
    Emily
    Jo
    Kelly

    -Nova
    a card a day
    -Jessica
    a life so peachy
    -Jenny
    allsorts
    -Shannon
    aunty cookie
    -Amy
    badskirt
    -Daria
    bird flew
    -Sosser
    bricolagelife
    -Cherry
    bright red cherries
    -Jessica
    button beauty
    -Sheridan
    chalet girl
    -Chedderfish
    Chedderfish
    -Gina
    clutterpunk
    -Nicole
    craftapalooza
    -Cam
    curly pops
    -Jenni
    embellish
    -Mel
    emmstarr
    -Alison
    frutejuce
    -Jodi
    goddess jodi
    -Evie
    handmade romance
    -Bec
    honi design
    -Liesl
    hoppo bumpo
    -Rachel
    idle pines
    -Gretchen
    june at noon
    -Kirsty
    kootoyoo
    -Lisa
    lil sonny sky
    -Myf
    long ago tales
    -Claire
    loobylu
    -Maya
    maya*made
    -Pip
    meet me at mikes
    -Caroline
    maika creations
    -Sandra
    miau mau
    -Midge
    midge & judy
    -Peta-Jane
    milly molly mandy loves to quilt
    -Leah
    mini monty
    -Jessica
    miss fancy tumbles
    -Miya
    miya
    -Nikki
    my black cardigan
    -Tania
    myrtle & eunice
    -Angelique
    no life without wife
    -Ginevra
    occasional glimpses
    -Emma
    one & four
    -Kate
    one flew over
    -Christie
    pigeon pair
    -Polka Dot Rabbit
    polkadot rabbit
    -Tamara
    quarter of an inch
    -Nan
    rummage
    -Bianca
    sadie & lance
    -Lara
    thornberry
    -Jane
    thunder road
    -Lou
    totally innocent
    -Trash
    trashcan
    -Michelle
    two and six
    -Naomi
    two little buttons
    -Linda
    two pink possums
    -Jeana
    unbecominglily
    -Yana
    white mouse creations
    -Fran
    wishthimble
    -Nic
    yardage girl
    -Jonathan
    yoho the rattlin

  • The quilt project...

    The quilt project...
    The Quilt Project

    is something special.

    I have co-ordinated 3 community based friendship quilts and loved so much the sense of belonging & the unity & the thought of many hands working together to make one "something".

    I've been stewing on The Quilt Project for a good long time now. Everytime I look at my Great Grandmother's Redwork quilt I've thought about it more & more. I feel a connection with those women. Women who made time to stitch these intricate designs in only red just to share a piece of themselves with someone else. It gives me goosebumps. I'm the only person who really gets to enjoy my piece of redwork history & so I thought I'd like to have a go at organising a contemporary redwork piece that once complete will be published online so that everyone can enjoy it.

    About 18 months ago I purchsed a huge stack of calico squares all overlocked in red. I've got 50 squares to post out & I'd love you to be a part of it.

    Red overlocked squares

    I thought about sending personal invites, but you know...you never know where the gold might lie. I want participants to be as passionate & as excited about this project as I am. You don't have to restrict yourself to embroidery. There are some more ideas & information included with the PDF info sheet.

    If you think that this is something you'd like to have a crack at then visit The Quilt Project page & download the PDF. See edit in red below.

    To secure your place you need to return the 2nd page of the PDF to the email address provided on that page.

    Places will be allocated in order of email receipt of completed sign up sheet.
    Edit: We're over 50 - thank you to everyone who's signed up.

    Thanks.

    The Quilt Project is now complete & has it's own site here...

    The Quilt Project