Tuesday, January 3, 2012

TAST (Take a Stitch Tuesday)

 Cooking isn't my only interest, though this blog may make it seem as though it is. I am also an avid quilter, an interest I developed in the late 70's and that retirement has allowed me to pursue to my heart's content. Back then I was looking for something (non-cerebral) that I could do that would help alleviate stress, enable me to express my artistic side, and keep me occupied but not cut off from the company of others (an avid reader, I was accused on being anti-social when I would bury my nose in a book for hours). I began as a hand piecer and hand quilter, moved on to machine piecing and quilting about 10 years ago, and discovered crazy quilting last year. My enthusiasm for crazy quilting lead to a desire to pursue embroidery, something that I'd tried in the past without a lot of success.

Part of the reason for that lack of success is that I am left-handed, though somewhat ambidexterous, and live in a world of right-handers. I can't tell you how many times I've been told things like "sit across from me and just do what I do in reverse" or "sit in front of a mirror and reverse the instructions." Neither works. But thanks to people like Judith Montano and Yvette Stanton, there are now excellent resources for the left-handed stitcher.

That brings us to TAST 2012 (take a stitch Tuesday). Having taken 2 online classes with Sharon Boggons after finding her wonderful blog Pin Tangle, I was delighted when she decided to repeat this year-long challenge. Simply, each week Sharon posts a stitch, along with her wonderful tutorials and resources, and the challenge is to try to master the stitch and even use it in a creative way.

The first stitch was the FLY STITCH, one that I have used before. I am using a 25 count piece of linen as my "doodle cloth," and after practicing the stitch using several types of thread and attempting to work the stitch in a circle--more practice needed there--I used 2mm silk ribbon to add texture to one of the blocks that will be part of my latest crazy quilting project.



I'm looking forward to practicing the stitches that I know and learning many more that I have not used.

14 comments:

  1. Superbe mise en forme...beaucoup de couleurs, j'aime beaucoup...
    Amicalement du Québec

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  2. your stitching is coming along nicely. I really like the idea of using it to add texture to your crazy quilt.

    Karen

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  3. The stitch does add a great texture -- wonderful idea! I admire the rest of what I see in your CQ photo, too. Happy Stitching!
    Gail of 2createsg.blogspot.com (Sam & Gail)

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  4. I LOVE crazy quilts and really want to learn how to make them (making at least one is on my bucket list!!). I have a few vague instructions on how to - is it hard? Do you make your patches starting with a 5 cornered piece? This really inspires me!!! I just love the fabric you have used (from what I can tell).

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  5. Your colours are wonderful and your fly stitches are really flying!

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  6. Rosella, I do start my blocks with a slightly off-center, 5-sided piece. It's been great fun collecting fancy fabrics and I finally have enough to have sorted them by color and stored them in separate containers. The block I'm showing is one of 12, all shades of blue, that will become an "under the sea" wall hanging. I haven't pieced the blocks together yet, but will add applique to finish the piece. The first row is comprised of light blues moving to the third row (of which this block is one) which is comprised on dark blues to indicate the floor of the sea.

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  7. Oh, looks interesting in that area on the block! I like the sparklies you put on it.

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  8. That sounds amazing - I hope you will post a picture of the finished quilt. You have definately inpired me!

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  9. This will be amazing with the stitching you've described to us. I look forward to seeing the finished quilt. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  10. Great idea for using the stitch!

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  11. your stitching and crazy quilt are beautiful and i love the idea and look of using silk ribbon with this stitch . . .
    also think that the fly stitches that you worked in a circle resemble snowflakes . . . i think there are some great possibilities there~!

    :-)
    libbyQ

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  12. WOW that is Great Arlene.. I am going to have to check her out too. with me being a lefty too. I have always wanted to make a crazy quilt but never had the nerve to try it... Maybe this is the year..
    Hugs
    Sssan

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  13. A wonderful piece.

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  14. I really like the stitching in your block.It is incredible. Did it take you Long? Kathy http://kathysnest32.wordpress.com/

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