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Monday, December 7, 2020

Design Wall Monday - December 7, 2020

This is the first Monday in December.  I admire all of you quilters who have your Christmas decorations up and your gifts made/purchased.  I have just started to think about Christmas, and the only thing I have done is put out Christmas placemats and napkins on our kitchen table.  

But as I said last December.....I try to remember to forgive myself for all the things I wanted to get done and didn't.  The house will get decorated for Christmas a little at a time this year.  

What have I worked on this week?  Well, I continued on the embroidery for the May Day Baskets quilt.  This one is #19 and I have just started #20 of 30.  I would surely like to talk to the designer of these baskets....about his obsession with French knots.  This block not only has flowers with lots of French knots but also the basket itself has French knots.


The other project I've worked on this week is one that I never thought I'd finish, but it appears that I will.  Here's the story:

My good friend Joan Brink comes to my house and works on her quilting projects with me on Monday nights.  A few weeks ago, she brought a UFO to show me that was a kit designed by Cynthia England.  Cynthia developed a technique called "Picture Piecing" which is a method where freezer paper (tiny little pieces) are ironed to the front of the fabric, not to the back.  Joan's project was a cute kitten with a quilt.  As I looked at her pattern, I remembered that long ago I bought a similar project that had so many tiny pieces in the design, that I folded the pattern back up and never started it.  Joan said - "I bet it's a Cynthia England design." 

After she left, I searched through my "highly organized and efficient filing system," i.e. the black hole, and found my pattern.  It was indeed a Cynthia England pattern. 

Joan is working on finishing her project.......so I said "If Joan can do it, I can do it!"  I've started on mine.  

Here are the pictures of our two projects:

Joan's:


Mine:


And here is a picture taken of what the freezer paper pattern looks like:



Are we nuts?  Well yes we are, and we both like a challenge, and Joan took a class from her!  It isn't hard - just small pieces....and you know I like small! There are videos (and simple patterns to learn her technique) at her website to explain her method. (Go here to see)  Think of it as putting together a 1000 piece puzzle.

The pattern is divided into sections which are sewn separately and then the sections are sewn together.  I am about halfway through.  I am keeping the freezer paper on the top of the sections as I go, and am going to have a "big reveal" night when I have all the sections sewn together, and take off all the freezer paper pieces.

What are you working on?  Please link up to Design Wall Mondays and show us!

 


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18 comments:

  1. Those french knots are so cute, these baskets are looking so lovely. There are a LOT of pieces in the picture quilt but like you said, you enjoy little, happy stitching!

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  2. Wow, that's quite an undertaking! Both projects will be gorgeous when they are finished. The only reason my house is decorated is since we didn't go anywhere for Thanksgiving there was time to get the tree up before the SIT went back to college. She really wanted to get the tree up since they had decided not to decorate the apartment this year. Have a great week.

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  3. You are nuts! but how pretty are those! what a fun project to work on with someone .... when you go crazy the other one can pour the wine ha ha!

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  4. Ohmygosh!! You are the brave one--good luck with this project...it will be so pretty !! Hugs in my Winter coat brrrr cold here Julierose

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  5. That looks very confusing to me, I would have to see it done before I would attempt it. Getting excited to see the final basket block and a quilt and I know you are too. Thank you for the linky party, I've not had much to share lately.

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  6. that looks very confusing looking forward to seeing how you do it.

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  7. I think I would put it away too. It will be wonderful when you get it done. It is good to have a friend along for the ride.

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  8. Adore your basket. But I'm so intrigued by this stitching method. The freezer paper on top! Really, wow. I will enjoy seeing how this goes.

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  9. Oh my goodness... that is crazy! And I'm crazy too, so I'm very intrigued! I watching 2 of her videos and it looks fun!

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  10. I took that class with Cynthia. I thought it was paper piecing and never quite got the hang of it, with the little papers popping of unless I accidentally sewed over them which was another one of my problems. Oy.

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  11. I have a lot of trouble with paper piecing, but have a project to finish as well! Your stitchery looks beautiful, glad those knots are behind you now.

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  12. Oh wow, it's going to be tricky, but the pattern is beautiful! I guess you will be very very happy when it will be finished ;))

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  13. My hat is off to you! Kudos for pulling out an involved pattern and making it. It will be much easier to work on with your friend. And, nothing like a little good natured competition to get you moving. I recently found a lighthouse pattern made that way (or so it seems). My first thought was, no, I don't need to go this crazy. But, maybe I should take a second look at it...... It's not my normal style but it might be something to consider. In the meantime, I'll keep working (and probably complaining) about a t shirt quilt I'm working on. Have a great week.

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  14. Hi Judy, even if they are a pain, those french knots look great on your basket. Good luck with your new project. Wow, good thing that you like a challenge, fiddly things and have a partner. That looks wicked! I had a look at her tutorial....way to fiddly for me but it's going to look great! Take care and thanks for hosting!

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  15. I had a lot of Cynthia patterns and gifted them to another blogger when I was cleaning out some drawers in my Studio. I tried the technique once and that was all for me. But I was thankful to find someone who likes the technique.
    You will enjoy it as it is very forgiving. Have fun with all!

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  16. Which quilt pattern is the May Day Baskets from (I have no brain today) - the Designer? I love the baskets!

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    Replies
    1. See this post where I talk about the origins of the patterns.
      https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/2020/03/design-wall-monday-march-9-2020.html?m=1

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  17. Wow, that’s an involved project, but I am sure you will enjoy it - can’t wait to see it when you have the big reveal!

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I am always searching for new ideas and your feedback helps me learn how to do things better. Thanks for stopping by! Note that I am not on the computer daily, so responses to your comments happen when they happen.....I'm 80, and I hope allowances can be made. 😊