On my design wall is a project I started 2 years ago - an origami quilt from the book "Fantastic Fabric Folding" by Rebecca Wat. The quilt will be a simple 9-patch - the pattern is "Inside Out Flowers". I bought the fabric for the flowers during a shop hop event and cut out the 6" squares and started folding, then for some reason, I don't remember why, I put it down.
I'm bringing it back out but unfortunately, the flowers I've already folded were not stored well and need to be ironed out and re-folded. - on an upnote, I had only folded about 25 so I'm not out much time. This quilt needs 125 flowers. But after that it's just a simple 9-patch and should go together quickly. Because of the 3-D type of effect of the flowers, Rebecca said she tied this quilt instead of quilting it (she was a guest on Alex Anderson's Simply Quilts show). The background is white/green and the flowers are all these lovely spring and summer colors. As a little embellishment, I think beaded flower centers would be a lovely extra touch.As I've been typing this blog posting, however, I've pondered the Inside Out Flowers quilt and have decided I would enjoy it more as smaller wall hanging, than as a bed size quilt. The piece in the book is 65" x 65" and has 25 flower 9-patches and 24 white/green 9-patches. I'm going to make it 40" x 40" so it will have 13 flower 9-patches and 12 white/green 9-patches.
I've also been seriously bitten by the knitting bug and have several projects going. At the encouragement of Judy at Patchwork Times, I'm attempting to knit, for the first time, socks. I bought the book Knitting Circles Around Socks by Antje Gillingham and have my first pair going. I do spend an incredible about of time, though, trying to keep the two balls of yarn untangled. So I decided to also knit a pair of socks the old fashioned way - one sock at a time on double pointed needles so I would have something to compare it to. 
And I'm knitting a scarf - I think a row of seed beads might find its way onto this scarf ... 
Look forward to seeing how these flowers will become part of a quilt!
ReplyDeleteI love the folded nine patch. I have looked at the book so many times but never bought it. I look forward to seeing your quilt :)
ReplyDeleteI have seen this quilt and it is lovely. I think a smaller quilt is a wonderful idea. I worry about embellished larger quilts being able to withstand the use around here. I have been knitting too and I think I am finally nearing the end of my prayer shawl. I tried to knit sock and absolutely hated it. I am a big chuncky yarn type of person!!
ReplyDeleteGood idea to shrink the size of the folded flowers project to enjoy it sooner! Very pretty so far.
ReplyDeleteI am not a knitter (currently!) but Mary Johnson has great hints for the yarn twisting problem. try this: http://blog.maryquilts.com/2010/09/29/socks-another-long-winded-post/.
LOVE the oragami!! I love doing 3d folds for my applique work!!
ReplyDeleteAnnieO - thanks for the link about avoiding the yarn tangle - I went to the link and after reading what Mary said I thought, "well duh! - that makes perfect sense." So I'll give it a whirl when I get home tonight.
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