Friday, July 11, 2008

Block for Melissa

This is my block for the June round of the Common Threads virtual quilting bee. It's Melissa's turn this month. You can see the fabric she sent and her inspiration quilts here. I added the yellow Flea Market Fancy fabric. The idea behind the block was a triptych. I did my first free pieced curves on this block (except for some very gentle ones on the Hop, Skip, and a Jump quilt). I used the Art Quilt Workbook by Jane Davila and Elin Waterson to help me. They recommend using 1/8th inch seams on the curves which I did, but Melissa is using this on her bed and she and I decided that adding some decorative stitching to reinforce the seams would be a good idea. So the block went from this....

















to this. Can you see the stitching? I hope it reinforces those seams enough to wear well. The bee is challenging all of us to stretch ourselves. Head to the Common Threads blog to see more of the work of this talented group of women.

15 comments:

dutchcomfort said...

Wonderful block! Love the birds!

Unknown said...

It looks great! The deco stitch you used looks really nice. I have just been exploring over at Common Threads - how much fun!

Kathleen said...

Wow 1/8" is not much Jacquie...no wonder you did the stitching and it is such cute stitching too! You certainly are using the creativity part of your brain if that makes sense!!

Anonymous said...

I really like that block. Well done.

Purple and Paisley said...

nice job on the curves and the reinforcement stitching looks perfect...=)...

QuiltedSimple said...

How pretty - especially with the decorative stitching!!
Kris

Kate said...

Fantastic block - great curves.

Nanette Merrill said...

Very nice. Good job. I've not done this technique yet myself. But I love the idea of stretching my skills. Thats kind of why I signed up for Dear Jane.

Kieny The Dutchlady said...

Lovely block and I like the decorative stitching!

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

I have always used 1/4" seams on curves and it works fine. I think 1/8" seams are for people who quilt the quilts to death or for small art pieces that will never be washed. The decorative stitching should help and the block looks great.

Stacy said...

Jacquie, I just love your work! Everything you do comes out so unique and perfect! I love the fabric she picked, and the colors. Not my usual but they got together really well. I love the stitching, just enough extra!

MichelleB said...

The blocks looks great. Check out Pink Chalk Studio's Wavy Seams tutorial. I used it and I'm sure I used 1/4 inch seam allowance. Also Threadbender, in December 07 has a squiqqles tutorial, using wavy seams. Lisa Boyer (Dorky Homemade Quilts) used the method. Hope this helps and wasn't annoying! lol

Anonymous said...

I love it!!! The bird fabric is awesome and the design of the block it just perfect for it.

Beth said...

The additional decorative stitching is incredible - elegant and adds to the overall design of the block. I look forward to seeing the finished top!

Leanne said...

What a lovely bright block....love the bird fabric.