I have always loved crazy quilts but until I joined the CQForNewbies online group I had never even made a CQ block. This block is my very first ever CQ block and was made for another first, my first round robin. As you can see from the picture below, I love bright colors and of course that is what I used. No earth tones or dull colors for me. I wish that I had not used the printed black on the block but maybe with all the embellishments that the other five ladies are putting on the block it will work out fine. It is such a gorgeous piece of fabric and since I bought it just for this block I used it, and, in person it seems to look better than it does in a picture.
When I bought the fabric I looked at the price on the end of the bolt and thought that is a great price for such beautiful fabric. As I was looking at other fabric and AFTER the lady had cut the fabric, she called out the price, $16.98 a yard. Thank goodness I was only buying one eighth of a yard. When I had looked at the end of the bolt I had read $6.98. Would have been in trouble if I had asked for a full yard. These days I carefully look at the price before telling the salesperson how much to cut.
As I said earlier I am participating in my first round robin. This is DeAnn's block and when I received it I probably spent two weeks just looking at it and thinking about what embellishments that I could do. I had a small crocheted basket and since the center block was purple velvet, I decided that I would work on that section of the block. I just could not get up enough nerve to do embroidery flowers to fill the basket so I went with beading flowers. It did not matter that I have been doing embroidery for fifty plus years, I just could not start out on a block that did not belong to me. The lace that I used I bought just for this RR but it was snow white and just did not go with the block. After a quick dip in a cup of tea it was perfect. Purple beads were added to the lace to tie it in with the purple velvet section. In going through my stash I ran across a pretty heart button and since my signature is a heart I had to use the heart. There was a tiny patch on the block and it just cried out for the heart so there is where I put it.
When I received Marya's block I also spent time looking at it and thinking about what to do. I just could not come up with anything except to embellish the floral printed circle in the center of the block. I seem to like the center of things. :O) I decided to alternate pearls and French knots around the outside of the circle. I had finally learned to do a French knot so I could not resist doing them. There was a narrow line around the circle so I covered that with backstitches. I did not want to actually cover the printed flowers so I just did backstitches and straight stitches on the flowers, leaves, and vase. Also did more French knots. After finally learning how to do them I was going to use them every chance possible. The pink beads on the white lace were the exact color of the rose to the left of the lace, but after the beads were on the lace they did not seem to match as perfectly. As least that is the way they look to me. This block also had a tiny patch so that is where my signature heart ended up.
I wanted to put pink embroidery stitches around the section with the circle but I still could not bring myself to jump in and do it.
All these years I could not make a decent French knot and then a few weeks ago I tried again and lo and behold I made a very nice looking one. My problem was that I was taking the thread back down in the same hole or too close to the same hole and therefore I was just pulling the thread through to the back. I wonder how anyone with my training in textiles and knowledge of embroidery could be so dense. I owe my being able to now do a good French knot to Katie Jay and the stitch along she started in Lillian's Hand Embroidery online group. I was looking at different stitches and saw the French knot once again and finally it clicked. Thanks Katie. Still having trouble with the Colonial knot.
The other day I was looking through some of my books and ran across an embroidery book that has all the pictures/patterns done entirely in French Knots. What is so funny is that I bought the book ten to fifteen years ago when I could not make a French Knot at all. Guess I knew that one day I would learn. However, I can't see myself doing an entire picture in knots. That would take forever and a day. But then just for the fun of it I might do a small picture. If and when I do, I will be sure to post a picture on this blog.
DD,
You did an awesome job! That’s great that you were able to finally pick up on the french knot! Keep trying on the colonial knot. That one took repeated veiwing of the Anna Griffin video but once I got it, it is is very easy too. Also the 50 stitches video you bought looks like it shows how to do it a little differently and I was thinking of seeing if it was an easier way or not. I’ll let you know if you don’t already do it before I do! Everytime I see it in books I think I would never have gotten it just using a book!
Melissa
dd — I happen to like the black print on your first block. In fact, I like the whole block!! And great work with the basket and the beaded circle. See, you can do this and your work is great.
It has been a while since I looked at your blog, dd, and am I ever impressed. Your colorful first block is beautiful, and the stitching you’ve done on the other in your RR is great! Way to go…now just keep going!
DD, I am glad that you mastered the french knot, and hav e done a good job of it too, however, i find that your not giving me the credit for starting the stitch practice when i was co-moderator of the Hand Embroidery Group with Lillian(at her request) is a little odd. When I left the group all the files that i had spent hours putting together were deleted(at my request), but the stitch practice continued to be a very popular activity and was taken over by others. That is all fine and i am glad that it has helped so many become more proficient in their skills. I only ask that credit be given where credit is due. thanks….ktj
just wanted to say that giving credit where credit is due is a question of honesty and integrity….and it seems to me, the Christian thing to do.
ktj
Katie I sincerely apologize for not giving you credit for starting the stitch along in the Hand Embroidery online group. I have changed the post to give you the credit you deserve. I would have done it after your first post but I do not check my blog every day, therefore, I did not know of my mistake until after your second post. Sorry.