Embroidery

Black Cat Pillow

Frank Black pillow in red chair

I wanted to make a pillow/soft sculpture and decided an homage to our dearly departed Frank Black was the perfect subject.  I added his scar from his compulsive self-mutilating and captured him in his goofy, relaxed state--with tongue out. 

Lessons to be learned from winging the creation of a pillow creature:

  • The sewing machine does not register speed.  You are allowed to sew slowly and precisely.  In fact, going slowly and accurately is recommended.  
  • They are called seam allowances. Remember that.
  • If you sew wicked fast with no seam allowances drawn on, you will definitely end up with a different shape than you planned.  Totally.
  • Making a pattern requires more planning than just doing a sketch.  No super sharp curves or angles, add room for seam allowance, etc.  You have to draw and translate into an executable pattern.  
  • Do not wad all the stuffing in there speedily or you will have a lumpy blob of a creature. Small puffs of stuffing, if you please!
  • But, it is all good if you ultimately capture the vibe you were shooting for.  This pillow makes me go, "Aww" so it worked out OK.

Now, I have not looked online.  Something tells me that there is an awesome cat pattern PDF out there.  But, I like making it up as I go along.  And I learned a lot.  I would compare it to my driving philosophy.  I am always telling Dagwood, as he uses his imaginary brakes, that I have to drive like I feel it.  So you feel the joy of it, whipping around curves, going really fast downhill.  I would say this rule is even more critical when you are making things.  Do it. Find the joy. Make mistakes, learn, and get better and better at it. And, enjoy the ride.

Frank Black pillow against wall

Final Quilt Square, Cowboy Cat

Cowboy cat quilt squarre #12

Ta-da!  Just in the nick of time, hours before the flight to begin the bike tour, the last quilt square is done!  I figured a cowboy would be good and even threw in some UT Longhorn orange!

Quilt Square #11- Artistic Rabbit

Artistic Rabbit - Quilt Square 11

Tagged:

Quilt #10 - Dashing Dog

Quilt Square #10 Dashing Dog

Had some sewing setbacks--just other stuf going on.  Poor Jack will be in pre-kinder by the time we get him his quilt!

Tagged:

Sunday tea towel

Eat Me Sunday tea towel
This is an old piece.  I started a Day of the Week towel set for my friend which is taking years to complete. Oh well, the advantage is that I think some of my techniques may have improved.    And, I made this one for Sunday to up the sass factor.

Tagged:

Quilt Square Number 9- Embroidering Duck

Embrodering Ducky
Quilt Square #9
The original transfer made the duck look crazed and mean.  So I gave the duck eyelashes and tried to soften her demeanor a bit.  I am afraid she still looks a little intense.  Come to think of it, how would you look if you had to embroider with your feathers in the way all the time?

Tagged:

Rockin' Bib

Rock star bib
Apparently baby Jack is currently rocking the baby drool.....

Tagged:

Squirrel Quilt Square #8

Squirrel quilt square #8

Quilt Square #8.  Where I grew up the squirrels were gray but this is a fabulous exotic red squirrel eating a chestnut.

Tagged:

Blue Bird Quilt Square #7

blue bird quilt square
Quilt square #7 of 12.  The blue bird will be joined shortly by a squirrel.  Stay tuned for the final 5 cute animal quilt squares.  Highlights include a bunny artiste in beret and a dapper dog in a fedora with a cane.

Tagged:

Bear & Bee Quilt Square #6

bear and bee quilt square
Quilt Square #6 for baby Jack Bernard! 

I am not in love with the colors I used...I wish I had used a brighter green for his pants. Oh well. I do like the bee!

Tagged: