Green Cloth ~ Beginning

Green Cloth ~ Beginning, originally uploaded by ivoryblushroses.

With a couple of relaxing days at home, I've embarked on a new project. My initial idea was to try some of the techniques I've been seeing on Jude's blog and elsewhere with some small pieces. But in sketching my ideas out, they all ran together into a "long" cloth. I suspect this project will morph as it progresses!


It started off with wanting to try Jude's paperless piecing. I cut 9 small squares in shades of green from my scrap bag, ironed them using a 1" square paper template and then whip stitched the edges together after the paper template had been removed. I loved it so much, I made another one. A hunt through the green fabric stash resulted in these twiggy batik squares, perfect for combining with the 9-patches to make a larger block (now 6" square). I've used 2 strands of variegated embroidery floss for the seams and love the ever so slight bit of color contrast it gives.


I love the way the seams on the back look. Somehow more orderly than what I've achieved with normal quilt piecing. I find I love doing the little whipstitched seams.


I'm thinking of adding some appliques to this block ~ a little rabbit from some Japanese cotton that I have and a leafy floral motif that will most likely be embellished with some embroidery as well.


Block 2 came about when I was thinking about adding some velvet for texture. I have quite a lot of lovely deep olive green velvet that I love, which unfortunately doesn't photograph well. 2" squares of a blue-green batik combined with a coarse celery green cotton form the background and the heart will be appliqued down on top.


Block 3 was actually the first block I started playing with, just choosing colors and strips of fabric from my scrap bag. As I worked on the other two blocks, this one was modified slightly and still needs to have it's edges turned to match the size of the other blocks. Another leafy fabric will be appliqued here.


For Block 4, seen in the lower left of this pic, I'll semi-paper piece a traditional 8 pointed star, but then will add an embroidered blue bird on a dimensional nest. I totally love the 3-d nests that Kirsten makes. Another maker of beautiful nests is Gerry. These talented ladies offer much inspiration!


Later this month, I'm taking an online class from Jude! I love the way she layers her work with fabric and stitches and story. Can't wait to get started!