Thursday, July 14, 2016

summer sewing

A deadline is often the thing that brings be back to sewing when other things have prevented me from giving it the time I would like. I have been posting a bit of progress on this one on Instagram. The ease of process in posting a photo or two over there is working well with our all over the place summer schedule.

This recent cloth is a table runner - roughly 14" X 90", made with vintage and repurposed fabrics. The blue fabric is from a little indigo dye session last summer, just a quick dip in a weakening pot.

The back is a thrifted canvas drop cloth. It gives a wonderful weight to the runner, enough relief for a nice crinkle after the wash, and a lovely fringe on a raw edge. Just the quilt top and the drop cloth are a manageable thickness for both hand-stitching and machine-stitching. I really love the weight of this combination.

That's a Buttonbush branch above, my inspiration for the leaves and circle blooms. I am eager to get another portable project ready to roll. Our summer has been full of bike races and although this runner project was portable during the appliqué and hand-stitching stages, for the most part it was made at home.

Because, sometimes a bike race looks like this. Maybe time to start a little mud cloth.

12 comments:

  1. a delightful piece, beautifully conceived and elegantly executed

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    1. Thanks, Mo. It has a lightness - sky and clouds maybe. I think next, I might make something bright and bold.

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  2. This runner is so beautiful!! I love everything about it. I also love that it is for the table.

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    1. Hi Dana! A little tricky to photograph, something so long and narrow. But yes, lots of options for arrangement. Thank you!

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  3. When I read your blog all at once, the posts give a feeling of well-being. It's very powerful actually.
    You are able to mix your creativity with your love of nature and your family and quietly do. Not to worry that there is a month or two between posts. xo

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    1. Hi Judy. So nice, thank you. It's funny that much time can go by so quickly, but it does make me feel like I am making progress to see the things I manage to make all together here in one place. The gaps really aren't as big as I imagine them. Hope all of your mending is going very well.

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  4. What a cutie your little one is, and your summer sewing is so very inspiring and incredibly beautiful.

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    1. Hi Debra! Thank you! Hope you get notification on my reply as I am afraid it has taken me awhile. We are headed for fall now. Hope all is very well with you and your students.

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  5. I have started reading your BLOG regularly and have really been enjoying each post. I love this long cloth-it is so lite, beautiful and amazing. Of course, it helps, I love blue!

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    1. Hi Tina. Thanks so much, and for taking the time to comment! It is so nice to know who is following along.

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  6. Your quilts are so beautiful. I love everything about them - the natural dyes, the stitching, the designs. They really speak to me. You're very talented.

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    1. Janice, thanks so much for your kind words on my quilting and for taking the time to comment. I have just popped over to see your beautiful floral blanket!

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