Hollyhocks 2
Hollyhocks 2
Hand dyed and commercial cottons, fused, machine pieced, hand embroidered French Knots, machine quilted using hand dyed (Artfabrik) pearl cotton threads size 12
57x40.5" 1997 $900
The mere mention of using pearl cotton in the bobbin brought an overwhelming request (OK 1 email) asking how it was done, and all those days of explaining came rushing back to me.
This stitching was NOT done with pearl cotton in the bobbin. This is size 12 pearl cotton which easily fits in a size 90 machine needle.
This quilt was made to show off our threads in our sales booths. It worked, but honestly I think I got an equal amount of requests for a pattern for the piece. I never made one, so please don't ask. Could it be any easier to copy this just from the photos? Be my guest.
Note to students: Notice the orange and purple flowers in the center of this picture. I regret not cutting away the orange flower part that underlaps the purple one, since you can see the edge of the fabric shape as a crease. I know better now.
Beautiful, Mel! ...but I'm confused, 'cause I thought tension would be thrown out of whack if the weight of the thread in the bobbin and the needle didn't match.
ReplyDeleteShowing your "antique Melody quilts" is such a trip down memory lane. It's also great that you are sharing them with those who didn't know you when..... and can realize how you got from then to now.
ReplyDeletePS When I call them "antique Meody quilts" it's kind of like when I went into an antique shop and saw something I had received for a wedding present when I had been married less than 10 years!
Oh, I love this piece, but it just makes me tired to look at it and the hours of sewing that it took. Wowza!
ReplyDeleteOn a galloping horse I wouldn't have been able to pick out the cutway thingy.....LOL.....your work is fabulous!
ReplyDeletebeautiful!!!
ReplyDeletethanks for the advice about the pearl cotton. I've always loved the look but was convinced I'd have to put it in the bobbin.
ReplyDelete