Monday 30 July 2012

I'm Going To The Dark Side...

I'm making a stitchery quilt....There, I've said it...Oh, & I've never made a quilt before... and I'm a small projects kinda girl...

I've been wanting to make one for a while, so late last year I bought the set for Red Brolly Polka Dot Girls. I know that many of you will be familiar with this one. I am quite ok with the fact that it will take ages to make, but I'm a cross stitcher, so I'm used  to long-termers.
I'm starting this to finish it, so it will be a WI-slow-P, never a UFO...

Really until the last couple of months, I've lacked the confidence to just start it. I've NEVER made something of this size... But lately, I've been looking at it & thinking "I can do stitchery, I can cut well, I can stitch well, I do ok with picking fabrics, JUST DO IT!"

 I promised myself to start before the end of July, so I have just scraped in...



For me, this is about the experience of making it, of trying something new. I'm crossing my fingers that I'll do OK! The stitcheries for the first block are traced, & ready to start... For the stitcheries, I'm using a combination of white with very fine yellow spot, white/fine light blue spot, & the white/light pink spot. The pink spot is not as bold as the pic suggests. All the other fabrics will be bought at a later time...

Please, feel free to give me any advice or tips you think might help me... or at least cross your fingers that this little ol' Hibiscus has not been to ambitious about herself...



(& Thanks Suzi for the inspiration for this blog post title!)

22 comments:

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Love it...you will cope so well on the dark side...LOL

Fiona said...

Oh welcome to the darkside... you will just love it and have a wonderful project to start you off...
Hugz

suzitee said...

Arrrrgghhhhh! How exciting! You are going to LOVE this project!

suzitee said...

Arrrrgghhhhh! How exciting! You are going to LOVE this project!

marina said...

what a lovely project to tempt you to the dark side.
low and steady will get you there. Don't be overwhelmed.

Anonymous said...

Oh Anthea you will love this and it will be the start of many more to come,i am so excited for you,go girl.xx

Simone Harding said...

Welcome to the dark side!!! I love stitching. You will be fine. I look forward to seeing your quilt progress.

Sharon - Lilabelle Lane said...

Welcome to the dark side :) there will be no stopping you now. Hugs

barb's creations said...

Welcome to the dar side sister....it's ever so nice on this side hehehehe.
I've had this pattern for a few years now and have yet to even start it so look forward to watching yours take shape.Slow and steady wins the race,just remember to enjoy the process/stitching :) Barb.

Chookyblue...... said...

highly recommend the dark side.......

Michelle Ridgway said...

I agree...welcome to the dark side. It's where I live. You will do just fine if you are a cross stitcher my only advice is be careful it is very addictive. Wonderful project you have chosen and I am sure it will keep you inspired.

Jindi's Cottage said...

Welcome to the dark side...you'll love it here...enjoy the stitching...

My Sister Made Me Do It.... said...

Anthea, even though I had started sewing and stitching and crocheting since I was even younger than a teenager, it was not until about 10 years ago that I actually made a quilt larger than a baby quilt....and I know that now that you have decided to come to the dark side....you will never go back! I admire those of you who do stitchery....I still have yet to come back to that.....the most I have done of that lately is itty bitty bits of embroidery....lol........

Susan said...

Oh it is so NOT dark over here - stitcheries are great - once its traced - just pick it up and go - and think of all the colours you can play with.
And you did ask for any advice - so here is my two pounds worth - you know from before I do go on...

1. Maybe have a vague idea of what fabrics you might add to it so you can tone in the colours of the threads you use
2. You will want something behind the work so that all the little bits don't show. You can try something like whisperweft which is really thin or you can go for pellon which will give it a slightly puffier look. My preference these days is stuff called Parlan - it is thicker than pellon and does add to the puffiness - not what everyone likes but I love it. I've done Polka Dot girls - its a lot of fun - Please post some pictures as you go.

Karen said...

Very exciting! WI-slow-P, never a UFO....I like that. Great background fabric, enjoy the journey!

Maria said...

Looking forward to seeing you work on this lovely project.. Welcome to the dark side.LOL

Melody said...

I just love Bronwyn's designs. I'm sure you will have lots of fun.

Anne said...

Good for you!! Enjoy the journey. I'll be eagerly waiting for your finished quilt whenever it may be. :0). The "dark side" is good!

Cardygirl said...

Enjoy..it will look fabulous!

Katherine said...

Its going to be a fun and addictive path you are starting lol. Love the title by the way. Now I would also suggest that you use whisperweft or pellon behind your stitcheries. Apart from hiding thread tails it also adds a bit of support to the fabric while stitching making it easier in the long run. After starting the family stitchery I have found it easier to sew the sashings and blocks together before starting to stitch them. There's pics of them on my blog. I have found it easier this way, as I am using my own colours and fabrics, to match the threads with the colours in the fabrics. Most importantly take your time, double check twice when cutting and enjoy the journey.

Narelle said...

I look forward to watching your progress :)

Kaylee said...

Good on you for taking the plunge Anthea. What type of pen do you use to trace your stitcheries ? Do you use a light box ? Cheers xx

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