Alternative Backgrounds

My previous post showed how to put together a Poppy Field. Here I want to share with you some ideas for creating a similar background but in a variety of different ways.

                

At first glance this background might look the same as the one in my first post on this topic but this was made without a pattern and just put together by eye. Not difficult to do, but my tip would be to go for a straight horizontal line to start to denote the horizon. After that anything goes!

                                              

I have quilted this piece in straight lines in matching threads, back and forth before adding any flowers.

For this next method I tore thin strips and stitched them row by row along their centre onto the a background.

The rough edges give it texture.

                                              

                                         

              

This background continues with ripping and stripping, but once the fabrics are placed on the background they are covered in a sheer layer and then machined down into place.

                 

                 

Lots of pictures but you get the drift and below is the finished background.

                                              

And finally small straight strips, a few of each colour, will result in this.

  

I hope this has given you a few new ideas. Next time I will look at different ways to add flowers.            

Poppy Field

We are holidaying in France this Summer. We will take the ferry and drive to our destination as we have done before. I always love the poppies that grow along the edge of the road, like a frill on the side of the fields.

Thinking of this has inspired my to put together a new kit called "Poppy Field".

                                                

As an extra aid here are some photos to help with the directions given in the kit, but also as a general tutorial for you to look at.

The background is constructed by following the lines on the printed "background" sheet. Begin by placing the sky fabric and the lightest field fabric right sides together and placing them onto the top/sky space on the pattern.

                                                

For a simple form of piecing like this you only need to fold the layer, fabrics and paper and finger press to give a nice crease as shown in the pic below.

                                                     

                       

Open flat and stitch along crease line after checking that you have positioned the fabric correctly and have enough seam allowance.

     

                                                

Carry on down the page adding the remaining fabric.

    

       

You can trim off the extra seam allowance with scissors or a rotary cutter. When you have finished trim the whole piece to the size of the paper.

                                                 

Make your quilt sandwich.

If you plan to do lots of straight line machine quilting I recommend you do it before adding the appliques.

Here are some tips to make constructing the rest of the piece.

After cutting out the poppies and stems lay them out on the background and position them. Fuse the bottom edge of them stems. remove the flowers and finish fusing the stems down.

                                                

Stitch the stems down. I have used a zigzag in two different sizes and two different colours.

                                                

                                                

                                                

Now is the time to add our own creative ideas to the piece. Stitch or not stitch around the petals. Maybe add some beads to the centre.

Finish by zigzag if you wish. I added a blanket stitch to this one.

                    

For ideas on creating Alternative Backgrounds or Alternative Poppies click on the links.

              

Pebbles Everywhere

I have (Or rather my work has) been featured in someone else's blog. I feel strangely thrilled by this.
Thank you SuzieoftheStars. Take a look to see more pebbles!

And Finally

Add the painted rock fabrics.

And the kits are complete

Now available for sale here and here and here and on my website.

Next Stage

After painting the sky, comes the sea and sand.

 Different effects are created by how the fabric is left to dry. In this case I want ripples on the sandy background, but the sea has been painted with metallic blue to give it it's interest.

The Beginning

This is how it starts. Today I am painting up some more fabric for my Pebble Stack Kit shown below.

First some sky. 

Unfortunately the sky outside my window is a dull grey colour, not the nice blue you see on the table, which means these pieces will take all day to dry.

 

This has been my most popular kit to date, so I need to re stock. I love painting up the fabric for the pebbles. There are so many possibilities.  In the future I plan to share with you the techniques I use for creating hand painted fabrics.Ii hope you will visit again.