Wednesday 24 July 2013

Learning my ABCs...

I’m about to start work on not one, but two alphabet samplers, both very different in style but each with its own challenges and techniques for me to learn.

The first is the S is for Stitch quilt from the book by Kristyne Czepuryk.
I’ve roped in two friends in the village to make quilts with me, so we’ll all learn the quilting together and keep each other going.

The girl's ABC quilt

We met up to rotary cut the white background squares for the embroidery blocks – oh how fun it is to zip that pizza wheel along layers of fabric! *Zoom* and you’ve done a nice stack of squares! (Ah yes, you accomplished quilters, I’m easily impressed!)

I cut tissue squares to trace the alphabet designs from the book, then I popped them on the lightbox to trace onto the fabric with my super-fine marker pen.

This sweet book is divided into two alphabets – one for girls and one for boys. But all the blocks and letters are the same size, so you can mix and match – some of the ‘boy’ letters would suit my girls! I love the simplicity of the stitch designs, and they aren’t your typical ‘A is for Apple’ letters, either...



I’m adapting certain letters to personalise the alphabet for my girls – B is for Bunny, obviously! The book is American, so we’re brainstorming substitutions; for the ‘B is for Baseball’ we’ll doodle a simple play ball, and we’ve decided ‘Q is for Quarter’ (the US 25-cent coin) could be changed to Quack, with a little drawing of a duck (or perhaps a cartoon Freud?).
I’ll keep you posted as I trace and stitch all the letters...and then when I take the plunge and start sewing the quilt. I’ve ordered the fabric (I’ll keep that secret for now), so I am well and truly committed!
As if I wasn’t challenging myself enough with quilting, let me unveil my second sampler, the Flowered Alphabet:


Stunning, isn’t it? I was instantly enchanted by this sampler and had to have it. Of course mine won’t look like this, but hey, I aim high. This lovely gift came with a pre-printed linen square, so all I have to do is work the 16 different stitches onto the flora and fauna scattered about this beautiful fabric...I will learn a lot of new techniques, and if this doesn’t help me master the French knot, then there is no hope for me!

I might have to work on both alphabets simultaneously – when I feel overwhelmed by the Palestrina stitch or the pistil knot of the Flowered Alphabet, I’ll just backstitch a rainbow for the quilt and regain my confidence! I do love a challenge!
Chrissie x
P.S. We have a busy schedule now that we're into summer holidays, lots of fun planned with the kiddos, so if I don't reply to your comments or post anything for a few days, please understand! Happy crafting!

17 comments:

  1. Wow Chrissie, off you go again! I'm not looking, I tell you, I'm not looking - much! This is wonderful - it will be utterly satisfying to do this for your littlies!
    You've put me onto a track that I'm so very much enjoying with this style of stitching, thank you! The sky's the limit!
    Keep enjoying your creative energy whilst you have fun with your girls!
    Joy xo

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    1. Thanks Joy, you have no idea how happy it makes me that you've started a new style of stitching and that I've provided a bit of inspiration - I can't wait to see what you make next! Cx

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  2. I always like Q for Queen :)

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  3. Both projects sound so lovely. I have never done any quilting before so will be interested to see your quilt coming along especially. Happy summer holidays!
    Marianne x

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    1. I'll be the test crash dummy for quilting, Marianne! I'll let you know how tricky and/or time consuming I find it - we seem to be on the same wavelength with our craft projects and likes, so I won't let you get mired in a fabric jungle unless I think it's a very fun, satisfying endeavour! If I love it, believe me, I'll be urging you to do a quilt-along... Cx

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  4. I think the flowered alphabet is beautiful. Do you know where this is available to purchase? Many thanks

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    1. Hi Michelle, I first read about it on Mary Corbet's Needle n' Thread blog, and it was sent to me as a gift from the States - bought online from The French Needle. Good luck, and let me know if you get one, too! Cx

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  5. Oh My! that would end up a WIP at this house! It looks stunning. I am really looking forward to little progress updates on this one. Thanks for your sweet messages on my blog, I really appreciate your time. Jo x

    http://joeveryday19.blogspot.co.uk

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  6. Dear Chrissie
    What lovely projects to have on the go. I am sure they will both be really successful.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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  7. Chrissie you most certainly have lined up a few challenges for yourself. I love the quilt and have also looked at this book on amazon before, it looks wonderful. I'm so please that you have mentioned the light box as I was going to email you as I'm having great difficulty tracing my embroidery via the window, any advice here?! Also where did you get your light box from? That alphabet embroidery cloth will look beautiful when you've done it and good practice indeed. How lovely that you can do the quilt with some friends. Enjoy!! Xoxo

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    1. I got so tired of arm ache from tracing at the window that I bought this light box from amazon - but I knew I'd be using it a lot, because I'm really enjoying embroidery. If you're not yet fully committed to stitching, I've read that a lamp bulb underneath a glass table works well, or sort out a similar glass or plastic top above a light source. Keep me posted! Cx

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    2. Have been looking at the ones in amazon, which would you recommend? Xo

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    3. I got the Light Tracer that was about £30, give or take, and I'm happy with it so far. There were some cheaper ones, but they had poor reviews, so I went a bit more expensive and I think I made the right decision! Cx

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    4. Thanks Chrissie. Xo

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  8. Wow looks like your going to be really busy! I like a challenge too!
    Look forward to seeing how you get on x

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  9. These are going to look amazing!!!!
    Have a great week,
    Tammy x

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  10. Hi Crissie! I got your note last week ... sorry for the delay in replying. I'm absolutely over-the-moon happy that you and your friends have chosen to do a stich-a-long using my book. Wow, that is so fun. I hope you all have a great time stitching. I look forward to seeing your finished quilts ... ;) Keep me posted!

    big hugs,
    Kristyne

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