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!