Summer 2017 catch up

I started to work on my 70's tulip quilt, which I mentioned here  .All the applique is down but I want to embroider over it, so work on this one will continue.

On holiday in June, I started this kaleidoscope quilt. Not as easy as it seems. I really had to pay attention to what colours (and shades) to pick. 

Somewhere in between projects I made this top with the big churn dash blocks. I loved working with big blocks for a change. I used thrift shop shirts, new quilt fabric, old French fabric, a handkerchief and some 80's fabric.

I started to embroider from this book by Cecile Franconi. All of the projects are not big, easy to finish in a couple of days. And the more I practice the more I learn. Fun to learn new things!

This is a card I embroidered for a good friend. There is no pattern in the book, but I just thought to give it a go and learn on the way.

Another good friend send me lots of silk pieces for a new exciting project, all the way from the USA. 

After washing and ironing it looked like this.

With the help of my husband, I draw blocks, mostly on the computer, after a quilt from 1765,  in possession of Huis Doorn (the Netherlands) but once made in the UK.  Sadly the quilt is in a depot. I hope to see it once.
There is a picture of it in this book by An Moonen on page number 124 and 125.

I enjoyed making a replica of the 1718 quilt ( York, UK). Since the 1765 quilt from Huis Doorn reminded me of the 1718 quilt I started thinking of making another replica. I hope to show you more blocks soon. I'm still collecting silks, which is not that easy, but fun. It will be my first silk quilt.

Groetjes
Annemieke

Wool dyeing

These are woolen and linen fabrics I collected. I will make a tulip, based on 1970's pattern, out of it together with a very good friend. We will both make our own version.

I needed more greens so I started to dye woolen fabrics.

 Before the dye bath.

I used Dupont wool dye . It is very easy to use. You only add vinegar to the water en the dye.

Then simmer the pan with the wool for 20 minutes.

Some greens started as a yellow fabric ( a used woman's jacket send by my friend all the way from the US:), others as grey or beige checked or striped. All fabrics come from thrift shops.

 The dyed yellow woolen fabric up close, turned into a nice green.

This whole dyeing process is so addictive! I tried it with some sheep wool too, spun by my father-in-law.

 All kinds of lovely shades, a bit like Italian ice cream like my husband noted.

 After dyeing I noticed an Indian cress (tropaleolum majus) with same light orange colour. Funny is't it?

 And see here some same colours were in these roses on my breakfast table.

The beginning of my tulip quilt journey.....I hope to show you regular updates of this project, but first want to finish my Foep quilt (birds and cats quilt).


Enjoy your week,

Groetjes
Annemieke