Admittedly, I have been on a bit of a paper piecing kick lately. I agreed to design a block for a garden party themed blog hop next month, see here for more details. I have my block all ready to go and enjoyed designing it so much that I thought I might make more garden designs. If you have read my blog for any length of time, you know that I love gardening as much as I love sewing. So, it's the perfect fit.
I just finished designing this 10" paper pieced watering can. Since it has the feel of an old metal can, I used Vintage Notions from The Dressmaker's Collection by Amy Barickman for Red Rooster Fabrics, a treat sent to me by Kristina of Quilted Treasures. Don't let her Etsy shop fool you, her shop has over 3000 plus bolts, just not everything is listed on Etsy. Feel free to convo her, tell her I sent you, and let her be your personal shopper. She loves that! I think that the solid I used for the block background is Ochre Kona but I am not a hundred percent sure. I really need to get myself a Kona color card!
I made my first sample block of this design with a text print from Lakehouse for the watering can and Elizabeth's Letters by Jill Finley of Jillily Studio for Henry Glass Co. for the background. Both are older prints. I love how these fabrics worked for the watering can and spent a lot of time lining up the text just so along the handle and the "Guaranteed to Grow" bit at the top of the spout. I also fussy cut the blue background so that the little flower rested inside the handle. But when I was finished, I realized that the block really lacked contrast. The spout, in particular, blended in with the background as did the bottom of the can. So I decided to try to rectify it with quilting since I couldn't stand to toss it.
Of course, I never thought to take a before picture but the quilting worked wonderfully! I used a very dark contrasting brown thread and held my breath while trying to quilt ever so slowly in the ditch. It almost creates a tiny shadow, just enough to define the watering can and make me happy.
I combined it with Essex Natural Linen and some Hometown to make a pillow, finished off with my favorite invisible zipper in beige.
If you would like the pattern, this one is in my shop.
Amy, you crank these out like you're writing a letter. Love the vintage feel of this one. Beautiful pillow, especially with the quilted linen. You make the invisible zipper look easy! I have to try that very soon...my mom's birthday is this month and I'm planning a pillow for her.
ReplyDeleteWell there you go again with the AMAZING paper piecing!! Most designers would have settled for a squared off handle because designing a lovely rounded one takes a fair bit of work. But you my dear are no ordinary designer!! Great job of the pattern and the pillow. I love the attention to detail (as usual)! :0)
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love this one! I have a gardening friend in my life that this would be perfect for. Wonderful fun series!
ReplyDeleteWOW WOW WOW Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLovely. Wow! I was just wondering today if there is such a thing as a Kona color card. Do you know where you get one? That would be really helpful to have! Thanks for more amazing work. You are such an inspiration to me!
ReplyDeleteI love mine, Mama Pea. Many of the larger online fabric stores sell them so you can just add one to your next order. Try sewmamasew or fabric.com.
DeleteYou're so prolific and so creative, Amy! I just love seeing what you come up with next.
ReplyDeleteI love your watering can pattern.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful watering can! I love the handle, the curve is excellently done. Congratulations Amy x
ReplyDeleteI wondered what the mystery pp pattern was, wow this is a beauty! Great shaping, I love the little bit at the top to pour the water in
ReplyDeleteSo cute, and love both versions you've made - the handle is fab!
ReplyDeleteYou are on a roll!! Have you tried the Essex yarn dyed Linen?? I got some last week just to see if we should order it for the shop...a lovely hand and "softer" and more friendly than regular linen, hoping to order some for the shop soon:)
ReplyDeleteGasp! This is incredible! I saw it on Leila's blog first this morning since your blog post hadn't showed on my blog roll yet, and had to scramble right over to comment. You have such incredible talent drafting up these blocks. That dainty handle blows my mind.
ReplyDeleteI just love admiring your creations! Each of them is unique and so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAmazing Amy! Just Amazing!!
ReplyDeleteI love this one too. Makes me want to get out in the garden. Come on Spring!
ReplyDeleteI was just trying to come up with a good idea for a mother's day gift and this is the perfect starting point (Mother's Day in the UK is March 18th so it's a bit more urgent for me!). I can't find the pattern in your store though - I am just being a bit of a plank? I'd so love to tackle this today.
ReplyDeleteyour design is fantastic! but, i may love your color combination even more. i mentioned how much i adore that blue seed packet fabric. but then you make it even better with the linen and the hometown print. those really complete the pillow in a way that makes the seed packet fabric shine even more. great job.
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