As we kick it off this year, I have to confess it seems a little bit early to be doing anything related to Christmas, but I've also been participating in a "We Wish You A Merry ...Quilt-a-long" so we're all in the spirit I guess!
The idea was to select a christmas carol and be inspired by it. My row came together conceptually in a very different way. Ultimately it didn't end up anything like I had in mind, but it is a fun one regardless. I originally had a concept that was all pieced, curves and everything!
Northcott was so kind to provide fabrics, so that altered my design direction as well. We were given the opportunity to chose from these fabrics:
Fat Quarter of #9000-550
http://bit.ly/nc-colorworks
Toscana
http://bit.ly/nc-toscana --P.S. I have this entire line in my shop so if you want to order by the number, I can ship to you! Mention that you saw it here and I'll ship for free (minimum order 4 yards total) through the RAL ...until October 6, 2017. Yardage is $8.50/yd but I also have a Toscana Club program to collect the entire 135 colors--just ask me about it!
AND all of these new Christmas themed fabrics shipping now to various quilt shops, so be on the look out:
http://bit.ly/nc-tisseason
Up On a Rooftop
http://bit.ly/nc-uprooftop
So, perhaps you've never heard this christmas carol before, but here it is. The Ornaments Song. Enjoy listening to it while reviewing how my row goes together.
Ultimately I ended up with a very simple applique design. I'm not an 'applique' designer, generally, so this was outside my normal box. But earlier this year I worked on a project where I did trapunto with a paper pieced heart shape and then appliqued it onto a background. I loved how it turned out so I continued to use this type of idea with this design.
My original concept was to have two different radii curves that make the ornament shape--pieced! But these were going to be so small I just didn't think it was practical. So, I made it an applique shape and was able to get the background as a single piece for the entire row. I couldn't decide whether or not to put fabric for the hanging 'thread' or just stitch it, so I'll leave that idea with you to decide for yourself. Here is the concept with fabric and all pieced.
or you could go vertical with a larger ornament or several vertical columns with ornaments at various heights and sizes.
I decided NOT to do the hanger with fabric and to just applique the ornaments and their toppers. The 'hanger' can be stitched in during the quilting. Using the fabric, at least at this stage of the design, they seemed to look more like hanging light fixtures.
First I laid out the ornaments in a pleasing to me pattern, not just straight across, but sort of up and down from each other, but centered 6" apart, and centered 3" from the finished outside edge on each end. I left some room on each end so that with the shrinkage that occurs when doing the applique and in the quilting process, I could ultimately trim it to exactly 12 1/2" x 30 1/2" so the binding could take up the extra 1/4" all the way around on the piece.
The zig zag stitch on my brother was set to probably about this. I happened to take this photo during a recent applique project and this is about what I like and so is what I dial it to whenever I want to do a loose zig zag.
I didn't even stabilize these pieces with fusible. I just put one pin into the middle area and then stitched around it. Then added the 'topper' and stitched around it.
Used Aurifil 2318 - 40 wt for the applique and the 'string' during quilting. |
Next I added some 1" poly behind the ornaments and basted around them from the front, tight against the edge of the ornament. I did this on my domestic machine. Then trimmed away the batting outside of the ornament from the back side.
Next, I found a fun fabric in my stash for the backing that just seemed to be waiting there for this project.
Loaded it onto my long-arm, added a piece of warm & white batting that I had big enough around in my stash to work for this and then decided on a thread color. Here you can see I used my Aurifil thread chart to find what might work best and fortunately had this 50 wt spool of 4644. I decided that a bit darker was best for this project.
After getting the piece stabilized, I first stitched the 'hanging thread' in the same color /thread used to do the applique and stitched tightly around the ornaments and between the 'topper' and the ornament itself. By lining up my needle where I wanted it to hit on the ornament topper, setting my channel lock, I then started at the top of the piece and could stitch down to the ornament and it would intersect exactly at the right spot.
I considered a wood grain style of quilting, but I don't often just do straight line and this one seemed to be the right project to do that. So, without using my channel lock, I organically stitched about 1/4" vertical lines on the whole project.
Using the fabrics from my ornaments, I made a faux piping binding to finish it off.
I had only stitched a SINGLE thread for the 'hanger' and ultimately thought it wasn't sufficient, so put it back on (after the binding was there, I know!!! crazy!) and added 4 more vertical threads on each ornament for a total of 5 vertical stitchings right next to each other. Now I think it definitely tells your brain something is there, but doesn't take over the design. Do you agree? Perhaps a 1/4" strip of fabric (or less) would have worked too.
Different light gives different effects of the color of the fabric. It is more teal than it is blue.
Do you want to make this?
DOWNLOAD --> The pattern is free through September 11, 2017. Now available for a small payment on Craftsy (also has purchasable downloads from past RALs).
The pattern also has other design suggestions. I think it would go nicely with several other rows that will be featured during this Row-a-long. Enjoy getting in the spirit of Christmas --something worth while all year long.
But wait, there is more---giveaways! Please register with Rafflecopter for these specific giveaways.
#1 - Inspired LED - 2 Sewing Machine Light Kits
Shipping Is Anywhere / Shipping Cost must be paid by winner.
Value $30.00 each Total $60.00
a Rafflecopter giveaway
And TWO more!
Shared Giveaways For September 05, 2017
Northcott 1 FQ Bundles 2yds total
Shipping Is Everywhere
Value $20.00
Full Description
Available September 5 ends on 11th
Assortments Form Random Collections:
ColorWorks Premium Solid 9000
Toscana - 9020 - All
Best Tree on the Lot - Single Colorway
Hurry Up Santa
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Silent Night
The Magic of Christmas
Tis the Season
Up On a Rooftop
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway Is: Calibre Art 24x36
http://amzn.to/2vPfuLe
Value $99.99
Shipping Via Amazon
Full Description
Available September 5 ends on the 6th
a Rafflecopter giveaway
#aurifil #northcott #christmascarolingral #ornaments
Other Rows offered today:
Quilting Affection
Any Pattern
Just Let Me Quilt
Quilt In Piece
KISSed Quilts --you're here!
Description of all bloggers and sponsors
Full rules and schedule
FINE PRINT:
Rules and Guidelines For Giveaways
Please take the time to read it.
Giveaways offered by sponsors are assigned to the various bloggers for their featured day.
There are no prior announcements on who is doing which sponsor except to the sponsor themselves.
You'll have to visit the blog or the featured blog to enter the giveaways.
Not all giveaways can be entered at Seams To Be Sew.
I will start announcing winners on September 12, 2017, and finish announcing winners on October 12, 2017.
In most cases, the blog where you won at also will announce their
winners.
You must give a valid email address when you enter the giveaways, any email returned to me, loses the ability to win automatically.
With the exception of Show and Tell Day, all giveaways run for approximately one week.
You are given 3 days to answer the email, if you do not answer within 3 days a new winner will be drawn. Check those spam/junk mail folders, you may miss that winning email if you don't do so because there are no exceptions to this rule.
If you are notified that you are a winner, in most cases, you will need to provide your name, address, city, state, zip code, country, telephone number, and email address.
In some cases, you will be asked to comment on the blog to enter the giveaway... do the right thing and thank them for the time it took to create the pattern, thank them for the pattern and...
Thank the sponsor by buying their products for the giveaways. This helps them continue to offer great prizes for these types of events. You can also comment on their social media pages. Even if you don't win, letting them know you love their products is a huge incentive and they really do love hearing from you.
No purchase whatsoever is necessary.
You must be 18+ in order to win a gift.
You are responsible for claiming and paying any tax owed on the value of any gift that you win. Prizes valued at $500.00 should be claimed.
All winners are chosen at random.
All winners will be announced on the blogs via the Rafflecopter entry form and/or post by the blogger at the site where they won and at [Seams To Be Sew](http://www.seamstobesew.com). All winners must allow for their first name and first initial of their last name to be announced on this blog.
Odds of Winning a prize are based on a total number of rafflecopter entries during each week and in total for all giveaways.
This giveaway is void where prohibited by law.
Participating bloggers may enter any of the giveaways.
The word giveaways in the rules and guidelines are also known as sweepstakes.
Most of the giveaways are international shipping this year
in some cases, you will be asked to pay for shipping your giveaways.
Seams to be Sew organizes these. She does not ask sponsors for money, they provide prizes only.
If they shipped the prize to her, you will be asked to pay for shipping.
All giveaways will be shipped that are in her home within 48 hours of having heard from you.
An invoice will be sent to you via Paypal, and shipping will take place via Paypal, so your Paypal email will be needed to send the invoice. You will receive a tracking number except for overseas shipments. All shipping will either be first class which averages out at 2.77 to 4.00 up to 13 ounces. Paypal fees are added to that amount to cover that fee. All fabric bundles from Michael Miller, Hoffman, and Moda will be shipped via Priority Mail to protect the fabric itself.
Please note, every effort is made to protect the prizes. They go into a plastic bin when she receives them, and it is covered by an air tight cover. She has a dog in her home and has a smoker in the home, so she does everything possible to protect the prizes.
Most companies are very good about getting prizes off to customers quickly also, but some companies are overseas, so please allow all sponsors a 2-week time period before you report to me that you still haven't received your prize. When the company is overseas, it can take 6 weeks to 90 days for an item to also arrive.
Whether or not you read the above, the rules for giveaways are in place to protect everyone. She does not want to hear you didn't read them, they will be posted on her blog daily during each featured day. There is no excuse for not reading them. seamstobesew.com
I hadn't realized you did this with a trapunto technique and yet it looks so wonderful with the puffy ornament style. It's simple and stunning Marlene.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marian!
DeleteTurned out wonderful. I love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteSimple, but very classy! Great tutorial too.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteThat row is so pretty, and the song is really sweet. I hadn't heard that one before. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe quilting really took your pattern to the next level of amazing. Thank you for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteAmazing! Thank you
ReplyDeleteI love the ornaments. It's so cute. What a great addition to holiday decoration. Joanrob8@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI would make this. Thanks! I love Christmas and decorating with quilts. Great Times blog hopping.
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful row. We are having such a great start to this year's row along.
ReplyDeleteSimply beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt's simple...and amazing!
ReplyDeleteVery nice piece, Marlene
ReplyDeleteI love your row. Cutie idea for ornaments. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat looking row! Thanks for the pattern.
ReplyDeleteSimple and beautiful! Thanks for the pattern.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure about the song, but after listening to it, I have heard it!
ReplyDeleteI loved the song - I had never heard it before! Your row is lovely!!!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty. I really like how the extra batting behind each ornament makes it stand out. Thank you so much for the pattern.
ReplyDeleteVery nice thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteVery nice row! Christmas is getting close!
ReplyDeletevery pretty and simple. I love it
ReplyDeletewhat a cute row and lovely quilting
ReplyDeleteSimple row. Just the thing for Christmas when I'm making things at the last minute.
ReplyDeleteI love putting the ornaments on the tree each year - so many memories with each one
ReplyDeleteLove the way you padded the ornaments, thanks so much for the pattern!
ReplyDeleteSimple and very pretty! I can see lots of possibilities with your great ornaments. (sharonthemagnficient@yahoo.com)
ReplyDeleteAmazing how real the ornaments look with the quilting. Trapunto effect.
ReplyDeleteYour row is pretty and I like the extra stitching for the hangars, too. Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful. I love the matchstick quilting on it.
ReplyDeleteCute row!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the beautiful pattern!
ReplyDeleteLove your row! It is such a simple but effective design. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.net
ReplyDeleteCannot wait to try the puffy ornaments! thanks for a great pattern and for all of the great fabric lines to look at!
ReplyDeleteLove your row! Thank you
ReplyDeleteVery nice! The quilting adds so much dimension.
ReplyDeleteLove the straight stitching on the background. It makes the quilt!
ReplyDeleteYour row looks great! I love how you quilted it!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard that song! Thanks for sharing. Your design looks like it has a smocked background. You have a vision for making things pop for sure!
ReplyDeleteI love the simplicity of your row! Can't wait to try it out!
ReplyDeleteYou are my first stop! I really like your row, though I expect I would use a ribbon that I stitched down for the hanging. Thanks so much for a terrific start! dezertsuz at gmail
ReplyDeleteI love it! Especially that vertical panel.
ReplyDeleteOMG...that is just too cool. Love the quilting and the how the ornaments seem to jump off the piece! Great job!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of the song. Love the though!
ReplyDeleteI just recently took a stab at landscape quilting so I found this very informative! Especially love the use of zig zag stitches to add some depth, it really looks nice!
ReplyDeleteThunderfan@protonmail.com
Your row is lovely! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to sew this row. Thanks
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this row. I love the colours and the way the ornaments are padded out. And thanks for the chance of a great giveaway
ReplyDeleteI think this row is so lovely! It really looks amazing with your quilting. Thanks for the pattern!
ReplyDeleteLovely wall hanging!
ReplyDeleteLove your ornaments!
ReplyDeleteGreat row and the added dimension makes it even better. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteVery nice row with your quilting!
ReplyDeleteLovely row! Works perfect for your hanger with the angels!
ReplyDeleteI especially like the quilting.
ReplyDeleteVery elegant looking ornaments. Love the Trapunto. Thanks for the draw. raydeer@memlane.com
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely.
ReplyDeleteYour row is very appealing. Love the quilting you did!
ReplyDeleteYour row looks beautiful hanging. Thanks for sharing. I'm very excited about this Blog hop.
ReplyDeleteWell done and ty for the idea....happyness04431@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteNice row, like the dimensional look. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGreat row! Love your background quilting - it's a perfect fit for this piece.
ReplyDeleteLove the ornaments. Cute row!!
ReplyDeleteVery cute. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.
ReplyDeleteCute row! Jadahlgr at Yahoo dot Com
ReplyDeleteI love the ornaments song. I have never heard it before.
ReplyDeleteAnd your row fits it perfectly.
Thanks for your generosity for the quilt row pattern
And a special thanks to all the sponsors and they're generosity
Great idea for a row!
ReplyDeleteLove the sentiment behind the song!
ReplyDeletetis a wonderful row, thank you :)
ReplyDeleteNever recall hearing that pretty carol before, nice and so is your row. Merry Christmas~
ReplyDeleteI love your row!! This is such a fun hop!
ReplyDeleteWhat an elegant row. Perfect
ReplyDeleteWhat I love about your row is the simplicity. Christmas should be simpler than it is with all of the commercialization. Just pretty ornaments and family love!
ReplyDeleteSimple but elegant. Very impressed with the stitching.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tutorial on making this cute wall hanging.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Peggy
Peggy_verdongibbs@att.net
This is so exciting! Thank you for the pretty ornaments row.
ReplyDeleteYour row is so elegant. I love the color choices and the graceful lines of the ornaments.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Row - I love the ornaments, and the song!
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful christmas ornaments project! I love your quilting idea :)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Poland
Kamila
Thank you for a lovely project. I can see this being a very cute mantel hanging.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day.
Beautiful ornaments. That quilting would take me a very long time--I'm really slow!
ReplyDeletelove inspired LED lights. Great company to work with too.
ReplyDeleteLove your row!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great row for those of us in Florida. Thank you
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of making a vertical row with your pattern, great idea!
ReplyDeleteLove the row and your display! Thanks for your time and great talents!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the simple gorgeous look of the ornaments row. For me it says so much. Nice, clean look.
ReplyDeleteI love your ornaments! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI like how the five rows of gold stitching adds just enough to let you know they are hanging ornaments, it's beautiful!
ReplyDelete~Brandy
The ornaments design is beautiful--also enjoyed the song!
ReplyDeletebarbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)
This will make a nice holiday pillow for the chair. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteLove your row. And special thanks for the song. Very touched by it.
ReplyDeleteVery elegant row, thanks
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love how you quilted this! Gorgeous !
ReplyDeleteI've just discovered this RAL. I look forward to discovering many new designers
ReplyDeleteI really want Inspired LED .
ReplyDeleteMotivation to find that box of Christmas fabric!
ReplyDelete