Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Playing with Flower Sugar...

Last night I decided to make tulips. You see they don't grow in the tropics because it's quite simply too darn hot. 
So what to do?
Grow sew  my own!

I purchased the tulip block pattern online from Thimble Blossoms (here) and the pretty Flower Sugar Spring 2015 fabrics were a gift from the lovely Yoko at Lecien Fabrics. I thought they'd both look rather sweet married together so after a couple of hours cutting and sewing I had three pretty tulips ready to use in a project...


The green fabric along the bottom is one I found in my fat quarter stash, not sure who the designer or the range are but it added the grass element I needed for 'planting' my tulips...

Hand quilting came next, using Perle #12 thread in white...

Just simple running stitch around each tulip...

The inside of the tulips were quilted with more Perle#12 thread in either red, yellow or aqua...

The inside edge of the grass and around the base of the aqua tulip stems were quilted with green...

The next step will be to make the tulips block into a cushion for our bed.
Alongside it will be another pillow I've almost finished. It too was pieced from Flower Sugar, but this block features a Dresden Plate on white linen...

Hand quilting on small projects like this is very relaxing so I tend to do it a lot.
For the Dresden pillow I used a single strand of co-ordinating Cosmo embroidery thread inside each blade, radiating from the blades, and as a swirl inside the centre circle...

As I still have some Flower Sugar squares left I might see if there will be enough to piece a simple bed runner. Just squares sewn together, an easy afternoon project...

...with more hand quilting of course.

It's nice to take time out from embroidery (my work) for a hobby like patchwork.
Next blog post I'll show you two quilts I finally finished over the weekend. One for Blossom and one for me!

What's your hobby?

hugs


22 comments:

Baa. xxx said...

Oh, how pretty your tulips are - they will look delightful especially with the Dresden plate block as cushions on your bed. Bet they make you smile every time you look at them!

Allie-oops Designs said...

Oh those tulips are just gorgeous - they are my favorite flower! I love the way they smell. Very subtle. I love the quilting you did on them too! The dresden is just gorgeous, what a pretty bed you'll have...

Christine M said...

What a happy post. All those fabrics are just beautiful, Jenny. I love your tulips. xx

Leeanne said...

Love going on here! Love the fabrics the blocks the hand quilting and ohlaalaa.............the Dresden!

Julie said...

Oohhh Jenny I'm with Leeanne above, lots of gorgeousness going on there - your bed is going to look soooo beautiful with all those lovely cushions & a runner. Look forward to seeing the end result. I do love that Flower Sugar Range.

Hildy said...

Cute tulips love them! The 'grass' fabric is by Bonnie & Camille it's from their Scrumptious line and one of my most favorite fabric ever! Hope that helps if you want to find more of it (although that could be a bit difficult).

Melody said...

Love, love, love your cushions, absolutely delightful

cucki said...

I love your cushion so much too..
Big hugs and smiles x

Christine B said...

Such beautiful patchwork and quilting! Your little projects are going to make such beautiful cushions for your bed! :) x

Jacqueline said...

looking forward to seeing both projects completed. I love your work.

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Loving this xxx

e said...

Your tulips are very sweet. I can grow tulips in the northern hemisphere, but the last few years have just been a snack for the deer. I absolutely LOVE the dresden plate. It is one of my absolute favorite blocks and your fabric choice is perfect.

xx

Tammy said...

Gorgeous..Oh I love that Dresden.....I am currently addicted to my planner / journaling...

Sharon said...

The tulips are gorgeous and I think I love the Dresden plate patchwork even more. I have rather a lot of hobbies, I love trying out new creative things. At the moment I have patchwork, crochet, embroidery, spinning and felting on the go! I love your stitchery and will have to treat myself to a pattern someday soon ;-)

Kim said...

Such beautiful work, Jenny! Your stitching and piecing is impeccable! Love the tulips!

Createology said...

Oh how gorgeous your fabrics are when made into these adorable sewn tulips. This cushion along with the Dresden plate cushion will be stunning. My hobby is anything that allows me to be creative. I am so very thankful that my Grandmother and Mother passed along the love of being creative. I didn't get their music genes or art painting genes though. Lovely work and hobby sewing you create Jenny Dear. June JOY...

Marie Atkinson said...

Love! So pretty!

Lin said...

Lovely tulips and very pretty fabrics. xx

Anonymous said...

Both projects are so pretty for pillows. I need to do more things like that. I love the Flower Sugar line and wish it would never stop, but also wish it were easier to find over here! Other than eating chocolate, I like quilting and stitching about equally. =)

TerriSue said...

Tulips don't grow in Texas either unless you dig them up every year and put them in your fridge. I'm not into that kind of gardening! I would be much more likely to do your kind. Just love your tulips Jenny. The prints you chose are wonderful and I like the grass you added.

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Gorgeous Jenny!

Christina said...

Great job on both. You make hand quilting look so easy and fast. I just know it would take me forever like all my other stitching. ;D