I wanted to make a Valentine table topper and when I saw this one designed by Barb at Bejeweledquilts by Barb I thought it would be perfect.
Isn't it the cutest thing? I love her choice of fabrics and the way the hearts are interwoven. She very kindly sent me the pattern so I promptly started on the hunt for fabrics similar to hers.
I couldn't make anything go together. I must have auditioned 20 fabrics but nothing struck a chord. Finally, I dug to the bottom of the pile and found several I thought would work. I started tracing the pattern on my fusible only to realize that I didn't have enough fusible to make this and another project I'm working on both, so I had to make a decision. When I was in education we used to chant..."monitor and adjust"... over and over. So that's what I did and this is what I came up with.
I used Barb's heart pattern and made the 28" circle she suggested and this is what happened. Pretty cute I think! I stippled the center, did 2 outline stitches inside the hearts, and free motion quilted hearts and vines in the white outside.
My speed is getting better...I've slowed down a lot...but I'm still not consistent. And I often forget to leave my hands in place until I actually stop stitching so I end up with some jump stitches. Progress though, I'm making progress.
27 comments:
I love both of them- haven't even begun to think Valentines yet! But better soon as I have a swap - oh my what to do. And I have yet to master those leaves in FMQ.
It looks really nice to me Marlene!! You have a real eye for colours etc. I think it will be beautiful on your table! xxoo
Oh my goodness, I'm only a little over half way through January! Those table toppers are both so cute. Great plan "B"!
OMG! DARLING!!!!! This would have to be one of my favorites for Valentines decor! I truly think a pretty!
Very nice "adjustment" Marlene. Guess you have to keep an eye out for red/pink fabric to build up your stash, eh? ;-)
Carol (NJ)
Ohhh, I love both of them. You did a great job of improvising! I am finding that FMQ is all about practice - glad you are progressing. ~Jeanne
Are you hand appliqueing??
Marlene, I love this! So very sweet...I may have to do one now, too!! :)
Sewing must be in the air...it's a wonderful winter sport!
This is beautiful.
Your version turned out soooooooooooooooooooo stinking cute, thanks for the shout out. I truly do love yours and may just have to make one of those.
I think you adjusted quite nicely!!
Make do with what you have - you're a meister at it....just look at how lovely your finished project is. Wow! I think all that fabric auditioning worked out fine...your choices turned out so nicely.
I love what you have done with your hearts. It really turned out cute.
When I quilt my husband says "You are to see your head when your quilting". It moves with the fabric.
That is sooooo cute!! I just love it!
I love yours Marlene, the other is cute but kind of busy for me.
Oh don't I know ALL about monitor and adjust...we said things like "take a temperature check" Your table topper is perfect and you saved yourself a trip to the store, gas, and an hour or more away from sewing. Good for you! You have been on a roll since Jan. 1st. I'm quite impressed. I've been working on a few swaps I'm in as well as re-organizing, cleaning, and spiffing up my sewing cave. I needed a new light and I was so upset because Hancock's had their OTT lites on sale 40% off however, my budget is shot for Jan. so I had to be a good girl and hope for another sale to coincide at a better time with my bank account.
Blessings
Jane
Love it! You did a wonderful job improvising. What a sweet little topper for February!
Good for you to keep FMQing, and it's great to know you're seeing some improvement. Well done!
I would love to work on some Valentine things. But I have allowed myself to get behind on two baby quilts. But maybe I can pick an easy, peasy pattern and still have time to make at least one easy valentine topper.
So pretty..I love them both.
You do stay busy, uh?
I love your table topper! What a cute pattern. I need to be brave like you and do some machine quilting. It scares me and I end up just stitching in the ditch. I haven't even taken the walking foot out of the box it came in yet, which I got over a year ago. Sheesh! Thanks for being so inspiring!
Sorry for all the deleted comments. I hit publish and it posted my comment 3 times!
I "collected" the pattern also, just haven't jumped in yet - Love how yours turned out 'your way,' so I am a lot closer to making one... Thanks for the inspiration. Judy C
Wonderful work ;)
Your dotty heart (in the best possible way !) is lovely . You're all so brave with your machine quilting . I've never even tried .
Post a Comment