Sunday, August 16, 2020

Hothouse Rose

When I showed you the quote quilt last weekend, I had pinned a paper pattern of the rose I planned to add next. It is a fairly long rose. Since it spans three rows, I had to find just the proper space that has room on the left and right sides of the quote and blue blocks as needed. I tried three or four spaces until I found one that would accommodate the motif.

I decided to make the rose using a satin stitch. Crazy quilts need satin stitch motifs and a rose seems like a good satin stitch motif.

What I knew but tried to ignore, is that satin stitch takes a lot of time to work up. Filling in the shape with color involved a lot of stitches. Satin stitches would require me to be more careful about laying the stitches correctly next to each other without pulling too tightly. A big shape would take a long time to fill. In my defense, it is a long motif and doesn't especially look like there is a lot of space to color in.

What I didn't know until it was too late is that it would be a particularly hot week. What I didn't think about until it was too late, is that adding a motif to the center of the quilt in a really hot week meant that the quilt would be covering me up. I managed to add the stitches on a pull out ledge on my desk which kept the quilt from resting on me, but it was still pretty warm.



One day, as I was watching a video, I braided some pieces of thread.  Since I had the braid, I decided to give the dog a braided rug. The plan was to give him an oval rug, but now it is a perspectively-challenged round rug or a maybe it's an exercise ball.

2020:  Weeks 32 and 33 of 15 Minutes to Stitch

 


During this two week period, I have mostly been adding the rose to the quote quilt. At this rate, it might take two more weeks before I am finished with it. This entire space has a lot of stitching. The tree on the left has lots of leaves, and the quote on the left is the one that is stitched.

15 minute days this week -- 14 out of 14
15 minute days this year -- 175 out of 229 days
Success rate  = 76%

Linked with:
15 Minutes to Stitch
Slow Sunday Stitching
Design Wall Monday
Monday Making

7 comments:

Kate said...

The rose is looking really good, too bad on the timing. Good ideas don't always come in the right season. Hope it cools off a bit for the rest of the stitching.

Kim said...

Such wise words is that quote. Loving your rose. Love how it grows over several squares. Another beautiful feature added to your beautiful and poignant quilt. Hoping it cools down there, very soon.

Kyle said...

It appears you managed to add your rose despite all the obstacles, a positive example for your quilt.

Joyful Quilter said...

The rug is too cute (it does look more like an exercise play ball). Can't wait to see the finished rose. I love embroidery but satin stitching was always the evil villain (hehehe).

Quilter Kathy said...

Amazing! You have turned this regular quarter square triangle quilt into a spectacular treasure with the inspirational quotes and the stitching... great job!
Thanks for taking the time to link up with the Slow Sunday Stitchers!

Emily said...

The rose is absolutely beautiful--sorry it was so hot to make! I also love the dog's braided rug; I'm thinking that he's about to settle down on it for a nap :)

Tanya said...

Looking good! Love the exercise ball!