Tuesday 5 April 2011

lemon meringue

Not the pie I'm afraid,
just more zig zags!
So I'm still experimenting.
This time with wadding.
I've found a great website for quilting, 
I have bought a sample pack of their natural wadding,
Eight different types, some cotton, silk and even wool.
I never thought I would buy wadding online,
But now I'm  a convert,
Having only ever used bulky man made stuff,
 I was pleasantly surprised when this bundle turned up.
Especially as machine quilting with the bulky stuff
was tricky with a small quilt,
let alone a king size!
So I am testing which I prefer from this pack.
I am in no way affiliated with the cotton patch,
though a freebie would be nice,
but I'm not that bold!!
Each square of wadding is 14 "
A nice size for cushions?
Before I bound headlong into cutting
I had do more working out.
Again the zigzag I'm making is made from 
half square triangles
 To fit the 14" wadding
I needed 6 squares per row,
and to be approximately 2 1/4"
But hang on how the heck do I work out
the starting size of the square before cutting it in half.
With a bit of research I found the answer.
Add an inch on to your desired measurement,
(this includes the seam allowances, no need to add on any)
Therefore I needed 18 x  3 1/4 squares of both colours,
to make 36 x 2 1/4 once cut in half.
 Is it necessary to match your patchwork to your outfit?
 Pre quilting piece.
Which did remind me of a boiled egg,
but I think lemon meringue is far more romantic!
 I am also a convert to pinning the layers together.
Last year my Mother in law gave me a vast amount
of vintage sewing oddments
from her Uncles estate.
I'm wondering now if her Aunt was a patchworker?
I mean who would need so many safety pins
 I drew on the quilting lines with a 
water soluble pen.
 Very neat I think.
This wadding is Hobbs Heirloom
80% Cotton, 20% Polyester
I used plain backing and depending on the washing outcome
I will either bind it or make it into a cushion.
I loved the ease of quilting,
and the way the wadding sort of held the layers together.
Next up 100% cotton log cabin.

That's enough of the niceties..
.. woodwork to paint :o(

10 comments:

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Oh dear sewing would be much more fun than painting woodwork!
I'm really impressed Claire it's looking great and it would make a lovely cushion. :)
A slice of lemon meringue would be lovely too! ;)
Vivienne x

Anonymous said...

I like Hobbs Heirloom too. Another good site for wadding also is Pellenna Patchworks (not sure I've spelt it right but if you Google it it should come up) I also use Fabric Inspirations for fabrics sometimes as I like the varied choice they offer.

Diane said...

I can tell you are having fun! Your last 2 pieces have been lovely. That cotton wadding looks worth investigating - I bet it gives a much better feel. xxxx

Gilly Tee said...

I love the effect, great post.
Gillx

Serenata said...

Lovely to experiment with different wadding. Your patchwork is looking good. Hope you got the painting done! ;-)

Keepapi Creative said...

Oh, definately need to match ones sewing! Always thinking of the photo shoot, even if it is imaginary! Looks great. Jacs x

Lynne said...

What a great way to test out wadding. Looks like you're having fun with your sewing.

gillyflower said...

Its lovely Claire!Pretty soft colors and the name is perfect for the layers of tangy lemon cream and white fluffy meringue!
Interesting to see the steps you take too.
Log cabin is great fun!

potter jotter said...

Now I know why I can't sew ... it involves MATHS !! My all-time worst thing. The lemon meringue looks good enough to eat. You clever thing.

Mary Poppins said...

Yum yum!! I love it, you are so amazingly talented :0) I agree with Potter jotter, the maths would have me ever so confuddled
;0)

Lots of love, M xx