Living This Creative Life

I have two favorite quotes. The first one is by Emile Zola, "If you asked me what I came into this world to do, I would tell you that I came to live out loud". I don't know who the second one is by, but it goes like this, "If you're not living on the edge then you might as well jump". Both of these sentiments sum up my personal philosophy of this experience we call life on earth. Enjoy!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Block #66 in the Machine Quilting Challenge


Good Evening,
Here is today's new stitch out. I call it Veiny Leaves. I had hoped you would be able to see in the close up that I used a variegated thread, but it's an Oliver Twist and the color change is so subtle that it is hard to see it unless it's life size.
Any way, this is a wonderful design to use in wide borders. The leaves are about 3" long and 2 - 2 1/2 " wide. The veins in the leaves are stitched about every 1/4-1/8". The background behind the leaves is stitched with a loop d'loop.
Begin near the center of the block and stitch a line that is about 4" long with a a curve in it. This is the stem and center vein of the first leaf. At the end of the line, begin stitching the first side of the leaf, stitching out and away from the vein and down toward the stem. Make this a gentle, wavy line and curve it out up to 1 1/2" away from the center vein at it's widest point. Bring the side line back in to the center vein about 3/4" away from the end of the stem. Stitch back down the stem then over at an angle about 1/8" then angle back up the stem back to where the opposite side of the leaf needs to begin. Sew the other side of the leaf so that it matches up with the shape of the first side. Once you are back up at the tip of the leaf begin stitching the veins down one side the up the next, then down that side and up the other. Keep stitching veins, making a 'V' shape with the point of the 'V' on the center vein. Keep the veins approximately 3/8" apart.
Once you have completed the first leaf, loop d'loop over to where you can stitch a second leaf. Stitch it so that it moves in a different direction from the first. Once the second leaf is complete, fill in any space between it and the first with loop d'loops as you position yourself to make a third leaf. Keep making leaves and traveling around them with loop d'loops until you have filled the block.
I really like this stitch out, especially with a variegated or multi-colored thread. Hope you like it too,
Till next time,
Heather

2 comments:

me said...

Oh my goodness, this is so beautiful! You are SO talented! Are you also working on a book with all of these wonderful stitch-outs?

Hannele said...

Your leave pattern is fabulous! I do see the color variance :)