Incoming! More birds have landed I don't know how many cases of bird violence happened in the Middle Ages, but there are so many pictures of birds biting themselves in old manuscripts, or other creatures/people.
They must have been hungry...
For a single motif, I've been applique-stitching all the little pieces together as a unit, finishing most of the awkward, remaining process as possible.
Then, once I figure out where I want each border item, I glue- or thread-baste it to the border strip. This makes it much easier to finish the application of the motif...just stitching the outside.
I only have to hold that awkward border strip mess long enough to stitch around the perimeter.
I can also play with motifs, laying them and pinning on the empty border strips. I can visually judge how size, variety, shape, and color play with each other. I want things 'balanced' so my eye bounces all over the finished quilt, rather than 'pull focus' to one area.
Movement over a quilt surface is a good thing!
I have been using reverse-applique for most of the bird eyes because it makes them 'sink below' the surface, recessed, like a real-life eye socket. Owls always seem surprised and eye-prominent, so I stitched them on the motif surface so they pop!
It's the difference between this...
And this...
Or, this (remember the song? "She's Got Bette Davis Eyes")...
I've been up to other things as well since I seemingly fell off the face of the earth...
I'm finally basting my version of "Bunnies Prefer Chocolate"...
I got a Squamous Cell Carcinoma removed...
Steve turned my plastic folding table into a fantastic ironing station...
Crossword puzzles...
More later. Until the next post, happy stitching!
Teresa :o)
Adorable birds so many design options....
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