Sunday, 18 January 2015

CQJP Challenge: February base block

Since finishing my CQJP block for January 2015, I have been thinking about what to do for the next block.  I wanted to have the base block ready to start embroidering as soon as February begins and, as I have a number of other projects I am also working on, I thought that when I had a few spare minutes I should get the base block prepared. I have been looking on the internet for crazy quilt block inspiration and I keep coming across blocks which have the Dresden Plate design but, have been embroidered and embellished in crazy quilt style. This look really appeals to me and, I decided that for my February CQJP block I would make a Dresden Plate block to embellish.

I have used the same Tilda fabrics that I used in my January block so that the blocks will coordinate nicely in the finished quilt.  I selected five to make the 'petals' of the plate and then selected a different fabric for the centre circle and another for the block background.

This time round, as I have learned from my online Basic Crazy Quilt Course run by Kathy Shaw, I now know that it is very important for crazy quilt blocks to be stabilised while you are working the embellishment on them, to give them extra support.  So, once I had made my Dresden Plate, I pinned it to the background fabric ready to be hand appliqued in place and then I sewed the background fabric to a piece of muslin.  The muslin helps to support the block but also enlarges the piece of background fabric so that you can hoop it up in a larger hoop which does not have to be moved around during the embellishment process.

 Now I am looking forward to starting the stitching!
Posted by at

12 comments:

  1. Linda18 January 2015 at 16:46

    Love your Dresden plate, and of course I love your Tilda fabrics. :) What a great tip about using a larger piece of fabric in the hoop that doesn't have to be moved. When I read that, for me it was one of those "doh" (slap my head) moments!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine B18 January 2015 at 19:09

      Hello Linda! It was a bit like that for me too... I have been using a small hoop to embroidery one section then move it and embroider another.... so I have already learned a valuable lesson from my class! Have a great week! :) x

      Delete
  2. Martina18 January 2015 at 18:23

    Beautiful! This is an idea I also was planning to do in the challenge. Not sure if I will onlu make dresdenplates or also different blocks. Still didn't start with my january one. I will keep a bit behind as i first want to learn the basics and put those things into practice. Lol! >have fun stitching.
    Hugs Martina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine B18 January 2015 at 19:12

      Hello Martina! Thank you! I am looking forward to seeing your blocks but I think it is a good idea to learn a bit more from the other class first. I have already learned some tips which I wouldn't have thought of! I think it will also be interesting to see the improvement (hopefully) over the months! Have a good week! :) xx

      Delete
  3. Dawn19 January 2015 at 01:13

    Love the idea of a Dresden crazy quilt block and of course the colours are beautiful. Glad you are picking up tips from the online course, I'm so glad I did it too. Don't think I'm going to participate in the CQJP as I taken too much on, ooops but I'll look forward to seeing your blocks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine B19 January 2015 at 11:23

      Hello Dawn! Thank you! I am so glad that I saw your posts about the CQBC and then you tipped me off when the new class started.... I am having so much fun and learning a lot!! I know what you mean about taking too much on.... I hope I can keep up with what I want to do!! Have a great week!! :) x

      Delete
  4. Steffi19 January 2015 at 07:52

    Liebe Christine,
    ich freue mich schon darauf wie es weitergeht, mit deinem Projekt. Außerdem lerne ich auch immer etwas dazu!
    Liebe Grüße
    Steffi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine B19 January 2015 at 11:25

      Hello Steffi, so glad you are enjoying seeing the progress. It is fun to share projects.... it is surprising how much you can learn just from looking at the colours others use and the ideas they have! Enjoy your week!! :) xx

      Delete
  5. The Patchsmith19 January 2015 at 08:13

    This is such a pretty Dresden already due to your choice of fabric. I can't wait to see how it looks after embellishment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine B19 January 2015 at 11:13

      Hello Amanda! Thank you... I am looking forward to embroidering it, it should be fun! Have a great week! :) x

      Delete
  6. Cattinka19 January 2015 at 16:51

    I like Dresden plates and yours will look beautiful embroidered.
    KATRIN W.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine B19 January 2015 at 18:01

      Hello Katrin! Thank you so much! I am really looking forward to embellishing it! Have a lovely week! :) x

      Delete

Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving me a comment. It is lovely to hear from you and very exciting to read what you have to say!!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)