Monday, 25 January 2016

CQJP Challenge 2016: Finished January Block

Hello! Today I would like to share with you my first block for the CQJP Challenge 2016.  I enjoyed participating in the CQJP Challenge 2015 so much, that I decided to take part in the 2016 Challenge.  Last year's challenge resulted in me making my first crazy quilt and I am really pleased with it.  I have it in my living room and I love looking at it!

This year I have decided to make a crazy dresden quilt using solid colour fabrics enhanced with ribbons as well as lots of embroidery stitches.  The inspiration for this came from a beautiful quilt made by Allie Aller called 'Crazy Dresdens' which was featured in the Summer 2015 issue of the magazine 'Modern Quilts Unlimited'.  It is a lovely quilt and I decided I would like to try something similar.


Each of my blocks this year will feature a quarter of a dresden plate decorated with ribbons and embroidery stitches.  At the end of the year when I have all twelve blocks finished I will piece them together either to form four large dresden plates or, alternatively, to create a wavy pattern across the quilt top.  I haven't decided which yet, I will probably let the finished blocks make the decision!

I have included a few close up shots of some of the embroidery stitches for you.  As well as the ribbon and embroidery, I also added some sequins to the end of each 'blade' of the fan which I have embroidered into place using blanket stitch wheels.

You will notice that I have left the non-dresden area of the block relatively free of embellishment.  This is because I intend to add some more embroidery in these areas once the blocks have been pieced together at the end of the year.

I am linking this post to the stitchery link-up at Super Mom - No Cape!  Pop across and have a look at what everyone else has been up to this week!  

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40 comments:

  1. Linda25 January 2016 at 14:52

    Your stitches are just amazing! It's going to be beautiful. I love Dresdens!

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    1. Christine B25 January 2016 at 15:24

      Thank you Linda! I love dresdens too! Christine x

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  2. the girlfriend gap25 January 2016 at 15:14

    You are always up to something beautiful! The ribbons really add a lovely touch to the Dresden. Thanks for sharing. Janita

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    1. Christine B25 January 2016 at 15:25

      Thank you Janita! I love dresdens, so I was really drawn to the 'Crazy Dresdens' quilt by Allie Aller and this is just my take on it! Christine x

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  3. Linda M @ Pieceful Kingdom25 January 2016 at 15:16

    Such lovely stitching! I can't wait to see more.

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    1. Christine B25 January 2016 at 15:26

      Thank you! I have a much clearer plan for this year's challenge! Have a lovely day! Christine x

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  4. Valomea25 January 2016 at 15:33

    a beautiful Dresden plate! I like it.
    Valomea

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    1. Christine B25 January 2016 at 17:05

      Thank you Valomea! I am very pleased with it too! Christine x

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  5. Kunzfrau25 January 2016 at 16:13

    So beautiful! I like the combination of woven tape with embroidery.

    Greetings Marion

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    1. Christine B25 January 2016 at 17:07

      Thank you Marion! I was pleased with the addition of the ribbons... they seem to bring it to life! Christine x

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  6. Marti25 January 2016 at 16:49

    Your quilt is gorgeous. I'd love looking at it every day too. Is all the embroidery done by hand?

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    1. Christine B25 January 2016 at 17:11

      Thank you! Yes, all the embroidery is by hand. It is the fun part! Christine x

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  7. sunny25 January 2016 at 16:52

    I LOVE it!

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    1. Christine B25 January 2016 at 17:12

      Thank you Sunny! I am very pleased with it too! Christine x

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  8. Janet Pring25 January 2016 at 19:46

    It looks like you are off to a good start! It is always exciting to see your projects come together over the year xxx

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    1. Christine B26 January 2016 at 11:24

      Thank you Janet! I really enjoyed putting this block together... I think it will make a nice quilt! Chrissie x

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  9. Anonymous25 January 2016 at 21:11

    Hi Christine,oh wow this is going to be amazing,looking forward to seeing more my friend xx

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    1. Christine B26 January 2016 at 11:24

      Thank you Shez! I loved combining the ribbons and embroidery.... I think it will make a nice quilt! Christine x

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  10. Magpie's Mumblings25 January 2016 at 22:08

    This is going to be another beautiful project Christine. It's going to be great fun to watch this one unfold over the next year.

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    1. Christine B26 January 2016 at 11:25

      Thank you Mary Anne! I was very pleased with this first block and I am excited to see how the quilt develops! Christine x

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  11. CathieJ26 January 2016 at 01:07

    I love your embroidery stitches. I am thinking that I might want to try my hand at crazy quilting using a Dresden Plate. I would fill the negative spaces with quilting, but I think that might be a good way to sample the crazy-quilt embroidery. Your work is very pretty. Thank you so much for the novel idea.

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    1. Christine B26 January 2016 at 11:27

      Thank you Cathie! I think you would enjoy using a Dresden plate to try out crazy quilting stitches... it is a lot of fun! Christine x

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  12. Heather26 January 2016 at 02:14

    FANtastic! I love the cheerful colors! And your work is so clean! Love, love, love!

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    1. Christine B26 January 2016 at 11:28

      Thank you Heather! I am really pleased with this block... looking forward to watching the rest of the quilt develop! Christine x

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  13. Steffi26 January 2016 at 08:26

    Liebe Christine,
    das wird ganz wunderbar. Tolle Idee mit den Crazy Dresden Blöcken, deine Farben gefallen mir auch wieder sehr gut, ich bin schon gespannt wie es weiter geht!
    Liebe Grüße
    Steffi

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    1. Christine B26 January 2016 at 11:32

      Thank you Steffi! I was pleased with how everything went together in this block and I am looking forward to the quilt developing through the year! Christine x

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  14. Baa. xxx26 January 2016 at 08:37

    Oh wow! It is gorgeous!

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    1. Christine B26 January 2016 at 11:29

      Thank you! I really enjoyed stitching this block and the ribbons are pretty to work with! Have a lovely week! Christine x

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  15. The Patchsmith26 January 2016 at 09:07

    Just when I think your work can't get any prettier you go and raise the bar. Stunning - not to mention inspirational. xxx

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    1. Christine B26 January 2016 at 11:30

      Thank you Amanda, what a lovely thing to say! I really enjoyed working on this block! Christine x

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  16. Sheila26 January 2016 at 13:51

    What a great idea , your quilt will be beautiful! I love what you have done so far.

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    1. Christine B26 January 2016 at 14:32

      Thank you Sheila! I am excited to see this quilt grow... I am really pleased with this block! Christine x

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  17. Wendy26 January 2016 at 17:11

    Your crazy quilt blocks are always so gorgeous!

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    1. Christine B26 January 2016 at 19:34

      Thank you Wendy! I really enjoy making them! Christine x

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  18. Melody26 January 2016 at 20:56

    This is absolutely gorgeous. Should be a spectacular quilt.

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    1. Christine B26 January 2016 at 21:27

      Thank you Melody! I hope it is nice.... I am excited to see it unfold! Christine x

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  19. Dawn27 January 2016 at 00:58

    Always love a beautiful Dresden and yours in particular look great, the ribbons certainly add that extra zing, look forward to seeing a block a month.

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    1. Christine B27 January 2016 at 01:08

      Thank you Dawn! I loved stitching this block and can't wait to make the next one! Christine x

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  20. SuperMomNoCape29 January 2016 at 15:26

    Oh Christine, this is gorgeous! I'm looking forward to seeing each block as you work on them.

    I haven't quite got the hang of crazy quilting. I keep forgetting that embellishing the seams is key. But I think maybe having the Dresden plate to work with might just help that along.

    Thanks so much for linking up to this week's Stitchery Link Party and for the link back. Aloha hugs!

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    1. Christine B29 January 2016 at 19:18

      Thank you Susan! I think that embellishing dresdens is a nice easy way to start with crazy quilting... the seams are never too long and evenly spaced which I think makes them easier to decorate! Have a lovely weekend! Christine x

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