The story continues...
I know you've all been wondering whether Asterisk Tricks survived it's washing adventure so I'll jump right in and show you...
The Before photo...
and this is how it came out of the washing machine.
I flattened out the confetti strips with my fingers so they laid flat again.
There was a bit of fraying but not too much.
In fact I really like how the fraying has softened the edges and added texture to the strips.
It's really hard to tell from the photos but washing has really set the quilting. Maybe because the linen shrunk it's puffed up the stitches. The overall quilt shrunk by a whopping half a inch. When it's only a 16inch quilt to start with half an inch seems a lot.
I didn't block the quilt to bring it back to a true square, I like that it wears the signs of its journey through the watery depths. I think it goes to show that quilts are tougher than we think.
But wait there's more!!!
I have two more quilts in this series that I made earlier in the year but haven't gotten around to showing on my blog yet. The year has just been flying by faster than I can blog!
First we have Concave Wave.
The linen curve edges looked way too plain so I started adding stitches with perle 8 thread...
and kept stitching until the linen was densely patterned. I really liked the effect, the way both the colourful part and the "neutral" part have something engage and look at. A lot of punch for a little quilt.
The next quilt I named Curve Verve. The pattern is a reverse of Concave Wave.
More fun times with colourful stitches
Those who look closely will notice each point has different patterns.
I do have more of these little bright quilts on the go at various stages of completion. They've been packed away while we're painting the house but they're sure to come out again to play at some point in the future.
Until then I hope these little quilts have done their job of adding some colour to your day.
44 Comments
Hi Rachael I quite love the effect of your mini after the wash and I really love your other two minis as well,you are so clever my friend xx
ReplyDeleteI loved how the washed quilt turned out too!
ReplyDeleteYour stitching in the other 2 little quilts adds so much character and interest. It really draws you in!
Love all of your stitching detail. Such happy quilts :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, washing added even more interest to the little quilt. I'm so relieved it turned out well, I really like that one! The others are so happy too. Love your hand stitching with all those colors. It's so fun!
ReplyDeleteLove how your little quilt turned out. The texure from the slight shrinkage looks great to me.
ReplyDeleteI too like the fraying. You were very brave to wash it.
Your stitches are incredible and over the top. You're making a real niche for yourself with this style
Your colorful hand quilting looks amazing. I love how it complements the scrappy piecing. I would have been too scared to add pattern to the neutral areas. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteAlways sew beautiful! I want to learn how to do the stitching you are doing with the Pearle cotton. Can you point me in that direction.... Any books that might teach me. Just curious what the back looks like.... how do you travel with your thread so the back looks as pretty as the front. Have a wonderful day. Janita
ReplyDeleteI think Asterisk Tricks fared quite well in the wash. I've been reading about the quilts of Coahagan Island in the Philippines. They put their quilts in the sea!
ReplyDeleteAll your hand-stitching has me itching to try some myself.
I love what the "Watery Depths" did to your quilt too ! Your concave wave reminded me of your Grandiflora in Victoria's book.
ReplyDeleteI just love all that stitching! Isn't it amazing what simple thread and big stitches can do to a project?!
ReplyDeleteI'm so relieved--I envisioned snarled knots of thread after the run through the washer! I love your background stitching--so fun and adds so much texture.
ReplyDeleteI love all of the whimsical, colorful stitching! There's just a cheer that comes from what you create-such a wonderful gift :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy quilting!
I definitely agree with the other comments here. I love the frayed effect. I have a rose pattern to make with flannel that is supposed to fray similar to this, but I only made one rose so far to see how it would look. Your pictures make me eager to get into it again. But, so many other projects are one the list. Now that winter is officially here and the gardening and canning is done, I may have some time available. I don't know where you come up with such great ideas but they are different and always fascinating. I know when I log into your blog I will see something amazing. And Sew on and Sew on!
ReplyDeleteForgive my spelling error. It is Monday after all. LOL.
ReplyDeleteYay, it survived without turning into a little knotted mess!
ReplyDeleteI like your quilting/embellishment of the little quilts - they look fab! I split my time between too many hobbies and never really get that far into the knitty gritty of quilting.
I agree, the wash actually improves the quilt, it is softer and somehow seems more integrated, more like a single piece, if that makes sense. I love your minis, and the quilted stitching/embroidery is so charming. You inspire me! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletePhew! ....as they say in the classics...."that could have gotten a bit messy!!"
ReplyDeleteIt's funny though how we make and wear clothes tossing them gaily into washing machines without so much as a second thought......but quilts!! Now I think your next topic could be "do you pre wash your fabric?" Let's see what can o' worms that one opens. Though can I say your followers are the most considered and kind people. Your feedback comments are so sweet.
I like the frayed edges on the confetti strips, the washing seems to have made the quilt more textured, I love that look. I'm wondering if you made a huge improv block for Concave Wave and used the leftover outside bits in Curve Verve, it has made me think about using my leftover bits up.
ReplyDeleteYour two curves quilts look wonderful! Great stitching.
ReplyDeleteGlad your asterisk quilts survived, Love the softening of the look.
I'm relieved too that your sweet little quilt survived the wash and stepped out with a happy new personality.
ReplyDeleteInteresting how the 'fraying' softened and totally changed the look. I like it but I really like the Curved Verve and Concave Wave with all the stitching.
ReplyDeleteThe stitches are so even and I love all the random colours around the curves.
You just never quit do you? Nice.
You were brave. You could have lost, but you won. I love the outcome.
ReplyDeleteOf course I agree with the others- your little mini looks even better (if that's possible?) after its bath! All your quilts are just delightful! Only Rachaeldaisy could turn something so simple into fabulous works of art!
ReplyDeleteYour Asterisk Mini survived its wash much better than I feared. I thought each asterisk would come out of the washing machine as a mass of tangled threads. Love the two curved minis with their lovely stitching. I always love stitching! It adds so much to the interest and depth of solid areas. Your two minis are excellent examples of that. Hope the house painting is finished and you and Mr D are happy with the result.
ReplyDeleteI love how you finished the edges without any binding. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI like to wash my quilts after finishing,
ReplyDeleteI like the softness and puffiness after :-)
xx
So fun to see the asterisks after a run through the wash. I love the added texture. Looks like you're enjoying your play with stitches. The results are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThe wash didn't hurt the astricks one bit! Love that texture from your stitching. It always looks amazing.:)
ReplyDeleteI am really impressed with how well this little quilt stood up to the wash. It came out very well. The shrinkage is quite significant - imagine that on a bigger quilt. Love that it worked so well.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying seeing each of the new quilts as you display them. What fun to have a series of quilts on the go. The new ones are lovely with their colour and all your great stitching. You must have so many ideas swirling around in your head.
Oh happiness abounds in this post! I do love a washing experiment and I think you have just added a whole lot more texture and life to that wee quilt.
ReplyDeleteOh happiness abounds in this post! I do love a washing experiment and I think you have just added a whole lot more texture and life to that wee quilt.
ReplyDeleteIt looks so cool. It is very creative you know? I like it very much. Your work inspired me to create something new)
ReplyDeleteNow those two little gems should find a place on your freshly painted walls! I like all the little stitching details! Glad to hear confetti survived her swim. The fraying looks fine to me too but I am one of those people who like quilts more before they are washed. Although every single one of the quilts I've made for our house have been washed and washed again. I appreciate the crinkly goodness of a freshly laundered quilt but my heart skips a beat when a just finished quilt is still flat and perfect.
ReplyDeleteTes création sont magnifiques. Nous avons tous besoin de couleurs, parce que la couleur, c'est la vie et qu'en ces temps de guerre faite à notre pays, il est important de recevoir des artistes du monde entier, un peu de joie de et de bonheur. Tu sais en donner.
ReplyDeleteMerci Amitiés.
Roger
Wow -- I'm really surprised that those little strips didn't fray more (based on how much my fabric frays when I pre-wash it LOL) -- not too bad at all. Your other work is adorable, as always. I LOVE the bright, happy colors!
ReplyDeleteGlad the little quilt survived the machine - amazing how much they shrink, isn't it? Love the other two cuuuurvy quilts too!
ReplyDeleteRachael your posts always add colour to my day! It's amazing how washing a quilt just changes it subtly.
ReplyDeleteYour little quilt survived quite well, although you probably wouldn't want to do it too often or your fraying might get out of control! I like the way washing changes the way quilting looks, really gives it a pop!
ReplyDeleteLove the curves - they are both awesome and the stitching is fab and your sweet little asterisk doesn't look any worse for wear - yay !!
ReplyDeleteIt came through with [literally] flying colors!!!! I have to agree with the others, I like the effect - it looks so much more textured. Your Curve quilts are marvelous, Rachel, I adore all that stitching!
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel,
ReplyDeleteThe quilting and fraying on your quilt looks fab thanks to the washing.
I would love to see the backs of your quilts with all that hand quilting in thick cotton. Just curious.
Hope you are well.
Chrissy
I think your little quilt came thru the wash with flying ribbons, so to speak! It does look like the perle cotton quilting has really been enhanced and deepened.
ReplyDeleteI always wash my bed and cuddle quilts, but very rarely wash my wall quilts, mostly just because they only get a little dusty, not really dirty. If I can't wash it, I don't need it in my house is kind of my motto. I've almost never had a problem, except for once or twice. I have had some colors run, which wasn't a tragedy for me. I accept that things don't stay perfect forever. Some don't even start out perfect! I embrace the "wabi-sabi" of life.
Love your new little quilts! I so admire your wonderful hand stitching. It adds so much to your quilts and makes them unique to you.
Good luck with the house painting! It can be quite a job, but it's always so nice in the end.
Very nice post and very nice move, you were brave about it but it turned out great! keep it up.
ReplyDeleteYour work always charms me so very much. Such creativity, both design and color.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for leaving me a comment. Your kind words encourage me to keep sharing my work and stories.