Bits and Pieces #4

Blog post #3 threw a lot of information and pictures your way, todays blog is all about just one 10×10” (when finished) piece.

In the 3rd blog a viewer also posted 3 very good questions about what I’m doing, how I’m doing it and how am I planning to quilt when ready. Remember, this project is my own, no tried and true directions, no finished project for reference, just me in my sewing room with a bin of wonderful and varied trims and laces.

I started with 4 different pieces placed on a block base of 2 layers of relatively thin off-white 100% cotton muslin.

The yellow line above overlays a lovely and very long piece of trim. I wish I would have taken a picture of the trim before I stitched it to the block. The diamond ivory pintucks were part of a garment I’m sure, many many years ago. I folded the entire piece over the existing block placing the ivory pintucks at opposite corners.

The green circled ivory lace flowers were fussy cut vintage lace.

I initially thought this block was finished. About a week later I changed my mind. I decided each of the quilt blocks should be collages containing many many little points of interest.

The block above became the block below:

If I’ve numbered correctly, in addition to the initial lace trim with the ivory pintucks, this block has 25 points of interest. I like this!

So let’s recap:

1) 2 layers of muslin, 2) 4 pieces of flat lace, one very long piece of trim with pintucking and 3) 25 white/off white/ivory bits and pieces.

Important to notice, especially if you’re making your own bits and pieces quilt: can you see how after #2 above, I have intentionally placed all the 25 pieces inside the quarter inch seam allowance? Very important when the time comes to sew all the blocks together.

How about 4 close-up pics of the 4 quarters of this block:

Does this help as you create your own blocks? Can you tell that I’m using a variety of thread colors in the needle? The darker threads serve to both show the outline the motif as well as provide some visual depth to the piece.

The question remains…how am I going to quilt this! If you zoom in as close as possible on these last 4 pictures, you might be able to see that everything is machine stitched down. There is nothing that will catch the hopping foot of my longarm but still…right now I have no idea!

Hope these blog posts will inspire you to create your own Bits and Pieces quilt! ❤️

Blessings and Happy Quilting,

Rhonda

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Published by Rhonda Dort

A creative person living in Houston, TX

23 thoughts on “Bits and Pieces #4”

  3. Thank you for sharing this !!!  You just have an excellent eye for details !!!  So talented !!! Mary WaltersTyler County Commissioners OfficePrecinct # 3 & # 4205 N. Charlton St.Woodville, TX 75979-4803 409-283-7623

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  4. I think starting with the background of lace really adds to the dimension of the block. I love the stitch you used to stitch the pieces down, I don’t have a machine that will do that. I would probably use pearl cotton and stitch by hand, which I love to do anyway!

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      2. Well, I looked at all the blocks I’ve been working on and you’re right, I HAVE used lots of different machine stitches! Sorry about my earlier answer!! ☹️
        Does your sewing machine do only straight stitch? Would you consider a bit of hand stitching/embroidery? My plan right now is to include some hand embroidery to many of the blocks before I sew the blocks together.

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      3. Thanks, I have several straight stitch vintage Singer machines, my newest machine (right now) is a Bernina 830 from the 1980’s with a few decorative stitches. I have no desire for a sewing machine with a screen that I have to program every little thing in order to sew. But, yes, I do hand embroidery and actually enjoy “slow stitching” on most of my quilts.

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  6. So pretty! I’m gathering my trims, old tablecloths, and other articles. I have an old linen sheet I will be using for background. Can’t wait to get started. Thanks for the detailed pictures. 💕

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  8. I am so inspired by your work. I am itching to retire and do exactly this with all the vintage fabrics I have been collecting from family and friends through the years. Thank you for sharing and I am so happy I stumbled upon your work.

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