Chinese Whispers

[Rita C.]

And Marilyn, do you have enough in your stash for this Chinese Whispers quilt? Or do you have to buy a bit extra - or all new fabric, because this is so special, you see?

[Renata L.]

Yes, Rita, thanks for the heads up! I always get side-tracked wanting to try something new and maybe this is not the time for Edyta's 8-pointed star. But, your Christmasy pillows... I've been wanting to make one with a silhouette of Santa and the reindeers riding over the moon as a pillow for Christmas... but I'm swamped in gift table runners... and I'd have to design it first. :?

[E.M. T.]

Terrie..right now I'd say I have enough....but who knows? I may have to get that 1 that's just right !! :lol:

[wendy w.]

you don't want to spoil your stash!!!

Renata Santa wants to ride over the moon.

[Rita C.]

Renata here is something I just finished quilting. My daughter bought me the reindeer garland. It was made of felt with a sticky back so I stitched it onto the fabric. (I think it is meant for a window or something, but I didn't fancy scraping it off after Christmas). I was going to make it into a cushion cover (actually I have made two of them with different quilting in the border fabrics.) Now I can't decide whether to make them into a cushion or table runner or wall quilt. :?:


I also made this - not quite a cushion yet either. The Missouri Star Quilt Co had a tutorial on how to do this with the twister ruler. I have the mini ruler which DH brought back from the USA for me. I made it but I was not happy. It wasted so much fabric as you start out with nearly 50 3 1/2" squares sewn together which you then cut with the ruler. It ends up being about 12" square. And everything I have done to try to embellish this block has made it worse, I think. I put on a gold cording around the border and hate it - I am in the process of frogging it. I thought the satin stitched holly leaves would be nice, but I don't like them either.


Then there was my saw-tooth star cushion. I have been trying to conquer the stars! I am so bad at getting the points to line up and not cut off my tips so I thought I would do this one with 8" stars and 4" stars. I found the 4" stars easier than the 8" ones. I think I have got the hang of them now.


Christmas madness - what is it that comes over me at this time every year. I have to make something Christmasy. And it usually puts me in a bad mood because I can't do it very well. :roll: Oh well, back to the 8-pointed star trials.

[Renata L.]

Wow, Rita, have you been busy or what? Those are great pillows. I love your choice of colos and quilting for the reindeer and frankly, it speaks pillow to me, and not runner because as a runner you might put something on it and not see the full picture any more. It is pretty darn close to the picture I had in my mind for the pillow I wish I were making. Love what you did! Your wreath quilt is actually very pretty and you might like it better at a distance of time and mixed in with other pillows it will be just fine. I'm wondering whether the background fabric is just a bit distracting because it has so much detail in it--that makes it look busy and does not give you too much wiggle room for embellishments, but it does have charm. Leave it alone, it will look nice. Your four- and eight-pointed star pillow looks so crisp and Christmasy! I"m thinking a pair would look great on my red flannel sheets (if it would only get cold here, I could put them on the bed!!!). So glad you posted--it looks like so much fun, I wish I could jump on Santa's sleigh and come over and play in your sewing room!

[Margo C.]

Edyta makes it all look so simple and easy-peasy. :roll: But when you're a pro, that how things look to the amateurs. ops:

I think that Edyta's technique is brilliant! And...just remember that it looks easy because this wasn't her first star!!!

That's what the P P P (practice, practice, practice) will do for all us!!!

Don't give up on it until you have tried making a few and get comfortable with the technique!

[Rita C.]

I am sure practice does help Margo. Probably best to try it out on the least favourite fabric first. :|

[Margo C.]

I am sure practice does help Margo. Probably best to try it out on the least favourite fabric first. :|

Great use of that fabric!! And it makes room for new stuff!! :lol:

[E.M. T.]

Rita...We are our own worst critic ! Your projects are pretty ! The twister top is busy but I'd try a stronger little border
where you have used the gold..like dk green ricrac...or something...a place for your eye to stop ! and I'd prob'ly put the veins
in the holly. When all else fails...put a pretty back on it and flip it over !! :lol:

[Rita C.]

Marilyn, I like the idea of putting a pretty back on it and flipping it over. :lol: :lol: :lol: Renata, you are right about the background being too busy. It seemed okay when I put all the larger squares together but then it just went wrong! Oh well, you live and learn. I think I will make cushions of the reindeer. One for me and one for my daughter.

[Rita C.]

Rita, you could wrap the wreath around with some of Libby's 'ribbons' and cover it with a great big bow. :wink:

[Rita C.]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[E.M. T.]

My goodness it's been quiet on this thread !! My excuse? THINK,Think, think....sort, draw, sort, cut.....sort again !
Oh, brother !! :roll: :roll: :roll: What's goin' on out there...as if I didn't know !!! :P

[Lotti D.]

She's cutting.... That means all that thinking is having results!
Enjoy it, Marilyn, it'll be all finished and heading up to Scotland in next to no time.