Wrapped In Plastic. It's Fantastic!

I'm on the mailing list for The Weaving Kind. They do monthly weave-along challenges to help inspire and develop you as a weaver. For the month of January we were asked to weave something using non-traditional/alternative materials. Even though I missed out on sharing my piece by the entry deadline, I still wanted to share my work.

I'll admit that I was at first stumped on what to weave. Being such a new weaver, I was still just starting to explore all my yarn options. My mind just had a hard time thinking beyond fiber. It was when I was digging through my bin of yarns that I stumbled upon a ball of plastic. Back in my knitting days, I was all about trying anything and everything to knit with. At some point I decided it would be cool to take a plastic clothing bag- the kind they cover your clothes with at the dry cleaners- and cut it up into strips for use as yarn. I managed to make a nice size ball of plastic yarn from just one bag, but that is as far as I got. The yarn had reminded at the bottom of the bin until I decided to give it new life as a weaving.

I decided to use cotton twine as the warp just for some contrast. Even though it is a small weaving, it took a lot more time then I thought to create. The thin strips of plastic naturally wanted to bunch up, creating a dense weave. I had to use a lighter pull and gentle lay to keep the piece from looking like a marsh pit of plastic.

I do like the transparency of the piece and the hint of color from the company logo that was on the bag. The piece is light and airy with a surprisingly nice drape. I wonder how it would look and feel on a much larger scale. (Maybe a future project to tackle).

So, if you get a moment please check out The Weaving Kind on Instagram. Their feed is just filled with pictures of some amazing pieces done by weavers all over the world .And if you're up for the challenge, sign up for their monthly weave-along. You'll find the sign-up link in their profile.

Forget Me Not Sew Along

Have you heard that Sue Daley over at Sue Daley Designs is doing an English paper pieced sew along? It is called the "Forget Me Not Sew Along". I found out about it through a link someone shared on Instagram. After a quick hashtag search with the words, 'forgetmenotfabricsewalong' I was able to see the growing list of individuals that have joined the sew along.

Well, I've decided to join in the fun too! Is it any surprise? Really, how can a English paper piecing girl and lover of hexies  like me resist a quilt along like this? There is still time for you to join in as well. You can find the links on Sue's website to help get you started. Keep up to date with each new installment on her blog and then post pictures of your progress on Instagram. Make sure to use the hastag: #forgetmenotfabricsewalong when posting your pictures. I would love to see your progress. I'll be sharing my pictures on Instagram and here on the blog.

Hexified!

If you follow me on Instagram you may have noticed that my quilting world is slowly being taken over by hexagons.

Yes, I kissed a hexie and I liked it! *giggle*

Craftsy has a great post on English Paper Piecing (EPP)

As we speak I have three different hexie quilts in the works along with making hexie flowers for the Hexie Friends group I joined on Instagram.

I actually thought this hexie love would only last for just a season, like a summer love. But it seems my relationship with hexies have entered into a more serious level. I'm thinking this may become a permanent relationship. And I'm fine with that!

Check out Julia C. Wood's blog and hexie block of the month

I have this desire to explore the hexagon in quilting and see how far I can push it creatively. I love both the simplicity of just using one shape and the complexity of designs achievable with that shape.

The fact that this work requires almost all hand sewing is just the icing on the cake for me. But so as not to neglect my sewing machine, I will continue to make other types of quilts as well.

Sue Daley is an EPP Specialist with an awesome blog

So, now that I have given you fair warning on what to expect, I hope you will continue to come back to my blog and share in my continuing journey and growth through the world of quilting.

Feel free to share some of your current hexie or EPP work in the comment section. I would love to see what you are up to.

Couch Potato Quilt Market

The 2015 Spring International Quilt Market is in full swing right now. My Instagram feed is blowing up with pictures of beautiful quilts, must-have fabrics and quilters having just way too much fun.

If you weren't able to make it to Minneapolis this year or would rather enjoy Quilt Market from the comfort of your couch, then you're in luck. The lovely people over at Quilt Market set up a TINT (a virtual Twitter/Instagram wall). You can click on the link HERE. 

If you happen to be hanging out on Facebook be sure to check out their Facebook Page.

For those of you out there enjoying all that is Quilt Market, please keep those pictures coming in. The quilters are watching!