Tuesday, September 9, 2008

White Tote Front...Embellishment Finished

This project was all about texture, repetition, and rhythm. Because the color scheme was limited to white, beige, and green (with a fleck of yellow and a half a fleck of red), this gave me the chance to emphasize these other design elements.
Crazy quilting gives us so much scope for pushing on different aspects of design; it's one reason I love it so much.

There were lots and lots more French knots.

I appliqued this gorgeous lace motif to act as a seam treatment. Talk about getting a lot of "bang for my buck"! This took no time at all to sew on, gave me the texture and made the transition between patches that I wanted, and repeated the lace 3D flower element that is on the tote farther up.

Embroidered rick rack is another way to get plenty of detail with minimal sewing. Here it is repeating the scalloped edge that the lace and chainstitching provides all over this tote front. The more saturated green gives the circle some punch too, along with that line of 4 mm silk ribbon.

When the tote is assembled and finished, that "neckline" will be symmetrical and the circle won't look lopsided at the top the way it does now.

This has been a balm to do after the Burner Bag! I'll sew it up tomorrow....

21 comments :

Paula Hewitt said...

Very pretty. I like the idea of embroidery on the ric rac.

Kay said...

I love those French knots! This is a very pretty and feminine tote, quite a change from the other, for sure.

Debra Dixon said...

This would be pretty for a spring wedding!

Judy S. said...

Beautiful work, Allie. And all those zillions of French knots! You've got me rethinking rickrack...I've never been real crazy about it, but the embroidery works well. It'll be fun to see your tote all sewn up!

Anonymous said...

Your work is always so beautiful and inspirational! Thanks for sharing. I love how you've worked in the green embellishments...so refreshing.

Barbara C said...

So beautiful! I love the way the circle is partially covered by the curve. And of course it's always a treat to see your embellishment.

Susan said...

Beautiful. I love how you echoed curves. The laces you used are really pretty, and your stitching as elegant as always. =)

Cathy said...

Oh I love how this is turning out! Green and white are sooooo fresh! BTW, thanks for the floral picture; you're so sweet! Hugs, Cathy

Possibilities, Etc. said...

This is just soooo beautiful!!

Cheryl said...

This has such a beautiful spring like quality to it. The greens on white are luscious!

Lisa Boni said...

So gorgeous! I like the way the colors accent it but don't take away from the "whiteness" of it.

Susan Elliott said...

Curved piecing. It really makes this piece. I was going to attempt it for my BAT piece but chickened out and decided to wait for class...*grin

david santos said...

This is ART!!!
Congratulations!!!

JoWynn Johns said...

Marvelous. Will you use this tote....or the burner bag?

Jane said...

More great seam treatments Allie... When you said "neckline", I immediately saw modification of pattern to make an awesome little summer camosiolle. Wouldn't that be cute?

Marty52 said...

This is stunning, Allie! Simply stunning... nothing more to say than that, m'dear!

Summerset said...

Pretty! Such a lovely farewell to summer.

Cathie said...

Oh Allie - this is so, so pretty. So delicate and feminite. I do love it.

Suzanne said...

Very nice-your work is beautiful!

Unknown said...

Fantastic blog, Thanks for sharing. Keep posting like this.
Fabric Front Embellishment
Ribbon Embroidery

Twisted Sticks said...

This is just spectacular. Always wanted to try crazy quilting, but just haven't yet. So many things to do so little time.

You do gorgeous work. I love doing hand work as well!!