Wednesday, September 3, 2008

The White Tote

For very action there is an equal and opposite reaction....and after that Burner Bag, I needed to work with lace and softness in the worst way.
Plus, I wanted another go at making a tote with a lightly simplified block lay-out and also a smaller size.

So here is my design...

The numbers are the piecing order.

I had to ramp up the color of my stenciled flower once I ironed it. The oil pastels just kind of faded after being heat set. Also, my email friend Anna VanDemark wrote to me with a link about the drawbacks of using oil pastels on fabric. Mostly the issues are archival. You can read it here. And do check out Anna's website!

Anyway, I used Dye-Na-Flo thickened with clear aloe gel to paint more color onto my stenciled image, and then quilted the heck out of it before piecing it into my tote.

I can stand quilting in small doses! I loved using that Wonderfil thread I got in Houston last year. Great, great stuff.

Finished, this should be around 15" tall by 17" wide. I am truly enjoying working with these gentle supplies after my brief foray into the urban jungle!

12 comments :

Judy S. said...

Very pretty, Allie. These two totes are as different as night and day, and I love them both. You sure are brave to do all those curved seams. What's your secret?

Anonymous said...

The design is lovely. I have used the Shiva paintsticks extensively but haven't had a problem with fading. I press harder than is recommended though. If I was trying to work on an intricate design like your flower there would be a problem following the line of the flower.

Susan Elliott said...

Burned out by the burner bag! Such gentleness and purity rises from the ashes...My fave is all that quilting...I bet it was better than a glass of wine in helping you relax.

Barbara C said...

I love the swirly shapes in your piecing, and the overall shape of the bag is very clean and modern. What a nice contrast to the floral and lace details.

Anonymous said...

All of your work is lovely. Your blog is an inspiration for me to try new things! Beautiful!

Marty52 said...

Ahhhh... you must feel so much better! LOL! Such tee-tiny quilting on that center piece, too. I like the soft green seam treatment... it reminds me of Queen Anne's Lace just before it blooms.

Unknown said...

How incredibly gorgeous! This must have been a great deal of work with the more difficult curved seams! I am so impressed!
~Emily in Norway

Lindsay Jean said...

How do you treat the oil pastels to keep them from smearing?

Vicki W said...

Wow, did the pendulum swing! I love the shape of this tote and both designs are successful.

Anonymous said...

Superbe
Your blog is a real inspiration for us to try new things, new stiches It's Wonderful!Thanks
Take Care
Carou

Debi said...

The bag is so very pretty and delicate, and the design is awesome. I am inviting you to participate in a Fall into Fall Quilters Blog giveaway that I am hosting. Come on over and check it out.

Conni said...

Both bags are just wonderful, Allie! I especially love all of that delicate quilting around your beautifully stenciled floral motif!

Ah baseball...DH used to do some photography for the Phillies. I got to drink coffee in their locker room!