Sunday, June 24, 2007

The rose top is done

Well I stitched and stitched and stitched some more yesterday (until I had a totally numb behind from sitting hand stitching on the sofa) and finished the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Rose top for my sister around nine o'clock last night.
I've really enjoyed this - the challenge of working out which piece of 'leading' to stitch in which order so all rough ends are enclosed gave my brain something else to work out other than school accounts especially on the pink rose area. It's good to stretch your brain in a different direction now and again and a real relief to find it still works!
Atet from Quilting in Cornfields mentioned on yesterday's comments about her intention to do something similar but using the work of Frank Lloyd Wright as inspiration. I think he was probably thinking on similar lines to Charles Rennie Mackintosh albeit possibly slightly later and his stained glass works are lovely - just right for this type of work.
On my CRM piece here I've extended the design out by about 2.5" to give the corner 'nine patches' and create a bit of an illusion of a border but still echoing his style. I shall cut off the excess white you can still see on the picture when I square it all up.
I hope to get it sandwiched and machine quilted today and then I shall bind it in more of the 'school uniform' grey that I've used for the 'leading'.
I think I shall machine quilt along the edges of all the leading strips - I can't really think of any other way to tackle it - if I try and do something in the open white areas I think it will just detract from the simplicity and clean lines of the design. It's destined to be a wallhanging anyway so doesn't need close quilting for durability.
I ought to title it 'Glastonbury Rose' as I've discovered more new bands (well new to an old fogie like me anyway), sitting watching the Glastonbury Festival coverage on tv while I've stitched, than I ever knew existed.
I hope she likes it - she's not much of a stitcher, just does some cross stitch and a little simple dressmaking but she did like the Celtic Knotwork (her other real design love) cushion covers I made her for Christmas so I should be onto a winner. I need to get it completed for next Friday so I'd better get a wiggle on with it :o)
On a totally different note I received my penultimate winter block, indeed my penultimate block altogether, for the four seasons swap quilt I'm in the middle of. Can't wait to get the final block and finish assembling the centre. Then we're onto those borders and that'll be another top done.
Mind you there's no deadline for this so I don't know why I'm rushing. Don't you sometimes feel like it's a self imposed race we set ourselves with these things?
Never mind - on with the sandwiching of the CRM Rose - at least it's a small manageable size to handle.

21 comments:

Fiona said...

Awesome - if you can work out where all those ends have to go you must be a whizz at sudoku.

Jeanne said...

Oh, the rose is just lovely! I agree that simple quilting would complement the simple design.
Jeanne :)

Unknown said...

Your rose is ... well I have no words wow. Your sister must love it no doubt.

Unknown said...

This is a lovely stained glass pattern and you made it so beautifully. Can I be adopted into your family?!
Thanks for sharing pictures of the silly hats. That was a great laugh. Take care.

YankeeQuilter said...

This is so striking! Love the name...if I were only 18 again I'm sure I'd be camped out in that mudfield!

meggie said...

Really lovely rose! I am sure it will be greatly loved.
You seem to get so much finished!

Malagueta said...

What a wonderful translation into fiber!

Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum said...

That looks great, your sister will love it, stitcher or not. Enjoy your music-seems to be inspiring you! Tracey

atet said...

It's stunning, sticher or not I'm sure she will love it. And yes, I think you're right, simple is going to be best here.

I don't know why we impose these kinds of deadlines on ourselves, though I think for me it has something to do with the number of ideas I have trying to get out and get made!

Tanya said...

I love your rose top! It looks exactly like the picture you're using! I have done some stained glass too and really enjoyed it though I seem to always find something else to do. I get mixed up with those seams that have to be hidden too.

Clare said...

Anne I am in awe. That is one beautiful piece of sewing and can't wait to see the finished result.

~Bren~ said...

Beautiful!!! What other word is there? Oh yeah...breathtaking.

Texan said...

Your Rose piece turned out so very nice! I am sure she will treasure it!

I really like the fabrics and colors in your penultimate winter block, very striking...

Joyce said...

The roes turned out beautifully. Well done.

Andrea said...

Your rose is stunning - that is one technique I would love to have a go at one day ! Could you recommend a book that shows how to do it ?

Ali Honey said...

Congratulations! That turned out so well! I love it.

jodie said...

I love the stained glass you are working on for your sister, she is a lucky girl. and congratulations for being a winner on the Leanne's House site! I so wanted to win, but am glad some one I "know" won!

Jodie

Kim said...

The top for your sister is wonderful! You do lovely work!

Judy said...

Just fabulous!

sewkalico said...

Anne, I was just looking at your rose again and it's really lovely. I'm not sure I have the patience for such a complex design, but it's sure to be appreciated as it's very beautiful!

Linda C said...

Congratulations on the finish. It really does look like a gorgeous piece of stained glass. Your sister is a lucky girl!