progress report

A little update on my big stitching quilt/journaling project. It's hard to photograph, and even harder to explain without the use of photographs. I'll do my best to make sense. So far, I've opened up some vintage pillowcases that were already embroidered. I used these as the base of my quilt top. I sewed them together, matching the edges, so that there is a crochet edge all around the top base, like these photos show:

 

I used pillowcase scraps to add another layer on to the back of the top piece.

I will eventually add batting and a new back piece, and intend on hand and machine quilting the whole thing. But for now, I'm working on the journal spreads that describe my days this summer and adding them to the top piece. Like this:

Above you see a one of the journaling pieces (free motion machine stitching for portraits and hand embroidery for words). And here it (and others) are sewn onto the big top piece:

I hope this is making sense! I think it's going to work, but I'm still in that "we'll have to see" phase of a project. I'm constantly thinking about it and wanting to work on it though; that's a good sign. 

 

I'm using old pieces as my backgrounds for journaling, then I'm adding machine stitching and hand stitching, sewing onto the top pieces and adding more hand and machine stitching after I do.

It might take the entire summer to do it, but that's fitting for my "what I did this summer"essay in stitching form vs. written word. Off to pack up a few journaling pieces; it's a great project to grab and go and work on wherever the summer takes me!

Comments

[Peggy]

Beautiful, Pam. I love how you are using all those old pieces and creating something new. Have fun with it.

[Janet Ghio]

This is the most interesting idea! I have been looking at your embroidery all summer and this is quite an undertaking. i look forward to seeing the quilt progress!

[donna!ee]

absolutely lovely AND you've inspired me, once again, with a clever direction to take with all those thrifty tag sale treasures... thank you much pam! ;)

[susan gilman]

ooohhh so lovely! I think this is a perfect project. I admire the free-form stitching! I haven't mastered that yet - thanks for sharing and inspiring, as always!

[Marley]

I love the idea. Please give us progress reports.

[Juanita]

Oh, such inspiration! I L-O-V-E it! Quite the undertaking, what size are your hoping to make?
Oh, I just may have to raid my old linens and give it a go myself!

[jennifer norman]

Very cool!

Kind of like a crazy quilt, but more personal...this would be a great book!

I really love your work...it's got feeling.

xo,
jennifer

[Cindy O'Leary]

Hi Pam,
Wow, this is really intriguing--what a great idea! Now you have me spinning with the possibilities. I also have lots of flea market finds, and I'm itching to stitch (oh, that's awful...lol!). Thanks for sharing with us; will look forward to updates! xo

[Karen Greenfield]

This reminds me very much of a quilt/spread that Mary Martin talks about and shows in her needlepoint book. Her Mother made "all on her fingers" using hundreds of pieces of saved lace. It looked amazing as does yours. Karen

[Zita - Mlle Magpie]

It's amazing, Pam! It really is going to be an incredible piece when you're done.

[Christinedrevo@rocketmail.com]

Pam your quilt is beautiful and I can't wait to see updates. I was wondering if you would put the process either in video version or an e-course. I'd love to see how it all comes together!

[Carin Wallace]

Oh I love this. I got the best deal on a pair of overalls and I'm adding embrodery to them a little each week and it's a lot of fun learning and trying out new stiches. I love the little stories within the stories idea of bed spread / quilt. My best friend has an old pillow and I look forward to sleeping on it every time I'm in LA. Yummmy.

[pamelajane]

What a brilliant idea on how to repurpose those wonderful old embroidered pillowcases! This looks so lovely with all your added bits of life's interests.

[Mitzi Curi]

Your work is always beautiful, no matter what medium you are using. It will be great to see the finished project.....

[Emily]

You are so talented. Really, what you do is a lost art.

[stitchworks-jackie]

Fascinating project.

[alicia]

That's such an amazing idea! I love the idea of taking old pillow cases and using them as the base for new stitching projects!

[thursday]

You know, I've been dreaming of doing something very similar to this. I've been collecting unfinished embroidery projects from thrift shops and yard sales. I'm slowly growing quite a pile. My hope is to someday create a quilt with what I've collected.

Your piece has really inspired me to keep looking for pieces. I so love the embroidered lady. I had a pillowcase with the same detailing on it.