I named my quilt Serendipity because I found the fabric for it serendipitously, while working on a batik wall hanging. I needed just a bit of yellow, so pulled the first yellow batik that came to hand from the Elfa drawer where I store my stash. I was delighted when I saw that it was adorned with spirals.
After cutting a 12.5” square of the fabric, I backed it with the polyester felt I prefer to use when I plan to use embroidery stitches for quilting. I outlined the spirals with a running stitch, using red Perle cotton thread.
That was not quite enough, though, and so then I spied—again rather serendipitously—the jar of old red buttons I had bought for $5 at a junk store in my town. I poured out the buttons, chose buttons that graduated in size from tiny to large, and then I arranged them on three of the spirals. I put a dot of fabric glue on each button to secure it, and then I sewed them down with yellow Perle cotton.
I had toyed briefly with using the traditional quilt block pattern known variously as Snail’s Trail or Virginia Reel for the front of my quilt this time. I then decided to use this traditional pattern for the backing. I found a red fabric printed with spirals, and so I used it and the yellow batik to make this block for the back. I used a pillowcase turn to finish the quilt.
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| the back |
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| a close-up--my favorite button is #4 from the top of the spiral--I used it in two of the spirals |
Serendipitous & serene! I love how you have so brilliantly utilized a piece of commercial fabric into your own unique voice. I'm fascinated with the contrast in color and texture between the mellow background, hand stitched red and the much varied-textured buttons. Like Kathy's and Linda's, I'm very " drawn in" by the complexity of what at first glance looks quit simple, yet is anything but!
ReplyDeleteLove the buttons and stitching. Nice!
ReplyDeleteI love how you started with the spiral fabric and embellished it. The stitching and beading make it pop and add to the dimensional feeling of the spirals. Lovely piece.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful Alice. I love the graceful movement from one spiral to another
ReplyDeleteLove the front AND the back! Your hand stitching is wonderful and adds the perfect touch to show off the spirals in the fabric. Those buttons are adorable and the different designs on them sure make this a fun quilt to look at. Can't wait to see it in real life and maybe touch those buttons!
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely piece, Alice. I love that you made it two sided and the buttons on the front were such a clever addition. And of course, your hand embroidery is always perfecto!
ReplyDeleteThis is so special. Isn't it wonderful when serendipity gets involved? And I love your use of embroidery. The hand stitching makes it so elegant.
ReplyDeleteYours is a two-for-one quilt, Alice, with spirals on both front and back! Very elegant and the buttons add a fun touch! The back is gorgeous and perfectly compliments the front! Love it!
ReplyDeleteWow! First, I love the color combination and your fun feeling of serendipity in your hand stitches and buttons. Your second quilt on the back shows off your precision piecing beautifully!
ReplyDeleteAlice, your quilt title is so appropriate. One thing leads to another, unplanned and yet fortunate in choices. I love your loose approach which led to a very carefree feeling art piece. Yay!
ReplyDeleteYour buttons are lovely as well as the spiral stitching. However, the red spiral on yellow backing just knocks me out. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love everything about this piece ! It looks so soft and gentle...makes we want to reach out and touch it. The contrasting embroidery stitching is perfect, and the vintage buttons look like they were custom made for this quilt. And then... the backing ! Truly a 2-for-1 quilt. Exquisite - totally love what you've done with this beautiful piece !
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