Friday, October 28, 2016

Pieced Pumpkin Patch: Eerie Nights Blog Hop Giveaway




Welcome to Pink Doxies--
and one stop on your Eerie Nights
Blog Hop today!

 


When Marian at Seams to Be Sew asked me if I wanted to join in a Halloween hop, I was all in. The hop is sponsored by the Fat Quarter Shop, Aurifil, Timeless Treasures, and Quilter's Dream. Enter the Rafflecopter drawing at the end of this post, and each of the other 4 blogs listed for your chance to win your own fabulous treats! Because of scheduling conflicts, Amy at Sew Incredibly Crazy is hosting in lieu of Marian. Thank you both. 



Fall is my favorite season, and Halloween is just a fun holiday. When else is it vogue to dress up, like scary movies, Trick or Treat, and eat candy? Decorating for it, though, is not really my thing. Oh, yes, when the kids were all little, but these days I am more about transitional decorations. Something I can put up in September, and leave through Thanksgiving is really my style! So I scratched my brain to come up with something that bordered between traditional and artsy, and I would love to use in my own house.



Much to everyone's surprise that knows me, I started with a fairly concrete plan that involved flying geese--or technically faux flying geese. As a shocking surprise to me, I loved them! My palette was more traditional and earthy than I would normally use, but I was more concerned with mixing a lot of different fabric styles. There are several vintage prints with plaids, modern prints, florals, Quilter's linen, and lots of Grunge.


I reached this point of the design, and actually was stumped. To help myself figure things out, I pin all kinds of fabric up, and just look at it. The most interesting thing at the end is which fabrics actually make the cut. As you can see above, it was looking rather dull in those proportions. By switching to some lighter colors, it brightened it up.


The idea of a pumpkin patch evolved in this post Halloween Quilt, and was developed from using a cross and X block. As I bounced pictures and ideas off of Sandra at mmm! quilts, she asked if the stems were going to be 3D. It was a brilliant suggestion, and I took off with it. 


Each stem became unique...


formed individually, and stitched down by hand.
(My trick is Aurifil Invisible thread.)


Quilting began on the longarm, stitching in the ditch around almost everything. At that point, I stuffed it in my back pack, and took it on vacation. During our down time, I stitched. While some of the stitches are the longer, modern style, many were kept very tiny to provide dense texture. 


The back is interesting. While it is easy to bury your longarm thread, and even the Perle Cotton No. 8 for hand quilting, the Perle Cotton No. 5 is almost impossible. I simply made the knots as neat as possible.


During the quilting process, I switched to a Clover metal thimble. What a dream! The one downfall I found was it stressed the needles, and I even had one snap, shooting pieces into my face. You can see the bend in the needle above signalling you to change your needle immediately.


One request of the hop was to showcase an older Halloween project, too. Two of my old favorites are a spider web quilt HERE, and a Zombie quilt HERE. But I really thought you would enjoy a new to me, but vintage quilt that reminds me so sweetly of fall.


I discovered this old girl in a local shop, and had to preserve her from a worse fate.


She's been well weathered, washed, and has a lovely texture.


Doesn't the stitching remind you of seed pods in the field?


For your chance to enter today's drawings, leave a comment below. Then click on the Rafflecopter, and enter your name.



Pop on over to these blogs to enter other great drawings.



Thanks for stopping by today, and follow by email to have more eye candy and quality content delivered to your email. 

Come on, Doxie girls.
Let's go sew.


114 comments:

Amy said...

Love both your quilts past and present. I so enjoy doing hand stitching myself. I need a thimble like that.

Pamela said...

I love the complexity and the color in your wallhanging!

Nancy said...

It's a wonderful quilt, and the bit I like best? That black and red plaid in the border! I think it adds so much to the finished quilt.

Jinger said...

What an interesting process with beautiful results Julie! I like your other Halloween quilts, too, and that vintage quilt - what a find!

Charlene McCain said...

Love your pumpkin patch quilt! The border is absolutely stunning! I really like the way you made each pumpkin stem different, and your quilting is fantastic!

Camille said...

Nice quilt with personality.

Anita said...

Gorgeous quilt, love those flying geese!

Anita said...

Gorgeous quilt, love those flying geese!

Jodi - usairdoll said...

What a wonderful table topper! You did an awesome job. Thanks for sharing with us.

Thanks for a chance to win.

usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

There is lots to look at in this quilted piece. I especially like the variety of fabric you used. That is an awesome thimble too.

rosemaryschild said...

What a lovely quilt! The hand stitching gives it a vintage look-just love the colors and fabric you chose!

Michele T said...

Nothing compares to hand stitching!!! Gorgeous!!!

Stitchin At Home said...

What a lovely quilt! The pumpkin stems were a great idea and I love that they are all unique.

Dorian said...

A lovely little quilt. You did a great job.

Elizabeth Coughlin said...

Your pumpkin quilt is great. I really love the 3D stems and all the stitching details!

Charlotte M. said...

I love the way you did the stems on the pumpkins. Great colors in this quilt too.

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Love the stems!!!!!!

Teatime Creations said...

What a lovely quilt you created. Love your color choices and stitching and those two colored flying geese are unique. Perfect vintage quilt rescue.

Sherry VF said...

Those 'split' flying geese are great. The hand stitching really adds texture to your quilt too. sjvonfumetti at yahoo dot com

Sherry VF said...

Those 'split' flying geese are great. The hand stitching really adds texture to your quilt too. sjvonfumetti at yahoo dot com

Patty said...

Great stitching on the pumpkin!

Vicki in MN said...

It's been so fun seeing everyones Halloween projects!

Unknown said...

Cute quilt, the stem on the pumpkin is neat.
patsystitch@gvtc.com

amy said...

Great job on the pumpkin! Love hand stitching projects.

Sandra Walker said...

How I love seeing photos of things and places where I've been! I've touched that old girl of the vintage quilt and she is indeed beautiful and perfect for fall. Dayna's quilt sprawled on that very bench just a few short weeks ago! Your decorations for fall are as subtle and perfect in photos as they were in person. As for your hop quilt, I'm so glad you were able to use the 3-D stems idea; they look terrific and really add interest. But the best part of the quilt IMHO is your gorgeous hand work. The texture on the back is wonderful Julie; I want to caress it! As for neatly burying knots, I cannot see a one!

Kathy E. said...

Great mini with such pretty colors! Sandra has so many super ideas, doesn't she? Adding some dimension to the pumpkin made it really special! I like those unexpected touches that really draw the eye in and it's perfect for a mini artsy quilt like this!

Liz Horgan said...

I love to see how ideas for quilt designs come together! Thanks for sharing and Happy Halloween!

VA said...

Such a great pumpkin quilt--I especially like the stems!

Lisa J. said...

This is an interesting quilt for you given where you have been travelling in your posts lately. Very nice hand quilting closeups. Sandra's idea for 3 D stems was great. The vintage quilt is really beautiful. I can see why you snapped it up.

Danette said...

These are all very unique designs. Thank you, peterstankovich@comcast.net

Jayne said...

Love it! It has a vintage vibe to it! The hand quilting it the perfect addition IMO!

QuiltE said...

Thank you for showing that a combo of machine stitching and hand/big stitch work together. I am not a handquilter, but have been thinking that this may be a way for me to start.

Joyce Carter said...

Wow! What a gorgeous quilt! Thank you for sharing.

Dawn F said...

I like the 3D stems. There is a lot of wonderful texture on the quilt!

works4me said...

Thank you for sharing your quilt and thought process. I sometimes find the thought process more of an inspiration than a tutorial would be. I love the pumpkin stems.

Carol Swift said...

There's so much detail in your beautiful quilt and your stitching is amazing!

Quilting Tangent said...

Happy Halloween! 24Tangent@gmail.com

@lutzcats said...

Great Pumpkin...strikes again! Love the triangles too.

Lori Smanski said...

wow your quilt is lovely. so glad you saved that lovely quilt. It is so perfect for Autumn.

Unknown said...

Great job Julie!

Lynne Stucke said...

Cute pumpkins! ... But I especially love your rescue quilt! It always makes me wonder why anyone would discard such beauty . . . (lynnstck[at]yahoo.com )

Susan said...

Love the pumpkins - well done!

Calicojoan said...

Love the vintage look both of them have. No tricks just treasurers!

Sewgirl said...

Your quilt turned out really sweet. Love the dimensional stems on the pumpkins!

Rebecca said...

Oh your quilt and pumpkins are darling. Love the fall colors of it. Thanks for the chance to win TREATS....
Sewfabrics at outlook.com

Tami Von Zalez said...

I like it all - the fabrics and designs you chose for the wall hanging.

Anonymous said...

A bright +cheery Autumn Quilt! Love it! Thanks for sharing on your Blog+for the Giveaway!
msstitcher1214@gmail.com

beverly e said...

Love the pumpkin patch, and the 3D stems really make them pop. The colors are perfect!

Mary Ann said...

Love all your projects. Thank you for sharing.

Angie in SoCal said...

Love it! And the stems are perfect for embellishment and defining the pumpkins. I liked how the machine quilting and the hand quilting complimented each other. Thanks for linking to WIPs Be Gone.

Tish Stemple said...

I love how this turned out. The 3D stems where a great idea and all that yummy texture. A beautiful piece that can stay out all season long and kind of makes me hungry for pie. Umm...I clearly remember going to a certain quilting retreat and being greeted by a large black spider and black cat in Halloween pose...just saying :D

cjmont said...

love your new and old quilts, pumpkins are sew much fun.

Janie said...

Your hand quilting on this project is beautiful. Thank you for the inspiration!

Tu-Na Quilts said...

Very creative to make the stems 3D! I am impressed that you did all that hand quilting!!! A very nice autumn piece. I don't decorate for Halloween either--didn't even do it when the kids were little. kthurn(at)bektel(dot)com

Sarah@123quilt said...

I'm not that big on decor either so I love transitional pieces. I think those 3D stems are my favorite part of your project. Genius idea from Sandra! Also, I LOVE your spiderweb quilt. I've been wanting to make one of those for a while now. Happy Halloween!

Seacoast Quilter said...

Your project is wonderful. All that hand stitching adds so much interest. But my favorite is the vintage quilt you rescued. Thanks for the giveaway.

eleanor said...

I love the stems! Great idea :)

patty a. said...

All the quilts are great! I especially loved the spider web quilt and the embroidered vintage quilt.

Lisa England said...

I like your pumpkin quilt and the fact that it works all through the fall. All that hand stitching is fabulous!

Katy M said...

I love the pumpkin stems!

Karen said...

Your pumpkin patch quilt is wonderful -- so unique and creative! Kudos!

Gwyned Trefethen said...

Love the dimensionality of the pumpkin stems and judiciously placed hand stitching.

Laura said...

Your flying geese border is lovely. Thanks for showing your hand stitching.

Kathy H said...

What a great pumpkin quilt and I love the intricate border. The old quilt is beautiful too.

June D said...

Beautiful stitching on great variety of projects. Glad I came by! June

OhioLori said...

LOOOOVE your Quilt!! So creative!! The pumpkin stems almost convince one, that they are real! :) Your stitching is Awesome! Super job!

Thank you too, for chance to win your Give-a-way! :D

Janna said...

I love the two toned flying geese!!

Sally said...

Nice pumpkin patch--love the borders. Wonderful 'then' quilt!

Donna said...

Really enjoy the look of hand stitches on quilts.

apple blossom said...

lovely pumpkin quilt

tac73 said...

Love the way you made the pumpkin stems.

Mara said...

The 3D effect is so fun and what a beautiful old quilt, glad you were able to save it.

Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts said...

How interesting to create the outside first!

mangozz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
mangozz said...

I found your blog through Crazy Mom Quilts. Your pumpkin quilt is adorable.

Lisa in Port Hope said...

I love the hand stitching on your Quilt, it makes it seem so cozy. I'm with you on seasonal decor, I even have my Christmas quilts out already.

Emily C said...

I love your antique seed pod quilt. A lovely find.

Leah said...

Such beautiful handwork! Love your projects.

Anna brown said...

I loved the pumpkins ty the stems are so cool...... happyness04431@yahoo.com

Anna brown said...

I loved the pumpkins ty the stems are so cool...... happyness04431@yahoo.com

Cloud 9 said...

Both quilts are great. I also like quilting with #8 perle cotton. I've not tried using #5 just because of the difficulty burying the knots.

Susan said...

Love the vintage quilt. Your pumpkins quilt can really stay up the entire fall. I love the mix of fabrics, and the 3-D stems. What a lovely way of combining a lot of your skills in one quilt!

sam said...

Your quilt is awesome. Love your hand quilting. and the dimensional pumpkin stems are just perfect. thank you for sharing.

Vicki H said...

The 3D stems are so worth the time you must have spent on them.

LJ said...

All the detail in your quilt is amazing. I loved the pumpkin stems.

LJ said...

All the detail in your quilt is amazing. I loved the pumpkin stems.

MaryBeth said...

Your pumpkin quilt is really cute and I love saving old stitchery too!!

Renee said...

I love, love, love your pumpkins! What a great quilt!

Beth said...

I really love the rosie fabric you used, Julie. I'm crazy about the unexpected backgrounds and remind myself to surprise myself when I go shopping in my stash. Seeing your quilt drives that lesson home. :)

Bernie Kringel said...

Wonderful choice to add the pinkish floral fabric. It was a daring move that I wouldn't have thought of. It looks so nice. Also love the 3-D stems. Great point of interest. Such a sweet finish!

Anonymous said...

Great quilt! Love the pumpkin stems.
nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

Bec said...

Love you big stitch quilting. I really need to try that. :)

Bec said...

Love you big stitch quilting. I really need to try that. :)

GranChris said...

I love the new you but the spider web is great too.

JANET said...

Haven't tried big stitching before, but you make it look easy. WIll have to try it.

claire ross said...

Absolutely gorgeous work . Thanks for sharing x

KaHolly said...

Sweet! A lot of work went into that little quiltlet! I'm especially smitten with the borders. I'm participating in a round robin, and that's similar to what I have in my head to do. It's nice to have a real visual!

Allison said...

I love the pumpkins! And your quilting as well.

Kate said...

Very fun pumpkins. The stems are perfect! A great wall hanging for autumn. Congrats on a beautiful finish.

Louise said...

I really enjoyed seeing your process of choosing the fabrics and love that you used such a wide variety of seemingly unrelated pieces. And yet, put all together, they make a wonderful whole! Such a cute little piece.

Anonymous said...

I love your quilt and your rescued treasure! Thanks!

Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

Heather said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Heather said...

Loving all of your hand stitching! Really great projects, thanks for sharing!

sisylyn2 said...

I love your hand stitching and your quilt.
gandn74@ymail.com

Gill said...

Great quilt - I love your faux geese!!

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

Julie, this cute is so charming! I absolutely love the mix of fabrics old and new. It's perfect! So is the mix of longarm and hand quilting. What great choices you made. This is so you!

bestjlb said...

Your quilts are wonderful!

rajee said...

love to try it

sewlost said...

Wow. You put a lot of work into this beautiful quilt. Thanks foe sharing

OhioLori said...

Looove your Quilt!! Awesome job!! Your quilting is Super too...love the hand stitching!!!

Thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way too :)

meintc said...

That's a lot of work you put into your quilt. Thanks for the chance.

SHLyman said...

Love the sweet but quirky look of this Halloween wall hanging.

Rebecca Grace said...

Good morning, Julie! I've been AWOL from the blogosphere for the past couple of weeks so I'm catching up. Those quilts you're making for the twins look delicious -- remind me of ice cream sherbet! -- but I smirked when I read your reflections about the quilts' future appeal when the girls are older. I have made a few minky backed quilts for little ones and have learned that yes, they DO love them, but they love them to DEATH! My niece who is now a third grader still will not give up her baby quilt even though it is literally disintegrating, with batting falling out and it looks like the nastiest rag... And I am thrilled to death every time I see her with it.

France Nadeau ❅ inspiration imagination creation said...

This is such a joyous and fresh looking quilt! I loved following your progress on this piece.
I saw that we use the same thimble... isn't this one fantastic? I could wear it for hours without noticing it.
Thank you for participating to my Fabric, Thread and Yarn link party. Have a good day!