Wednesday 5 November 2014

WIPW - Orts to mental rescue

WIPW? What does it mean?  If you don't understand the jargon get it explained at Pintangle.

Kafferepet
This quilt has now got a blue edge topped with handmade lace from my mother's stash.
The lace will be stitched down using some of the TAST stitches. Here the TAST Reference Chart has come in very handy. I have found two stitches that I think will look great.

TASTy Beads Galore
I worked the stem in TAST #96 Beaded Linked Chain and the base of the flower in #90 Twisted Satin Stitch with a Bead.

Swedish Cushion
On a bare spot I added a double loop of TAST #136 Knotted Buttonhole Band.
How can a dark blue fabric look so grey? Digital cameras and blogging, eh!

 TAST Reference Chart
Stitch #136, Knotted Buttonhole Band was added to the chart, but not very neatly!

New! Pile 'em On
I have a new project here. Do you remember my collection of orts, the stray ends of embroidery thread, too short to work a long seam with, too long to throw away? I wrote about it here.

I received several pieces of disturbing news this week, things that I can't do anything about or indeed should not meddle in. Nevertheless, I needed to do something to keep my emotions in check. So my orts came to mental rescue.

On a stray piece of linen I added whatever stitch came to my mind using the short lengths of thread from my orts jar. I am just adding stitches in a 'pile 'em on' manner.
How often 'Pile 'em On' will feature in my WIPW reports will depend on how ragged my nerves are and how full the orts jar is.

29 comments:

sharonb said...

I love what you are doing with your orts!

Queeniepatch said...

There is no way to know how this piece will look once completed. Maybe it will look as if I have been stitching with my eyes closed!

Shami Immanuel said...

good going with the ORTs. The lace for the quilt is beautiful. looking forward to see the completed quilt and cushion.

Queeniepatch said...

The Pile 'em On is a nice way to use up orts and let off steam!
Kafferepet quilt is coming along nicely and I hope to have it completely finished in the near future.

margaret said...

some more lovely stitching Queenie. Your mother`s lace is beautiful and looks lovely attached to your Kafferepet. Certainly getting full use of the tast stitches very nice. I have to own up to throwing left over threads in the bin as I save them for ages and never used them yours is a good idea maybe I will save again

Queeniepatch said...

There are several pieces of lace from Mum between the blocks of the quilt so it was nice to find use for the longer lace on the edge. I have started adding stitches and think the result will be very pleasing, if I may say so myself.
Orts have always been a 'toss-a-coin' problem for me, use or throw away. Now I am glad I have found a good place to 'dump' them, and if that can keep my nerves and head under control, the better.

Annet said...

Love the handmade lace on your Kafferepet. I've been thinking what stitches you can use, I'll just have to wait and see what you're going to do. It's fun to see what you're doing with your orts, I'm glad it helps you to relax.

PatQuilts said...

Queenie--I love the way you used your orts for "mental rescue." Did your mother make the lace you are using on the Kafferepet? It is beautiful. You are lucky to have so much of it.

Janie said...

Your experiments are always so inspiring.

Renee said...

I love, love, love the lace on the border of your quilt. Your TASTy Beads Galore project is lovely! I am so sorry life is throwing disturbing news your way. Stitching is a wonderful outlet. ((Hugs)))

Stitching Lady said...

My orts are truely to short to do anything with them - but if they are longer they are used up now and then - also on my stitch cloth for experiment stitches. I like to see yours.

https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com said...

Love the beaded flower especially the base. Looking forward to seeing what the orts piece will look like finished.

Chris(craft) and Dave(photos) Richards said...

The kafferepet is looking splendid........I love it ! The beaded linked chain is so versatile, I can think of numerous places to use it . Now those orts are very interesting also.....Think I 'orta' have a go at that, super idea for all those straggley bits of thread ! Have a good week Queenie........sending positive vibes your way, hugs,
Chris Richards xxx

Queeniepatch said...

The lace is one of my treasures (long enough to use around the whole quilt, neatly made, in good condition and made by someone in my family). It fits into this quilt that celebrates so many things I like (Swedish coffee culture, the sweets, the china, the matchbox...).
About the stitches, think of a stitch that can anchor the lace, think of a stitch that uses three colours and that looks pretty, too. Which one is it?

Queeniepatch said...

Some people give their rugs a good beating, or meditate to let off steam and calm their nerves, I found that rough stitching was a good way to keep my mental balance
My mum crocheted lace, this is bobbin lace, so I guess it is either of my grandmothers or an old aunt. This bit much have been made to use for sheets, that is why there is so much of it.

Queeniepatch said...

Thank you. The 'Pile 'em On' is not beautiful, but after stitching you'll feel good.

Queeniepatch said...

Thanks Renee, for your kind words. With all the support of my online friends problems shrink!
The lace holds memories and I hope whom of my relatives made it, will approve of my use of it. I guess it was made for bed linen actually.

Queeniepatch said...

I have short orts, too, and will show you how I use snippets in a later blog post.

Queeniepatch said...

The beaded TAST stitches are lovely, and I have been wanting to use them on something (the cushion is a cushion and beads are not suitable there).
The orts cloth is a large piece of fabric so it might take time before it is finished.

Queeniepatch said...

YOU, if anyone, Chris Queen of Beads, would know how to use the Beaded Linked Chain!
Yes, I think you 'orta' have a go at random stitching, not to let off steam but to simply take any stitch that comes to mind and make a few stitches, then change.
Thank you for the positive vibes!

carorose said...

The lace on the Kafferepet is inspired. What a wonderful way of using it?

Pamela said...

The lace is a very nice addition! You are so creative with the TAST stitches.

Queeniepatch said...

It is growing more beautiful with the decorative stitches I am adding, I think so anyway.

Queeniepatch said...

The TAST stitches are a treasure! It is so nice to think up uses for them!

Tanya said...

Your mother's lace is beautiful and looks lovely with all your pretty stitches. I hope all your handwork will keep your mind occupied and full of good thoughts. If nothing else, it is soothing to the soul to have something repetitive to do, isn't it.

Anonymous said...

Looking very productive!!
Glad to see the stitch therapy is helping, Queenie. I do hope life soon returns to normal!(or as near as one can get!)
Best wishes and stitches
Barbara M

Queeniepatch said...

Hi Tanya
Yes, I like mum's lace, too. I have a whole box full, just like you!
Tomorrow I will have something very nice to take my mind off problems - I'm going to Yokohama quilt show with Julie! Oh, we wish you were coming with us!

Queeniepatch said...

Yes, thank you, Barbara, it has been a productive week, especially considering all the trouble I've been trying to sort in my mind. Some things are improving, others are not, so I'll be needing my orts cloth.

Anonymous said...

The handmade lace looks gorgeous. the twisted satin with bead seems a good idea. the knotted buttonhole band looks lovely. do take care.