Butterflies, Pumpkins and Jelly Rolls

Well, I have done a bit more work on the leaves and the flower. I have added veins to the leaves and the ridges that are on the pumpkin flower. I also change the colour of the top of the bottom leaf as I thought it didn't have enough contrast when compared to the other pieces. I am reasonably happy with how it is turning out.

I am taking your suggestion Ali, and trying the butterfly's outlined wing segments several different ways. I do not want to lose the sense of lightness and delicacy seen with a butterfly by adding too much colour.

I have also been playing with my Jelly Roll - trying to see which sort of pattern looks nice. I have tried several designs either using mixed colourways or in the same. Here is some of my ideas.

Which one do you like?

This is sort of a log cabin plait.




















This one more like a tradition log cabin with a bit of a twist.


















This is like bricks on point


















This - basket paving.




















And this is similar but in one one colour.

Progress - and Suggestions Please

Well, after really studying my designs I decided that I have no chance of needleturning the leaves but that the butterfly was a possibility - so decided to use both techniques.

Here is a shot of the leaves fused into place. It isn't really clear because there is not a great deal of contrast in some of the tones, especially the small leaf on the bottom right hand side, but I wanted the central leaf to stand out and , of course, the flower. It will stand out more once the batting goes in because at the moment I had it over a dark background.

I am please with the overall structure. I think it will look better once I put the veins of the leaves in by satin stitch and then the creases on the flower.

I finally finished the butterfly wing after much cursing - the picture is about life size and some of the pieces were very tiny. The wing has 17 pieces in it and I know that sometimes I almost gave up. The picture looks a bit dirty because you can still see the pencil marks and the shadows but they will be easy to remove.

Then I am going to fuse it in place and stitch around each piece with an iridescent thread to give nore illusion to the wing. I might event put some beads on the body but not too sure yet because it may take away the softness and tone on tone feeling that I want, same with the iridescent thread - that may change to a cream.

So what does everyone think - I am open to suggestions .

Will I leave it as only tone on tone or will I add a little colour?

Will I do the veins in a similar tone or will I use a darker thread?

Went to my local patchwork store when I had my respite time the other day and bought a lovely Moda Jelly roll (Symplicity). I had a voucher for 15% off and as it was $59 with my coucher it was only $48!

Now I have to decide how I am going to put it together. Not sure how big a quilt you can make with one roll but I will have fun trying.

I am very partial to 3 Sisters designs, I loved their Paris Flea Market and made a big sample quilt with it.