Wednesday 5 March 2014

WIPW - Is it too cold for an iced drink?

Work In Progress Wednesday is a challenge over at Pintangle, where you are encouraged to work towards completing your work in progress projects.

For me the progress has been on:

Kafferepet
On this quilt, celebrating a traditional Swedish coffee party, I have reached the block of raspberry cordial. Is it too cold for an iced drink in your part of the world? It certainly is here in Japan! Summer still seems a long way away.
For quilting I chose TAST #36 Knotted Buttonhole Stitch. This is one of my favourite TAST stitches.


The Swedish Cushion
This last week I have spent a lot of time drafting the design of the second half of the cushion. In spite of that I have also had time to add another section of #51 Raised Herringbone Band with a swirl of Split Stitch at the end.
Furthermore, I have worked a couple of curvy lines in my favourite #36 Knotted Buttonhole Stitch. The thread used is a variegated Perle 8, that comes from my mother's stash. There is no label left, but it looks very old.

38 comments:

Pamela said...

It's too cold for a cold drink here in Hokkaido! You've made great progress this week.

Julie Fukuda said...

I like the way that variegated thread looks.
My husband cranks up the heat in the computer room (the only working heater) and then puts ice in all his drinks. I drinl coffee all day just to keep warm.

Queeniepatch said...

THAT does not surprise me! Keep warm!

Queeniepatch said...

Stitches in variegated thread are striking, especially if the stitches are not that complex in themselves.
I've got a hot drink next to me here, too. Brr!

J Honda said...

the knotted buttonhole background (lattice pattern) is so pretty! and I really like the swirls and twirls on the cushion - lovely! stay cozy in Japan!

Juno said...

Both pieces are looking stunning. It should still be quite hot here in South Africa but we have had constant rain for nearly five days, so a hot drink is definitely in order!

margaret said...

your glass of raspberry cordial looks very refreshing, here we have enjoyed the mildest winter I can remember. Your cushion is coming along so well, hope to see it complete soon as it is a work of wonderful stitchery Queenie

Queeniepatch said...

Thank you! In retrospect I think I should have used a thinner thread for the lattice, but the stitch is nice.
It is rainy and gloomy here so I'll try to stay cozy. You, too!

Queeniepatch said...

The weather has been strange all over the world this year. I hope your rain stops soon.
Happy stitching!

Queeniepatch said...

I wonder what sort of summer you will have this year in the UK. The weather has been unusual everywhere this year.
You will have to be very patient with the cushion, LOTS of work reamains!

carorose said...

Well it would be most welcome here, it is hot and humid. You have done a lot of work on your pieces.

Isabelle said...

wow, you stitched all these up and down buttonhole stitches. it would have took a lot of time, wouldn't it ?

City Krafters said...

I like your iced drink and your variegated stitches.

Cynthia@wabisabiquilts said...

Your knotted buttonhole stitch is so pretty and how nice to be using thread from your mother's stash. Yes the iced drink looks refreshing but we are in hot chocolate weather... it's been a brutal winter - anxious for spring!

Queeniepatch said...

Once I had picked the stitches and worked up the design, the actual stitching did not take all that time.

Queeniepatch said...

I did stitch them all, but they are not Up and Down Buttonholes, they are Knotted Buttonhole stitches. They look similar, but believe me, these are so much quicker than the UandD stitches, and did not take THAT long.

Queeniepatch said...

It is a nice drink in the right weather. Today I'd rather have some cocoa or a pint of Guinness in front of a log fire in a pub! It's Brr-weather here!

Queeniepatch said...

This TAST stitch is easy to do, fast and looks good (I think). I was most pleased to use some of that thread from my mother; it's been beckoning to me from her old stash for a long time.
May I join you and have some cocoa, please? It is wet and cold here in Tokyo. Tomorrow sunny and icy winds. Where is spring???

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

Raspberry cordial sounds really refreshing.........But your knotted buttonhole looks
amazing ! Have a great day Queenie
hugs
xxxxx

The Pied Pedlar said...

I can not wait to see the cushion finished

Elizabeth's quarters said...

Definitely too cold for iced drinks around here! I love the ice cube in your cordial, and the new tendrils on the cushion are lovely–the variegated thread really seems to add movement to them.

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

It has been cold here today but I could just drink a glass of raspberry cordial, sounds refreshing. I do like the look of the knotted buttonhole stitches on both pieces and great idea for quilting with.

crazyQstitcher said...

I like everything about your cushion; design, threads, colour- especially the Knotted Buttonhole thread the way it enhances the line as it travels. The background is also a good contrast.
I like your ice block with the different shading.
Pity I can't send some of our warmth to you. 31oC expected today. Our local seaside area has given us a milder summer than elsewhere in Victoria Au this year.

Queeniepatch said...

Thanks Chris. Raspberry cordial is a delicious drink - in the right season! The icy wind this morning is like razor blades so icy beverages are not on!
You, too, have a great stitchy day!

Queeniepatch said...

I am sorry but I will have to keep you waiting. There is a LOT of work yet to come!

Queeniepatch said...

Let's have a hot drink instead, ginger trea with honey and lemon or cocoa?
Good observation; the variegated thread does add movement.

Queeniepatch said...

The cool drink will have to wait; the wind today in Tokyo is icy enough.
The Knotted Buttonhole is such a rewarding stitch, easy to do, gives a beautiful knotted base line and the spikes can be any lenght or angle. For quilting, of course they take longer to work than the traditional running stitch, but they are keeping the three layers together firmly.

Queeniepatch said...

Thank you Maureen, praise from you is praise indeed. The Knotted Buttonhole is so much easier to work than the Up and Down Buttonhole and has that lovely knobbly look at the base.
Yes, please, an express delivery of some warmth by airmail would be lovely!

Jeannette said...

Definitely too cold for ice tea in Saskatchewan, Canada today! But we're over the worst of winter so in 2-3 more months it will be ice tea time for sure :)
All the Knotted Buttonhole Stitches on your quilt are beautifully done and I love how you worked the Raised Herringbone Band with a swirl of Split Stitch at the end!!

Queeniepatch said...

2-3 months!? I want spring NOW and summer SOON!
The Split Stitch is not a TAST stitch yet but I think it was just right here.

Anonymous said...

Spring is in the air here today, the temperature is warming up a little and the daffodils are showing their heads, how good it makes you feel to see a bit of new life. I am sure the spring will visit you soon! Your cushion and quilt are coming on a treat, you are very skillful in choosing your stitches!

Séverine said...

Like you I enjoy the knotted buttonhole stitch and it makes a very pretty background .

Queeniepatch said...

Thank you, Susan!
I will start quilting the next block of Kafferepet tonight. It will be the Buttonholed Double Chain I think. It can be hard to select a stitch... Sometimes I feel I'd need a different craft, like your knitting, to alternate with...

Queeniepatch said...

I am glad you think so; I too, was pleased with the result. Now for the next block...

jackiescrafts said...

Great work and progress
Jackie x

Queeniepatch said...

Thanks!
Happy stitching!

Anita said...

I could use an iced drink Queenie anytime.It's sooo…hot and humid here and wish I could send some to you :)
Knotted buttonhole looks pretty both in lattice and spiral pattern.Love the puffs created by the trellis knotted buttonholes in your quilt! The cushion is coming along so beautifully and would love to see it finished soon.

Queeniepatch said...

Believe it or not, but it snowed in Tokyo today. Please share some of your heat with me!
Thank you for your kind words.
I am now working on the block next to the raspberry cordial and every time I look at the Knotted Buttonhole stitches I am glad I used them.
The cushion will take a lot more time, I'm afraid. I plan to use the Triangular Buttonhole on the cushion.