Anyway, the big news this week is that I finished the chile quilt! I love it! It was a fun project, and I enjoyed doing something that wasn't for a show or a specific deadline or purpose other than that I liked it. My friend Evelyn made a quilt using this pattern and I loved it. I finally got around to making it and it reminds me of New Mexico and home.
When last we saw it, I'd pieced the top and appliqued down the under chile. The next step was to quilt it and bind it. I drew out a brick pattern in the background and quilted it along the lines using brown, red, green, and orange thread. Then I bound it using the same green batik I used for my HSTs and some of the chiles.
After finishing the binding, the next step was to make the chiles. To make the chiles, the first step was to tightly ball up the fabric, tie it with rubber bands and run it through the washer and dryer to ensure that it was VERY wrinkly. Then I smoothed it out just a bit, ironed fusible to the back and traced the chile template. After cutting out 72 chile halves, I realized that I was supposed to add seam allowance to the template. Way to read the instructions. The problem with not having added seam allowance is that the next step was to sew two halves together and turn them, and without the seam allowances the chile bottoms were so tiny they were nearly impossible to turn.
After getting them all turned, I tried out a couple different arrangements, then stitched them onto the quilt and added a cute bow with some scraps of leftover jute. Most chile ristras are all red, but chiles come in so many colors, I had to pick a few at least! I love the dimensionality of it.
Hope you enjoy! You guys working on any nostalgic projects? Any 3D or high-texture techniques?
oh wow, this is so awesome! love the 3-Dness ;D
ReplyDeleteThanks Claudia, that's one of the things that I loved about it too!
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely amazing! It feels like you could just reach out and pluck a chili to use for supper!
ReplyDeleteWOW! That is a fantastic quilt! I just love it!! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great quilting effect!
ReplyDeleteI ADORE IT!!!!! Love the 3D and the brick quilting!!
ReplyDeleteOh it totally reminds me of home. I really loved that you made the chiles multiple colors, I never understood why ristras were always red. Also this has the look, feel, and memories of home with the added benefit of no fruit flies. This one really is awesome.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job on this! Saw it on Pinterest and had to trace it back to its owner. Very nice work and such a fun wall hanging!!
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