Zelda Quilt

I created a Zelda themed quilt for a friend I've known since kindergarten using the design from http://quiltingonawhim.blogspot.com.br/2013/05/finished-collaboration-mother-son.html.

We grew up playing it on Nintendo and I wanted this quilt to be special.
I started out making half square triangles.

I then sewed them together to make hourglass blocks.  I placed the hourglass blocks into Zelda's triforce symbol.

 I wanted to make the "master" sword for the center so I started my applique.

First I appliqued the blade of the sword.  To make it look 3-D I added a second layer of applique to the sword. Next I started on the handle. I find using starch and freezer paper is the easiest method for me when it comes to applique.

Here's the sword put together on the quilt.

Next I started adding embroidered details.  I also appliqued on straps around the hilt of the sword for more detail, but I forgot to take a progress shot.

I then started on the border.  I made rupees (the money in the game) by using hourglass blocks to make the points and squares to create them. I also cut up strips of the dark and light green to make a "pixel" border around the rupees.  I reused leftover fabric so I had limited amounts of strips I could make.


Here's the top with the added rupee border.

 I added a small blue border and another green border. I also added more embroidery to the rupees.

Once the top was finished, I started quilting it.  I wanted to put the game's legend in the triforce.  I drew out the words on freezer paper to get the spacing right and then transferred it onto the triforce. Quilting the words was not fun, but it does look nice.

Here is the finished quilting in the triforce:

I quilted the rest of the quilt with leaves, triangles, and swirls.

I wanted to add one extra detail, so I decided at the last minute to add Navi the fairy.  She's basically a big blue ball with wings.

I then quilted in her lines from the game.  All she says is "Hey" and "Listen".

For the back, I decided to do a name-tag that looks like the life hearts in the game. I embroidered "It's dangerous to go alone. Take this." as it's a famous quote from the game.

Here is the finished project! Hope you enjoy it.

Classes with Noriko Endo

My mom and I attended the International Quilt festival in Houston this year.  We took two classes with Noriko Endo.

The first class was on Silk Naturescapes.  This class demonstrated how to do her confetti technique to make a nature scene, as well as how to work with and dye silks.

Norko Endo helping a student

Norko Endo was an excellent instructor.  She took the time to explain and help each student. Her technique is to basically chop up fabric like confetti and put it on top of the batting.  Once you have the background of your scene mapped out, you place black tulle on top and sew down.  Then you chop more fabric confetti to make the foreground and repeat.

She brought a couple of her pieces to get us inspired.

Noriko's cherry blossom naturescape

More of Noriko's work

My mom and I had a great time in class.  It was really fun no having to have a structured project to make.  Noriko had asked all of us to bring 3 pictures of nature scenes with us.  So each person had a different result.

My mom working on her project

My inspiration scene

When we got close to finishing our project, Noriko asked us to have her check our work.  She then added "Noriko magic" to everyone's pieces.

My project before "Noriko magic"

My project after "Noriko magic" and after I quilted it

Noriko and mom with her finished project 

My mom's project

Noriko and me with my finished project

Here is my finished project after I put binding on it.

Our second class was called Silk Fiber Elegance. Noriko's examples:

We took silk fibers, silk pieces, and thread and placed them on dissoluble interfacing.

Once were done placing the design, you quilted the fibers on the interfacing in a grid-like fashion. Then you rinsed out the interfacing to expose the design.  It was a super fun week at Quilt Festival!

My finished project

Finished project with Noriko

Getting into Embroidery

Lately I've been taking a break from quilting to enjoy some embroidery.  I find it fun sitting in front of the TV and doing my crafts.  My sewing room is in the dark cold basement, so it's nice to be part of the actual house for a change.  I signed up for a "do nice things for 5 people" challenge and decided to make them all an embroidered picture.  My first one was "Allonsy" a Dr. Who quote I made for my cousin.

The picture is of the Doctor's sonic screwdriver and the quote is a line from the 10th Doctor.
The next project kept with the Dr Who theme.  The Dalek Poetry contest for a friend from Texas.

The last project is for my brother and is a quote from The Doors song called "Roadhouse Blues".  He's a huge fan of The Doors.

Only two more to go!!!