Not that I go off on tangents or anything... 😄 but, I've begun a new handwork project.
I'm giving a Big Stitch Quilting and More program to members of Jacksonville (Florida) MQG in August, so I thought to have another sample handwork piece to share.
Seems I'm always late to the game though - a late adopter. This is the start of my first Japanese Rice Bag.
Recently, during a South Florida MQG bi-monthly, online Sip 'n Sew, after I inquired as to everyone's favorite rice bag pattern, we had a chat about them. Most modern versions of a rice bag will likely not be used for transporting rice.
After much Googling of patterns, I satisfied by frugal Germanic background with the perfect FREE Japanese Rice Bag pattern. It's a pattern and a PDF download on the Utah State University website, offered by a 4-H Educator. Happy, happy!
I went through all my linen fabrics, and pieced them according to the pattern. What I've done differently is use a piece of flannel (prewashed) as batting, on top of a solid cotton. I want the bag to be sturdy, and stand up on its own.
Then, I went through scraps to choose coordinating colors. I've turned the edges under and pinned the pieces in place. I'll use three colors of 12-weight Wonderfil Spagetti perle cotton.
I plan to quilt this Boro-style. Even though scraps for Boro are traditionally raw-edged, for durability (machine washing) I turned under the edges, in more of a Kawandi style. I've made a small start.
In between sewing, I'm happily diamond painting. My ocean scene is coming along nicely. The top part is almost done. The shiny part you're seeing at the bottom are pieces of white release paper that protect the sticky, unpainted part of the canvas. While you're working, you really don't want your forearm glommed to the design!
My first, 6" X 6" diamond painting, is ready to hang. It's painted with painted round drills (versus squares). I glued it to a 6" X 6" canvas and wrapped it with cording.
I'm enjoying diamond painting very much. It goes especially well with audiobooks! Linda
You do such beautiful work and thank you for sharing! I love reading your blog and learning about your work!
ReplyDeleteWell thank you so much for saying so, Heidi! I'm delighted you're reading my posts - and commenting! It's always nice to know who's "out there." Thanks!
DeleteThanks for the link to the free rice pouch pattern! I've had that on my make list for awhile.
ReplyDeleteThe rice bag pattern you shared looks like a delightful project. I'll plan on showing it to our quilt ministry members and see if they might be interested in making this as a group project. When I get some free time (ha) I'd like to try making one using some of my Japanese fabrics. Thanks for sharing !
ReplyDeleteI love the look of your diamond painting -- you have so many creative outlets! And for the life of me I couldn't figure out what a rice bag was. I'm thinking it's a thing you put in the microwave and warm up for aches and pains? If so, this one will be colorful and functional!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the free rice bag pattern info, Linda! I've been wanting to make one. Your diamond painting is finished so beautifully! What a peaceful view!!!
ReplyDeleteHi, thank you so much for you comment on my blog about the Insanity Quilt - my quilting friends are still aghast that I would even start something with over 10,000 1/2 inch hexies - but I am loving it. I love reading your blog as you have so many interesting projects. I have never heard of rice bags, but did look up the free pattern and saved it. I will be watching to see how yours turns out. I had three of my grand kids (ages 8, 10 and 12) spending a few nights with me recently, and it was so extremely hot for them to be outside, that I got them each a "beginner" diamond painting to work on inside. They loved doing them and it kept them quite busy for two days - in-between reading and minimal playing outside. Your painting is looking so pretty and I know it will just sparkle.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to the rice bag pattern. Very cool. I did make one for a friend once and he DOES use it to hold rice! ;-) Glad you are still enjoying diamond painting. I met a friend this week and she had bought a kit though it had no instructions. If there are beginner resources you'd suggest, let me know!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy seeing the new projects to decide to pursue. I don't let myself get tempted with new things since I can't seem to get the ones I do work on done in a timely manner. Maybe it's because they are all long term things so I don't see a finish often enough.
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