Crown Jewels

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of HM Queen Elizabeth II, so I was thrilled when Aurifil announced they were releasing a thread collection in honour of the Platinum Jubilee.  The box reads: "The Platinum Jubilee Collection is Aurifil's humble tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.  This year, we celebrate her success and achievements throughout her 70 years of service.  Her fierce nature, resilience, and compassion have set a strong example, inspiring a new generation of leaders."

Inside the commemorative box is an array of  colours fit for a queen: neutrals, plus gold, silver, platinum and of course, a very regal purple. The response to the collection has been very enthusiastic.  Clearly I am not the only admirer.

I decided to use the colours in my thread box to make a small hanging in honour of HM.  I had hoped to have this ready to release on Victoria Day (yesterday) which we celebrate as the Queen's birthday, but one day off is pretty close. Starting with a New York Beauty block, I drew a crown and fitted it with sparkling jewels.  In the centre is a circle of deep, rich purple which I trapuntoed with 2 layers of Hobbs wool batting to try and emulate the puffy middle bit you see in pictures. (I don't have much in-person crown experience.)  My intention is to use it to decorate a door, but if you left out the extra batting, it would be lovely on a table. For high tea, maybe!  The thread collections are selling very quickly, but there are a few left on my website. 

Naturally, I chose rich Island Batik scraps for my project, matching the shades of thread to the fabric. It didn't take long to make, as the jewels are foundation pieced.  The quilting was kept quite simple.

The pattern is free to download, (click the link); I hope you will have fun with this.  Canada Post has issued some lovely stamps, and I also found a lapel pin.  There may be some commemorative china in my future as well if I can find something suitable.

 

"Long live our noble Queen"

Maritime Beauty Workshop

 

Maritime Beauty Table Topper Workshop

What:  Friday August 5, 2022 as part of the Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival

Where:  Amherst, Nova Scotia

Who: Taught by Karen Neary

When: 9:30-3:30

Cost: $85.

In this workshop, students will make a table topper with New York Beauty blocks.  The Maritime Beauty pattern is a great learning piece, as it encompasses so many techniques in a do-able sized project: sewing curves, piecing sharp spikes, and making and applying bias binding to a curved edge. There are also 4 inside corners to turn when binding. Instead of regular foundation piecing, we will do paperless paper-piecing (also known as freezer paper piecing) which results in perfect points with no messy paper to remove afterwards. Students will be shown a quick and easy way to make multiple copies of the foundation for future projects without tracing or photocopying.  This will be a full day class; the bias binding application will be a demonstration only, providing students with instruction on how to proceed once the project is quilted at home. This is not a difficult piece, but best suited to those with some quilting experience (i.e., mastery of the 1/4” seam allowance.)

This table topper is my original design, and the class fee includes the pattern and enough foundations to make the Maritime Beauty. (There will also be a special surprise from our sponsor, Aurifil!) Students will supply their own fabrics. Prior to the class, templates will be sent to each participant so that the centre blocks may be cut out ahead of time.  Doing this means some will finish the piecing of the Maritime Beauty in class. 

Registration is via email to karen@karenneary.ca.  Your spot is confirmed once payment is received (etransfer is preferred, but other arrangements can be made. There are a limited number of seats available, so please do not send money until your spot is confirmed via email.) There are no refunds, however I will work with you to find a replacement if unable to attend. 

Thank you!

Back to Spool Workshop

 

Back To Spool Workshop

What:  Thursday August 4, 2022 as part of the Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival

Where:  Amherst, Nova Scotia

Who: Taught by Karen Neary

When: 9:30-3:30

Cost: $85.

Join me for a relaxed day of free-motion stitching, with a little abracadabra and trompe l'oeil thrown in to help release the power contained within a spool of thread.  This class is not for beginners, but for those comfortable with free-motion stitching. We will go back-to-spool to play with various weights of threads, stitching on wash-away stabilizer to create appliqués which may be added to any project.   Project for the day will be a flowering crab apple tree. A selection of beautiful Aurifil threads will be included in the class fee (including a special surprise from our awesome sponsor, Aurifil!), along with stabilizers needed to complete the project. You will supply your own background fabric on which to place your tree...or you simply want to frame it with your hoop for a sweet little hanging.

Students will need to bring confidence in free motion stitching, as well as an embroidery hoop that fits on the bed of your machines (i.e. make sure it fits under your needle and within your throat space. The one I use is 7-1/2” across and 3/8” high).

Registration is via email to karen@karenneary.ca.  Your spot is confirmed once payment is received (etransfer is preferred, but other arrangements can be made. There are a limited number of seats available, so please do not send money until your spot is confirmed via email.) There are no refunds, however I will work with you to find a replacement if unable to attend.