Some progress on the Lovebirds Quilt

After posting my progress on Lovebirds (Tommy and Camille's wedding quilt) last week, I realized I wasn't happy with parts of it, so I chopped it up a little and eliminated a couple of things.  

I am really simplifying the design and making the appliqué center of the quilt a little smaller, still making sure I include the motifs Tommy and Camille want to see in the quilt.  

One motif they want is "glasses" so I created some glasses with pink variegated sashiko thread.  Not sure if it's obvious but that's meant to be a stack of books too. 

I also did their traced hands in sashiko, so fun.   There wasn't enough contrast so I simply wove red and dark blue thread through the sashiko stitches.

The next element would be "flowers" and so I piled up some fabrics to audition: 

I created this little flower arrangement yesterday, and machine appliquéd it.  The pot and stems are invisible machine appliquéd, and the flowers and leaves are raw edge appliqué, collage-style.  I really enjoy working in this improvisational way.  I see that it may need another element or two for balance, which I can easily do the next time I'm in the sewing room. 

I really had fun with this block and it reminded me how much I enjoyed making little collage quilts during the quiet covid years in Tokyo.  

It's a tiny detail but the yellow center below shows a figure reading a book.  Tiny fun detail. 

For now, I'm happy with how the center of the quilt is taking shape.   It will be a bit of a puzzle putting it together, and then on to some simple borders. 

Meanwhile, David has done a nice job with the front of our little townhouse, with only minimal input from me;).  The green birdhouse was my Mom's.  And, Happy Pride.

Big sis Charlotte turned three, what a love.  When asked what she wanted for her birthday she said "pink!" and when asked how old she would be, "three candles!"

That's all for now friends!

xo

Cynthia