Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Grabbing patterns from here and there

I have seen on, assorted blogs , photographs taken of mosaics in Italy and tiles in Czechoslovakia and wrought iron work and barn sidings and all kinds of designs in nature and thought ... now, wouldn't that make an interesting quilt pattern... Actually, I was rather relieved to see that I am not the only nut out there taking pictures of sidewalks.

So ... as I began to think of the next runner in the season series, I decided to try and make one that is reversible with Christmas fabric on one side and a Japanese panel of the zodiac animals on the reverse side. I wanted to quilt the printed animals so needed something for the other side that might not look too strange with quilting that is rather random. I pulled out my camera and looked back through those assorted pictures and found this one taken in the subway underpass near my church where three train lines meet. It is a very busy station and I remember the reaction of the passers-by seeing this weird foreigner taking pictures of the paving blocks.










A bit of graph paper and a search of the Christmas fabric and I was prepared with carry-along work for last night's long train and bus ride into town and an even longer District Committee Meeting.




Actually, I was rather glad for this bit of work because we had to say good-bye to three Scouters who have been a big part of the Japan District. Saying good-bye is something we do a lot in the ex-pat community here in Japan but it is never easy.

Having a little project helps to keep me together.




I am enjoying the look so far and hope the plan will work as intended.




It might seem a bit funny to be working on something for Christmas in the burning heat of summer but that way it will get done in time to hit the post.

5 comments:

  1. This is great Julie,I love the fact that you took the pattern fromt he sidewalk and can't believe that you sewed it by hand!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi.
    What a great ide :-)
    Have a great time sewing it. It will be fun to see it all done.
    Hugs :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I plead guilty to taking pictures of tiles and other strange things while we were in Israel...even the sign in front of the olive mill. :) Someday I hope to make a quilt to remind of that visit but I'm hoping to make one more visit year after next before I start it. I think this quilt is going to be wonderful on her table! blessings, marlene

    ReplyDelete
  4. This sounds incredibly ambitious - reversible! I do love the pattern though. It is so neat to find patterns in our surroundings.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am so glad that I am not the only one who does that! I see quilt patterns EVERYWHERE! My husband just smiles to himself when I get a little nuts about them - because he's beginning to see them too! ^..^

    ReplyDelete