deer in the velvet ~ sweet beginnings

if you read the recent posts regarding my new love of collage, well, here is a “vintage” piece ~ not quite the same style, but one that is more of what i would call a “silhouette” type of collage.

and it’s one of my very first quilted wall hangings ~ like maybe the second or third one i ever completed and quilted, dating back to 2002. it’s a pine needles pattern, designed by mckenna ryan.

i love velvet.  {still do} and that year i had made myself a blue crushed velvet dress for christmas, and so the leftovers became fodder for a quilt border and even binding. definitely a naive and somewhat uneducated choice and most certainly a big challenge!  after this piece was finished, i never again used velvet as a border. that was enough for me!  but now, i may go back to it again…

regardless, and still today, i take joy in this quilt, and it’s hanging in my home, albeit in our porch entry.  not that it is outcast — it just fits the decor there nicely.  even though it’s a tad faded now. 

as i was taking photos of it, i was reminded about the mono-filament thread that was used in the quilting.

and when i began quilting ‘back then’ ~ the very late 90’s, quilting with monofilament-type thread was the common approach to quilt these types of wall hangings.

today, i almost never quilt with it!  with the coming of better quality and variety and color of threads to choose from, i’ve not given it a second thought.  however, today’s monofilament thread is a far better product that the original ones, to be sure!  one of them is shown below:  

and the only choice i will use {if i need to} is superior’s mono-poly.  the most important reason? it’s a non-nylon material, because nylon will melt under the heat of an iron.  {not very pretty!} and monopoly will not.    


below is the quilt. now as i take a look at this piece, it totally appears there are just “holes” in the quilt where the needle pierced the fabric.  which is where the clear thread is. {second photo down shows it best} 

i don’t really like this effect, but it’s kind of due to the lighting, and it’s very strange-looking!

and it’s kinda odd to see that “huge” wide binding too!  {cuz I didn’t know better!} but that is just fine and okay with me.  it’s a sweet treasured memory of first projects.  i sometimes forget the excitement i had of just getting it finished, and simply ~ enJoying the process.

it’s a great example of sweet beginnings, and i do treasure this piece, as it was a great place to ‘jump off’ into the free motion quilting world, and i’ve loved every minute since!

i still think the “pine needles” patterns are appealing, charming, and simply beautiful.  like many of us, they continue to bud, bloom, and build skills and inspiration aplenty. they are perfect for a beginner… and i know that it was a greeting starting point in my own journey.

and as always ~ enJoy your journeys and consider it all joy, my friends!

soli deo gloria!