A couple of years ago I got this Rosemary Wells book from the bargain table at Borders for $3.99. I couldn't believe my luck, nor could I understand why it was on the bargain table at all. The illustrations in her Mother Goose book are so wonderful and for years I've wanted to do a Mother Goose applique quilt based on the characters in this book. Well, as always "big plans" = "small results". But this weekend I did manage to do my first test-run applique. It was actually not that hard, though very time consuming. Maybe if I just do a block here and there, after a while I'll have enough blocks for a whole quilt.
Here is a page from the book:
And here is my applique (click for larger pic). When I was done I decided to put it onto a little pouch I made using this yummy fabric I got from Hannah:
oh my, that's super cute! did you trace, free hand it? the embroidery is so neat, i especially like the net.
Posted by: susanne | May 02, 2005 at 01:06 PM
Hello! I just found you and your work is wonderful! I'm sorry I missed the postcard swap-hopefully, there will be another? I love Rosemary Wells too and your applique is amazing! What is the fabric you used for his little body? It looks like a knit?
Posted by: Bettsi | May 02, 2005 at 01:41 PM
that is beautiful! i have been thiking about applique, think you might have time to show us a little tutorial? i got four postcards today!!
Posted by: hannah | May 02, 2005 at 01:58 PM
Wow! You did an amazing job! I would love to do something similar with Elsa Beskow illustrations. Beautiful work!
Posted by: bellablue | May 02, 2005 at 02:16 PM
Hey Myra, Nice work! Sometimes books are remaindered and on the bargain book table because the publishers have printed up a new edition. I think that was the case with these. I picked up the two volumes myself a while back! I think the new edition has both volumes in a slipcase.
Posted by: Snowbear | May 02, 2005 at 02:29 PM
Rosemary Wells! I'd like a quilt of appliques from Yoko's Paper Cranes! It would be perfect because of all the origami paper she uses in that book--use Japanese print fabrics.
That's the big idea of the day,
from someone who doesn't sew.
Kay
Posted by: Kay | May 02, 2005 at 02:30 PM
This is adorable Myra! You are so skilled, everything you do is so well thought out and beautifully done! Rosemary Wells is a big favourite of mine. I wish I could be as good as she is at creating books. She's fantastic! Lucky find!
Posted by: *jenny | May 02, 2005 at 03:40 PM
That is wonderful! It looks so detailed and the different textures are great! Even though I live in Australia I also picked up a Rosemary Wells Mother Goose book on sale at Borders! Isn't that funny? It is not the same as yours though, it is called 'My first Mother Goose'. It is a great large size book with over 100 pages of great rhymes. The illustrations are great BUT I think your applique is even better!
Posted by: Melissa | May 02, 2005 at 05:15 PM
nice, nice, nice !
I love the way you have alternated unshown handstictching and embroidery...
It's like in drawings when you chose to do a line around a form or not.
I'm not sure it's easy to understand.
Hope you did ! :)
Posted by: charlie | May 03, 2005 at 12:53 AM
Wow!! Great work!! I find embroidery so difficult!..
Posted by: natascha | May 03, 2005 at 01:42 AM
I can't believe how adorable that little guy is! your sewing skills are immpecable, he looks just like the illustration, you should definately do more!
Posted by: carly | May 03, 2005 at 02:18 AM
that is amazing! I love the thought of using illustrations with fabric...
Posted by: jenn | May 03, 2005 at 02:31 AM
I have been meaning to sign up for the applique class from Bernina. Now, with this awesome post, you have encouraged me. You did a fabulous job, Myra!
Posted by: Christy | May 03, 2005 at 05:30 AM
Thanks everyone for the nice comments! I traced the little guy straight from the book and then cut the pieces out for patterns and then used all cotton fabrics for the applique. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, but my hands really hurt after a while. And now I'm really encouraged to try and do more.
Posted by: myra | May 03, 2005 at 09:15 AM
Ur applique is so much like the book. It is beautiful.
Posted by: Aerin | May 03, 2005 at 08:32 PM
What can I say that hasn't already been said?!? Absolutely gorgeous!
Posted by: kelly | May 04, 2005 at 11:28 AM
That came out wonderfully, Myra! I really like the details that you've included, like the butterfly net. We love the Rosemary Wells books, the pictures are so cute.
Posted by: Amanda | May 05, 2005 at 03:39 AM
Cute! It turned out really well. I think your idea for doing a block at a time is a good one.
Posted by: K. Anne | May 08, 2005 at 05:47 PM