Welcome To Spring!
A new workshop has been added for May 1st since I published this entry.
Around the world the tortoise and/or turtle can be seen as a symbol of wisdom and knowledge, and is able to defend itself on its own. It can be regarded as personifying water, the moon, the Earth, time, immortality, and fertility. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_depictions_of_turtles)
I have always had a special relationship with water, and the ocean specifically. When I was a little girl I began my athletic journey kayaking in the ocean and throughout my childhood, enjoyed many walks by the seawall with friends and family. It’s a great source of peace.
I remember times when the ocean was ferocious and if there weren’t any lighting strikes, we could be found training through the storms, windy conditions and jellyfish swarms (they stung bad).
I miss the ocean, the salty air you can almost taste; the wind filled with that sweet mistiness, the smell of fish, the giant waves with their white caps and the infiniteness of it all. I decided to create an ocean window display to combat its absence this year and share the beauty with all. I hope it inspires you as well.
While this post does not offer step by step instructions, I hope it has enough information to spark your curiosity and jumpstart your own research.
Enjoy!
Reach out if you have any questions.
A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor - Unknown
I cut my fabric pieces first without steam-a-seam to plan the layout.
Using small/sharp scissors, I cut apart the Stirrups & Stitches laser panel to fuse the small turtle independently. I used black thread to machine appliqué the pieces.
Echo Stitching by hand, machine appliqué, curved piecing, are some of the techniques you will find in this project.
Resource List
You won’t be surprised to know that all of the supplies I have included in this project can be purchased locally at Ardyth’s sew n vac in Downtown Baraboo. Should you decide to make the project on your own, please reach out with any questions you may have. I have provided direct links to the products, whenever possible for your convenience.
Iron/Ironing board
small/sharp scissors
medium/sharp scissors
Janome continental M7, appliqué foot F, zigzag foot A
Aurifil thread (summer colors & black to match appliqué)
90/14 Quilting needle
4-5 yards of backing material for large turtle
Batting - bamboo and cotton blend (piece larger than your front panel).
AccuQuilt Go Cutter
Accuquilt Flying Geese (yielding 3 1/2”x6 1/2” unit)
Accuquilt GO! Local Color by Bill Kerr Die (yielding 6 1/2”x12 1/12” unit)
Center panel - 46”-50” square - I used Supernova p4286 by Jeanie Sumrall-Ajero by Hoffman Fabrics 2016
Fabric for Borders - assorted scraps to fit on AccQuilt die’s shapes
Seawell pattern by Laura Heine (I used the turtle template. if you would like to make her exact mosaic pattern, she provides you with a list of additional supplies you will need in addition to what I used). https://www.ardythssewnvac.com/shop/c/p/Seawell-Sea-Turtle-Collage---Shipping-now-x55378100.htm
Sea Turtle Laser Cut by Stirrups & Stitches - I cut the pieces apart very carefully https://www.ardythssewnvac.com/shop/c/p/Sea-Turtle-Laser-x55157893.htm
Tropical Fish kit by Stirrups & Stitches https://www.ardythssewnvac.com/shop/c/p/Tropical-Fish-4in-Hoop-Kit-x54619896.htm
Small turtle by Stirrups & Stitches https://www.ardythssewnvac.com/shop/c/p/Sea-Turtle-4in-Hoop-Kit-x54619877.htm
Whales Laser Cut by Stirrups & Stitches - you will also need half a yard to fuse the whale’s panel on - https://www.ardythssewnvac.com/shop/c/p/Whales-at-Play-Laser-x50230763.htm
Whale Toys - Tilda’s Seaside Ideas book by Tone Finnager https://www.ardythssewnvac.com/shop/c/p/Tildas-Seaside-Ideas-x56114411.htm
Lite steam a seam sheets - 2 packages (less wasteful and more intentional use. Expect to use 1 1/2 packages https://www.ardythssewnvac.com/shop/c/p/Steam-A-Seam-2-Lite-9in-x-12in-5ct-x37610602.htm
Sashiko handstitcing needles https://www.ardythssewnvac.com/shop/c/p/Clover-Sashiko-Needles-8-ct-x37605911.htm
Valdani Thread- handstitching https://www.ardythssewnvac.com/shop/c/p/Valdani-Pearl-Cotton-Ball-Sz8-73yd-12-Colors-Ocean-Waves-x55832603.htm
lint remover
