Tuesday 7 October 2014

Pretty Pastels

Have you ever wanted to try something new but kept quite clear away from it because it seemed too complicated and difficult and time consuming? Well, that's how I perceived Dresden Plates. For a long time I felt intimidated by the number of blades/petals that needed to be stitched together and then quilted as well. I thought I would never have enough patience for something like that.


But last weekend, for an unknown reason (or maybe it was the boring and tedious mending work that I had to do that pushed me into something more creative than simple straight stitches), I felt like making some Dresden Plates Hot Pot Stands and I had a perfect small charm pack in pretty pastels for this little challenge. I decided not to use any tutorials or instructions but rather go with the flow and see what I can come up with.


Armed with some paper, pencils and scissors I began the construction process. Once I was happy with the shape of the blades and colour combinations, I cut them out. Then I began stitching them together. A few minutes later I caught myself thinking that actually it was fun and quite easy.


One after another the petals were coming together creating lovely pastel flowers. It was not that hard or scary after all. Once again I showed myself that there is no need to be afraid of any new technique or pattern, just give it a try and do your best, and of course - learn on the way and have fun.


The hand stitches are not that even and straight. I had an impulse to redo the quilting but after a short self-talk I kept on sewing and now I am quite fond of that sweet "handmade" touch.


So now I have three small hot pot stands in a lovely new design to me. I can put bowls loaded with hot food or a kettle in the middle of the table and not use one of the pot holders or folded paper towels or chopping boards but rather use the specially made hot pot stands for this. In pretty pastels.


How a wonderful week everybody! Larisa xox

6 comments:

  1. Beautiful hot pads!! I love the scallops and the pretty spring colors to match the season you are in. Such a pretty way to add some color to your table and so useful too!!!

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    1. Thank you, Gina! It's interesting to see how the seasons influence the things we create sometimes. I am truly enjoying the spring this year, maybe because the winter felt unusually long and cold for me.

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  2. Your hot pads are delightful. I'm not usually very keen on Dresden Plate but I am very taken with the way you have worked it. Well done for working outside your comfort zone, Larisa!

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    1. Dina, thank you very much! I don't really like the traditional pointy Dresden Plate but the rounded (scalloped) tips are quite pretty and it turns the plate into a nice flower. I have to say, by the time I started working on the third one, my patience was running out. :-)

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  3. I like hand stitching which isn't perfect - it's nice to be reminded that a human being made it:-) These are lovely!

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    1. Thank you, Catherine! I agree with you and I am glad that I didn't fix the stitches. :-)

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