Celtic Knots

c-circles.jpg

My friends teased me that they were surprised that I had signed up for this month’s guild workshop.  I haven’t done too many workshops in the last year because I’ve been so busy with my own projects and didn’t want to start something I couldn’t finish.   Before I started quilting 9 years ago, I had lots of boxes of unfinished needlework, knitting and sewing projects.  When the quilting bug bit me, I promised myself that wouldn’t happen with quilting.  Can’t say that I’ve been perfect, but I am proud to say I can count my UFO’s on one hand!

Anyway, I’ve always been intrigued by designs, especially the Celtic knots that are made with bias tape, so I jumped at the chance to take the workshop with Linda Hahn this past weekend.  Linda was just named NQA teacher of 2009, so I figured I’d learn a lot!  Wow!  what a great workshop!  She made it so easy!  We used Clover’s 1/4″ ready made fusible bias (it comes in lots of beautiful colors) and a pattern by Rosemary Kurtz.  The way Linda teaches it, you place a knot pattern under a transparent teflon pressing sheet and following the pattern, fuse the bias tape to the pressing sheet.  Once it cools, the “knot” lifts off an then you fuse it and either machine or hand stitch it to a background fabric.  It never occurred to me that you could make the knot and then apply it to the fabric.  Some of the corners took a little finessing, but otherwise it was pretty simple with stunning results. 

 celtic-knots.jpg  I used the color “Earthtones.”  It’s  variegated with shades of green,  gold, and red.  Perfect for fall.

I had to miss my husband’s grandmother’s 89th birthday party to take this workshop, so I figure the least I could do is make her a Christmas present with one of the knots.  I thought a small pillow would make a nice gift.   My mother and I did visit her on her actual birthday this week – so I think I’m still in good graces! 

 sexy-seniors.jpg  My mom, Heljo, on the left and Grandmom, Peg, on the right.

Since my husband’s side of the family is Irish, I figure at least a few members will receive these as gifts.  (Hope they’re not reading this!)  (Between the Irish on my husband’s side and my Estonian heritage we eat a lot of potatoes! LOL!)

If you have the opportunity to take this workshop, I highly recommend it!  We finished making 4 knots in a half-day workshop.  I will probably machine sew them to a backing.  Linda recommends using a mono-filament thread and a zig-zag stitch.

 When I get the presents done, I’ll share.  Probably in December. 

Helle-May

                             

One thought on “Celtic Knots

  1. Very nice!

    I have always been leery of monofilament (and thus have never used it). It just seems to me that over time this material may not play nice with cotton threads–as in will eventually wear, cut, or fray them. I guess it’s my version of the Mohs’ scale for fibers! 🙂

    Not that my work is SO awesome that I owe it to posterity to do all in my power to ensure it’s longevity, but I just can’t warm up to trying this thread because of this concern. Would love to hear of anyone’s experiences with it!
    Connie

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *