Fruity goodness

These fresh-picked little cuties are Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. "Fruit Salad Pincushions." The pattern was the June selection for the Shabby Fabrics Pincushion Club (kits appear to be available still).


At first glance, they look sweet enough. But both of these pincushions were pretty darn involved. Creating the checkered look required making mini-bargello quilts for each-- including quilting!


Bargello is a style of quilt piecing in which fabric strips are first sewn into horizontal strata, and then are cut and arranged in vertical steps. It is a pretty labor intensive process. (At least for me it is... I am obsessed with making sure all my seams match.)


After those were complete, then I used the pattern pieces to cut out the required shapes, did all of the french knots (there were a lot of them-- especially on the strawberry), sewed them, stuffed them, and did the final finishing touches by hand (like the wool cap on the strawberry and the embroidery on the watermelon).


But, boy, aren't they happy?


More pinchusions! Woo hoo!