Chance. Destiny. Karma. All synonyms for the word kismet. This was a new word for me that I learned when Sharon Holland released her Kismet line, by Art Gallery Fabrics in November 2020. This fabric has been on my radar for some time, but my busy life kept me from completing a pincushion batch until last month.
Kismet fabric by Sharon Holland, Art Gallery Fabrics
As I continue to make pincushions, I’ve created a system that makes the process easier. One of the steps, which helps me organize and streamline, is matching fabric and glass before I sit down to create. Matching requires thought and reflection when auditioning pieces. Because of this, I feel like I really become acquainted with the fabric. I enjoy this process so much!
I am starting a new series called “Salt Cellar Spotlight”. There are so many different salt cellars with seemingly endless opportunities for creating. I thought it would be interesting to highlight the salt cellars and a few details. I hope you find it interesting too!
SALT CELLAR SPOTLIGHT
Name of Salt Cellar: Tapered shape prism cut1 Size: 1 3/4″ Manufacturer: Unknown and difficult to pinpoint due to cut glass being made by the artist with slight alterations creating thousands of different patterns1. Year Produced: Unable to pinpoint since manufacturer is not identified but consensus dates production between 1880-1920 and most likely around the turn of the 20th century1. Interesting Salt Fact: Sodium and chloride are the chemicals combined together that we refer to as table salt. Sodium is required for human bodies to adequately function2. Interesting Historical Fact (turn of 20th century): Scott Joplin wrote The Entertainer. I learned to play this iconic piece of piano music in my youth. NPR has an interesting article about Scott Joplin.
Cut glass salt cellar pincushion made with Sharon Holland fabric set on hand painted Royal Winton Grimwades china.Continue reading →
When Lucy and I first started making pincushions, we frequented many antique shops hunting for just the right salt cellars. Over time, we started noticing other small dishes and finally ventured into different pieces to test if they would work. Ashtrays are a very common find. Some of the ashtrays we have found are made in beautiful patterns with interesting glass. Reclaiming and repurposing the glass spurs our imaginations and provides inspiration for creating.
Maureen Cracknell, a fabric designer for Art Gallery Fabrics, has a new fabric line available. You can view the Lookbook for pretty pictures and inspiration including this version of the Pike quilt. I fell in love with this fabric!
Maureen’s fabric was perfect for pincushions too.
Quilting this was fun! I enjoyed changing the quilting motif in the different fabrics. I knew I wanted to have a wavy crosshatch in each of the block centers plus a lot of soft swirling lines in this quilt. The design evolved as I quilted.
If you are interested in making the Pike Quilt, the pattern is FREE! You can find it on Craftsy by clicking HERE. There are a couple of colorways for this quilt and you can choose which you download. Additionally, I’ve created a coloring page for this quilt so you can play.
I’m so happy that I’m all finished with my #sewcialbeesampler quilt! I started this quilt last year with the weekly sew along written by Sharon Holland and co-hosted with Maureen Cracknell. I finished it shortly after the beginning of this year and finally had a chance to get some pictures.
I enjoyed the challenge and look of different blocks each week. Sharon’s beautiful instructions are visually pleasing and easy to follow.
I planned from the beginning to use different fabrics in every block. My only constraint was to use my Art Gallery Fabrics stash. I have built a stash since discovering this fabric line a few years ago. The back and binding are also Art Gallery Fabrics.
This is a large quilt! I decided on an all over geometric pattern for quilting. I used Aurifil thread. Quilting was so easy to do on my domestic Pfaff using my quilting foot.
I’m so pleased with my quilt and the way it turned out. I learned so much while making it, had a wonderful time perusing the other maker’s blocks on Instagram (#sewcialbeesampler), and simply being in touch with other quilters via social media. I’m especially grateful to my friend Shayne, who introduced me to Art Gallery Fabrics, and my local quilt store Sew to Speak because they carry Art Gallery Fabrics and I can see them in person.
Storts Market 