Friday, November 8, 2013

The Obsession Continues

My quilted fabric bead obsession continues...


(Which is good, as they are now selling almost as fast as I can stitch them!) 

I've been experimenting with different fabrics, quilting stitches and sizes...

Below are some examples of beads made from batik fabric,
 ( Yay! a great way to use up that stash I bough years ago!)


Here, on the beads pictured above, the quilting is done in short rows going around the beads, creating a semi textured bead.


Pictured above and below, I chose to do an all-over random seed stitch on these large size beads,


which results in a more textured bead, sort of like an old quilt would have. 
(This would be fun to do with some vintage fabrics!)


And on the batik beads above, I decided to stitch the rows length wise, 
which gives the least amount of texture, but has a lovely, kantha like look.


I repeated that straight stitch on these pretty pink Japanese fabric beads.


(I think they are so cute!)


And I had to try making some beads out of dupioni silks!


Love those colors!

That's it for now... I have beads to stitch!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Note: A Downloadable PDF Tutorial Pattern for my Quilted Fabric Beads is now available in my Etsy shop, here.

20 comments:

Nifty Quilts said...

These just keep getting better and better! Glad to hear they're selling too. They're spreading all over the world!

Clare Wassermann said...

totally totally lovely!

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi Victoria! I love these beads! How I have missed this - I guess you have posted before. Fantastic idea, so beautiful colours and stitching, just adorable! Have you made also something with these or just sell them as they are? Have a lovely weekend! x Teje

Anne Rust said...

Wickedly Awesome.

The Inside Stori said...

I officially have bead envy!!!!

The Inside Stori said...

I officially have bead envy!!!!

mathea said...

I love your beads!

Judy Martin said...

These are fantastic. The colours especially are riveting. Slow stitching in small things, to touch and touch and hold. Wow.

Victoria said...

Thanks to each of you!

Teje, I hope to make some jewelry and decorative items from them, but haven't had a time to really get into it. Right now, I am just having fun stitching the beads, and letting others decide how to creatively use them!

West Michigan Quilter said...

I love your beads and would like to try to make some. Do you have a form to keep the shape? I know I could never make anything as lovely as your beads. I just thought it would be fun to try. Thanks.

Victoria said...

Thanks so much for your kind words. While I absolutely encourage yourself and others to experiment with how to make your own beads, (and while I usually am very open about sharing my process) for now I am keeping the details of how I make these beads protected.

Probably sounds silly, and hopefully not too selfish, I just want to keep them unique and mine for the time being. Eventually, as I move onto other things, I expect to do a pattern, or tutorial on them... of course by then, you and others may have found an even better way of making your own beautiful beads, all on your own! Hope you understand, and best wishes to you. xo

Diane J. Evans said...

I would love to see what people are doing with these little gems -- they are truly delicious. What a great, portable, colorful, artistic form of play -- lovely!

Diane

LaceLady said...

I am so tickled that I have 4 of these beauties! in my hand they are spectacular, even more vibrant than these gorgeous pix!

Victoria said...

Diane, I would too, and thanks!

LaceLady, That is music to my ears! Thanks so much!

Gina said...

These are so beautiful... and so desirable!

Anonymous said...

I love mine too, and I'm happy I got to give you something back, after reading here all these years.

k

Victoria said...

K, So happy to hear that they arrived and you are happy with them! Thank you!

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

Your beads are absolutely beautiful. Sounds like you are having such fun making them too!

Andrea Johnson said...

I love the colors and the texture. Unique!

Victoria said...

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that there is now a downloadable PDF tutorial pattern, for my Quilted Fabric Beads, available in my Etsy shop. Check out the side bar on my blog, or go to the header under "Patterns" for links. xo