Fantastic Fantasia!

I've been exploring Iris Niebach's Fantasia -- slowly. That is, I've been working the patterns in the order they appear in the book. This is "Trifoglio" in pastel Coats hand-quilting thread. It is a bit tight and doesn't show the really lovely hearts in the original pattern or the pretty negative spaces. I need to use a different thread and relax! It measures about 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter. I keep thinking I need to find some clear coasters to encapsulate these little doilies. Then I could take them to work and horrify the boss. The firm I work for moved into a remodeled Victorian mansion. The outside is on the Historic Register, but the inside has been modernized. The boss wants it kept all modern. I think I should cover my desk in doilies (under the glass) and use doily coasters. It would make me happy!

The second one is "Stella alpina" which I worked in Coats variegated "southwest" colored machine quilting thread. The pattern is great and fun to work. I'm disappointed in the colors, though. I like brighter colors and don't care too much for all the orange in this one. It's just a bit smaller than 'Trifoglio", being only about 3.5 inches (9 cm) in diameter at it's widest point.

Iris Butterfly

"Apatura Iris" from Iris Neibach's book Iris. This butterfly is made in one pass. If the thread is wound continuous between the shuttles, there is only one pair of threads to hide at the end. I really don't know how she does it -- such beautiful and complex patterns and no cut threads! This was my first attempt at block tatting so those are a bit uneven. I kept getting confused about which direction I was supposed to be going! This one is made with DMC size 80 tatting cotton in a purple and green variegated thread. it measures 2.75 x 3 inches (7 x 7.6 cm), including the antennae. I like this butterfly a lot, and will be making another one as a gift for a friend. I just need a bit of practice first.
I also made the little Iris square from the same book, but was impoverished that day -- I couldn't pay attention. The counts on the center rings are wrong and my magic threads were so magic they just disappeared -- without taking the tail ends with 'em. Another practice piece with a dab of fabric glue on the back. I am anxious to get enough attention together to actually make one of the doilies or mats from the book.

Aphrodite

Such a delicate little thing, she is. Measuring just 1.75 by 1.25 inches (about 4.4 by 3.2 cm), this version of Aphrodite by Sherry Pence is made in Coats hand quilting thread. it took me two tries to get the thread spacing between the rings to work right. Oh, but those spaces make such lovely wings. This one was done late at night so nobody was there to chant insect body parts at me. Even the antennae turned out just right. Now that I've done the pattern once, I need to go back and do it in two colors like the original pattern!