tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-268501442024-03-14T11:49:59.148-07:00Sewing & Quilt GalleryI'm a professional quilter seeking to share my work and educate other quilters one stitch at a time.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1086125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-68287659317241374582021-08-25T13:08:00.000-07:002021-08-25T13:08:05.041-07:00<p> UPDATE</p><p>I have not used this blog in quite some time, despite the best of intentions, mostly because I had migrated to sharing quilting and news on my personal and business facebook pages. Ten days ago, however, my facebook account was hacked, and sign-ins were modified. The hacker turned two-factor authorization so all attempts I have had to modify the email/password have been futile because of changes to the TFA. Until this is rectified, assuming that it can be (facebook is a wretched business to try to get any help from), I will still be taking quilting requests. Please contact me directly at margaret@mainelyquiltsoflove.com for more info.</p><p>Thanks</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-54961133565249151822020-12-25T17:00:00.001-08:002020-12-26T07:19:45.297-08:00As 2020 Comes to a Close...<p>As 2020 comes to a close, I know many of you are ever so grateful. It has been a doozy of a year on many fronts. It seems surreal that this year is in fact finally ending, but I guess I don't share the "yeah it over" feeling. It does not seem as though the coming days in 2021 will really be all that different from what we've become accustomed.</p><p>Many people on facebook have commented that they miss seeing my blog posts. I truly was a bit shocked this morning when I opened it (after resetting passwords because I'd forgotten them over the many dormant months) to find my last post from May. Oh my...yes it is definitely overdue. Many of my photos and ideas do get shared on facebook so I had not really given ignoring the blog too much thought. But now I get it...you all just must miss my cynical and curmudgeonly anecdotes :-) Kidding...</p><p>After removing the 2020 (go figure, wouldn't you know THAT is the actual number) of photos from my phone I will share some of the many great quilts I have been blessed to work on this year (since May). I know what is here does not represent EVERY quilt I did. If I left your's out, it was not intentional. I take photos of many, but definitely not ALL of the quilts I quilt. I appreciate each and every one that is sent to me. Please know that.</p><p>This is one of the many quilts I did for Jean last year. She makes the most beautiful, romantic quilts. This was one of my favorites. Going on memory, but I believe that this has a wool batting. It has nice loft underneath the quilting.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iKLasfl_RhM/X-NkLcd3t4I/AAAAAAAAQ8I/xZT9GRszEZo-3Y6G-Ul2K0aqbAYo1oiEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4610.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1789" data-original-width="2048" height="350" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iKLasfl_RhM/X-NkLcd3t4I/AAAAAAAAQ8I/xZT9GRszEZo-3Y6G-Ul2K0aqbAYo1oiEwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h350/IMG_4610.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The cross-hatching is a bit fussy to quilt, but it looks so pretty on the finished quilt.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fu_2ktdarz0/X-NkLQ9sMXI/AAAAAAAAQ8M/KfVNf3XOmi8ldF8kfE4Befi9m_4se-VfACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4612.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fu_2ktdarz0/X-NkLQ9sMXI/AAAAAAAAQ8M/KfVNf3XOmi8ldF8kfE4Befi9m_4se-VfACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_4612.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a very simply pieced quilt that comes alive with the quilting. I love how quilting can create movement to an otherwise plain backing fabric.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wugQlJ7OTmo/X-NkplDbKwI/AAAAAAAAQ8g/DkrPr5girc4Ft53ZcXq-60NSZJQxxvXlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4844.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wugQlJ7OTmo/X-NkplDbKwI/AAAAAAAAQ8g/DkrPr5girc4Ft53ZcXq-60NSZJQxxvXlQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_4844.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>It is done with lots of template/ruler work and a bit of freemotion. Plenty of curves help soften the very linear piecing.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cs0iJjmd1SM/X-NkpyOT4aI/AAAAAAAAQ8k/yetntV28nQoaTKIwoBV4yM_2YSW4vgZ7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4847.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cs0iJjmd1SM/X-NkpyOT4aI/AAAAAAAAQ8k/yetntV28nQoaTKIwoBV4yM_2YSW4vgZ7wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_4847.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Here's just a fun and whimsical quilt. The fabrics were all very printed so I kept the quilting simple to just echo lines and parallel quilting. Overthinking on a quilt like this is really a waste of time because detailed quilting on print does.not.show.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L4eH6BeeUrQ/X-NkoN2vuII/AAAAAAAAQ8Y/sKiEe8DS4nAiwV1DUzCw4y0C1txVMRfSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1680/IMG_4867.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="1680" height="380" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L4eH6BeeUrQ/X-NkoN2vuII/AAAAAAAAQ8Y/sKiEe8DS4nAiwV1DUzCw4y0C1txVMRfSgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h380/IMG_4867.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJ2MQ2nnX7s/X-NkpPM52iI/AAAAAAAAQ8c/kFV41PtB3r8am2hs3_r_9_CkZlLGvjOTACLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_4869.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJ2MQ2nnX7s/X-NkpPM52iI/AAAAAAAAQ8c/kFV41PtB3r8am2hs3_r_9_CkZlLGvjOTACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_4869.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">This is another of Jean's quilts. I can tell just from the romantic fabrics she chooses. It called for lots of feathers and a pretty border!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9nC9Uriyoaw/X-NkqjSPgkI/AAAAAAAAQ8s/GjkxSJnLaQs_pmMd3ktLLwRFl2uaYvFzACLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_4991.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9nC9Uriyoaw/X-NkqjSPgkI/AAAAAAAAQ8s/GjkxSJnLaQs_pmMd3ktLLwRFl2uaYvFzACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_4991.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><br />...And a less typical quilt, but fun to stitch none the less.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6CHvxUDQ3n4/X-NksyGp-qI/AAAAAAAAQ9A/iWcUZ79QeF4MQygwGARYxLB4rHhSt3WSACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4997a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1871" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6CHvxUDQ3n4/X-NksyGp-qI/AAAAAAAAQ9A/iWcUZ79QeF4MQygwGARYxLB4rHhSt3WSACLcBGAsYHQ/w365-h400/IMG_4997a.jpg" width="365" /></a></div>I loved this quilt. At first blush I really was not sure what I'd do on it, but the owner said she likes more modern-ish quilting so I went with this notion.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2I5MidJB1E/X-Nkrcf6N3I/AAAAAAAAQ8w/svMG3TCXHqIoZKD76Shb3gzm9uHywnPNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1791/IMG_5015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1791" data-original-width="1523" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2I5MidJB1E/X-Nkrcf6N3I/AAAAAAAAQ8w/svMG3TCXHqIoZKD76Shb3gzm9uHywnPNwCLcBGAsYHQ/w340-h400/IMG_5015.jpg" width="340" /></a></div>Each pumpkin was framed out and filled with a different fill. I do have LOTS of designs at my disposal, but I often have to pull out my own <a href="https://www.mainelyquiltsoflove.com/main/store/books-2/">Dense & Dainty book</a> to remember all the possibilities. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBBCvRuP5Qg/X-NkrsUAjiI/AAAAAAAAQ80/pa38v5XbMYATuOAv2VXZcJc8OK6G7w4zACLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_5017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBBCvRuP5Qg/X-NkrsUAjiI/AAAAAAAAQ80/pa38v5XbMYATuOAv2VXZcJc8OK6G7w4zACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5017.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCL3HSAOZDs/X-OaSSC_vLI/AAAAAAAAREc/bmPHTJXSZsEgCARGQhlmyBxhNYSgbDD9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_5019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCL3HSAOZDs/X-OaSSC_vLI/AAAAAAAAREc/bmPHTJXSZsEgCARGQhlmyBxhNYSgbDD9wCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_5019.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a pretty wall hanging or lap quilt. It is a combination of a kaleidoscope block and stars (pattern by Edyta Sitar). It was harder than I expected to quilt though because not enough of the pattern shows as you are quilting to keep in mind where you need to go! It's double batted so that quilting shows over the prints.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FK_RIvnYJXc/X-NksuLBsUI/AAAAAAAAQ84/meJps4JTkzwf_ar1z3JY06XQhO6gm3AaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1887/IMG_5058.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1558" data-original-width="1887" height="330" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FK_RIvnYJXc/X-NksuLBsUI/AAAAAAAAQ84/meJps4JTkzwf_ar1z3JY06XQhO6gm3AaQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h330/IMG_5058.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ic7l67JP9cg/X-Nks8l07gI/AAAAAAAAQ88/FDh_U2tFaoUQKHmM14gZ1c49yywuMq3_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_5059.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ic7l67JP9cg/X-Nks8l07gI/AAAAAAAAQ88/FDh_U2tFaoUQKHmM14gZ1c49yywuMq3_gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5059.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I love this little wallhanging. The colors are delightful and the background just screams for pretty flowy feathers.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRJCj_ElK_0/X-NktF4LiZI/AAAAAAAAQ9E/n-r3dQo0BL4vYvx_O46mJ8DYPpRj5fhAACLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_5220.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRJCj_ElK_0/X-NktF4LiZI/AAAAAAAAQ9E/n-r3dQo0BL4vYvx_O46mJ8DYPpRj5fhAACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5220.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...and the back is just as pretty!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PkG1Axg3pZc/X-Nluck6znI/AAAAAAAAQ9w/s2LqdaO01Z4GnftQ9u7ujoGT-Nmr2o0YACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5217.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1945" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PkG1Axg3pZc/X-Nluck6znI/AAAAAAAAQ9w/s2LqdaO01Z4GnftQ9u7ujoGT-Nmr2o0YACLcBGAsYHQ/w380-h400/IMG_5217.jpg" width="380" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Believe it or not, I did 2 100" Dear Jane quilts in 2020! And what is more surprising than that is that they were made by the same woman! I'm not sure I have one of these in my entire life's future, let alone two. The all black one was first...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I thought I took lots of photos, but I can only find a few.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WaTxhU2zqpc/X-ObsCzVztI/AAAAAAAAREs/fNlWY4C5Ag45b3Jxh2YzFYV4hiVAngCMACLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_4682.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WaTxhU2zqpc/X-ObsCzVztI/AAAAAAAAREs/fNlWY4C5Ag45b3Jxh2YzFYV4hiVAngCMACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_4682.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">All the blocks were outline stitched (yes, it's days of SID!) and many of the block features also received ditch stitching. The border was quilted in a royal blue 40wt Glide thread so that it would show on the black. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s-VTe6jY868/X-ObsP5icWI/AAAAAAAAREo/UM9l4BbVR30rTLdEdh-3f0Jkh480c44sACLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_4686.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s-VTe6jY868/X-ObsP5icWI/AAAAAAAAREo/UM9l4BbVR30rTLdEdh-3f0Jkh480c44sACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_4686.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">and one of the black back side!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ph4bN2IFy0/X-NnAf4MkSI/AAAAAAAAQ_Q/U1Lu_DZMnfUAc8ce9CevaMgtOrPKqoKwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4677.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ph4bN2IFy0/X-NnAf4MkSI/AAAAAAAAQ_Q/U1Lu_DZMnfUAc8ce9CevaMgtOrPKqoKwwCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_4677.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>The second Dear Jane had ivory background. This quilt was intended to be used on a bed (single wool batting versus the double batting of the black quilt) AND the owner specifically requested lighter quilting to keep the quilt more soft and drapable.</div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GwIy_dfm6nM/X-Nlolad_tI/AAAAAAAAQ9g/fxA5H9j4nyo-ctG81SrzS86XzlVgsuq2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5290.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GwIy_dfm6nM/X-Nlolad_tI/AAAAAAAAQ9g/fxA5H9j4nyo-ctG81SrzS86XzlVgsuq2QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5290.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's challenging to quilt "less" when you are accustomed to being a fairly dense quilter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zp1LMVp2kZ4/X-OcvjJYTeI/AAAAAAAARE8/1McG662TSv4_psNkFTEbTx28bHAAiKE8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_5272.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zp1LMVp2kZ4/X-OcvjJYTeI/AAAAAAAARE8/1McG662TSv4_psNkFTEbTx28bHAAiKE8QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5272.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I emailed Barb a bunch of photos though before the quilt came off the frame so she could decide if blocks needed more. The simplicity was to her liking.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XmDLpuvIn3o/X-Ocvvag4SI/AAAAAAAARFA/Tr_-KJpz61IiuQPL4MQbnbc1oZAOYHJjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_5274.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XmDLpuvIn3o/X-Ocvvag4SI/AAAAAAAARFA/Tr_-KJpz61IiuQPL4MQbnbc1oZAOYHJjQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5274.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Here's the white backside...It really is a lot of quilting when you see this!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWZRVZZu3eg/X-OcwmJ9CeI/AAAAAAAARFE/lydBB4oR6mUC7DzbYM4MifoinURwxZ0pACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5292.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWZRVZZu3eg/X-OcwmJ9CeI/AAAAAAAARFE/lydBB4oR6mUC7DzbYM4MifoinURwxZ0pACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5292.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>How about a look at some of the year's baby quilts...</div><div><br /></div><div>Actually, the pumpkin quilt I showed already was made for a baby. I forgot that as I was pulling photos for the next ones.</div><div><br /></div>This is the cutest baby quilt. It was for a mother having twins, and yes, I had 2 of the identical quilts to do! Robyn does fantastic applique.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NhsYdtMY9uc/X-OeN525mXI/AAAAAAAARFw/hQed6hFMR10nPAYBuQwwuQCjcZGg9j0kACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5543.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NhsYdtMY9uc/X-OeN525mXI/AAAAAAAARFw/hQed6hFMR10nPAYBuQwwuQCjcZGg9j0kACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_5543.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u4CdUNvEhzA/X-OeOJb1EuI/AAAAAAAARF0/nKBRBT1fHyAdVSCnbOPO1GXK9Wyu4pwCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5540.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u4CdUNvEhzA/X-OeOJb1EuI/AAAAAAAARF0/nKBRBT1fHyAdVSCnbOPO1GXK9Wyu4pwCQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_5540.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can't remember if this was for twins, but here are a couple elephant quilts. Love the feathered elephant as well as the big raindrops in the background.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QniA5YQ01wE/X-OezsLbk2I/AAAAAAAARGE/HaBBB5UXbK8dyFQpz_OYnRLdqWkcI4GQgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_E4958.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QniA5YQ01wE/X-OezsLbk2I/AAAAAAAARGE/HaBBB5UXbK8dyFQpz_OYnRLdqWkcI4GQgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_E4958.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I have done this one several times previously, but they are always fun because fabrics change.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v_Hr6zbQ1Cs/X-OezeKx6OI/AAAAAAAARGA/kWrfd2Db6pM-7PEz-lW4d3vmayzhx0ONQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_E4959.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1676" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v_Hr6zbQ1Cs/X-OezeKx6OI/AAAAAAAARGA/kWrfd2Db6pM-7PEz-lW4d3vmayzhx0ONQCLcBGAsYHQ/w328-h400/IMG_E4959.JPG" width="328" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Turn your head sideways because blogger won't rotate for me. This had to be the simplest quilt I have ever been sent, but the blank canvas was for me to create a story with. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">OK, I was terrified. I really prefer more boundaries on quilts, but its a client I have quilted for for many years, and I owed it to her to come up with something adorable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pykfdONd5kA/X-OgQ4I6LeI/AAAAAAAARG4/VEnErhP_9tcrpSBih2Y4Pqegse_qRAAewCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4503.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pykfdONd5kA/X-OgQ4I6LeI/AAAAAAAARG4/VEnErhP_9tcrpSBih2Y4Pqegse_qRAAewCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_4503.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div>I quilted some words into the sides - basically creating a border when one was not really there. I also added thread-painting of a tree and simple flowers, something I haven't done before.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QyfEbEIpIkU/X-OgP7krEgI/AAAAAAAARG0/3lfeT03rjF0QG4djK28VVlXm3dyceFZLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4502.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QyfEbEIpIkU/X-OgP7krEgI/AAAAAAAARG0/3lfeT03rjF0QG4djK28VVlXm3dyceFZLwCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_4502.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>A sun with sleepy eyes was quilted into the opposite corner. I think it looked baby-like and hope the client thought so too.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jU0JdBy-6kc/X-OgRDmwR_I/AAAAAAAARG8/7spQdIOTvVI8HAL5mLTJEStH6wjATKMEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4507.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jU0JdBy-6kc/X-OgRDmwR_I/AAAAAAAARG8/7spQdIOTvVI8HAL5mLTJEStH6wjATKMEwCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_4507.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>The next two were simpler edge-to-edge baby quilts with a heart panto. Contrary to what some may believe, I do not do ALL custom.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oknrA0S7W4w/X-Ogt9HjjUI/AAAAAAAARHQ/x5BIJ38vLvYRYgAAEthuu-z_F42EtRG7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5620.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oknrA0S7W4w/X-Ogt9HjjUI/AAAAAAAARHQ/x5BIJ38vLvYRYgAAEthuu-z_F42EtRG7ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5620.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-irhuKBXuHWY/X-Ogt59JjpI/AAAAAAAARHM/uA_G3I_i48EClrR7_vcuAtLu6F9k629vgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5621.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-irhuKBXuHWY/X-Ogt59JjpI/AAAAAAAARHM/uA_G3I_i48EClrR7_vcuAtLu6F9k629vgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5621.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This quilt was done just a couple weeks ago also. It gets my most unorthodox (though that may be up for grabs with the Little Pumpkins quilt!) baby quilt award. It's one of Jean's and these hankies belonged to a beloved relative. It's a sweet idea for a girl. I quilted some movement into the background around each dancer.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NmiQJkwM2a4/X-OgvNuXABI/AAAAAAAARHU/76BnbRYTdSAOotIvktQjzNe6aCu_tK3XgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5671.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NmiQJkwM2a4/X-OgvNuXABI/AAAAAAAARHU/76BnbRYTdSAOotIvktQjzNe6aCu_tK3XgCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_5671.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21Wal0Dpn1o/X-OgweJaVQI/AAAAAAAARHY/_CaQUAV_-qwLDoofWig7CyIvkzB6QfCxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5672.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21Wal0Dpn1o/X-OgweJaVQI/AAAAAAAARHY/_CaQUAV_-qwLDoofWig7CyIvkzB6QfCxQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_5672.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's go back and see a few other customs I have forgotten to show...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know that this is a Judy Neimeyer but I am at a loss for which one (there are so many!). What makes it different is that its not made with batiks, as many are. The one request the client had was to put some butterflies on the yellow sections.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XJW_Vu1Urec/X-NltLoBZgI/AAAAAAAAQ9o/xpxOi8NvfpUpgQvaLrKL-lqBpvsrYkAHACLcBGAsYHQ/s1851/IMG_5236.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1710" data-original-width="1851" height="370" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XJW_Vu1Urec/X-NltLoBZgI/AAAAAAAAQ9o/xpxOi8NvfpUpgQvaLrKL-lqBpvsrYkAHACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h370/IMG_5236.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I used a single wool batt as this was going to a bed.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZeex6Cl3vs/X-NltGrO_YI/AAAAAAAAQ9k/QbpcnzGb6V0tuIp1SVpMihKLB3gp0V0LgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_5238.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZeex6Cl3vs/X-NltGrO_YI/AAAAAAAAQ9k/QbpcnzGb6V0tuIp1SVpMihKLB3gp0V0LgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5238.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>and another back!...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHajnmC-sbM/X-NluE7nAmI/AAAAAAAAQ9s/Z_k5rbAGf5smaV9z25VI6qkOdjtRtiAdACLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_5239.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHajnmC-sbM/X-NluE7nAmI/AAAAAAAAQ9s/Z_k5rbAGf5smaV9z25VI6qkOdjtRtiAdACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5239.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a nice wall hanging. This type quilt is right up my alley. I have certain patterns like feathers or crosshatching that I just know will quilt beautifully for this type spaces/</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufYpALXpH5E/X-NmJgO2H0I/AAAAAAAAQ-E/SMOhYtlmAAsF_8WxUsjUBlOCpZdW01LFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5623.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufYpALXpH5E/X-NmJgO2H0I/AAAAAAAAQ-E/SMOhYtlmAAsF_8WxUsjUBlOCpZdW01LFwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/IMG_5623.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CL7jdIXfFWg/X-NmKkFxMuI/AAAAAAAAQ-M/G4XnhPhDrGQKe_XHdnynUWJELg-tvt-oACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5624.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CL7jdIXfFWg/X-NmKkFxMuI/AAAAAAAAQ-M/G4XnhPhDrGQKe_XHdnynUWJELg-tvt-oACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/IMG_5624.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I've hunted for more photos of this quilt but come up empty. It has a ton of this applique, and like the Dear Janes, I remember ding 2 of these in 2020.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-62uZyrpSUyU/X-Nmzl41w6I/AAAAAAAAQ-o/5Mu-L30DW6YLgiEvGiqhEWCQlYzPDwgjACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4005.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-62uZyrpSUyU/X-Nmzl41w6I/AAAAAAAAQ-o/5Mu-L30DW6YLgiEvGiqhEWCQlYzPDwgjACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_4005.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>This was quilted with a wool batting to show off the applique loft. There's a week of SID (ok, that is a slight exaggeration) and then lots of quilting on top of the appliques. Why do I quilt on top?...If an applique is too large it will not wear well. It will look floppy. All in all, the quilt and the design just look better with more quilting.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JA4ki0BjYd4/X-Nm0xhcJaI/AAAAAAAAQ-s/cvpFwF92c_cDOek3x3tQrAtCvv0GNFKWACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4010.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JA4ki0BjYd4/X-Nm0xhcJaI/AAAAAAAAQ-s/cvpFwF92c_cDOek3x3tQrAtCvv0GNFKWACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_4010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NUcfrFgZErk/X-NmzU14kOI/AAAAAAAAQ-k/JAzfRRx_WYAbgIydOI_Qsut-J6B7LjmwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4012.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NUcfrFgZErk/X-NmzU14kOI/AAAAAAAAQ-k/JAzfRRx_WYAbgIydOI_Qsut-J6B7LjmwQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_4012.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jean's done a couple of seasonal quilts. I love the beachy one. Most of her tops are appliqued, and in the thought of larger appliques, you can see that I did quilt on top of many of these. It gives added detail as well as security.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGz_BBvAloI/X-Nm6FP_0YI/AAAAAAAAQ-4/8xeQZIB0tXICC88wMbktEBPDFWWnTNmVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4587.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGz_BBvAloI/X-Nm6FP_0YI/AAAAAAAAQ-4/8xeQZIB0tXICC88wMbktEBPDFWWnTNmVgCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_4587.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>The sashing was a fun wave of bubbles.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEhQtoW4nI8/X-Nm9NrbOFI/AAAAAAAAQ_E/ttK_w_LHetcNFcs-e51C3HN_-RCd3kSEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4588.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEhQtoW4nI8/X-Nm9NrbOFI/AAAAAAAAQ_E/ttK_w_LHetcNFcs-e51C3HN_-RCd3kSEwCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_4588.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0uu9dDKNEHU/X-Nm8kZsNlI/AAAAAAAAQ-8/p2Pvu2XETdo8_ZCC-eSbe5vs-EtlQH5rACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4592.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0uu9dDKNEHU/X-Nm8kZsNlI/AAAAAAAAQ-8/p2Pvu2XETdo8_ZCC-eSbe5vs-EtlQH5rACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_4592.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Here's Jean's 4th of July quilt...</div><div><br /></div><div>She makes lovely quilts, often with very unexpected fabrics. Who'd use the floral border? - but it's really pretty.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pht5f0UQIoM/X-OmTVKsOLI/AAAAAAAARII/zor-49qt_00UFQvHzKO8lnlj_6JBzY-_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_E4124.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pht5f0UQIoM/X-OmTVKsOLI/AAAAAAAARII/zor-49qt_00UFQvHzKO8lnlj_6JBzY-_wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_E4124.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>These aren't fast because all applique is outlined, and then most of them are also quilted on. Both applique quilts were done with a wool batting and a bunch of different threads.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DoGlLgiZ4Jk/X-OmUAQEJuI/AAAAAAAARIM/WTAowkBn6ts1_9t4BtIU7xX8NGf6bhVBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_E4127.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DoGlLgiZ4Jk/X-OmUAQEJuI/AAAAAAAARIM/WTAowkBn6ts1_9t4BtIU7xX8NGf6bhVBQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_E4127.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I just love this little bike. With all that is wrong in our days, this is right.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Xd4h68kVhc/X-OmVt2G2bI/AAAAAAAARIQ/v2QCtnenHXsi9qtPgfRlUiLWUhysRUVGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_E4129.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Xd4h68kVhc/X-OmVt2G2bI/AAAAAAAARIQ/v2QCtnenHXsi9qtPgfRlUiLWUhysRUVGQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_E4129.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Here's a Glacier Star. This type of quilt does take a significant amount of time. Every point and every flying geese is outline quilted with a clear monofilament thread before I add any details into the spaces. I would have double batted this quilt so that the quilting shows more and because this is a wall quilt.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EFBhRM2Mb4/X-OmZd_5K3I/AAAAAAAARIY/yYGeBCUTmksRYWUR6SmdgkZ9CUqIJAo4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_E4908.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2033" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EFBhRM2Mb4/X-OmZd_5K3I/AAAAAAAARIY/yYGeBCUTmksRYWUR6SmdgkZ9CUqIJAo4QCLcBGAsYHQ/w398-h400/IMG_E4908.JPG" width="398" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mNdxPOhR0lc/X-OmYCtCG6I/AAAAAAAARIU/PU5ohUfHO7MQcnidPLvzzcfKvKVWuBxjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_E4909.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mNdxPOhR0lc/X-OmYCtCG6I/AAAAAAAARIU/PU5ohUfHO7MQcnidPLvzzcfKvKVWuBxjgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_E4909.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10QCcUGCWlg/X-OmaDrtnQI/AAAAAAAARIc/BVj04RettdIuiMwrWFBAlND54O2zGEkMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_E4912.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10QCcUGCWlg/X-OmaDrtnQI/AAAAAAAARIc/BVj04RettdIuiMwrWFBAlND54O2zGEkMQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_E4912.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Here's yet another Glacier Star. This was quilted before the last one, but I can't locate any of the detail photos of the quilt.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-az8_96qYT1o/X-Omf4hBy3I/AAAAAAAARIg/lKy3wjAZZfwBXJTIVxF8bUJu8HOhas53gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_E5119.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2048" height="393" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-az8_96qYT1o/X-Omf4hBy3I/AAAAAAAARIg/lKy3wjAZZfwBXJTIVxF8bUJu8HOhas53gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h393/IMG_E5119.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Here's a quilt made by Mary. I adopted this from another quilter friend because she didn't have time to quilt it. It's a fantastic quilt in terms of piecing and fabrics. The details are best seen in person.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A9fkMK24GqU/X-OmfzMrglI/AAAAAAAARIk/u-XfhwyilycLKIR5kQoK686VkKUsmuPmACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_E5396.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A9fkMK24GqU/X-OmfzMrglI/AAAAAAAARIk/u-XfhwyilycLKIR5kQoK686VkKUsmuPmACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_E5396.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It is double-batted. Darker fabrics and printed fabrics are much harder to make the quilting show, but double batting helps this.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WI0Nit-PjWk/X-OmgoZCGqI/AAAAAAAARIo/U1lG-lIIQLQ0ZUwotxb5yN1XmqSHvADTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_E5397.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WI0Nit-PjWk/X-OmgoZCGqI/AAAAAAAARIo/U1lG-lIIQLQ0ZUwotxb5yN1XmqSHvADTQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_E5397.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I actually went back and added detailing on the leaves and stems, but the photo showing this has gone AWOL. Such is life. This is afterall, still 2020.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cSOIUIYSXLo/X-OmhuhtahI/AAAAAAAARIs/SnBaHzKF410zxNDwPipyIuxq0t68l1vbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_E5398.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1569" data-original-width="2048" height="306" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cSOIUIYSXLo/X-OmhuhtahI/AAAAAAAARIs/SnBaHzKF410zxNDwPipyIuxq0t68l1vbgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h306/IMG_E5398.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div>(edited to add this... leaf veins and stem details added)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_vFqqmeeC7M/X-dUcoetVEI/AAAAAAAARRU/YDrC5GlF3z8Bn_hU_JZwQCWYjrOUksnagCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_5403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_vFqqmeeC7M/X-dUcoetVEI/AAAAAAAARRU/YDrC5GlF3z8Bn_hU_JZwQCWYjrOUksnagCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5403.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Out of order, no doubt, but this massive and massively detailed applique quilt was done earlier in the summer. It is probably the most incredible quilt I have worked on. I spent many days just quilting the SID with clear thread. While there is not an abundance of space for creating background patterns, I tried to use what space there was.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDaudmMcAgs/X-NnE71A7aI/AAAAAAAAQ_c/SKifVQIuFO0UYSOoHW8NroqVMoouWk_lwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4816.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDaudmMcAgs/X-NnE71A7aI/AAAAAAAAQ_c/SKifVQIuFO0UYSOoHW8NroqVMoouWk_lwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_4816.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Stand on your head for this one...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OPpYttm3P6Y/X-NnFPqOKEI/AAAAAAAAQ_g/Il33G1KCTb8Q33DNr5SKEQWRoRrH-ghVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4820.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OPpYttm3P6Y/X-NnFPqOKEI/AAAAAAAAQ_g/Il33G1KCTb8Q33DNr5SKEQWRoRrH-ghVQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_4820.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-28tQtFQTVRQ/X-NnGn0EKAI/AAAAAAAAQ_k/2AGnoF2R3XQmm-m4p7aQLevEqlB77rn2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4821.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-28tQtFQTVRQ/X-NnGn0EKAI/AAAAAAAAQ_k/2AGnoF2R3XQmm-m4p7aQLevEqlB77rn2ACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_4821.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6To8Vxwreek/X-NnKYMT0NI/AAAAAAAAQ_w/YomTD7JTawE-852i2jqScr2_JLOgxWP_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4826.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6To8Vxwreek/X-NnKYMT0NI/AAAAAAAAQ_w/YomTD7JTawE-852i2jqScr2_JLOgxWP_ACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_4826.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>The backside of this quilt was phenomenal!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9nNW_6mhoHA/X-NnKSMiaOI/AAAAAAAAQ_0/Zn9IKBkR6gY6bbw2kCvYzmwnUoraSP4hgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4830.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9nNW_6mhoHA/X-NnKSMiaOI/AAAAAAAAQ_0/Zn9IKBkR6gY6bbw2kCvYzmwnUoraSP4hgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_4830.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This reproduction of a traditional Oak and Reel quilt was made by Bonnie. It's simple, yet complex.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is also large and will go on a bed. I used a single wool batting and 40wt poly threads. All fabrics were printed so to better see what I was doing, I quilted with green thread on the red, and red thread on the green.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ymiEVEsnjUY/X-OprDkDtSI/AAAAAAAARJU/QwibNNOAwDogwTZjcpZs4qBxDN9MS4fLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5328.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ymiEVEsnjUY/X-OprDkDtSI/AAAAAAAARJU/QwibNNOAwDogwTZjcpZs4qBxDN9MS4fLgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5328.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I tried to intentionally select more traditional motifs like feathers and line work. The unique curvature of the feather's spine comes from using my Quatrefoil template (part of the Arabesque template collection and available on my websiteMainelyQuiltsofLove.com). I think that this shaped spine creates an attractive secondary pattern within the blocks.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hbmfln1C7Pk/X-OpqR4fkAI/AAAAAAAARJQ/S5sbLpsLf9cfOtVP-L7DOrVMGQxVkqAQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5329.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hbmfln1C7Pk/X-OpqR4fkAI/AAAAAAAARJQ/S5sbLpsLf9cfOtVP-L7DOrVMGQxVkqAQwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5329.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Keeping with the very traditional look, the scalloped swag border is done on the 2 axisymmetrical borders (likely done to make the quilt rectangular.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Zpiz3JZPQs/X-Opp8_8nII/AAAAAAAARJM/dQvNS1nZr5cZHMpfVcOTaTMFhQ9Xkl26QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5330.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Zpiz3JZPQs/X-Opp8_8nII/AAAAAAAARJM/dQvNS1nZr5cZHMpfVcOTaTMFhQ9Xkl26QCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_5330.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lxqFtuQ4QYI/X-OpvPMFMJI/AAAAAAAARJY/7-N43zD5WPYohLXHTaDiKQf2pm_dsk6BACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5331.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lxqFtuQ4QYI/X-OpvPMFMJI/AAAAAAAARJY/7-N43zD5WPYohLXHTaDiKQf2pm_dsk6BACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5331.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>As always, a lovely backside is clearly indicative of a lovely frontside :-)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2oh0F9t521g/X-Opvd8VD2I/AAAAAAAARJc/VssDGAxt4Fs4MtXQ4LHI2jf5erakLDB6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5332.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2oh0F9t521g/X-Opvd8VD2I/AAAAAAAARJc/VssDGAxt4Fs4MtXQ4LHI2jf5erakLDB6wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5332.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I adore how quilting can take an overly simple top and just push it over the top. The maker of this top was unsure if it was deserving of custom quilting. After quilting was finished I know she felt differently. It mimics antique tin ceilings.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vIoCjD3McQ/X-Op8eUWnJI/AAAAAAAARJ0/Fe45VAkjFUEu7YcJc-ZW8Rzb6yauH0Z1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5376.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vIoCjD3McQ/X-Op8eUWnJI/AAAAAAAARJ0/Fe45VAkjFUEu7YcJc-ZW8Rzb6yauH0Z1ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5376.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmnNZhvWMbM/X-Op8SpR7rI/AAAAAAAARJs/K1SkG7lDBIEtzqU7DawVaFGDWNHjX8HVACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5377.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmnNZhvWMbM/X-Op8SpR7rI/AAAAAAAARJs/K1SkG7lDBIEtzqU7DawVaFGDWNHjX8HVACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5377.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The pattern in the large blocks is a stencil that I marked on each block and embellished with additional quilting. There is a pebbled floral center and dense linear fill outboard of the stencil pattern. The dense work makes the pattern pop.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R3KlG34Xeaw/X-OqAWikP2I/AAAAAAAARKE/5IfS4HZ35jUqm1Ifa0Mbp-jLW9WGqNdvACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5378.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R3KlG34Xeaw/X-OqAWikP2I/AAAAAAAARKE/5IfS4HZ35jUqm1Ifa0Mbp-jLW9WGqNdvACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5378.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFmbXoxo8vQ/X-OqAIQNfrI/AAAAAAAARKA/XZ4DqGYnjBQVh-EcQPoeDsF0vBspEcg_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5379.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFmbXoxo8vQ/X-OqAIQNfrI/AAAAAAAARKA/XZ4DqGYnjBQVh-EcQPoeDsF0vBspEcg_ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/IMG_5379.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wish the backing fabric photographed better, as it was a lovely aqua print with a gold gilding.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSDdRhWLMPk/X-Op8Rx-f1I/AAAAAAAARJw/_H-M0G2bmBEawuuxwyqqbjD897lCOCv0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5375.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSDdRhWLMPk/X-Op8Rx-f1I/AAAAAAAARJw/_H-M0G2bmBEawuuxwyqqbjD897lCOCv0QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5375.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kendra sent me 2 large boxes of quilts this fall, most of which were done prior to Christmas. This one is a special and very cute quilt. Sorry about the glaring sunshine. I was struggling to get a good photo, either too shady or too sunny.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-65CRMapMHdk/X-OqOF3glCI/AAAAAAAARKQ/VwuNX6LGTpoYf0YYTFSZpXLvrros2s8GgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_5494.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-65CRMapMHdk/X-OqOF3glCI/AAAAAAAARKQ/VwuNX6LGTpoYf0YYTFSZpXLvrros2s8GgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5494.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I especially like the fun details of the house from the scalloped shingles to the smoke rising from the chimney.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WVavxp6B8pw/X-OqOjPB6hI/AAAAAAAARKU/AD743pBVs-cM6xpRxx_bYcH_Joqfa-BDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_5495.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WVavxp6B8pw/X-OqOjPB6hI/AAAAAAAARKU/AD743pBVs-cM6xpRxx_bYcH_Joqfa-BDgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5495.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Another of Kendra's quilts is this American flag quilt, done in a modern take with the aqua background. In keeping with the unlikely background, I allowed the designs on the flags to be less traditional too.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ey5dMbGIsF4/X-OqOlmDEAI/AAAAAAAARKY/ftXXuogk3AE89X-wxjWEuHJaSs11YckRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_5501.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ey5dMbGIsF4/X-OqOlmDEAI/AAAAAAAARKY/ftXXuogk3AE89X-wxjWEuHJaSs11YckRQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_5501.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Jean has another fantastic quilt that I was not certain I'd get done before the holiday. When she told me it was for her husband, I had to get it quilted. She is one of my oldest clients and an absolutely wonderful appliquer. The stars aligned with my traditional creativity. Both the client and I love how this turned out. </div><div><br /></div><div>It has a single wool batting and is quilted with 40wt Glide thread.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PkMMrV-9y4g/X-OqPrp1W_I/AAAAAAAARKg/NcCInizStzsXZboDTsiSDN2wQ9BFLpRiACLcBGAsYHQ/s2014/IMG_5516.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="2014" height="291" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PkMMrV-9y4g/X-OqPrp1W_I/AAAAAAAARKg/NcCInizStzsXZboDTsiSDN2wQ9BFLpRiACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h291/IMG_5516.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Feathers give movement to the center block, while the feathered spirals keep with the traditional look.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d4BWfwRPcgU/X-OqQQd3xXI/AAAAAAAARKs/NlcwVucWHC4QJs20LJQYGgt_DHU-kbpsACLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_5518.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d4BWfwRPcgU/X-OqQQd3xXI/AAAAAAAARKs/NlcwVucWHC4QJs20LJQYGgt_DHU-kbpsACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5518.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I used a serpentine template to create waving frames on the lighter blocks.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BgKyGReopMM/X-OqQOJsOzI/AAAAAAAARKo/kl6WhM9Wl_wHp1C33YI2TxeN2raP3sJcgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_5519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BgKyGReopMM/X-OqQOJsOzI/AAAAAAAARKo/kl6WhM9Wl_wHp1C33YI2TxeN2raP3sJcgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5519.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2iUHirOkm4U/X-OqQhUWluI/AAAAAAAARKw/LXV6FGXzUvYJzQLS2T7aBgzAKUX5Y4JawCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_5520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2iUHirOkm4U/X-OqQhUWluI/AAAAAAAARKw/LXV6FGXzUvYJzQLS2T7aBgzAKUX5Y4JawCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5520.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>One rogue photo of a hand-guided edge-to-edge, as seen from the back. I do edge-to-edge once in a while!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ClPYeNz6h2E/X-Oqs9KffgI/AAAAAAAARLI/v6YTKm5VD6UtsM2Cef2rVgRuNBndKRgZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5509.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ClPYeNz6h2E/X-Oqs9KffgI/AAAAAAAARLI/v6YTKm5VD6UtsM2Cef2rVgRuNBndKRgZQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_5509.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This was the last quilt I did for 2020. It's a 75" custom, quilt design by Jacqueline de Jonge and made by Sarah S. The piecing is very accurate and it has a good deal of background that I had to design quilting for. I wanted to bring circle designs into the background as well as keep fills more on the modern side than purely traditional. Lastly, I always consider the piecing when choosing what to quilt. There are lots of circles and stars, so I copied this idea into the border. Two of the corners have the 8-pointed stars. It was done with 2 layers of batting and 40wt threads.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AAJeZGdKfCM/X-OVw78pRTI/AAAAAAAAREQ/o6MlCFYEvqwf6ghfTlgttqPxuQw5YsbKACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_E5681.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AAJeZGdKfCM/X-OVw78pRTI/AAAAAAAAREQ/o6MlCFYEvqwf6ghfTlgttqPxuQw5YsbKACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_E5681.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hnis3qTbqz8/X-Nz09OhBAI/AAAAAAAARBM/rveCeU1LhjYqSzmRcjKgL8vyqnkBsGm6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5684.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hnis3qTbqz8/X-Nz09OhBAI/AAAAAAAARBM/rveCeU1LhjYqSzmRcjKgL8vyqnkBsGm6gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5684.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This next one is really sideways, as I quilted it, but I suppose it probably doesn't matter.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J3IzFwcXsoc/X-Nz0DiqYOI/AAAAAAAARBI/Lv7taqSVBqIG8-TuRjPbtQUY__tmjIq_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5685.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J3IzFwcXsoc/X-Nz0DiqYOI/AAAAAAAARBI/Lv7taqSVBqIG8-TuRjPbtQUY__tmjIq_wCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_5685.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>And the back...The owner made my job tough with white background as well as backing. It shows off everything good about the quilting (as well as any flaws since I used colored threads!). I know it's sideways, but it's really pretty.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-egjX41Exa_E/X-Nz3V2bKoI/AAAAAAAARBU/A9X_CblO6xYH-d-nIGZLRxB-zwJ7Jmr4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5686.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-egjX41Exa_E/X-Nz3V2bKoI/AAAAAAAARBU/A9X_CblO6xYH-d-nIGZLRxB-zwJ7Jmr4QCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_5686.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Right after Thanksgiving, I stole a couple days to "whip" up two stockings to give to my oldest son & girlfriend. While I made the stockings my family has used the past 20 years, I always wanted something that was more "robust". I traced a template of the general stocking and went off to piece something unique.</span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NEr4pYcle6s/X-QHm_8g7_I/AAAAAAAARLg/QWoKo4nUqUs9qc83Pr9vUHGNZcOyu0kSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5548.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NEr4pYcle6s/X-QHm_8g7_I/AAAAAAAARLg/QWoKo4nUqUs9qc83Pr9vUHGNZcOyu0kSwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5548.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>They are different, one red-ish and the other green-ish. Keeping with my signature, there is a touch of silk Radiance. Who can resist the shimmer?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NT_U6v1BaS4/X-QHm_rFakI/AAAAAAAARLc/BlohbgCo6B8XIaqVGUMvY2_uh4oJ9-4mACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5552.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NT_U6v1BaS4/X-QHm_rFakI/AAAAAAAARLc/BlohbgCo6B8XIaqVGUMvY2_uh4oJ9-4mACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5552.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Quilted on my longarm with a muslin backing, then assembled on the DSM. I added a partial liner in a red/green fabric to hide the internal seams and muslin. They are finished with a few crystals for twinkle and a jingle-bell.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FsQlXS-ZTZY/X-QHopV5rOI/AAAAAAAARLo/LiutNBY6ojYxuapHbxVa73K3SFQJHJ4IwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5558.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FsQlXS-ZTZY/X-QHopV5rOI/AAAAAAAARLo/LiutNBY6ojYxuapHbxVa73K3SFQJHJ4IwCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_5558.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>A week or so ago, my daughter and I decided to make her good friend whom she hasn't seen enough this fall a similar gift (subsequentially filled). Sophie chose all fabrics and pieced the top, while I did the quilting. I tried out adding a name to the cuff. This cuff was a cotton fabric, and the embroidery was done on the longarm. Gotta say, I was quite pleased with how the name turned out.<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ORB0wGX96fA/X-QH-MdYRPI/AAAAAAAARMA/xlRxyk1fa70e97BRNAtuw9HzfWr529V7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5645.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ORB0wGX96fA/X-QH-MdYRPI/AAAAAAAARMA/xlRxyk1fa70e97BRNAtuw9HzfWr529V7QCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_5645.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">When I unexpectedly finished my last client quilt on last Friday (I really expected it'd go through the weekend when I started), I knew my last task was to make the other 4 stockings for my immediate family. These are similar to the ones I did for my son, but not identical.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Each is a different colorway, all in pretty rich jewel tones. They also have a coordinating silk Radiance that is used for the cuff and diamond accents. This was my Sunday morning...4 tops and bottoms completed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gD2LA5umdLU/X-QH9et73KI/AAAAAAAARL4/HOBhgBRJlGkL8JzvclPBNRX6WfaY7zT4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5690.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gD2LA5umdLU/X-QH9et73KI/AAAAAAAARL4/HOBhgBRJlGkL8JzvclPBNRX6WfaY7zT4ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5690.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On Sunday afternoon, I started the quilting of the backs and the cuffs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-07LUxohq58k/X-QH-KXC79I/AAAAAAAARL8/dnEVLfR-WsceutFfWu_6rIPnldtS6CcyACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5719.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-07LUxohq58k/X-QH-KXC79I/AAAAAAAARL8/dnEVLfR-WsceutFfWu_6rIPnldtS6CcyACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_5719.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The last one of the tops was done Tuesday morning. The rest of Tuesday was a flurry of assembly. Being all different colors, I changed thread colors on the DSM more times than I can count.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NoNjwc3s_V8/X-QICtOugpI/AAAAAAAARME/1IzWUCX5sX86nDTKiul2u1njw1ESLFOTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5720.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NoNjwc3s_V8/X-QICtOugpI/AAAAAAAARME/1IzWUCX5sX86nDTKiul2u1njw1ESLFOTQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5720.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The cuffs had names quilted on them in gold thread, and a gold trim accent.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7hRpBHguowA/X-QID6hQXaI/AAAAAAAARMM/xRprc4OlCrIjvmaNZAcXono7-zt7lD5NQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5725.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7hRpBHguowA/X-QID6hQXaI/AAAAAAAARMM/xRprc4OlCrIjvmaNZAcXono7-zt7lD5NQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5725.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At 5 hours each, I can hardly be a profitable stocking making business but I do like how they turned out.</div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ccbnn6FotjI/X-QIDl_ZBlI/AAAAAAAARMI/tnrpmcXlngsM_u6qo3u9NRmaLPZS4TCfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5724.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ccbnn6FotjI/X-QIDl_ZBlI/AAAAAAAARMI/tnrpmcXlngsM_u6qo3u9NRmaLPZS4TCfQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5724.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Early in the spring I was asked to do an interview with AQS. This was 8-10 weeks after we'd been in lockdown - four souls stuck in my house every day. I had no space to call my own except my basement where my studio is. I do use the word "studio" loosely. It is where my longarm is and where I sew, but normally I don't spent hour after hour down here. But because I felt I'd been completely displaced by life, this is where I hid. AND the space looked like I hid down there (as well as looking like a tornado went through there.).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YgM2oaVfz4E/X-QL3WfcNSI/AAAAAAAARNs/pMnVuwPwFnclErkUCfN-eFuM6P488JCwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4645.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YgM2oaVfz4E/X-QL3WfcNSI/AAAAAAAARNs/pMnVuwPwFnclErkUCfN-eFuM6P488JCwQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_4645.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yCcmbCwr70w/X-QL3hDGD4I/AAAAAAAARNw/c5rgExGhyZk21n446V6dPvPSw0yC8KpYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4646.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yCcmbCwr70w/X-QL3hDGD4I/AAAAAAAARNw/c5rgExGhyZk21n446V6dPvPSw0yC8KpYgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_4646.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">With about 3 weeks until I needed to do this interview (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PUXfNA2Qss">here's the interview</a> if you want to chuckle), I did a major overhauling of our basement, hauling box after box of crap up to have taken to the dump. It had just become the convenient collection point for too many unwanted things.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I also decided it was high time I culled the collection of fabric down to that which I truly expect to use. I pulled probably 30 yards and cut them into 6-1/2" squares. This box was full of squares originally.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wp8SUajUA48/X-QLY-ZaalI/AAAAAAAARM8/IbKHus5A3Dohxo7NMdowKJ5aK2siZFuEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4714.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wp8SUajUA48/X-QLY-ZaalI/AAAAAAAARM8/IbKHus5A3Dohxo7NMdowKJ5aK2siZFuEwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_4714.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And my shelves were considerably more tamed in the end.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZzQnEw49vU/X-QLYtl_cUI/AAAAAAAARM0/j3KpZmnyLmMhSK9rP5fREEJ2nwPbiM0fwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4710.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZzQnEw49vU/X-QLYtl_cUI/AAAAAAAARM0/j3KpZmnyLmMhSK9rP5fREEJ2nwPbiM0fwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_4710.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I took the squares in the box and created charity quilts that were donated to Project Linus. I have made 2 drops of quilts this fall, totalling 23 quilts. There were times I needed to piece these to feel normal again. This year took away my purpose in life. I lost much motivation to do what I love. The quilt shows where I show the custom quilts I make all shut down. Several closed their doors permanently, while others just couldnt have their annual show. For me this is an enormous inclome loss - to the tune of $40000 between the show circuit and income lost my not being able to teach. I was stressed, sad and truly wondering why I ought to make any show quilts if next year may be the same mess.</div></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7UKVfGLYFxc/X-QLjgbiXAI/AAAAAAAARNY/IQ0hsnhtHTU0251_n6k7aglZzazn13O6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4976.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7UKVfGLYFxc/X-QLjgbiXAI/AAAAAAAARNY/IQ0hsnhtHTU0251_n6k7aglZzazn13O6wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_4976.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The charity quilts were like instant gratification. I chose a pattern that could be quilted fast, showcasing the fabrics. A wonderful client sent me some backing fabric and the Project Linus local group had a free fabric day where I acquired backings for all of these tops.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tRW5US3Feeg/X-QLhxUVqGI/AAAAAAAARNQ/2XgNJgK6zwQnz01sa79_KL3XfuMxfJjZACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4919.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tRW5US3Feeg/X-QLhxUVqGI/AAAAAAAARNQ/2XgNJgK6zwQnz01sa79_KL3XfuMxfJjZACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_4919.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I have heard it all throughout this time. I had a lady email me to rant about how I had no right to complain about quilt shows not happening since people were sick and dying. I was infuriated. This is my livelihood as well as my passion. I have bills to pay and kids to feed & educate. I'm not to blame for loving what I do to survive.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qaFDhSqONo/X-QLgLg44ZI/AAAAAAAARNM/tFt1G_9F41YnT699P6hjC5ydcVPEn9S8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4892.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qaFDhSqONo/X-QLgLg44ZI/AAAAAAAARNM/tFt1G_9F41YnT699P6hjC5ydcVPEn9S8wCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_4892.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yW4Qs1UN9SQ/X-QLeqq1VjI/AAAAAAAARNI/SQVV36Tqu9o3_CSQe5Mcj0gwoy8ieBZOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4879.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yW4Qs1UN9SQ/X-QLeqq1VjI/AAAAAAAARNI/SQVV36Tqu9o3_CSQe5Mcj0gwoy8ieBZOwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_4879.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>While I have clearly continued custom quilting, the shows have dwindled to just a few online offerings. The income potential is not the same. Work flow through the spring and summer and early fall was constant. I can see a downturn in the economy right now though. Many are suffering economically and choosing to pay money for quilting or food is an easy choice.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nobody in my house is hungry or cold. My husband is still working. But this is my small business that I have spent 11 years building, and Covid has all but brought it to its knees this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Before I sign off, let me leave you hopefully with a little bit of inspiration. We are only going to get through this with some hope -- Hope that we can continue to thrive at what we love, hope that the wounds of illness & death heal, hope that I will get to hug my loved ones that I don't live with soon.</div><div><br /></div><div>Despite no obvious shows on the horizon, I did finish one quilt this year. It's name is Hungarian Rhapsody. I will probably do a dedicated post for it rather than dragging this post on into oblivion.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf59vTiSG4Y/X-QQqj5t-aI/AAAAAAAARN8/FjxXLSX86wMToxujxWK8Ue3iDPQkBeJgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/SolomonGunn_HungarianRhapsody_Flat.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2021" data-original-width="2048" height="395" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf59vTiSG4Y/X-QQqj5t-aI/AAAAAAAARN8/FjxXLSX86wMToxujxWK8Ue3iDPQkBeJgQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h395/SolomonGunn_HungarianRhapsody_Flat.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>It's all silk Radiance. It won BOS at the fall Virtual Quilt Show hosted by Gamill. Not bad for it's debut. I long for the opportunity to share it in real life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Two last projects for 2020. These havent been shared much because they are xmas gifts for people who may see them.</div><div><br /></div><div>This first is a quilt I made for my neice who is 17. She has grown to enjoy gardening so I hoped she'd appreciate the Dream Big flowers. It started with 5 or 6 of these 40" panels, mostly in blue shades except for the one red.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JFK3-hREIX4/X-QRygAO9GI/AAAAAAAAROM/DW6gHE28eVIvaV-sfrYfimKnGGLvCQYdACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4660.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JFK3-hREIX4/X-QRygAO9GI/AAAAAAAAROM/DW6gHE28eVIvaV-sfrYfimKnGGLvCQYdACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4660.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PfHtrDn9u80/X-QRzMF_JQI/AAAAAAAAROQ/prhQU_ehbe4nUJpNAVd9kOpQfU5ELGuRACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4661.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PfHtrDn9u80/X-QRzMF_JQI/AAAAAAAAROQ/prhQU_ehbe4nUJpNAVd9kOpQfU5ELGuRACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4661.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L10nTCpSZ-k/X-QRyodFguI/AAAAAAAAROI/BL12I1yN5HYnVGvPYCQxVsIoWK-R3OWuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4663.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L10nTCpSZ-k/X-QRyodFguI/AAAAAAAAROI/BL12I1yN5HYnVGvPYCQxVsIoWK-R3OWuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4663.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I cut them up, rearranged the pieced, cried & screamed a bit as I wondered how this would finish.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZorJqiS-FqI/X-QR3aE9GGI/AAAAAAAAROc/2AxTSEEtSmoWZcHs0qwzM89mg4S6pHnvwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5489.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZorJqiS-FqI/X-QR3aE9GGI/AAAAAAAAROc/2AxTSEEtSmoWZcHs0qwzM89mg4S6pHnvwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5489.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>My biggest fear was creating something that didn't carry the blue, as I think my niece appreciates blue.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xmv2S5Ys8dc/X-QR1aLPPtI/AAAAAAAAROU/pb6uc9Osp6QrETvCt78a0aKd7EIJT6EHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5490.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xmv2S5Ys8dc/X-QR1aLPPtI/AAAAAAAAROU/pb6uc9Osp6QrETvCt78a0aKd7EIJT6EHgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/IMG_5490.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In the end, I gotta say I was not thrilled. It layed on the floor a few weeks as I waffled about actually finishing it. I liked it, but I questioned if she would.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-okwpT0hU6Hw/X-QR3Jq3KhI/AAAAAAAAROY/wVi-wjTzBJw5UvXItZVaxm9lV1OqtIgNACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5491.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-okwpT0hU6Hw/X-QR3Jq3KhI/AAAAAAAAROY/wVi-wjTzBJw5UvXItZVaxm9lV1OqtIgNACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5491.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I finally quilted it with a navy minky and a pantograph. We'll find out what the verdict is in a day or so. It does not scream blue nor does it obviously convey "flower", but it's unique and was made with good intentions. For 2020 that is all I can guarantee.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVakSNgmw-k/X-QR5R_6WUI/AAAAAAAAROg/CbFQjP3qTT80fB3dWWe6e6rAp8rvZisbACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5538.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVakSNgmw-k/X-QR5R_6WUI/AAAAAAAAROg/CbFQjP3qTT80fB3dWWe6e6rAp8rvZisbACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_5538.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>The last of my projects to share is a quilt I started for my mother. I made her a <a href="https://quiltsoflove.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-quilt.html" target="_blank">quilt </a>previously - going way back to 2008. In February I spent a couple days at her house and realized it was really getting thin. At the time life seemed crazy and the notion of making another seemed daunting. Little did I know that 2020 was about to royally dump on us all. In late March, I found myself with no looming travel (when I did have 3 scheduled teaching trips within a 5 month period), and I desperately needed some kind of therapy. </div><div><br /></div><div>I dug into some of my silk scraps made for a new quilt which I won't share immediately. Suffice it to say that I hand dyed about 6-8 yards of silk Radiance in about 12 different blues for this quilt. I am not a blue person but the design needed the blues. I was left with many leftovers, as it was an applique project and a quilt for my mom was the perfect avenue on which to use these leftovers. I pawed through all of my blue scraps, which turned out not to be adequate because well, I don't use blue. As luck would have it, covid or no covid, my DSM wasn't working well and I was needing it to make masks. The machine went into the shop and I suddenly had a legit reason to shop in the quilt part of the store. About 2 dozen pieces of blue somehow came home with me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I settled on a string pieced quilt because this would use the scraps easily, and also enable me to put the silks at the center. These 9" blocks are pieced on a muslin foundation. The navy print that is on all blocks is a fabric I made simple table centerpieces (like a 20" square to put red cutout stars on) that were at my dad's memorial service. The red, white and blue were to honor his Navy service. I held onto the 15 or so of these fabrics until I knew what I wanted them for.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1OkWvETTpgc/X-Su9B5TKLI/AAAAAAAARP0/8BSZmiW4hLQ2q1FEy7CmvJMi9t507dYJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2593/IMG_E4688.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1213" data-original-width="2593" height="188" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1OkWvETTpgc/X-Su9B5TKLI/AAAAAAAARP0/8BSZmiW4hLQ2q1FEy7CmvJMi9t507dYJQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h188/IMG_E4688.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7KzOcHUV1vc/X-Ssc9zMLQI/AAAAAAAARPA/44DCuQHayhgq8ZDSl12wHRyIuMvZg3ouACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4707.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7KzOcHUV1vc/X-Ssc9zMLQI/AAAAAAAARPA/44DCuQHayhgq8ZDSl12wHRyIuMvZg3ouACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_4707.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>72 blocks were made that rainbow through the aqua to dark blues. I didn't have loads of each silk color but I had many colors.<div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SezI7PZamYU/X-Sscy3QgXI/AAAAAAAARO8/jGCQQX26HcYgpqgDxEocFu8ReOB0Ov4cACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4706.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SezI7PZamYU/X-Sscy3QgXI/AAAAAAAARO8/jGCQQX26HcYgpqgDxEocFu8ReOB0Ov4cACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_4706.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div>Blocks were pieced between early May and June. I knew they'd be sashed but I had time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Old blogger would upload the photo that I rotated in its directory not the original. I kind of hate this. turn your head sideways! I couldn't find an unquilted pic but the sashing and border I chose left me questioning whether I liked it. These are Michael Miller cotton couture solids (my favorites) but I wasn't sure if I'd messed the look of the quilt by sashing. I was kind of stuck with sashing because I was out of blue silk and didn't want to dye more.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Efk8LhZYL6c/X-StwdCtmJI/AAAAAAAARPY/-u9x7TgVzdAQBGhhwaXDBYg58fPjpgihQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5142.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Efk8LhZYL6c/X-StwdCtmJI/AAAAAAAARPY/-u9x7TgVzdAQBGhhwaXDBYg58fPjpgihQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_5142.JPG" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TAMwHm8DPxQ/X-StuzheLiI/AAAAAAAARPQ/osjX_xpEFosp-pvalGTF_mASvj4ZZLopACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5130.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TAMwHm8DPxQ/X-StuzheLiI/AAAAAAAARPQ/osjX_xpEFosp-pvalGTF_mASvj4ZZLopACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5130.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I loaded the quilt. It is double batted so it will be warm. The fact that it has a foundation makes it a bit heavier too. She may want the old quilt for the summer and this one for winter. Who doesn't love to sleep beneath weight?!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DH5jxZAjqyI/X-StvheyiwI/AAAAAAAARPU/_i2A-gHBqhYLaYyOtZdKSxdxJtbGG2v9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5132.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DH5jxZAjqyI/X-StvheyiwI/AAAAAAAARPU/_i2A-gHBqhYLaYyOtZdKSxdxJtbGG2v9wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5132.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>As I got quilting I knew I loved it. It was fun and liberating to go block by block, letting the patterns vary on everything but the silk strings. There are mathematical and geometric patterns, and there are some that are simply to hold this in place. Some strings got a stencil, others got ruler work or freehand. It is kind of like life...smaller, narrower (or ugly-fabric) strings represent the less desirable events of life, while there may be a nice fat string of a beautiful material. In the end, they all play ok together and represent something nice. The navy & white fabrics are like the glue that held all of these events together. I am hoping that she will be able to look at the symbolism of using that fabric and use this and love this quilt, rather than to cry about what is no longer.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uu6etiIGwqU/X-Su92JhqMI/AAAAAAAARP8/MZn64tUrqIkclM4M46x2bmGLp0vF7KjQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_E5146.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uu6etiIGwqU/X-Su92JhqMI/AAAAAAAARP8/MZn64tUrqIkclM4M46x2bmGLp0vF7KjQQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_E5146.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--uAFAnYIG1E/X-Su92hDxAI/AAAAAAAARP4/CuLoVrpApIgHxs36mCrRSNyFELNkMS-WwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_E5153.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--uAFAnYIG1E/X-Su92hDxAI/AAAAAAAARP4/CuLoVrpApIgHxs36mCrRSNyFELNkMS-WwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/IMG_E5153.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This was a great quilt to pull out my fills books mentioned before as well as the Narrow Borders book and search for the ideal design.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a few of the blocks...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PJ6Q76dk9VA/X-Su-whu4VI/AAAAAAAARQA/mkV8tQa3Uy0aQhsGUHFQlgNAfuob4Mj-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_E5155.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PJ6Q76dk9VA/X-Su-whu4VI/AAAAAAAARQA/mkV8tQa3Uy0aQhsGUHFQlgNAfuob4Mj-ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/IMG_E5155.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x1jeZcoXDeM/X-SwwMot-II/AAAAAAAARQ0/oYdir0ILs4gS903iyK7MiPKsojcnU4RiACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5164.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x1jeZcoXDeM/X-SwwMot-II/AAAAAAAARQ0/oYdir0ILs4gS903iyK7MiPKsojcnU4RiACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/IMG_5164.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DMcvWFCiyPo/X-SwwS5UfrI/AAAAAAAARQ8/I18ap3lrUDwemGkKmAcGnahFqHKOu30uQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5163.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DMcvWFCiyPo/X-SwwS5UfrI/AAAAAAAARQ8/I18ap3lrUDwemGkKmAcGnahFqHKOu30uQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/IMG_5163.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Who knew I had so many design ideas?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f7YNWapQNeo/X-Swxj90YdI/AAAAAAAARRA/zFQUUwfK5FYYYYXeHthqt62SH-Xds__jACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5172.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f7YNWapQNeo/X-Swxj90YdI/AAAAAAAARRA/zFQUUwfK5FYYYYXeHthqt62SH-Xds__jACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/IMG_5172.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And the borders...simpler but still pretty. The lighter border is quilted in navy thread and the navy border is quilted in royal blue thread - just so they both can show.</div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f2DR3tXkgrc/X-SwwWnAxTI/AAAAAAAARQ4/7LPxd8wYROEOfM5T9btton9QEE6LVDTWACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5147.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f2DR3tXkgrc/X-SwwWnAxTI/AAAAAAAARQ4/7LPxd8wYROEOfM5T9btton9QEE6LVDTWACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_5147.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2mnEr4OG-Xk/X-Su_WWKovI/AAAAAAAARQE/TijPYLzLgQoOarNCVqH9bSWSgqbdh5M3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_E5169.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2mnEr4OG-Xk/X-Su_WWKovI/AAAAAAAARQE/TijPYLzLgQoOarNCVqH9bSWSgqbdh5M3wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/IMG_E5169.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Hopefully when it is received tomorrow, I'll have good news to report. It's been a long fall/winter for my mom. It will be very nice when the vaccines reach us and she can be comfortably around people again.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you are missing my show quilts, here is an interview I did with Lisa Walton in April I believe. She asks lots of questions about my Value of Violet quilt. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPrdohKvdvQ</div><div><br /></div><div>Have a good holiday and stay safe. 2021 will bring better times, As a small business owner this has been immensely challenging and frustrating to watch a business I spent 11 years building struggle. So all you quilters out there, keep making tops. Folks like me need your business now more than ever!</div><div><br /></div><div>Take care, friends.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wvr94PZyBfY/X-Swaj3HEmI/AAAAAAAARQk/SKhhnBx2AlElBhAow1wO8Ly4M766aytLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5147.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wvr94PZyBfY/X-Swaj3HEmI/AAAAAAAARQk/SKhhnBx2AlElBhAow1wO8Ly4M766aytLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5147.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-976tWGiQrVc/X-SwXdUU8II/AAAAAAAARQg/h5WLgdAkAT8nvLRM1qh1vEp6yGI_h8QBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5161.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-976tWGiQrVc/X-SwXdUU8II/AAAAAAAARQg/h5WLgdAkAT8nvLRM1qh1vEp6yGI_h8QBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5161.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VuJmDpUosq4/X-SwXfSGHMI/AAAAAAAARQc/BcAYW2XoedgxFp6KJizg28Ti6w92rL1PwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5156.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VuJmDpUosq4/X-SwXfSGHMI/AAAAAAAARQc/BcAYW2XoedgxFp6KJizg28Ti6w92rL1PwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5156.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-56791467737418724942020-05-25T06:18:00.001-07:002020-05-25T06:18:14.726-07:00May Already?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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I suppose that title should read "Almost June?"</div>
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Yes, I am a slacking blogger. I do have a few custom client quilts to share, but just have not taken the time to sit at my computer to post. This is one I finished a couple weeks ago for Jackie Kunkel. It is her Desert Blooms batik line. The design is particularly edgy and linear and I found that oddly challenging to come up with a quilting plan. Somehow in the discussions with her, she said maybe we could not have feathers on this one, and that request threw me for a loop. Feathers have a nice nonlinearness to them which help to soften linear designs.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ttP0DeLHLaU/XsvCTg6vXwI/AAAAAAAAQ4U/YLbaHInbGpQwBJRmoQReMkYzDQkz9wr3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_4524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ttP0DeLHLaU/XsvCTg6vXwI/AAAAAAAAQ4U/YLbaHInbGpQwBJRmoQReMkYzDQkz9wr3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_4524.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
On to Plan B. I didn't really have a Plan B though.One thing I did do on the quilt though is use colored threads. They are subtle - a soft gray and a lavender. It is also double batted so that the texture shows well.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-96C76fXDxgQ/XsvCTI9qiwI/AAAAAAAAQ4M/ddFV6ghUOOEO025wEnh00UL8yFqjuDBagCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_4525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-96C76fXDxgQ/XsvCTI9qiwI/AAAAAAAAQ4M/ddFV6ghUOOEO025wEnh00UL8yFqjuDBagCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_4525.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
There's a combination of fills, frames and other things. In the end, I just had to put a "motif" (we wont call it a feather) that would help to soften the lines of the pattern. I used what I call fish-spine feathers. They are edgy and don't exactly read as a feather, but the benefit is the curved secondary patterns that result from the spines. You could say that the quilt broke me and I had to quilt feathers.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7i8lFc97PrI/XsvCTQKjlUI/AAAAAAAAQ4Q/ahhEgbwTavwYbstOlDzU5BH9xUdDIvWwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_4526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7i8lFc97PrI/XsvCTQKjlUI/AAAAAAAAQ4Q/ahhEgbwTavwYbstOlDzU5BH9xUdDIvWwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_4526.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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There's a variety of small patterns on the borders, faux borders and sashings -- all intended to bring a textural component to the quilt.<br />
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I'll post more of the recent quilted goodness soon, but let me make you aware of another online learning opportunity. I have created a second online video class. The first one on grid-based fills ran this month and I am delighted to have had 75 students sign up for it. With no quilt show or locale to teach in person in sight, I have created another online class. I'd love if you'd take a look and consider taking it from me. If not, kindly share this information because others might be interested. Right now, word of mouth is the only way of disseminating this information.</div>
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Details about the class as well as enrollment are done through my <a href="https://www.mainelyquiltsoflove.com/main/classes/dense-dainty-freehand-fills-online-class/">website here</a>. You can also watch a short trailer about how the class will run, when it begins, etc.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-16260684769613500312020-04-17T05:38:00.002-07:002020-04-18T07:34:10.418-07:00Online Learning Opportunity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am happy to announce my first online video class. It is called Beautiful Backgrounds and is all about grid-based designs. Details and enrollment for the class is on my website MainelyQuiltsofLove.com, just click the "classes" tab". If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjVizGompR8/XpmjSU6OgZI/AAAAAAAAQ3g/JJPy7Ya1Rq0VtslcAZMnSwnma8fAYGT0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/grids-ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjVizGompR8/XpmjSU6OgZI/AAAAAAAAQ3g/JJPy7Ya1Rq0VtslcAZMnSwnma8fAYGT0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/grids-ad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
If you are interested, let me explain the signup process. First enrollment is done through my website MainelyQuiltsofLove.com. Look under the"classes" tab, and signup. This 3-1/2hour class is $75 and begins on May 1st, but this is all explained on the website.<br />
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AFTER enrolling on the website, then go to facebook. Yes, you need an account even if you don't use facebook. Search for the group "Beautiful Backgrounds GridBased fills". Some have noted that searching words "Beautiful Backgrounds" or "GridBased fills" locates the group. Then hit the request membership to group button. I will approve the membership when I can match a person who has enrolled to the same name in the requested membership list. I hope this makes sense.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-67348850197548729202020-03-16T12:46:00.001-07:002020-03-16T12:46:47.464-07:00Lost IdentityThese days are surreal -- like nothing I could have ever imagined would be happening. A month ago I was oblivious to the immense change that our lives would be enduring. Scientists had to have known that coronavirus was going to affect many people hugely, but the magnitude to which it has is almost unfathomable.<br />
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Not even a month ago, my quilt The Value of Violet won top prize at the AQS Daytona show. This is a freaking huge award too -- to the tune of $10000. If that's not enough, my other quilt that was at that show also won one of the bigger prizes. Sadly, life at home has been such that I just cannot bolt off to every quilt show I want to attend, even if affordability is not an issue. I was sad and mopey because I just wanted to be there.<br />
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Within a week, I had made airline reservations to go to the Lancaster show. I wasn't going to wait and see how my quilts did; that really did not matter. I just wanted to go. Flying is easy as it is a short direct flight and then a short drive from Phili. The cost was about the same as driving the 8-9hr trip because it cut out 2 additional nights in a hotel. Seriously, when I booked reservations on March 1st, I had no clue what was about to happen. I knew that it might come to travel not being recommended. It just never occurred to me that AQS would be forced to cancel the show.<br />
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That news came 4 days ago, and it was hard to swallow. It came the day following when I heard that the Dallas Quilt show cancelled. It's a minor show on the circuit, but one that I had 2 quilts, both with ribbons. Cancelled quilt shows represents lost income to folks like me who make and show them as a living.<br />
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Not all who show quilts admit that it is part of their livelihood. It has taken nearly a decade for that to be the case. Some shows don't yield ribbons and checks, while some produce nice paydays. There's no way I can say with certainty how my quilts will do because you never know who is judging or who has sent in a fantastic quilt. On average, though, I know that my workmanship and style are rewarded at many shows. Is this an income that somebody 10-15 years from retirement can hang their hat on? Heck no, BUT combined with teaching opportunities and client quilting and my books, things are fine.<br />
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The writing on the wall, though, did not end with these 2 shows canceling. The gigantic wildcard was what was MQX going to do? In the last several days to week, it was becoming painfully obvious. The news was covering closures everywhere. My kids' schools closed on the weekend through the end of the month. When recommendations to not hold events with over 250 people are being made, that just about says it all. In the end, the CDC announced yesterday that gatherings of over 50 people should be avoided.<br />
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Hearing that MQX would not happen this year is like a dagger to my heart. I have gone to this show since 2010. If you count the 3 years I went to MQX Midwest, this would have been my 14th time attending and my 9th time teaching there. It is as close to a home show as they get. THIS is the show that I mistakenly entered in 2010 (the person recommending I enter really said "MQS"), and the show that spawned all of my love and interest in making/competing show quilts. I cannot even comprehend if it does not happen next year. I was supposed to teach there next month. I guess it's a good thing I did so well at Daytona because I will definitely be missing that paycheck.<br />
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So as I sit here, with my kids sequestered at home we are all feeling a bit hum drum. It's not really like they are on vacation because they cannot have friends over. Tomorrow the schools should be forwarding work instructions for how they are not going to completely backtrack educationally with this required home stay. I love having them close, yet I feel stir crazy and lost. Everything I do, every quilt I design or make has a goal in mind -- to be the best I can make so that it hopefully catches the judges attention. I make them to share with other aspiring quilters, to motivate and to inspire them. Yes...to TEACH them. Then that little birdie pops into view mumbling "why?...what's the point? there is no show" Oh my goodness, there has to be another show. The cancellations of MQX and AQS cannot result in the end of these companies. They put on fantastic shows and have been my lifeblood.<br />
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This disease is serious. I hope not to have to endure it along with everything it is robbing me of. Right now though I just want the old me back. The me of today is depressed and sad and really missing how things used to be. I'm sure there are others of you feeling the very same sentiment.<br />
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Be safe, all. Heed the warnings. If this passes, I will be at the AQS Charleston show in late September.<br />
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Here's a sneak peek at something coming down the pike (please take your fingers off the "copy" button as I don't want this shared yet).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-57971497597950353332020-02-28T12:55:00.000-08:002020-03-01T18:03:06.688-08:00Belladonic Haze<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What is a Belladonic Haze?</div>
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First, it is my newest 2020 show quilt. Some say that it is a plant that contains toxins that can cause hallucinations. Reality is, the phrase comes from a 1973 Queen song. As I go through this post, you will see why the name is relevant to me.</div>
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So here she is, all 75" of her. This quilt was started in the spring of 2018. It is my third carpenter's star quilt (go back and search for Zen Garden and Illuminations for the other two similar yet very different versions of this design). It is definitely a modernized take on this fairly traditional lone star variation.</div>
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Some years/months ago, I posted some of the <a href="https://quiltsoflove.blogspot.com/2018/01/in-design-mode.html">early variations</a> I had when the design was in its infancy. I played with what to do in the setting squares as well as the colors of the pieced diamonds.<br />
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It seems for quite a while I was playing with a leaf thought for the setting squares. I clearly hadn't pulled the fabrics that would be used either.<br />
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I even pondered this interesting wrought iron notion. I went so far as to draw it out on the pen tablet and have a piece of fabric printed at Spoonflower to see if I liked it. Somehow it seemed like cheating, so it was abandoned. There was just no way I was going to applique that wrought iron. These colors are fairly representative of the actual quilt though.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BDGq7oSfe3w/XkSv1sP121I/AAAAAAAAQu0/76RCS4scKGcSqy0nRbB0IbgycSxeUl-9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/star2018-31.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1595" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BDGq7oSfe3w/XkSv1sP121I/AAAAAAAAQu0/76RCS4scKGcSqy0nRbB0IbgycSxeUl-9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/star2018-31.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And here is the one I went with (EQ rendition). EQ does a great job creating a realistic model of what the actual quilt will be.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cc-iVisgveE/XkU5XHuwRUI/AAAAAAAAQyI/7tUODu0nkAskfRzsAnuB-A4XyUJrF-ByQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/this%2Bis%2Bit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1579" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cc-iVisgveE/XkU5XHuwRUI/AAAAAAAAQyI/7tUODu0nkAskfRzsAnuB-A4XyUJrF-ByQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/this%2Bis%2Bit.JPG" width="393" /></a></div>
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About then, I was turned on to the wildly creative paint dot mosaics of Elspeth McLean. Appliquing black bias vine seemed crazy, but appliquing thousands of dots was much more up my alley. Go figure...</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jMXXMdYdOYA/XkSwHAlkgcI/AAAAAAAAQvM/Z9uO00ysaC0gorZRseMg2PEvdlmz7qYhACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/28685592_1910694365655188_6128398099183304704_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jMXXMdYdOYA/XkSwHAlkgcI/AAAAAAAAQvM/Z9uO00ysaC0gorZRseMg2PEvdlmz7qYhACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/28685592_1910694365655188_6128398099183304704_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You already know I'm a bit off my rocker! I was intrigued and inspired, and the quilt took off.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWIePm6V034/XkSwHAfZWhI/AAAAAAAAQvQ/OmIvEoyTGk4oygPqzddUVhSXTH-5aWm7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/28685967_1912603552130936_3805162667149099008_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="960" height="380" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWIePm6V034/XkSwHAfZWhI/AAAAAAAAQvQ/OmIvEoyTGk4oygPqzddUVhSXTH-5aWm7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/28685967_1912603552130936_3805162667149099008_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I pulled lots of stash fabrics in my "go-to" colors. I also had Debra Linker dye me some most awesome peach silk Radiance in several shades. I began with the pieced diamonds. While they are strip-pieced, they are anything but fast. I am careful to match intersections. These were done in the early spring of 2018.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1doOT8VEd5I/XkVEueBmlQI/AAAAAAAAQzY/Fx1fmm6mDgIO1WouMFSq5D4r0gkglp6ZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1doOT8VEd5I/XkVEueBmlQI/AAAAAAAAQzY/Fx1fmm6mDgIO1WouMFSq5D4r0gkglp6ZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1099.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Fabrics in the diamonds are mostly cottons, but there are a few silks thrown in for that contrast in texture.<br />
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Throughout the spring and summer (and probably fall!), I hand appliqued the setting squares - 24 in all. This pattern with 46 turned edge dots was made 8 times. It has 14 different color silk Radiance dots. When I was making them, I tried to keep track of how long each took. That was 45000 brain cells ago, though, and I have long forgotten! Best guess, from the cutting of fabrics to turning the edges to the hand stitching, each block takes around 8 hours. Probably more.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PtFXrVbnc84/XkSwHSv99uI/AAAAAAAAQvU/CFfH5afyQ1QG0wsXhkqjHIcfr-XmsqPgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_4497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PtFXrVbnc84/XkSwHSv99uI/AAAAAAAAQvU/CFfH5afyQ1QG0wsXhkqjHIcfr-XmsqPgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_4497.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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The circles were initially pin set in place, then glued, then basted. I'm picky and don't like to applique around 50 pins. They just get in the way. This is a nice taupe Radiance that I hoarded 4-6 yards of when Radiance first went discontinued. It makes a nice neutral background for all this color.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9HaxoGNZLic/XkSwQufUrdI/AAAAAAAAQvc/z3f3YJS9qPs3H2fmEID9SDJLRAkgK2yuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_4536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9HaxoGNZLic/XkSwQufUrdI/AAAAAAAAQvc/z3f3YJS9qPs3H2fmEID9SDJLRAkgK2yuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_4536.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The second tier of setting squares is similar but different. It may look a bit weird from the squares below, but when they are all on the carpenters star, the pattern is obvious. It was a ridiculous assembly line of dots. All in all I made about 1300 dots for this quilt.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oTA5lrQQZWA/XkSwQ1vlQoI/AAAAAAAAQvg/gfWt9Atd_7s4f3udveci4a8zRpVmQH17ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oTA5lrQQZWA/XkSwQ1vlQoI/AAAAAAAAQvg/gfWt9Atd_7s4f3udveci4a8zRpVmQH17ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0564.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
I am most adamant about certain colors - notably blue and brown. These are just not in my wheel house. They are not colors I relate to whatsoever. That said, I just could not find a good neutral for the background of this quilt - one that let all the colors pop, and one that coordinated with the silvery-taupe silk. Brown is a hard color to work with because you have to work to get the quilting to show. Furthermore, it's just blah. Brown...like mud. I knew I had my work cut out to make this something that I would like. I kept telling myself that the star and the silk were the show, the brown is just supporting cast. To this day, I'm fully sure I agree.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QnJpK4cioSs/XkSwjpGCSqI/AAAAAAAAQwE/LMEDeBuRef4dqSk7rT13rztZC_K5UYkmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QnJpK4cioSs/XkSwjpGCSqI/AAAAAAAAQwE/LMEDeBuRef4dqSk7rT13rztZC_K5UYkmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1100.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The finished flimsy dates to about February 2019. I remember one day thinking that the brown background needed a little "more". That was the day I began cutting another 150 or so of those burgundy silk circles that scallop around the outermost parts of the star. After 1200, what's another 150?!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tv_tJgprXkw/XkSxQj-QK6I/AAAAAAAAQxI/xgvAurzWe6szG21-N8Vuid5BHzwAq5eewCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_E2203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tv_tJgprXkw/XkSxQj-QK6I/AAAAAAAAQxI/xgvAurzWe6szG21-N8Vuid5BHzwAq5eewCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_E2203.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
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The piecing was not without its issues. Most quilts fall into this category though. The center where the 8 diamond sections came together was a "full D-cup" as we say. Flat?...neh. I steamed the heck out of it and made it better. In the end, a pretty dark green silk circle was appliqued at the quilt's center, and the offending poof was cut away. Nothing is perfect and this was far from the only blemish the top had.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4KRcRcXDBag/XkSwQ9VPb4I/AAAAAAAAQvk/1XEZD9yLjmMajiAxdnrl5VJer9G5Mm0MACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2029%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4KRcRcXDBag/XkSwQ9VPb4I/AAAAAAAAQvk/1XEZD9yLjmMajiAxdnrl5VJer9G5Mm0MACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2029%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The quilt is loaded with just a layer of batting and no backing. It is fully basted and marked. Message to self: On subsequent quilts, only mark the trapunto. Mark the remainder of the quilting after the trapunto is cutaway!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e31mowu3E70/XkU5qRx6DqI/AAAAAAAAQyQ/9Diqaq51jQcImZI_PKyTT2xfED9DWAIHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e31mowu3E70/XkU5qRx6DqI/AAAAAAAAQyQ/9Diqaq51jQcImZI_PKyTT2xfED9DWAIHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2552.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I decided I'd do a little cutaway trapunto on this quilt. I'm not really sure why as it is kind of a pain in the rump and it's not without risk. I was trying to get some color/interest onto the brown background. Places I did trapunto are shown in white below (that is the back of the quilt top and the white is just batting).<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-70VKBA7oDnk/XkSwitSyAJI/AAAAAAAAQwA/uyF23kkIbQwYtYR1nYcoF_KimAtdmHilwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-70VKBA7oDnk/XkSwitSyAJI/AAAAAAAAQwA/uyF23kkIbQwYtYR1nYcoF_KimAtdmHilwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2524.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
So, you need a little background about things before I get much further on the quilting description. The piecing of the quilt was during a relatively typical time for me, but when it came to starting the quilting last winter, life was a total mess. My dad had been in and out of the hospital in the late fall of 2018. On new year's day 2019, he went into the hospital again and was there for 3 months until he died. It was stressful and hectic, and I was not in a particularly creative niche at all. To compound this, my oldest kid was all over the map too in terms of getting into trouble at school, being suspended, skipping, etc. I was taxed and stressed to about the limit of what I wanted to endure.<br />
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This is the time I realized I needed a coping mechanism for myself or I was going to be in the loony bin fast. I found myself going back to music I loved when I was a teen. Those of you who know me don't even need to guess who it is. I am about the biggest Queen fan I know. I had their music on vinyl way back when, but failed to replace all of my records with CDs when turntables were out of vogue. Last winter I did, though, and it was like an old love was in my ears again. The music dragged me through the days I didn't fully know how to get through on my own. It helped me to want to quilt again, inspirationally. It took me to what was the funnest, most carefree time in my life. I won't go so far as to say I want to be a teenager again, but I remember the dear friends I had and how mostly life was just happy. And the 1982 Queen concert I snuck to without permission is high on my list of great life moments.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_yryuMZm0is/XkSwjtKjmxI/AAAAAAAAQwI/RP0MLIQ5pgAm5jYsVEBwrgEKdDXOHzHOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_yryuMZm0is/XkSwjtKjmxI/AAAAAAAAQwI/RP0MLIQ5pgAm5jYsVEBwrgEKdDXOHzHOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2548.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
While the quilt is this explosion of color, I wanted to add my subtle homage to the inspiration that actually got me to finish it. I quilted the song titles of 36 Queen songs into the outermost border of the quilt. This is done in a blue thread, and is not "in your face" strange or anything. Or if people think that it is, get over it. This is my quilt and I can quilt whatever I want on it. You can sort of see the stitching below. I used a 40 wt thread and went over it 3 times. With 15 studio albums of song titles, I first chose my favorites, then the ones that best filled the available space.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-XS5KMRbIY/XkS6z4gReiI/AAAAAAAAQxU/KeHbaDAquMIHGYRH-oLPljt6Bs7KI9QWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-XS5KMRbIY/XkS6z4gReiI/AAAAAAAAQxU/KeHbaDAquMIHGYRH-oLPljt6Bs7KI9QWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3959.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It seems I have only a few photos of the edge of the quilt. This shows a bit of the text. Two photos back shows how I transferred the lettering to the quilt using Saral transfer paper. I did this erroneously before the trapunto was quilted and I discovered that the markings were fading much more quickly than desired so the first pass of quilting on the lettering was done with a fine brown thread, just to mark them. I went back later with the blue thread and darkened them up. Oh, the things you learn.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2XZQuDjbyhk/XkUzM94yuuI/AAAAAAAAQxg/-cocUd9LTAs2ZWMZ1r2kHsOxHdAdNMR0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2XZQuDjbyhk/XkUzM94yuuI/AAAAAAAAQxg/-cocUd9LTAs2ZWMZ1r2kHsOxHdAdNMR0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2876.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Fat Bottomed Girls</i>...(one title of many from the songs I love)</div>
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The picture above shows this fun filler I put in the background. It is super time consuming, but so different so I had to do it. I teach this in my Grid-based quilting classes because it is really not that hard. If you can quilt a pumpkin seed with curves, then imagine replacing the curve with the "elbow". Now, rather than a straight x-y grid, use a hex grid!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zFAToByx9Tc/XkU33RBvszI/AAAAAAAAQx8/Gzy9n5QBlgA-lc2Em9Sxnrr31YRh4SisgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zFAToByx9Tc/XkU33RBvszI/AAAAAAAAQx8/Gzy9n5QBlgA-lc2Em9Sxnrr31YRh4SisgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3977.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is a closeup of the petal shapes I placed throughout the brown background. The finer thread was done with the trapunto. After it was cutaway and the other battings and backing were loaded, the petal was outline stitched again with a heavy metallic thread Razzle Dazzle. As an aside, this is done with the thread in the bobbin and the quilt loaded upside down. The photo is also completely out of order of when it was done since the rest of the quilting would have been done when I got to the bobbin-work quilting!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CmjLS8mxrrU/XkSw02-t3LI/AAAAAAAAQwY/tewcCa1aX0AG7TfZ7JjN3hw1mJ2x55oyACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CmjLS8mxrrU/XkSw02-t3LI/AAAAAAAAQwY/tewcCa1aX0AG7TfZ7JjN3hw1mJ2x55oyACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2802.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Another thing I added at the end was a little hand painting. Even with a heavy colored thread, only so much of the design shows on the brown batik fabric.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1vbSxkh8j78/XkSw2c5fUjI/AAAAAAAAQwg/a0VML1gA3js1AXXc8_k1RkgWb69jTlU8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1vbSxkh8j78/XkSw2c5fUjI/AAAAAAAAQwg/a0VML1gA3js1AXXc8_k1RkgWb69jTlU8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2803.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I mixed up a green-yellow that coordinated with the applique dots and carefully painted the frame around the trapunto arch as well as the points on the crown. It only seemed fitting that if the quilting was Queen-inspired that the quilt have some homage to this. Call me crazy.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NaKH6H79ijE/XkU1DTEuqnI/AAAAAAAAQxs/h4DA1cr6R98LXB6QN0097qPWPSRWNEO9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NaKH6H79ijE/XkU1DTEuqnI/AAAAAAAAQxs/h4DA1cr6R98LXB6QN0097qPWPSRWNEO9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3365.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I used that same star-filler that takes the hex grid again in the little arching space, this time using a lavender thread. Repeat, Resize, Reuse. The feathers on these blocks are some of my favorites. I call them my Spread Your Wings feathers. And yes, that is a Queen song - one with lyric "Spread your wings and fly away, fly away, far away" was trying its best to take me somewhere other than where I was.</div>
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It is always so glorious how feathers can create movement and secondary patterns, especially when there are 16 of these blocks encircling the quilt. These are completely freehand quilted, with only the spines marked to keep them similar from block to block.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_4d3n9E-Q8/XkU6GcZIeLI/AAAAAAAAQyY/hEC_di2GDPw6VViMY0rmjwavi_yUI6rqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_4d3n9E-Q8/XkU6GcZIeLI/AAAAAAAAQyY/hEC_di2GDPw6VViMY0rmjwavi_yUI6rqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2625.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Here's the center of the quilt. I chose to ignore the diamond piecing and create a lovely overlay design.</div>
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And, after the crosshatch went in...The texture is coming along. It is always tricky with printed fabrics to get the texture to show. Patterns must be deliberate. It helps to use simple geometries, and to enhance frames to a wider width or to use multiple frames.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHu6zsnCvL0/XkU6auP6gYI/AAAAAAAAQyo/sDnWwMN2V1o-qlFnE2FN9__fOi7gOZCSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHu6zsnCvL0/XkU6auP6gYI/AAAAAAAAQyo/sDnWwMN2V1o-qlFnE2FN9__fOi7gOZCSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2632.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here is a sequence of pictures showing how this star filler is stitched (and another location I used it). First the grid is quilted out. Notice the hexagons or equilateral triangles.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0DZ-mlDXNb0/XkU7Vzo1nyI/AAAAAAAAQy4/sMx9829UaOA6sRdTyH1cmT4nPV4n4qYeACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0DZ-mlDXNb0/XkU7Vzo1nyI/AAAAAAAAQy4/sMx9829UaOA6sRdTyH1cmT4nPV4n4qYeACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2729.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Then I go back and add the detail fill creating the stars. This is quilted with Superior MicroQuilter 100wt polyester thread. Normally I use silk but there was not a well-matched silk thread for this color fabric. The feathers on these 8 inner blocks are different from the outer ones, but they still complement them. By virtue of how the dots were arranged they just could not be exactly the same.<br />
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I chose a brown sateen for the backing. It indeed makes a lovely two-sided quilt, showing off the quilting very nicely. Why make the judges struggle in finding the mistakes...LOL!<br />
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<br />
So back to the name... Belladonic Haze<br />
<br />
It dates back to what was probably Queen's first "hit" (Keep Yourself Alive) from their 1973 and 1st album. Truth be told, this album did not really launch the band. That didn't come for a while until they released Killer Queen some 18 months later. This song got more airplay then than it did at its initial release. Never the less, as a consummate Queen fan, I love to listen to the progression of their music from this first very rough and raw album to the later songs of the late 1980s and early 1990's. It has the energy I know from Queen, and a message I like. My life felt like the hallucinogenic version of a belladonic haze for the better part of 2019, as though an uncontrolled bomb went off in my mind (and the look of the quilt kind of carried that thought!).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I was told a million times of all the troubles in my way</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"></span></i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;">Mind you grow a little wiser, little better every day</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"></span></i></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;">But if I crossed a million rivers and I rode a million miles</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Then I'd still be where I started, bread and butter for a smile</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Well I sold a million mirrors in a shop in Alley Way</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
But I never saw my face in any window any day</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Now they say your folks are telling you to be a superstar</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
But I tell you just be satisfied and stay right where you are</div>
</span></i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"></span></i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;">[Chorus]</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"></span></i></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;">Keep yourself alive (Yeah)</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Keep yourself alive (Ooh)</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
It'll take you all your time and your money</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
But honey, you'll survive</div>
</span></i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"></span></i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;">[Verse 2]</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"></span></i></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;">Well I've loved a million women in a belladonic haze</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
And I ate a million dinners brought to me on silver trays</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Give me everything I need to feed my body and my soul</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
And I'll grow a little bigger, maybe that can be my goal</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
I was told a million times of all the people in my way</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
How I had to keep on trying and get better every day</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
But if I crossed a million rivers, and I rode a million miles</div>
</span></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Then I'd still be where I started, same as when I started</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'll leave you with a shot of the label. For anybody questioning it, yes I made a boo-boo and had to repair the top of the label. When I reprinted the label, the color and size were both different. I didn't feel like hand stitching an entire new label on it. I have my limits, and this quilt pushed me to several of them.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-djHy3mBRvVg/XkU_J-iToYI/AAAAAAAAQzI/p_MaU_NkEa0a8vpRtvVPRVgUeCMtre38wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-djHy3mBRvVg/XkU_J-iToYI/AAAAAAAAQzI/p_MaU_NkEa0a8vpRtvVPRVgUeCMtre38wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3964.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The quilt is different, it has symbolism and it has personal meaning. To anybody that doesn't get it, you don't have to. It means something to me and that is all that matters.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8045nmcpGnQ/XkU_JxAPQ9I/AAAAAAAAQzE/9gNk8n1Kbscq0G2aRrpgrJFU8Zh7m9M8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8045nmcpGnQ/XkU_JxAPQ9I/AAAAAAAAQzE/9gNk8n1Kbscq0G2aRrpgrJFU8Zh7m9M8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3965.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
I created the sleeve with Photoshop and printed it and the label at Spoonflower. It has the titles of many Queen songs, as well as sections of lyrics that resonate with me. I leave you with a couple shots from their concert last summer in Boston. There's no Freddie as there was when I saw them in 1982, but they are so incredible still, even in their 70's.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCJ4lWRQc_I/XkloRuBvccI/AAAAAAAAQzk/eTRJTDQe-lAJ2eOMwXr6dhLvIhHgWLfKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCJ4lWRQc_I/XkloRuBvccI/AAAAAAAAQzk/eTRJTDQe-lAJ2eOMwXr6dhLvIhHgWLfKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3152.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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While these pics are not the clearest (quilt is hanging in a location with lots of natural light making the photo appear hazy), here is Belladonic Haze at her debut show, MidAtlantic Quilt Festival. She hangs with a most joyous 3rd place ribbon too!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NYFiVCFO1OM/XllLwjnnnrI/AAAAAAAAQ1M/2m4QNCjDb0YIZc6LV-r8LFsOSUyBN7sBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/88177456_10215705877826021_1056743352759746560_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="539" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NYFiVCFO1OM/XllLwjnnnrI/AAAAAAAAQ1M/2m4QNCjDb0YIZc6LV-r8LFsOSUyBN7sBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/88177456_10215705877826021_1056743352759746560_o.jpg" width="223" /></a> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MU2kwdNMf7o/XllLwka6W6I/AAAAAAAAQ1I/WgWmjn1AHXEpOgDyql_baznEF7tQENMugCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/88194315_10215705878746044_4794453103258632192_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="539" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MU2kwdNMf7o/XllLwka6W6I/AAAAAAAAQ1I/WgWmjn1AHXEpOgDyql_baznEF7tQENMugCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/88194315_10215705878746044_4794453103258632192_o.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-27384657566964475952020-02-18T14:10:00.000-08:002020-02-18T14:10:07.545-08:00Forgotten post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm not sure how this beauty missed being posted but better late than never. These are great applique and pieced blocks in bold, modern fabrics. The solid yellow background gave me a nice place to put some quilting that could show because the blocks themselves don't have that much room.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I5_Ordm6KWk/Xkxd-Y3LZmI/AAAAAAAAQ0A/SS1hVGb5JC08q86zMybEZne8dFnbwEpZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I5_Ordm6KWk/Xkxd-Y3LZmI/AAAAAAAAQ0A/SS1hVGb5JC08q86zMybEZne8dFnbwEpZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3613.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I know that this quilt is double batted with wool and cotton 80/20, and I think that the thread used on the background is a gold 40wt poly. I outlined the piecing and applique too, most likely in a clear thread. Somehow, the pertinent details escape me after 2+ months time.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uIRvJ1EO2gE/Xkxd-7Er-lI/AAAAAAAAQ0E/gJP2Mo17JEEcS1cgU_PgD-3pB_D77HNRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uIRvJ1EO2gE/Xkxd-7Er-lI/AAAAAAAAQ0E/gJP2Mo17JEEcS1cgU_PgD-3pB_D77HNRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3614.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
I'll leave the photos to do the work. Beautiful fussy-cutting on this block.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dwK6Ldn7k7E/Xkxd_dNuuQI/AAAAAAAAQ0I/pIsm8FPNL-4kGcVXibhP9cdIqVc79F_1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dwK6Ldn7k7E/Xkxd_dNuuQI/AAAAAAAAQ0I/pIsm8FPNL-4kGcVXibhP9cdIqVc79F_1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3615.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Who doesn't love a nice pointy star in purple?!...<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rbM9uP7p3xg/Xkxd__XjQvI/AAAAAAAAQ0M/vUUcNBSfpQsKr81KGkl23i3uxMleoMUAACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rbM9uP7p3xg/Xkxd__XjQvI/AAAAAAAAQ0M/vUUcNBSfpQsKr81KGkl23i3uxMleoMUAACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3616.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Feathers frame the setting triangles and help to frame the quilt.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sob2TOk68hQ/XkxeAzYXCBI/AAAAAAAAQ0U/umTToPi94YYcJQTOGKI1Xj1k_X1vN9OhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sob2TOk68hQ/XkxeAzYXCBI/AAAAAAAAQ0U/umTToPi94YYcJQTOGKI1Xj1k_X1vN9OhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3621.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love to sneak in a traditional element like the feathered wreath on what would be a very traditional quilt, if not for the bold, modern fabrics. It's just the playful juxtaposition I appreciate.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6y6eu3BxR8/XkxfspBi-VI/AAAAAAAAQ00/qr6OYhC3oIcd3iDyhJygeLNBtx06VOwuACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6y6eu3BxR8/XkxfspBi-VI/AAAAAAAAQ00/qr6OYhC3oIcd3iDyhJygeLNBtx06VOwuACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3623.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The backing is a solid-ish fabric and shows all the quilting so well.</div>
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No shortage of texture here!<br />
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Go and enjoy yourselves a little February snowstorm Misery loves company, ya know!<br />
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PS...I'm not in Florida this year. Sigh...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-66227378032301507812020-02-09T14:27:00.001-08:002020-02-09T14:27:03.421-08:00January's Escape<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Somehow, it is already February. My last post was in December. It's feels like its been ages since December. Life has not been kind. My trouble-maker kid managed to get himself suspended the week just before Christmas break and then again as soon as school started in January. I thought I was going to bang my head on a brick wall. Oh wait, I think I did. You think oh, it's no big deal having a teen home when you work from home, but trust me...not nearly enough work got done! Lucky for me (if you want to call it lucky), I had my next show quilt just loaded on the longarm when the sh&t hit the fan, so it was only my quilt that took forever and had to suffer the delays of life. After 2 weeks of working on it, it's off and we are trying to settle back in to a schedule that is "normal".</div>
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The first 3 quilts shown all came to me from the same client. They were on the machine about 2 weeks, so you can imagine I was ready to get them off and get paid! I love doing multiple client quilts but more often several are sent at once, but completed over the course of several months. Not this case. This is a Kim McLean Flower Garden (or something like that - honestly, they all look the same to me anyway). It has LOTS of turned edge applique. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4z07fvGE04/XkCBvIUA7lI/AAAAAAAAQtg/fG5hPzGxOAQACYlcHnfNZ1TFqSbo6MaXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4z07fvGE04/XkCBvIUA7lI/AAAAAAAAQtg/fG5hPzGxOAQACYlcHnfNZ1TFqSbo6MaXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3889.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The quilt is double batted and stitched with mostly Superior's Magnaquilter (100wt ) thread. It is very fine and sinks into the background nicely. It allows you to backtrack several times without it showing.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jyofqUkLe9s/XkCBvFAEfBI/AAAAAAAAQtc/CU5myMFwV_gc6AVqDymHURlZhFwiGCINwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jyofqUkLe9s/XkCBvFAEfBI/AAAAAAAAQtc/CU5myMFwV_gc6AVqDymHURlZhFwiGCINwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3894.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
The appliques on this quilt are huge - way too big to leave as is. So...most all of them needed finish quilting on top of them. I think I used 10 different colors of 40wt thread to do this.<br />
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The border is a bit fun with these meandering feathers that wind around the circles. It actually is a mostly continuous motif.<br />
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Quilt Number 2 was a fun edge to edge. Boy, do I like E2Es sometimes. I don't get that many of them but many quilts really are lousy candidates for custom quilting. This one is a classic perfect quilt for an E2E.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sBD5BOwzk9Q/XkCBwF4Au9I/AAAAAAAAQts/PCLfRTHxL5gbIPknnSUgoT4xi8ZlPSLQACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sBD5BOwzk9Q/XkCBwF4Au9I/AAAAAAAAQts/PCLfRTHxL5gbIPknnSUgoT4xi8ZlPSLQACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3901.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Last quilt is another Dream Big flower panel. I have done lots of these in the last 12-18 months, but this is my first in the green colorway! It is double-batted and stitched in 4 colors of Glide-like thread (shiny 40wt). Its a good top to play with fun feather and fill patterns from my books.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_mbFS6goQ8/XkCBwR0qqOI/AAAAAAAAQtw/fKxZT1j7s68cd1ahkvGwEN0st0x0pxPrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_mbFS6goQ8/XkCBwR0qqOI/AAAAAAAAQtw/fKxZT1j7s68cd1ahkvGwEN0st0x0pxPrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3913.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Just look at that awesome texture!<br />
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Here's my first February finish. It will be heading home to NJ tomorrow. I think you will be able to see it at the Vermont Quilt show in June. It is also double-batted, a common trend amongst show quilters or custom quilts.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rxempMjdhAM/XkCBxFoPZiI/AAAAAAAAQt4/Cm7ZoWXYn8cBdLpFOI_a6leqD9gzrgYnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rxempMjdhAM/XkCBxFoPZiI/AAAAAAAAQt4/Cm7ZoWXYn8cBdLpFOI_a6leqD9gzrgYnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3946.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Her applique is fused using Sue Nichols' method, and then blanket stitched around very cleanly. Because the centers of the appliques are cut free of the fusible, they tend to poof better than if not cutaway. Unfortunately I still encountered needle gumming issues with the fusible so I limited the quilting on the appliques to only SID. It still looks really nice.<br />
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The center combines some graceful and symmetrical feathers with a little crosshatching and lots of pebbles. This is done in a gold 40wt thread. All of the quilting is in this same thread.<br />
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I created a circular set of frames around the outer blocks to create a secondary pattern. There really is not much extra space on this quilt for doing much. The applique is really the star.<br />
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Sometimes the morning light comes in just so to illuminate the quilt beautifully.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-80053080172190827832019-12-30T06:06:00.001-08:002019-12-30T06:06:55.793-08:00Holiday Quilts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Contrary to the post title, these are not Christmassy quilts, but rather ones given as gifts. In early November, in classic-late form, I decided that my boys needed new bed quilts. Since my daughter has been sewing, she has made herself 2 that fit her bed, on top of the one I made her 10 years ago. My boys have not had new quilts made in over 10 years. I can date it because I did not quilt either of them, and I have been long arming slightly over 10 years. </div>
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The main goal was that they were easy enough that I would actually finish them, and suitable for an E2E quilting. There wasn't time for custom, besides I wanted a fleecy or minky backing which really doesn't need overquilting.</div>
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Here are the 2 patterns I came up with. They use many of the same fabrics, but the second also used lots of my scraps. These are my EQ renditions. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zAuKqt9RYWM/Xgn-1SqSABI/AAAAAAAAQsE/CITdIrkO_WQZccWEQNT4zlWwLOhs8iF-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/newquilt1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zAuKqt9RYWM/Xgn-1SqSABI/AAAAAAAAQsE/CITdIrkO_WQZccWEQNT4zlWwLOhs8iF-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/newquilt1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My 17 yr old has a queen sized bed, so it did not call for microscopic piecing. When I shopped for the fabric, I did not envision the orange/red taking over the quilt as much as it did, but that is life. I should have used more greenish greens rather than the yellowy green.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qv-mIC9R3W8/XgoAfVnGPaI/AAAAAAAAQsY/XHt4PK_cDzwz2RM7DFcAG84XECGEccD6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qv-mIC9R3W8/XgoAfVnGPaI/AAAAAAAAQsY/XHt4PK_cDzwz2RM7DFcAG84XECGEccD6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3557.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
It's quilted in a black thread, and has black fleece I bought back last winter for a whopping $1 a yard! My hope was that the black Omni thread would taint the quilt darker.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ck12LPCJd0w/XgoAfUmJhNI/AAAAAAAAQsc/NGRt9ayatnQBSFfftr30PJiGLVyLG3kYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ck12LPCJd0w/XgoAfUmJhNI/AAAAAAAAQsc/NGRt9ayatnQBSFfftr30PJiGLVyLG3kYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3559.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
His walls are a nice peacock blue, which does match one of the blue stripes in the quilt. In hindsight, I should have used more blue shades I think.<br />
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The other quilt is only for a twin bed, thankfully! I have done this pattern previously. It is a tad finicky because it requires partial seams for each block, but these blocks piece quickly. The gray matches his curtains, and the pale blue is the color of the walls.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e6EVE61dV64/XgoAve_tevI/AAAAAAAAQss/dqW5VAD81usXOUEiDAe6gAYzJFOvBlboQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e6EVE61dV64/XgoAve_tevI/AAAAAAAAQss/dqW5VAD81usXOUEiDAe6gAYzJFOvBlboQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3575.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Initially I really wanted to use that 6-sided star pantograph, but the thread broke early in on my first pass, and I realized how hard the straight lines were to do well when they show as much as they do on the solid fabric. I quickly ripped it out and switched to the curves. This Orange Peel pattern quilts up fast and looks good. The back is a lush silver minky.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qUDSENLKj40/XgoAvdgSwHI/AAAAAAAAQs0/VkhqLnoWSOwcuY2B28MhvFHenmP5eXMdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qUDSENLKj40/XgoAvdgSwHI/AAAAAAAAQs0/VkhqLnoWSOwcuY2B28MhvFHenmP5eXMdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3580.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Both quilts were bound on the machine. It's far from my forte, but considerably faster than doing it by hand. With black binding fabric, all the wobbles barely show anyway.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSdri14pyMg/XgoAvXZsXsI/AAAAAAAAQsw/qEXhmE6cct0pNgWike_WJRIx2WjiCrCrQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSdri14pyMg/XgoAvXZsXsI/AAAAAAAAQsw/qEXhmE6cct0pNgWike_WJRIx2WjiCrCrQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3583.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Here's the back...<br />
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And, another happy customer.<br />
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And one last E2E from December (same pattern as the first quilt shown). This is a top my mom made for somebody. It also has a soft fleece backing which shows off the pattern nicely.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tT8t79MrLMw/XgoA7Mu7jkI/AAAAAAAAQtE/n3kNce98xoIw1Z7R360Ea790SZkscqurwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tT8t79MrLMw/XgoA7Mu7jkI/AAAAAAAAQtE/n3kNce98xoIw1Z7R360Ea790SZkscqurwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3628.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I just finished a gorgeous Sue Garman Ruffled Roses that I will share next post. I'm about to start my own personal show quilt, so I may not have pics of a client quilt for a few weeks. Have a great end to 2019-Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-79608207770425485162019-12-04T08:41:00.002-08:002019-12-04T08:41:32.404-08:00Late Fall CatchUp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Time flies, so they say, whey you are busy doing other things. Or when other things manage to consume your usual overflowing energy. I was looking back over some photos and realized that I have several quilts not blogged about.</div>
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This is called The Blue Collection by Maggie Walker. I have quilted at least 2 of these previously, and this one was just as pretty, and just as beautifully made.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sjdCGQorXv8/XeehGp6R9KI/AAAAAAAAQpg/tKBNBMGJukErYZbAtK7RE4VFX7iLAGm3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sjdCGQorXv8/XeehGp6R9KI/AAAAAAAAQpg/tKBNBMGJukErYZbAtK7RE4VFX7iLAGm3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3465.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
It takes what feels like that proverbial lifetime to outline quilt all of the appliques and frames/borders, then the the fun quilting can begin. If you are thinking that the appliques look extra poofy, it is because this is double batted with Hobbs 80/20 and wool. It is a great combination for the applique quilts or for any show quilt.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jM8hOMZgS10/XeehHKuWoQI/AAAAAAAAQpo/xyo_ouPnCnQsu6gd6Vemmxij0FDgVVsigCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jM8hOMZgS10/XeehHKuWoQI/AAAAAAAAQpo/xyo_ouPnCnQsu6gd6Vemmxij0FDgVVsigCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3466.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The background quilting is not the star of the quilt, but I still want it to look attractive. It needs to be dense so that the appliques pop.<br />
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There is also detail quilting added to most of the vases, as they are large appliques -- too large to just leave unquilted. It would not wear well with time to not quilt on them. Plus, it provides a place to further define the shape or style of the vase.<br />
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Here's a cute wallhanging. It's bright and colorful, and somewhat modern. For some reason, the modern quilts just paralyze my natural creative tendencies. It sat on my machine for several days. I almost removed it because I just couldn't agree with my head on what to do.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdmqf6-wng4/XeehVZDaGII/AAAAAAAAQpw/MqKp_WPQzEIpRPqeF_1o40VQwwNE6R_XwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1320" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdmqf6-wng4/XeehVZDaGII/AAAAAAAAQpw/MqKp_WPQzEIpRPqeF_1o40VQwwNE6R_XwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3508.jpg" width="330" /></a></div>
Then I went into the studio, and just said "Go with your first instinct". It is rarely all that wrong. And this is what I did. Mostly I just wanted some texture. Lots of texture.<br />
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The quilting on the feathers is done in a bold black thread. It unifies all of the feathers together.<br />
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Here is a peek at the backside.<br />
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My last quilt to share is the final one sent to me by Erin. Remember a purple Nearly Insane from 1-2 months ago?...this is her handiwork. She does beautiful piecing. This one I saved for last because I knew it had that massive blank space in the center. That takes both courage and planning...LOL!<br />
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It turned out beautifully with a combination of crosshatching, feathers and linework.<br />
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The one thing I will say is that I quilted this (the white parts) with an Omni thread. I chose this because it is rather traditional, and this thread more resembles a cotton than most I use. NEVER again, though!! It drove me nuts with lint and linty clumps. It works fine for an edge to edge, but this level of custom took nearly a dozen bobbins.<br />
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It's hard to tell but this is a log cabin quilt, with a medallion center.<br />
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Quilts like this that quilt down the diagonal really take a LOT of hours. There is a TON of rolling the quilt back and forth and stop and start. Beginners likely don't realize how much time that can consume.<br />
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The swirly fill was chosen because these red fabrics were fairly printed AND because the seams were all pressed out, not leaving a ditch. Had the piecing have pressed to the side, I'd have done a template based line pattern there instead.<br />
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Oh, so pretty...Hopefully I can see this one bound and laying pretty on a bed.<br />
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And one last backside for the road...<br />
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See you next time I have pretties to share.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-18990639420347595712019-10-25T09:32:00.001-07:002019-10-25T09:32:56.034-07:00Creative Quilting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Buckle down, this post is a long one. My kids don't have school today and I truly have nothing better to do (LOL)! I am sure that you have seen these gorgeous Dream Big panels all over blogland and facebookland over the past couple of years. They have been mighty popular, and with good reason. They are extremely attractive. It is the brain-child of designer and photographer-extraordinaire <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jeaniesa">Jeanie Sumrall-Ajero</a>. The design was recently featured by Meg Cox in her <a href="https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Quilt-Journalist-Tells-All-for-October--2019.html?soid=1104232497756&aid=wIh7KKYnyZs&fbclid=IwAR0o25bGeHvJlEwCy_K5Y2D9Orm0dAAhXD8ql6UZdg-4oEK5Bom04SM6EUc">quilting newsletter</a>, with a photo featured of a Dream Big that I quilted some time ago. I was interviewed by Mex a couple weeks ago about the panel, as I have done many of these since it came out in late 2017. My first few were used as teaching sample quilts, but many clients derived from those. It is in essence a whole cloth quilt, but one that involves hardly any planning, and much more fun! </div>
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This is the first Dream Big I did, early in March of 2018. The intent was to capture as many of the fills I had put in two of my 2017 self-published books (<b>Dense & Dainty</b> and <b>Beautiful Backgrounds, grid-based fills</b>) into one sample that I could in turn use as I taught these classes. These two books feature WAY more designs than I could ever put on just one of these panels, but it gave a varied flavor of the range of designs a quilter could learn from the books. </div>
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In this post, I'm sharing my tips for quilting this 44" panel including threads, batting, order of stitching, etc. Hopefully it will be enough to get you over your initial fear, and ordering your panel.<br />
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The designs on this panel range from simple and conservative to ones with a more modern flair. There are geometric options as well as ones that rely on a premarked grid, thereby making them very symmetrical. As I said in my <b>Beautiful Background</b>s book, the main reason I love grid-based fills as much as I do is because they are so structured, giving freehand quilters such as myself the ability to create designs that can take on the appearance that they were generated with a computerized longarm (which I do not have).<br />
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I have sold thousands of books to quilters around the world. I have also taught these fills classes for 4 years now at many locations. They are unique and different, not the typical designs frequently seen. While I don't mind if you imitate the patterns and learn them for your own personal use, please don't take them to teach with :-)<br />
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I like to take a simple shape and show ways that this can be varied. Below there are a couple of heart (or are they feather?!?) fills. One of them comes from my <b>Narrow Borders</b> books, as it is quilted in rows. Applying a fill that is in rows or columns as a background fill is a run use of a design. The pattern is also used as a groundcover-style fill, quilting it smaller and in rows that follow the shape of the petal. It's the same basic shape in both petals, but they create a different look.<br />
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Fun patterns to create with grids...puzzle-pieces as well as orange peels.<br />
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Shortly after the pink Dream Big was finished with fills, I quilted this orange one. It is such a very pretty orange in real life. This panel has as many of the feather designs that I could fit on it's 30+ petals, all of which originate from my<b> Fearless Feathers</b> book. Like fills, the number of different feathers are innumerable, but I did attempt to include as many as possible. What I will say about every one of the Dream Big panels I have done is that a fill is not repeated on a given panel! I dig deep into my vast arsenal of patterns to make every petal different.<br />
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The feather panel is wildly creative. Feathers vary again from very traditional to modern and avant-garde. Some designs are more organic, while others might be suitable on a Christmas quilt. That is what I strive for precisely. Placing feathers that are dissimilar beside one another makes the viewer's eye roam across that quilt rather than just standing still. You immediately recognize that they are different.<br />
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I have feathers of all shapes, some using the Formal feather backtracking method and others that use the Longarm feather stitching method. Quilters should learn both because it widens the field of possible designs that can be quilted.<br />
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Seriously...who doesn't just LOVE feathers?!?<br />
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Combining feathers with areas of crosshatching, whether straight or curved, creates a lovely diversion for the eyes.<br />
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<b>Fearless Feathers</b> illustrates all of the many styles of feather fronds shown in these photos as well as the wide variety of spines to choose from. Creating texture with feathers need not be boring, ever!<br />
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As I share my photos of other Dream Big panels I have done for clients, I will share other insights and questions I have received from quilters over the last 2+ years about the quilting of the panels.</div>
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They are only 44" square, assuming you don't enlarge with borders, so quite suitable for both long arm quilters as well as domestic machine quilters. What I find best, because of they design is to initiate the quilting at the flower's center. The petals all radiate outward. Similarly, the colors graduate outward too, so when thread changes are necessary it helps to be quilting all petals of a desired color. Where am I going with this...Begin the project by basting (1/2 to 1" stitch) a 4"x 4" grid across the entire flower. This is dense enough to stabilize the piece, while allowing you to start at the center.</div>
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Always, Always ALWAYS (not trying to be over-emphatic) remove the basting stitches (top and bobbin) in the area that you are going to quilt, leaving them in the surrounding petals, as shown below. Often dense fills are placed in the petals, making removal of basting stitches a bit of a beastly exercise if they are removed later. I tell students that if they enjoy and appreciate removing small stitches with tweasers, then leave the basting in. If not (and typically they all agree they are in this camp), then remove basting initially. We all do it wrong once, but rarely twice :-)</div>
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When you start this quilt at the center, much of the middle can be quilted without rolling the quilt OR without changing thread color. I often fill the flower's center with a patch of pebbles before echoing the shape of the innermost small petals. Add veins to the small petals if you like. I have done them both ways.</div>
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While I absolutely love the coloration of this aqua flower, it is one of the harder to quilt if you like to mark (which I do). The white marking chalk only shows in the outermost areas, and the blue water-soluble pens hardly show at all. I resorted to the purple air erasable pens when I needed to mark.<br />
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What do you mark?...Sometimes I mark parts of the petals before they are outlined. This is because there are locations on petals that seem to blend into the next petal. When the longarm/hopping foot is on top of petals, visibility is further reduced. Marking is not a crutch; it helps improve the quality of what is being quilted. Some of the designs require a grid or lined separations. The usual Pounce chalk only shows on the darker areas of the panels, making marking with one type of pen necessary. My rule of thumb is that if I can eye-ball it without marking, I will, but if not then mark. Marking is always easier than removing stitches.<br />
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Architectural patterns like the bricks stitch more reliably if the tiers are marked.<br />
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Every one of the Dream Big panels I have done has been double batted. I routinely encounter quilters that have never used more than one batting. The best suggestion I can give as rationale for why to double batt is this. Do you love and appreciate the texture of the designs? Then add a second batting. My go-to bottom layer is Hobbs 80/20 (unless a client supplies or request something different). The top or second layer is a wool. I use either Hobbs Tuscany wool or Quilter's Dream wool, though there are a couple others also available. The cotton batting gives the quilt weight and structure, while the wool provides the loft. Wool batting does not have memory. By this statement I mean this - When cotton is compressed, flattened, folded, etc it has memory in that the creases remain. Quilts from 50-100 years ago had cotton batting, and they are flatter than flat now. They have been permanently compressed. Wool does not have the memory. It is often used in applique quilts because it will retain its poof, thereby keeping the appliques lofty. Wool is a very lightweight batting in comparison to the cotton. A double batted quilt with significant quilting, as these panels have, is still a rather thin quilt. It is slightly thicker than a single-batted quilt, but because it's destined to be a wall decoration who cares?! Double-batting also makes attaining good tension that much simpler.<br />
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I got to do an orange flower for a client last year. It was quilted mostly with fills. I did throw in a few feathers on some petals though.</div>
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The more I look through these old photos of the fills quilted, the more the patterns seem to run together. Just when you think that all fills are the same, I see a design I had not yet used. That just shows how much variety there really is in quilting!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rvhVMqlLTxM/XbMImtMoZlI/AAAAAAAAQlU/vuXqj58ESCweyuF6THCNpxzbh95uoG7NwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1299e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rvhVMqlLTxM/XbMImtMoZlI/AAAAAAAAQlU/vuXqj58ESCweyuF6THCNpxzbh95uoG7NwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1299e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I love how that bamboo pattern elongates the petal. Certain designs as well as certain orientations of patterns do that.<br />
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Here's a colorway I just love. The center radiates from the purple. It's particularly challenging to mark, but stunning to look at. It's done with feathers and fills both. One thing to note is that many of the fills can be rather time-consuming. The feathers, on the other hand, tend to be where I make up time on a quilt.</div>
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There are a few different designs on this quilt. I have had the intent of writing a follow-up book to the two fills books, but time and life always have gotten in the way! Someday...</div>
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Lots of modern here...That is not my usual inclination, but it juxtaposes the flower nicely.<br />
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The purple client quilt was particularly daunting initially because the client sent a very solid lavender backing fabric. In the end, though, it was just gorgeous because all what the front of the quilt hid for quilting, the back clearly showed!</div>
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Another pink quilt, this time it was for a client.</div>
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Most of my Dream Big quilts were quilted with about 4-5 colors of thread. I change color as the fabric color graduates from lighter to darker. I will often use a color that shows slightly on the fabric too. The background of this fabric has an inherent texture to it, so if you try to perfectly match the thread to the cloth, it is extremely challenging to see what you are doing.</div>
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I prefer to use 40wt thread on these too. It's the heaviest thread I routinely run on my long arm. Threads finer than this tend to blend away to nothing, making the effort you give to quilting these patterns useless as they won't be visible. While on a particularly different quilt some of the patterns make great backfills which could just blend into the background, this is not a place where having them blend away is desired.<br />
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(I love this photo...swoon!) The viney petal and the apple core design are pleasantly different.<br />
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There are a multitude of 40wt threads on the market ranging from cotton to polyester. My Go-to threads include Glide, YLI Polished Poly and Superior's Magnifico. They all quilt fairly compatibly, and they are all very close to the same thickness (yes, friends, all 40wt threads will not feel or tension identically), so they tension similarly. I happen to have some colors in one type of thread, and others in the others, so I mix and match brand as needed to get the desired color. In the bobbin, I best-color-match with Superior's Bottomline bobbins. These are 60wt because I prefer a finer thread on the backside.<br />
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If you have looked at enough of these photos, you notice that there are a number of ways that the petals can be framed out. The more elaborate the frame, the more prominence you will bring to the petal. What I teach in classes is this. A single line of stitching is useless. It cannot show whatsoever. Two lines of quilting separated by at least 1/4" will show, only minimally. If you truly want prominence, Make your raised channel (the distance between the stitched lines 3/8" to 1/2", OR make it two or more raised channels. Some of the petals have raised channels, and then areas where a channel has been filled with such things as pebbles, ribbon candy or zig-zags, etc. Have fun with it. Larger petals obviously can house more "stuff" and details. Sometimes more details were reserved for my personal Dream Big panels, where time and money were not issues.<br />
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Here are the last couple of these flower panels for this post. They do start to get redundant (he he) after a while. I did want readers to get a sense of the many colors they come in and the multitude of unique patterns you can quilt on them.</div>
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This one and the next were both done for my client Teddie. One is her's and the other was a gift. Both are this blue.</div>
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It is a stunning, almost glowing flower. But...remember what I said about marking? This particular panel's colors negate use of the blue and purple pens. Chalk is about the only tool I could use. In the end, that is not a huge sacrifice, but it can drive you towards using different fills that rely less on marking.<br />
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I like to use Pounce to premark grids, which works well on this color...but not so well on the pastels.<br />
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One of these panels was modified to have a couple of borders to help frame the flower. It was a very pretty effect. This quilt also had a solid backing to show the lovely patterns.<br />
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As I am coming up with designs, I think about broad categorizations like things that are architectural (fences, bricks, gears, etc) or things that are organic (wind, water, flowers, etc) or motifs that can be quilted in linear channels. There are a near infinite number of possibilities, but it helps me to create lists of ideas to explore within each subcategory. Within gears, there are a number of ways to quilt a gear (rounded teeth, pointy teeth, etc).<br />
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Where can you get this panel?...<br />
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There are probably lots of places. I'd search first with a google search for "Hoffman Dream Big". Last year I entered photos of one of mine that a quilt shop was hosting. It actually won their contest (and I won something like 5 more panels!). This shop is <a href="https://myfavoritequiltstore.com/collections/hoffman-dream-big-fabric-panel-collection">My Favorite Quilt Store</a>. A quick search revealed many, many other places too, probably even your local store. What I cannot say is whether Hoffman is bringing out any new colorways after quilt market this week or not. Either way, there are at least a couple dozen colors to choose from.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PsPF6TYGJ1M/XbMQArSFvOI/AAAAAAAAQoA/9w8beM9ObuAuDhUXHPnqHyYE79_qSl_jwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_E2091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PsPF6TYGJ1M/XbMQArSFvOI/AAAAAAAAQoA/9w8beM9ObuAuDhUXHPnqHyYE79_qSl_jwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_E2091.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mTKDn7VN-Z4/XbMQGNSkx0I/AAAAAAAAQoM/VP8x38gWlvEFv7MEwCgJML0BcO0iuv0fQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_E2095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mTKDn7VN-Z4/XbMQGNSkx0I/AAAAAAAAQoM/VP8x38gWlvEFv7MEwCgJML0BcO0iuv0fQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_E2095.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you have any questions about these panels that I didn't answer, please either post your question or shoot me an email. If you do post a question, make sure that a contact email is included if you desire a reply. Many bloggers seem to still be "blogger no-reply" so I never can share the answer to their question.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dU_xuenvPKo/XbMQJ-ftoUI/AAAAAAAAQoY/Mn1TIOF3flUuf_bw4I1L3gbzkwWVZcxnACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_E2654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1573" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dU_xuenvPKo/XbMQJ-ftoUI/AAAAAAAAQoY/Mn1TIOF3flUuf_bw4I1L3gbzkwWVZcxnACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_E2654.JPG" width="392" /></a></div>
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To all of you who love to repin photos to Pinterest, all of the ones in this post are fair to post. I am happy to have them out there if you choose to pin them.</div>
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The last thing I will leave you with is where you can get your copy of my books, should you like full instructions on nearly every pattern shown on the petals of this post. The are sold exclusively on my website <a href="http://mainelyquiltsoflove.com/">MainelyQuiltsofLove.com</a>. The two green books are the "fills" books, and the others are Fearless Feathers and Narrow Border Big Design. For those that purchase the full set, I will discount the purchase 10% until next Friday (discount taken in Paypal by me, refunded to you when I print the label).</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RfRxq9XlhEI/XbMUGV-BrRI/AAAAAAAAQo8/Zfo4Wm2ITrw9nm16tO-UIgSwDv8dREgAACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RfRxq9XlhEI/XbMUGV-BrRI/AAAAAAAAQo8/Zfo4Wm2ITrw9nm16tO-UIgSwDv8dREgAACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3480.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
All four books are anywhere from 90-99 pages, full color with over 100 photos and illustrations per book. Designs are described, shown with a quilted sample and a color-coded numbered illustration.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tneGZI6IHZ8/XbMUOhnzaBI/AAAAAAAAQpA/Tg1itPJtoEQ8CoD3jjkXsmhkfKk776PtQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tneGZI6IHZ8/XbMUOhnzaBI/AAAAAAAAQpA/Tg1itPJtoEQ8CoD3jjkXsmhkfKk776PtQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3478.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Quilt on, and feel free to share your Dream Big with me!</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-59905159899210656692019-10-16T13:37:00.002-07:002019-10-16T13:37:36.388-07:00May I Please Have your AttentionI've been looking at Pinterest for inspiration today. Unfortunately, it has mostly made my blood boil at the number of pictures that I know have been pirated directly from this blog. I'm not going to waste my time to list the names of people that I know have taken images, but you know who you are.<br />
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Please note that there is a copyright at the right (have a look please). All I ask is that you contact me, and ask before copying my posted photos. I happily share my quilting and techniques. I rarely tell people no when they ask to use a photo for something. I ask one thing in return - be honest. If it's not your's or you have not asked for permission to share it, then leave it.<br />
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Thank you.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-27530481423531616032019-10-14T10:05:00.000-07:002019-10-14T10:05:34.800-07:00Quilting On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I just finished 3 quilts for a client. These are going to be gifts for her grown children. I don't work with quilts made from novelty prints often, but I gotta assume that at least one of her sons likes hockey. She moved from Las Vegas recently (hence the Vegas border fabric). Both boy quilts are identical in design, just with different fabrics.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SWrKQvu1EYQ/XaSZcZolGtI/AAAAAAAAQgw/CXg0BS3TDscZ9i9JuoJp2rOB8uYrMvBzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SWrKQvu1EYQ/XaSZcZolGtI/AAAAAAAAQgw/CXg0BS3TDscZ9i9JuoJp2rOB8uYrMvBzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3414.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
With the prints, it really made more sense to quilt an edge-to-edge. The client wanted them custom, so I chose simple geometric patterns for these two quilts. When a quilt has hockey puck fabric, it doesn't need feathers LOL! There are lots of linear patterns, stacked spirals in the large squares and a simple and rather edgy pattern in the tan narrow border.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pk5PRR9GXEg/XaSZcRAoJ-I/AAAAAAAAQg4/Ub5OOECpQe0-iDr-7v8dOVrSMxmY-x3dQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pk5PRR9GXEg/XaSZcRAoJ-I/AAAAAAAAQg4/Ub5OOECpQe0-iDr-7v8dOVrSMxmY-x3dQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3415.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The second quilt is in a bright gold and navy blue combo, and I chose to quilt it with gold thread.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K4J1I1F-xTU/XaSZcUdMtYI/AAAAAAAAQg0/OORxGgQPb9EU8FY52TRUyRqpOfdFmvdngCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K4J1I1F-xTU/XaSZcUdMtYI/AAAAAAAAQg0/OORxGgQPb9EU8FY52TRUyRqpOfdFmvdngCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3416.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Again, there are more linear/geometric patterns. By the way, who are the Nashville Predators?...it must be another hockey team. Pro-sports idiot that I am...<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F1rubs8ykb4/XaSZdn560EI/AAAAAAAAQg8/U-bos4U_xkAmGCqO2p5sGLh4a6SmHMVJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F1rubs8ykb4/XaSZdn560EI/AAAAAAAAQg8/U-bos4U_xkAmGCqO2p5sGLh4a6SmHMVJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3417.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is the last one and it is for her daughter. She called it Fractured, so it may actually be a pattern. I am not sure. I love how it looks. </div>
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I actually quilted it in a gold colored YLI Polished poly thread. Why gold, you ask?...well, I wanted to choose one color thread for all of it to make the quilting appear cohesive. I also wanted a color that would show up on all of the fabrics, from the beige background to the many shades of purple, blue and pink.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zUUn4rbkDd8/XaSb_N47qzI/AAAAAAAAQhY/uaznOsCz5IsYhzj9gj5y-zlmunIpOSxywCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zUUn4rbkDd8/XaSb_N47qzI/AAAAAAAAQhY/uaznOsCz5IsYhzj9gj5y-zlmunIpOSxywCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3381.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
It has a rather wide-ish neutral border. I juxtaposed the rather modern looking interior with a more traditional type of quilting. The cathedral windows and feathers are very pretty at framing the quilt.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-er2XadK5zTU/XaSb_GRRAdI/AAAAAAAAQhc/xKddb8Kqkxwj1w_JN8cEJm3BPJThmIc2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-er2XadK5zTU/XaSb_GRRAdI/AAAAAAAAQhc/xKddb8Kqkxwj1w_JN8cEJm3BPJThmIc2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3382.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Here's another look...<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t6z0zxS7vEY/XaSb-8Uv3uI/AAAAAAAAQhU/4XyN63vJcHY3U7iUbt94MwsW_Cv13fBlACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t6z0zxS7vEY/XaSb-8Uv3uI/AAAAAAAAQhU/4XyN63vJcHY3U7iUbt94MwsW_Cv13fBlACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3383.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
The continuous curve was stitched with a 4" circle template. I weighted doing a double line of quilting but decided against it. The border is what shows most; put the time into that and not the CC.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0apSg4lCjI/XaScA1DGbCI/AAAAAAAAQhg/mMDAfPMap6IUCay_bE_iEmWg5D87b9g0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0apSg4lCjI/XaScA1DGbCI/AAAAAAAAQhg/mMDAfPMap6IUCay_bE_iEmWg5D87b9g0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3384.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I've got one of Jackie Kunkel's quilts loaded next, but I'm not sure it is one I'll be able to share immediately. Soon... (I know, she always makes such pretty creations!)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-29084945242231781872019-09-28T05:39:00.000-07:002019-09-28T05:39:54.288-07:00Modernized Salinda Rupp Nearly Insane<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My client Erin made this gorgeous quilt. I think it derived from the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nearly-Insane-Liz-Lois/dp/B002875PTE">Nearly Insane</a> (for which there is a book) done originally by Salinda Rupp nearly 150 years ago. My client and a friend took many of the designs and created them into EQ so that they could be more easily created using paper piecing. I should note that this was a very wise move because these blocks are crazy complicated, and some have a total ton of pieces. Her piecing here is stupendously accurate -- just a handful of tipped points.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lynDrqAgoNI/XY9NxmOPHRI/AAAAAAAAQe8/bZiCieY8CkEkfpfUqJl3kWwCprhKWZMTACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lynDrqAgoNI/XY9NxmOPHRI/AAAAAAAAQe8/bZiCieY8CkEkfpfUqJl3kWwCprhKWZMTACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3346.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
What truly sets the quilt many steps above the original quilt is the beautiful floral sashings. You all know I am partial to purple and green anyways, but the sashings so incredibly perfect.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Rc-odWFu2s/XY9Nxio4cII/AAAAAAAAQfA/UU4w3MtGdxMwGsoWk6FUFj6rURAVox7KQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Rc-odWFu2s/XY9Nxio4cII/AAAAAAAAQfA/UU4w3MtGdxMwGsoWk6FUFj6rURAVox7KQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3347.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This quilt measures something like 90"x90", so quilting cost was an initial concern right from the beginning. One way to quilt a top like this (with 98 6" blocks!) is to put an edge to edge freehand fill in each block. This was something my client did not want. So...the next step involved a most laborious task of ditch stitching each block. I used a clear monofilament thread and was able to ditch an entire row of blocks continuously without tieing off. Kudos to the benefits of monofilament!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Loh_hkVPLrw/XY9NxoJbJJI/AAAAAAAAQfE/y9o_tc3UxdITWP1dJHf7E8q6u5oyLrGIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Loh_hkVPLrw/XY9NxoJbJJI/AAAAAAAAQfE/y9o_tc3UxdITWP1dJHf7E8q6u5oyLrGIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3348.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
After the 12+ hours of ditching was done, THEN I could get into the more decorative quilting. I sent Erin a couple prototype designs for the ivory setting triangles (below). She chose the pretty one with the arches and pebbles. It made a lovely frame around the border of the quilt.<br />
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This was my concept for the sashings. There are 224 pieces of sashing on this quilt! I knew it would be a time-consuming process to quilt them, but I also knew that they would be an integral component in the secondary patterns that the quilt would convey. I considered doing a serpentine feather, using the spine of the floral. All other options were fastly ruled out for the one below, which I used. This would hopefully create this larger look of rings on the top -- something to juxtapose the very linearness of the pieced blocks. Though the sashings took nearly 9 hours to quilt, the finished look was exactly what I was seeking.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-661X8pDkGII/XY9QE1PFMyI/AAAAAAAAQgI/hWEjbDp-7e4KPob5T5bL8dK5GzUDiGHfACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-661X8pDkGII/XY9QE1PFMyI/AAAAAAAAQgI/hWEjbDp-7e4KPob5T5bL8dK5GzUDiGHfACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3333.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The outer border has a pretty printed design. I have previously quilted a feather in the upper part of this and a linear pattern in the outermost region, but I feared this feather might compete with the feathers of the triangles so another option was selected.</div>
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It's hard to see what was done (above). Using a variegated pink/purple thread, I quilted a leafy swag down through the floral area. The ivory side received 1/4" lines, while the purple side got a beadboard on an angle. The design is simpler than the feather, and does not compete whatsoever with the triangles.</div>
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It shows much better from the backside, which is a soft lavender solid fabric.</div>
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I probably should have counted the number of pieces before I shipped it off yesterday (just for giggles & grins). You can see it had to have taken the maker nearly forever. Multiply that times two because she told me she made 2 of these quilts! I guess that makes her Totally Insane, not Nearly Insane...LOL<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gdL0vUTa2JY/XY9NyCguMII/AAAAAAAAQfI/2tkTUKrdi1YoWviRHw-vhO2Y-dyE8-YdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gdL0vUTa2JY/XY9NyCguMII/AAAAAAAAQfI/2tkTUKrdi1YoWviRHw-vhO2Y-dyE8-YdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3349.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
As I added the sashing and border quilting, it became obvious that the blocks were going to need some additional quilting beside just the SID. Some blocks with 150 pieces would be fine, but ones with 20 looked disproportionately poofy because this is double batted. Detail quilting was added in ivory, sage green and periwinkle thread. Some blocks got one color, some got more than one and some got none -- I only added when I thought they needed it. The end result is a quilt that lays much more nicely, with blocks that don't look like they were neglected.<br />
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Here's just a few more pics...<br />
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And, of course, the backside.<br />
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The circle design from the sashings shows very nicely back here.<br />
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Hope you enjoyed the pretty quilt as much as I loved quilting it.<br />
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Next week I will spend a couple days wrestling with a pain-in-the-butt binding on one of my own quilts before I load the next custom client quilt. I'm working through some of the quilts I got this summer before delving into my holiday deliveries. If you have anything you'd like an edge-to-edge on to be done before December 1st, just let me know.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-91869531050935214892019-09-12T13:04:00.002-07:002019-09-12T13:04:51.101-07:00September 12...monthly blog installmentYes, I know a month goes by in the blink of an eye, in blog-times. Plenty has happened in the last month, just mostly un-noteworthy!<br />
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I went to Grand Rapids last month for a week to teach at the AQS show. This is a fabulous show, in a great venue. I cannot say enough about the happy vibe of this city (in the summer anyways). It is right on a river, and has walking paths on both sides, with numerous bridges. It's an outdoor's-person's mecca. I taught 6 sold out classes and all went quite well. It's been an interesting few months getting back into the groove of quilting and teaching. My show in July was a good start, but Grand Rapids really got me feeling the joy again.<br />
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I had a decent show there too, with both of my entries earning blue ribbons. The first is one my my wholecloth quilts, "Persistence". It is actually a greenish color, but it looks off in photos.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qGoPCXKwuIk/XXqdlsX004I/AAAAAAAAQc0/RPvpwPeFBxsi-mfkUveU3ZoR2AHk0_xLACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qGoPCXKwuIk/XXqdlsX004I/AAAAAAAAQc0/RPvpwPeFBxsi-mfkUveU3ZoR2AHk0_xLACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3193.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This is a 71" wall quilt called "My Secret Garden". I love this quilt, and really need to get the nasty monster I am finishing done so I can work on another that I truly love.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wi5cOYeYHQI/XXqdlTVpOuI/AAAAAAAAQcw/FM5s6qQh-1M_jFXP7dV03cvOJBbWvANwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1314" data-original-width="1331" height="393" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wi5cOYeYHQI/XXqdlTVpOuI/AAAAAAAAQcw/FM5s6qQh-1M_jFXP7dV03cvOJBbWvANwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3197.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
After I returned from Grand Rapids, I had 4 days before my family went away to a house on Lake Winnepesaukee for Labor Day weekend. Oh, and I should also note, that the kids started school...this is key because quilting progress doesn't happen without it!<br />
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This lap quilt belongs to one of my local ladies, and forever friend of my mom's. She's an immaculate piecer, which makes my job easier. Batiks hide everything detail related so the center is just quilted with a freehand edge-to-edge. I put prettier feathers in the lighter setting triangles.<br />
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Last week, with it officially September, I started on a box of 3 quilts from a new client. All I really have in my stash of client quilts are custom, so there's no point putting them off!<br />
This Be Happy quilt is identical to one I did a year or so ago. The background fabric is so heavily printed to the point that nothing really would show so it's stippled, just so that the beautiful applique can pop. It has an absolute ton of applique too!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eMD9shymR0o/XXqdmjbLKlI/AAAAAAAAQdA/OcbKqJOhTxwV-V3yMnvSA9ZfmPBiyoTUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eMD9shymR0o/XXqdmjbLKlI/AAAAAAAAQdA/OcbKqJOhTxwV-V3yMnvSA9ZfmPBiyoTUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3308.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I love how the maker customized the little jar with her initials...<br />
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When fabrics are heavily printed, texture is the only tool quilters have to get things to show. I paired dense stipple beside the beadboard border and the 1/2" striping of the inner border so that these would show. The thread is just a white 40wt, probably Glide.<br />
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Here's the back, only because backings are so pretty to see.</div>
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Kendra sent another smaller quilt top, but this one seemed better fit for an edge to edge. Do I hear a great big "Yea"?? Heavily printed fabrics are pretty, but can mask quilting. 1920's reproductions are some of the hardest to get quilting to show on. This is just a simple and very appropriate design for this quilt. It will make a great lap quilt.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNfvMvd83Ns/XXqfyG44msI/AAAAAAAAQdk/tW_Un37Y71ciRxVRKaZ3-GLKxwfWxscpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNfvMvd83Ns/XXqfyG44msI/AAAAAAAAQdk/tW_Un37Y71ciRxVRKaZ3-GLKxwfWxscpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3312.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Last up is this lovely 98" bed quilt of stars. I knew with all the ivory fabric that it could be custom quilted and look great. The client agreed. A few things to note...it has a red backing so I knew from the start there would be only air-erasable marking pens. I would not risk having a red bleeder. This means that any marking has to be simple. The quilt has a single Hobbs 80/20 batting, and is quilted with both white and aqua YLI polished poly thread. I now use Wonderfil's 80 wt in the bobbin because Superior Threads no longer wants to stock neutral SuperBobs, and hasn't for many months. It's frustrating changing, and paying more to do it, but you do what you gotta do.</div>
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After quilting 2 rows of the stars, when the quilt had lifted off the floor, I discovered this...</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsnHueKNimU/XXqhNdxsSwI/AAAAAAAAQeg/L6tR8Kgtc0gAVle_Cm5yLGj0dcgstZBMwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsnHueKNimU/XXqhNdxsSwI/AAAAAAAAQeg/L6tR8Kgtc0gAVle_Cm5yLGj0dcgstZBMwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_3315.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Tell me my heart didn't nearly fall out of my chest. I contacted the owner and got her OK to do a manual fix. I wasn't going to remove the quilt from the frame to fix this on my machine and risk pleating the backing. All take-out and repair was done by hand.</div>
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Here the blocks are removed.</div>
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You can see how I just take a small running stitch to put it back together. I've done enough handwork to know that this will never fall apart.<br />
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The finished repair...When the block was up on the horizontal part of the frame, I did press the seam before quilting. The points are not perfect because a good bit of the seam allowance was fraying. Though her points are generally very good on the quilt, this is not the only location with a tipped points so I didn't fret too much.<br />
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The finished quilt is so pretty. Feathers are a great finish and create so much movement on the quilt.<br />
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The star blocks are 15" blocks, which is a good size. I always have students ask me what size machine should they buy. This is a perfect example of when a smaller longarm would have driven me crazy...With my 24" machine, the 15" blocks were about all I could manage to reach (either because of the ruler base or my short arm syndrome!).<br />
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I'm going to show how the swirly paisley sashing was quilted because I have received numerous comments on facebook about this, on this quilt as well as a few others. It's so simple, but is a more unique design than some that are used. I also quilted it in aqua thread to tie in with the outer border.<br />
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The center 5" block of the star was quilted using a stencil. These can be a great tool to use.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-soPSTjtiKfw/XXqhPRp0hrI/AAAAAAAAQeY/xbbt6DaE114mVxiKaQIvzAmfjsvFLV5qwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-soPSTjtiKfw/XXqhPRp0hrI/AAAAAAAAQeY/xbbt6DaE114mVxiKaQIvzAmfjsvFLV5qwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3323.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
One last peek...<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9s6KcO8kGhk/XXqhQFvnRZI/AAAAAAAAQec/ImQs1r-ciQsxmGWppVqRfvD1IJRGguckACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9s6KcO8kGhk/XXqhQFvnRZI/AAAAAAAAQec/ImQs1r-ciQsxmGWppVqRfvD1IJRGguckACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3324.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hopefully I won't take another month before I post again. I just loaded the most gorgeous and crazy-pieced quilt. It'll blow minds!</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-35703339979409326592019-08-12T06:06:00.000-07:002019-08-12T06:06:13.812-07:00Summer 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I knew I had procrastinated writing a post, but when I realized the last one was June, I will admit being surprised. Summer has been going ok, but I have failed to show much of anything. I will say that this summer has had much less quilted work than past summers. I have nobody but myself to blame for that. The kids have been around, and it has been harder to just sequester myself downstairs and work. I have also had more custom work, which takes longer and more concentration, etc. Somehow it just seemed easier to wait on it until September.</div>
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That said, some quilting has been done. This is for a MA client. She made this for her husband. The center square is her design and is embroidered.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhY_Nbi-Wls/XVFaFdxRa4I/AAAAAAAAQZE/i_HZbXdNVFQqm02sF-C3MVCS6W94Y0oiQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhY_Nbi-Wls/XVFaFdxRa4I/AAAAAAAAQZE/i_HZbXdNVFQqm02sF-C3MVCS6W94Y0oiQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2997.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The quilting is in a fine gray thread and just echoes the stitching.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cu02pyJgpFc/XVFaFY9fp3I/AAAAAAAAQZA/5luMOh_iah8cIUb-gCKc8V9HC2cudHv6gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cu02pyJgpFc/XVFaFY9fp3I/AAAAAAAAQZA/5luMOh_iah8cIUb-gCKc8V9HC2cudHv6gCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2998.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Because it is intended for a man, I kept the quilting more linear and masculine. Except for the center, it is quilted in burgundy thread. This is one way to keep costs down -- less thread changes.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qxUpektsrE/XVFaFYIQBuI/AAAAAAAAQZI/eetEFDNFydIVFDY-m_1HMiihr3mfLQXqQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qxUpektsrE/XVFaFYIQBuI/AAAAAAAAQZI/eetEFDNFydIVFDY-m_1HMiihr3mfLQXqQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2999.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The next quilt is a wall hanging. Erin is a client that I have quilted extensively for over the years. She sent 4 quilts, two of which are done. The next two are huge and very detailed (2 week jobs). This one was a fun piece to quilt.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-orOuMJLfkfY/XVFaF9Mq05I/AAAAAAAAQZM/Rua6wcOdrL8AtBdKu5YcOwrmWv8EyPeCACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-orOuMJLfkfY/XVFaF9Mq05I/AAAAAAAAQZM/Rua6wcOdrL8AtBdKu5YcOwrmWv8EyPeCACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
It is quilted in coordinating 40wt threads. I also double batted it since I knew the quilting would be dense. The applique is beautifully stitched by hand.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YFIUBThWsZ0/XVFaGPKGbmI/AAAAAAAAQZQ/YlXtxf-YYzwf7MLpVW3E9bZg8w3KxfHKwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YFIUBThWsZ0/XVFaGPKGbmI/AAAAAAAAQZQ/YlXtxf-YYzwf7MLpVW3E9bZg8w3KxfHKwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Some stripes for the border, and a double ribbon candy to resemble a ribbon.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oWfmDecfJMA/XVFaGqIRXrI/AAAAAAAAQZU/bd4kd1eNYSM12_nC-WamGLgX6DCXCkxGgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oWfmDecfJMA/XVFaGqIRXrI/AAAAAAAAQZU/bd4kd1eNYSM12_nC-WamGLgX6DCXCkxGgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3013.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmTZm0uFBkk/XVFaGvK_6xI/AAAAAAAAQZY/BNlMgmoxXuYyq1aMnR7FudXr7aM_pUvtwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmTZm0uFBkk/XVFaGvK_6xI/AAAAAAAAQZY/BNlMgmoxXuYyq1aMnR7FudXr7aM_pUvtwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Neutral backing fabric makes for a gorgeous back!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rd9BKrXEWr0/XVFaG-Bi_jI/AAAAAAAAQZc/-o-4QDDEk40I-Rrfs7SmUgO0GEfXrZA1ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rd9BKrXEWr0/XVFaG-Bi_jI/AAAAAAAAQZc/-o-4QDDEk40I-Rrfs7SmUgO0GEfXrZA1ACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This is Erin's other quilt. It's to hang in her daughter's room. The piece is in the vicinity of 35x45".<br />
This is also double batted.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u74aSMqF3BA/XVFaHHLotVI/AAAAAAAAQZg/XRl5csMBcvk5kwmQSU7Hgk3AadlkC58jgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1336" data-original-width="1600" height="333" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u74aSMqF3BA/XVFaHHLotVI/AAAAAAAAQZg/XRl5csMBcvk5kwmQSU7Hgk3AadlkC58jgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3082.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I love this paisley pattern in the narrow border. I have been meaning to do a tutorial on it, and it's variations. It's freehand and so easy to quilt (no markings!).<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mlz2yp65Pz0/XVFaHTb1JYI/AAAAAAAAQZk/0dUVWrxsingeTRVObWbTU4vdXT2hjJLwwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mlz2yp65Pz0/XVFaHTb1JYI/AAAAAAAAQZk/0dUVWrxsingeTRVObWbTU4vdXT2hjJLwwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3083.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Such pretty applique...<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wZMIhbZ3ULg/XVFaHuDOX2I/AAAAAAAAQZo/tw-_YfGzvmIbqeqM6N7UkL3wuEwplwy4gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wZMIhbZ3ULg/XVFaHuDOX2I/AAAAAAAAQZo/tw-_YfGzvmIbqeqM6N7UkL3wuEwplwy4gCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3084.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Her daughter's name and birth date are quilted in rose thread at the bottom. I go over the lettering 3 times to make it pronounced. These will be heading home soon.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4OWs3I_37Uc/XVFaHz3SANI/AAAAAAAAQZs/wpssvfzQFbE5pspfF_Mat6XTXGhkrHlCACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4OWs3I_37Uc/XVFaHz3SANI/AAAAAAAAQZs/wpssvfzQFbE5pspfF_Mat6XTXGhkrHlCACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3085.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
And, another neutral back with loads of texture!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pamjp7KMDX0/XVFaIFWlaSI/AAAAAAAAQZw/3c3F7vm-WmoZI337iUAEyNvUESl2t4bSgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pamjp7KMDX0/XVFaIFWlaSI/AAAAAAAAQZw/3c3F7vm-WmoZI337iUAEyNvUESl2t4bSgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3086.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I quilted this top last week. It's 70x80 or so with 30 of these embroidery blocks. This is the most intricately and beautifully stitched embroidery I have ever seen. She had to have taken forever doing it.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r4J8mEc0GP4/XVFaVbePIFI/AAAAAAAAQZ0/UCtpV-cybPALftyEKliadK8_1dp8tvTwACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r4J8mEc0GP4/XVFaVbePIFI/AAAAAAAAQZ0/UCtpV-cybPALftyEKliadK8_1dp8tvTwACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3166.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
And, after quilting...<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k0ri5F_g24A/XVFaWhOks9I/AAAAAAAAQaA/IQqHeICtndsALthd0EukXaycImJDuYg0gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k0ri5F_g24A/XVFaWhOks9I/AAAAAAAAQaA/IQqHeICtndsALthd0EukXaycImJDuYg0gCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3178.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The quilt has a single wool batting, and pretty traditional quilting. Each plain square has a free-hand quilted feathered wreath. Quilting around the wreaths is in a soft green thread. Though the photos dont show it well, these squares are a pale green Grunge fabric.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tO--eV38CKo/XVFaWhqdwyI/AAAAAAAAQaE/fnro9zsHMjsFe4PPUiwDgxjVulWuE01NQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tO--eV38CKo/XVFaWhqdwyI/AAAAAAAAQaE/fnro9zsHMjsFe4PPUiwDgxjVulWuE01NQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3180.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
The rest of the quiting on non-embroidered blocks is white Glide. The embroidered blocks are done in a basic 1" crosshatch using clear nylon thread. You just cannot avoid the embroidery; it will make the blocks look odd. I have done many of these over the years, and quilting right over it works the best way.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XmypRPIHiDk/XVFaXnmDFEI/AAAAAAAAQaI/tV-AIJns0_goVlEiibh7FHJSUkKAWiaVwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XmypRPIHiDk/XVFaXnmDFEI/AAAAAAAAQaI/tV-AIJns0_goVlEiibh7FHJSUkKAWiaVwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3184.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aE23XxtsMOE/XVFaZeX-vOI/AAAAAAAAQaU/Owkx3g4E7T4Va8Ln1suUPE6NL08Lj2UvgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aE23XxtsMOE/XVFaZeX-vOI/AAAAAAAAQaU/Owkx3g4E7T4Va8Ln1suUPE6NL08Lj2UvgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3187.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
And, you guessed it...another pretty back!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SJL2Rz2gZgI/XVFabBQbS_I/AAAAAAAAQag/cYvJq_Fr38g5PbVxvxvyjP6Z4teoMa0twCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SJL2Rz2gZgI/XVFabBQbS_I/AAAAAAAAQag/cYvJq_Fr38g5PbVxvxvyjP6Z4teoMa0twCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3189.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Here's a loon at the embroidery on one of the blocks.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-73pHK5FUUA4/XVFabC8zfyI/AAAAAAAAQak/eFHef47Bs34ABPxNE0_oKP0WS2mTzPEwACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_E3162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-73pHK5FUUA4/XVFabC8zfyI/AAAAAAAAQak/eFHef47Bs34ABPxNE0_oKP0WS2mTzPEwACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_E3162.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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So, I managed to quilt 4 quilts between late June and mid August, so what else did I do this summer?...</div>
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You mean, besides putter away my time in my garden or shuttling kids to and fro?</div>
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Well, my middle kiddo learned to sew. He made 4 quilt tops to be donated to Project Linus. I cut all hiss squares from my scraps and "encouraged"...He has to have 20 volunteer hours as graduation requirements. He'll be halfway there by Sept. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fogDP08l-pk/XVFakgHJVlI/AAAAAAAAQao/ljwt2Ldug7U9jEXnCXdCxDeooYJhD29igCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fogDP08l-pk/XVFakgHJVlI/AAAAAAAAQao/ljwt2Ldug7U9jEXnCXdCxDeooYJhD29igCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2987.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Here's one arranged on the floor...<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n0wvt8_doBM/XVFakoeqSOI/AAAAAAAAQas/kBN3N-Myf7ImE_a5a1WhWJP-fN_umZErACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n0wvt8_doBM/XVFakoeqSOI/AAAAAAAAQas/kBN3N-Myf7ImE_a5a1WhWJP-fN_umZErACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2988.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Four were quilted. I did this part, mostly because it's faster for me to do it. He has no great burning interest in learning to longarm.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FbYWWPyPDVQ/XVFbsKAuyqI/AAAAAAAAQbM/ZRBsyHFwv5IJW1ATmNpxfPhs2MwexHlrwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FbYWWPyPDVQ/XVFbsKAuyqI/AAAAAAAAQbM/ZRBsyHFwv5IJW1ATmNpxfPhs2MwexHlrwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
And here they are awaiting a binding fairy...<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqQgH31sDAg/XVFbsJjqN7I/AAAAAAAAQbQ/fNJJblHU4Kk5XVMYh7Td76S5oyxjK3D_wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqQgH31sDAg/XVFbsJjqN7I/AAAAAAAAQbQ/fNJJblHU4Kk5XVMYh7Td76S5oyxjK3D_wCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3017.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
In July, I taught at the Quilt Odyssey show in PA. I took my youngest two kids along for the ride. They hung out at the pool, played mini golf, and basically tried to stay out of trouble while I worked. We had a day before the show to go to Hershey Park.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1e04Fm2hbpY/XVFbynLFeUI/AAAAAAAAQbY/h8oqS-1B-xgNoQ-2yoeUwluOdg2XIUaeACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1e04Fm2hbpY/XVFbynLFeUI/AAAAAAAAQbY/h8oqS-1B-xgNoQ-2yoeUwluOdg2XIUaeACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3036.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Creating a new quilt has been as slow as digging a tunnel to China. I currently have the units all appliqued to put most of it together. BUT...I decided to add embroidery on the colored border pieces. It's pretty, and ties the units together nicely. Only a slight delay!<br />
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I test dyed some fabrics in hopes of creating the yellow fabric I used. I want this on the other border of this quilt. I know...I have fallen off my rocker because I hate yellow. But...it will work, I have a plan! Now I just need to actually dye the silk yardage and hope it matches the swatch!<br />
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Other summer fun...<br />
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He got a perm. Don't ask, I have no answer. He just wanted it.The 1980s have come back.<br />
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It's been warm here and we made several beach days of it. I don't need bribing to go to the beach, ever.<br />
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At the beach, everybody is content, everybody behaves, everybody finds their own fun.<br />
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A week ago, I got to relive my 16-yr old's happy place. I have been one of the biggest Queen fans over the years. When I was 16, many of us went to see them - back when Freddie was still alive. My school buddies were all over the warmup act, Billy Squier, but not me...It was all about him...That curly-headed guitarist had me 37 years ago. He's still as phenomenal as ever, and they are lucky to have a great vocalist so we can still experience them live. It was fun!</div>
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I am inching towards the finish line on next year's show quilt...It has a name and a few secrets that you will just have to wait to know. But for now...it is off the frame, trimmed and blocking, and binding, painting and embellishments are started.<br />
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Now, I am in full force mode of getting ready to go to teach next week at the AQS Grand Rapids show. Hope to see you there!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-73022201912345865072019-06-28T08:52:00.002-07:002019-06-28T08:52:41.674-07:00June Quilts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are two of the custom quilts I finished this month. They will soon be flying their way back to California.</div>
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This cutie is such a unique baby quilt, in its pink and blue. This client does tons of applique, and you know how I love to work on fun applique quilts (especially when they are simpler than the Ladies of the Sea!) It was her Ladies of the Sea quilt done a few years that spawned the interest of at least 6 others to get theirs done.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KIxgESz2JA0/XRUAKHS18AI/AAAAAAAAQX0/3M60EQH4lQQZ6Aj18wA8CSeEj5xKhTQSQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KIxgESz2JA0/XRUAKHS18AI/AAAAAAAAQX0/3M60EQH4lQQZ6Aj18wA8CSeEj5xKhTQSQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2824.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The quilt has just a single layer of wool batting and is quilted with a variety of threads. Roofs were quilted to resemble thatching or shingles. I particularly like the puffy smoke exiting the chimneys.<br />
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Cats and dogs (and maybe other critters) adorn the houses and gardens.<br />
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So fun...<br />
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There's a variety of fills and designs to give the quilt lots of texture.<br />
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The second quilt I did for her is very different in style from the first as well as from most of her other quilts that I have done. This is applique & embroidery to the max, all done on this really wild newsprint fabric.</div>
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The newsprint is a super cool and textural looking background fabric, but it poses ALL sorts of issues for the quilter, namely...what do I do to make the quilting show??<br />
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My first line of attack was to double batt the wool with a layer of 80/20. Then I had to think carefully about what fills were placed beside of each other. The picture above shows the quilting, but it also has a location with really good side light.<br />
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Here's the backside, which has a slightly less printy fabric.<br />
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The blocks received a variety of designs from crosshatching to stipple. I don't normally stipple, but seriously, it does not show at all whatever I use!<br />
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The 4 blocks were framed using my Quatrefoil template (see my website and look at the templates if you are interested in getting your own). Then each block was quilted in a way that suited the piecing or applique of the block.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PUtKmMD7q5Q/XRUALrmfM1I/AAAAAAAAQYE/jB2vvHdAX5Y3E0oJUAhD8HWkXMs-KetIwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PUtKmMD7q5Q/XRUALrmfM1I/AAAAAAAAQYE/jB2vvHdAX5Y3E0oJUAhD8HWkXMs-KetIwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2843.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I carried a small bit of x-hatching to the top of this one, as space allowed, but the rest is just stippled.<br />
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Another side view shows the pretty texture.<br />
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Have a nice 4th week-Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-80423919404831142202019-06-11T12:23:00.000-07:002019-06-11T12:23:00.179-07:00California Bound<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not me, unfortunately! I'm due to go somewhere, but my summer adventures are not that adventurous. These client quilts are trekking their way back to their Napa owner, as I type this. She has been a client of mine for many years, and always sends beautifully made, creative work. It's a joy to quilt them. This post has several quilts shown, because you know I have been very negligent in posting. The list of excuses for why is exhaustive. And boring.</div>
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This first quilt gets the "most creative use for yo-yo's". These are Dresden plates, with yo-yo's appliqued around the center opening. The fabrics are mostly reproduction.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FDlWEhAcCiI/XP_5A1AzzFI/AAAAAAAAQWE/NndLNVVitBAKjUzkNCR_Qyyf4-Z2TpTWwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1498" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FDlWEhAcCiI/XP_5A1AzzFI/AAAAAAAAQWE/NndLNVVitBAKjUzkNCR_Qyyf4-Z2TpTWwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2752.jpg" width="373" /></a></div>
I wanted to break up the background a bit, but still keep the quilting relative continuous to manage the cost. The fabric of the outer border has ribbons on it, so I chose a ribbon-meander fill to go closest to the plates. It's like a 2-line stipple (but not as unattractive as a basic stipple).<br />
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The swirl fill that surrounds the scalloped frames which surround the plates is actually quilted in a sea-foam green SoFine thread. I wanted to give a subtle contrast to the background. Because it is 50 wt thread, it does not overwhelm the background.<br />
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I love the paisley pattern placed in the pink narrower border. I saw something similar done on somebody else's blog, and sat down and and drafted half a dozen ideas of my own. It is freehand and unmarked, and fills quickly.<br />
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Here is another of her quilts...more repro fabrics. She mentioned she likes feathers and I had not feathered the previous quilt so this one got lots of them. To manage costs again, the squares were done with continuous curve, which can be quilted continuously and fast. The time was spent on the SID and the feathers.<br />
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For visual interest, feathers alternate directions. This quilt is a bed quilt that should be nice and snugly, as it is not overquilted.<br />
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Somebody is going to ask about battings and thread...they always do. Both quilts are 80/20 batting only, but threads on the white...I think a 40wt Glide.</div>
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These next 2 quilts belong to the same client but they were completed a couple months ago and returned. I just failed to share them, so here goes. </div>
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I told you she does pretty applique, and this one is no exception. I cannot remember the exact size, but somewhere near 45" square.</div>
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Thread is anybody's guess now (code for "I forgot!"). I combined simple motifs that show on the print. One of my pet-peeves is when a busy pattern is quilted on top of a busy print so that neither is visible. The border print only needed simple lines.<br />
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Generally, I probably would not feather on a floral print, but these simple and larger molar feathers seemed to look OK. The shapes are framed out to set them off.<br />
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The center medallion of applique is all SID, and also got some very basic top stitching on the larger patches.<br />
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This is one of my favorite whimsical quilts. It is also another crazy use for yo-yo's if you didn't have one (or should i call them barnacles?).<br />
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I just wanted to give the background an ocean-like feeling. I also wanted both areas to have distinctly different but connected quilting - so some gentle movement in the middle, and wavelike action and pebbles around the outside.<br />
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The fish each got some air bubbles added at the very end in a turquoise thread. I marked these using a template, and freehand quilted them. The circles are stitched 2 or 3 times to deepen the line of stitching.<br />
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So, there you have it. There are some of the custom quilts that have come in and out of my door recently. I have been working on my personal quilt off and on as well the past 2 months. It's a painfully slow ordeal, but I think I am coming closer to having the quilting done. Today I did 2 E2Es (a markedly productive day for me considering how my days usually go), and tomorrow I have the start of another custom planned. As soon as I muster the patience to rip out some errant circles on my next show quilt, I will be ready for the final push on that one. It will debut in early 2020, but finishing it will involve a goodly amount of time even after I decide that the quilting is done (when I self-impose the "you are done" and cut off the excess that facilitates loading on the longarm!!).<br />
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My kids are out of school at the end of the week, and tomorrow starts 1/2 days and finals for my older two (otherwise meaning that my life is over for a while). Hopefully they all continue to sleep late, giving me my morning quilting window. Oy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-26882475992722268152019-05-26T16:49:00.000-07:002019-05-26T16:49:12.188-07:00As May EndsI have sat down to write this post a dozen times. I do appreciate the many private messages and comments I received after the last post. Some of you know the full truth. It is not just about processing the death of my father. That has had it's trying days, for sure. We had his memorial service last weekend, and I was tied up doing this and that for it. My family has been dealing with immense issues from my 17 year old son also. I think that this has been weighing on me way more than the death. It has taken its toll on my psyche harder than I could have predicted. I'm not going to discuss these issues in any form here, as this is truly private, but know that they are scary and affect me to my very core. They question my ability to be a parent. They have made me wonder why people become parents if this is what parenting eventually is. I hate that feeling.<br />
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More times than I can count I have contemplated just running away, escaping the hell, the fear, the unknown. Fortunately, the ties to these children are very tight, and that has been a near impossible thought to rationalize. I remember being moody and depressed as a kid that age, but that is mostly where I left it. I still went off to school every day, did my homework, stayed out of trouble, etc. Life is complex 35 years later.<br />
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As you can see, I have been doing some quilting. I have not just climbed under a rock for the duration...LOL! This is a group quilt that will be entered at the Maine Quilt show this summer. It has these 3-dimensional things on it (I call those long armer's speed-bumps). The makers like them so no foul language about them :-) They just never seem to lay as I would prefer.<br />
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I played with varying up the texture of the quilting to get patterns to show. Not a bad looking quilt considering 11 different ladies worked on it! I'd love to see if hanging but I will be at the Hershey show at this time.<br />
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Thank you for not harassing me for my unusual love of well-aged music. I am rather "seasoned", after all! I'm sure that my last post should have raised lots of eyebrows, and created a snicker to be heard from 3-states away. There is just nothing that can break my love of Queen's music. As a lifelong musician, I fully appreciate their depth, vocal harmonies, creative use of musical elements, and the vocals just speak to my core (and I haven't even mentioned my teenage crazy-affinity for the uber-sexy guitarist, yes I am off the deep end!). So much changed from the 1973 songs of 1991 -- but it has been more than therapeutic to relive how I discovered their songs the first time.</div>
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I'll try to share some more of what I have quilted this past month...</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-62967482551644438012019-04-29T12:58:00.006-07:002019-04-29T12:58:59.904-07:00May Day (almost)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
(Warning...not really quilting related post)</div>
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Confessions...The last 3 months have been a blur. Four if you want to be honest. My blogging and social media presence on facebook have been sporadic, if at all. I will go weeks without even getting on the computer, then think it's high time I posted, but not really have the words to say. Life works that way.</div>
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In the past, when issues in my personal life were rampant, I still had quilting as my salvation. This year has been different. I'm not burned out, but it has been challenging to find the motivation to do the things I would really like to do, like finish the top that has been started for months. Or quilt the next piece on the frame. I have always used quilting as my fuel to restart that which is crooked in life, but this time it is taking something different. The fact that quilting cannot get me back on course is stressful, and confusing. I'm not one for rediscovering what works and what doesn't, being that creature of habit. Some days it's easier to crawl into a hole and vow to try again tomorrow.</div>
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My dad was in the hospital several times in 2018, for anywhere from a few days to as long as 2 weeks. It was unsettled, but somehow he always got better, went home and life mostly returned to normal. On new year's eve 2018, he went back into the hospital. Except for coming home for 6 days at the end of January, he was there until March 31st, when he lost his battle. He had recurrent unexplained GI bleeding, then congestive heart failure & fluid retention, then kidney failure. As we learned through this process, all of these things are interrelated, and are extremely challenging to treat. When you get one of them managed, you have wreaked havoc on the other. He went on dialysis a week before he died, something he never wanted to do. In February when I was in Florida teaching, he had heart valve surgery which was supposed to solve one of his issues. The fact that it may have was masked by the continual decline he suffered in other areas. They said he had hospital-induced dementia. This once very intelligent person, who read excessively, was barely a cloud of recognition. He could not focus or hold down decent conversations some days. He couldn't sleep there. For several days of his last week he was put in a drug-induced state so he could get rest. It was all pretty miserable watching the immense decline, and how hospitals treat (and overtreat). In the end, our family had to make some very tough decisions about his care, knowing that if he could tell us what he wanted, it would probably be anything but what he was getting. Losing one of my parents is hard. It's agonizing seeing my mother go through this. She's been with him since she was 16. I want to feel whole again, but am slowly coming to terms with the fact that whole will take on a new meaning different from before. I have lost grand parents before, and a dear friend from high school when she was just 39. It was sad then, but somehow life just went on. This experience has sent me soul-searching.</div>
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There has not been a traditional service yet, as my dad and our family are anything but traditional. This is something I am so grateful for. The week following his death just seemed too all-consuming to possibly squeeze planning a quickie memorial service into. I don't know how or why most people do that. It feels so contrary to who I am and how I process grief. Hopefully my mom feels the same, as she is clearly taking the brunt of this. Though we do have a service planned for mid-May, I am already being constrained by the anxiety of going. I'm a private person, and going in front of her family and friends feeling broken is not where I want to be. I don't need everybody else's sadness to process my own. I just prefer my aloneness.<br />
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I am managing my own feelings through working on my own quilt (above) for a few weeks. I figured it was better to screw up something of my own than anybody else's...LOL! I took it off of the frame today for a look, and it's "getting there". It's not terrible, but I'm still waiting for that feeling of being fully invested. I have some different ideas for this quilt, and how it will finish, and I'm sure that many will be taken aback by my choices, but hey, that's life, and it's my decision. The quilting is most definitely influenced by my coping mechanism. I have rationalized that it's ok for this to be different than past quilts. The process is helping with all I need to process.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hQKaN7c2QrQ/XMYasClPRjI/AAAAAAAAQU8/S9nyAJv6_gIHScdWQ1RDO2L3q5zsOEWZwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hQKaN7c2QrQ/XMYasClPRjI/AAAAAAAAQU8/S9nyAJv6_gIHScdWQ1RDO2L3q5zsOEWZwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2489.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(my quilt "Escape")</i></div>
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My salvation through this has been music. It's been in my ears 8+ hours a day. Maybe this helps my mind from wandering and thinking too much; maybe it's taking me back to a time and place when I knew nothing could go wrong, or if it did I was just too young and optimistic to care. Throughout my teens and twenties, I lived to hear the songs of Queen, having most of their albums. Kids I went to high school either loved them or hated them. You know which camp I am in. I went to high school in very-conservative southern Mississippi. The fact that we knew Freddie was gay tainted the image of this fabulous group with so many. I loved every song they did then, and still do. It's the music of my happy youth. It's the concert I snuck out to go to, and nearly got caught doing so. I remember it like it was yesterday. Until last weekend (when my 14-yr old announced it), I don't think my mother was even aware of the lie of her 16-yr old. Why, 36 years later would I even care? The resurgence of their music since the movie came out has been wonderful. It's fun to see a new generation introduced to their music (even if 2 of my 3 kids claim it is attrocious "How can you possibly like music 45 years old?"...I roll my eyes!). Not having a turntable anymore, I went and bought all CDs except 2 from the early 80's just to torture my non-loving kids! Gosh it's fun to be a parent sometimes...LOL! You will have to wait to see how exactly this coping mechanism has migrated into my current quilt.<br />
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Through the events of the past month, it took listening to Innuendo (their last studio album) in the car one day for me to realize that was the last thing Freddie sang with the group. As much as I hated to come to the realization that Queen as I knew and loved was gone (and yes I did know he died 27 years ago when it happened), it symbolized something bigger. It took this music to make me finally break down over the loss of my father, and the loss to our family. What began as a means to cope with grief, and give me peace and structure, touched a sensitive nerve too. Freddie and my dad were nothing alike, neither in person or what they did for me. But as sure as Queen's music and musicians still endure without Freddie, I know that our family, more importantly "I" will survive too, and endure whatever life gives me. Not all steps will be easy, but all steps are walkable, one day at a time. It was a poignant breakdown moment.<br />
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Onward and upward, friends. Life is not always easy or fair. Find what makes you happy. Do what brings a peace and solace to your days, even if it is 180 degrees to what another might do.<br />
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My next post will be quilting related, I promise. I am working on one as we speak!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-17454256871377443122019-04-09T17:33:00.000-07:002019-04-09T17:33:00.562-07:00The Value of Violet - The quilting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Judging at MQX is done, so I am comfortable sharing the rest of the details on this quilt. I realize that some have seen the quilt already in person at MidAtlantic, but I get superstitious about a new quilt's judging where MQX is concerned. This is almost always the first show I send any new quilt to because the quality of judges and the value of their critique is unmatched. Though it did win viewer's choice at MidAtlantic, part of me wishes I had waited to enter it. The comments from the judges were shallow, as though they didn't really look at the details to comprehend the thought processes that went into its making. Life goes on. There is always another show. I am thrilled that those who attended the show recognized what I feel is this quilt's potential. To me, it is my best quilt made to date. It may not win ribbons everywhere it goes, but maybe it can inspire somebody.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hNuQyEu-IpQ/XJk9SnvpSlI/AAAAAAAAQQI/cSydjtLQEioe5h4WLkwcFR-dm-8DOQLZwCLcBGAs/s1600/AIMG_1487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1573" data-original-width="1600" height="392" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hNuQyEu-IpQ/XJk9SnvpSlI/AAAAAAAAQQI/cSydjtLQEioe5h4WLkwcFR-dm-8DOQLZwCLcBGAs/s400/AIMG_1487.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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A few weeks ago I showed you the top and explained some things about its making. Now, let's look at the quilting. Typically, I spend ~6-8 months getting the quilting on a large quilt finished. Looking at the dates on my photos, I started the quilting in April, and finished the quilting some time in September. It would have been loaded, removed and reloaded onto the longarm several times, depending on my inspiration and client workload.</div>
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This is the first quilt for which I attempted trapunto. Back in 2011 or 2012, I took a basic trapunto class at MQX. We worked on a 15"x15" sample piece. It was fun, right up to the point that I snipped through the quilt top (while I was clipping the trapunto). For those unfamiliar, cut-away trapunto is done by quilting portions of the quilt with just a batting. You then go back and snip (very carefully) around the perimeter of the quilting. You will then reload the top with whatever battings are desired and quilt the entire quilt. It's time-consuming as well as risky.</div>
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I wanted to bring a subtle awareness to the fuchsia in the quilt through thread. To test if this might work, I started with a small sample of the outer border, which is made from 1" purple squares. I even went so far as to put gray silk beside it so I could see if the cutaway looked natural by the much more sheer fabric.</div>
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My quilting plan for the sample was exactly what I envisioned for the real quilt -- more orange peels. This is clearly intentional to bring part of the quilt's piecing/applique into the quilting. In this case, I chose to densely quilt on the trapunto areas to bring this thread color onto the fabric. </div>
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The next step is to take the quilt off and very carefully snip around the trapunto. You have to snip close to the stitched line, but not too close! Cutting a line of stitching means it has to be fixed. It does create a lot of waste batting, but that is part of the process. "Real" trapunto quilters (those that leave the shapes not quilted on) usually use a lofty batting like poly or wool, but because I was quilting on these orange peels, I chose an easy batting to cutaway - Hobbs 80/20. I was still planning to double batt the entire quilt, so adequate loft was not a concern. </div>
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Here is my finished sample, after it is batted and backed. I gave it some background quilting in the areas around the orange peels that might be similar to what I would eventually do. Can you see how the peels pop?! The trapunto test was a success to me. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g1iPd7Oq5Ko/XJk9ejFZXFI/AAAAAAAAQQM/1QcAvACd-mcn4CBU6IUf0vf_qTrGYO5rgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g1iPd7Oq5Ko/XJk9ejFZXFI/AAAAAAAAQQM/1QcAvACd-mcn4CBU6IUf0vf_qTrGYO5rgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_4510.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This would be done on the quilt's large outer border as well as in one other location on the point central border.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpgFMapCsNM/XJk9fFhJbiI/AAAAAAAAQQY/9Ul7tbAalaY7KADsHwZo4a7luXVtsWA8QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpgFMapCsNM/XJk9fFhJbiI/AAAAAAAAQQY/9Ul7tbAalaY7KADsHwZo4a7luXVtsWA8QCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4522.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now let's fast forward a bit...Trapunto is stitched, trimmed. Quilt is reloaded with backing and batting...Here we go. Let's do the rest of the quilting. First, though a quick look at the trapunto outer border beside the quilt.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H0u-eqE0k4k/XJk98uucLhI/AAAAAAAAQQw/OMLfx3mC2MQBMhTHQb_W3A-aU9CqPjAaACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H0u-eqE0k4k/XJk98uucLhI/AAAAAAAAQQw/OMLfx3mC2MQBMhTHQb_W3A-aU9CqPjAaACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0520.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Many people ask what order I quilt things on a large quilt. Is the SID done first? Do I just keep changing thread colors as needed? There is no simple answer to this question, because it may be done differently on each quilt. For this one, though, I started at the top, quilted that purple border, then I proceeded to baste the entire quilt. I gave it a grid of 1/2" basting stitches every 4", and in both directions. Doing this enables me to move around the quilt, and to use whatever color thread I desire, when I want to. While this quilt has a lot of items that could be ditch stitched, it also has larger areas that just cannot be left unquilted. That makes the process tricky. After basting, the ditching was done, using a clear monofilament nylon thread.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PZj6VvlRJ5U/XJk98RynJKI/AAAAAAAAQQo/ZhsOrkD09YseNEhQ8AJZ_ExB_72SVQJtACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PZj6VvlRJ5U/XJk98RynJKI/AAAAAAAAQQo/ZhsOrkD09YseNEhQ8AJZ_ExB_72SVQJtACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4544.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Often I approach the quilting with much of it designed. This was not the case on this quilt though. I think I was just sensing time was of the essence to get quilting on it. Off and away I went!...</div>
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The design I chose for the pieced-diamond corners (above) attempted to marry an interpretation of clam shells with a fill motif that I thought mimicked the avant-garde "flowers" I appliqued in the lower corners of the border (see below). This spiky shape was reinvented within the clam shells. I should mention that some patterns, though different as in the case of clam shells and pumpkin seed, derive from a similar shape, and thus work very nicely together. Am I crazy? yes, probably, but I do think about these things too when I choose what to quilt where.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YfzOnCwm0DU/XJlMbsTtjoI/AAAAAAAAQSU/ESjD8fqyzXE7k7bRHIpu8MpELOC8iuHmgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YfzOnCwm0DU/XJlMbsTtjoI/AAAAAAAAQSU/ESjD8fqyzXE7k7bRHIpu8MpELOC8iuHmgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0604.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Now, for a look at the finished corner...</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zD6Krlj-8js/XJlPKedJ7oI/AAAAAAAAQSg/PzoA8meAWO40TJe9Ssyh7ahVPbiRElMJwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zD6Krlj-8js/XJlPKedJ7oI/AAAAAAAAQSg/PzoA8meAWO40TJe9Ssyh7ahVPbiRElMJwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0627.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I think all of the curves play nicely together. To help set them off, I added the outer frame in a fuchsia color thread that was filled with swirls. Denser quilting was placed inboard of it to set it off. The diamond basket weave flat fill was quilted with a 100wt silk thread so that the fabrics showed and not the thread, but all other motifs on these corners were (I think) 40wt thread. The 1/4" linear pattern outside of the last frame has just enough texture to show on its own. Remember, effective quilting is all about selecting patterns to place beside one another that show both individually as well as together. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2SDHu03l4Kg/XJlQHWG6dII/AAAAAAAAQSo/qvJkE-a81Q8MzKFVxSqZ04vBUiG9TJPKwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0628cr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1355" data-original-width="1600" height="338" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2SDHu03l4Kg/XJlQHWG6dII/AAAAAAAAQSo/qvJkE-a81Q8MzKFVxSqZ04vBUiG9TJPKwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0628cr.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Moving on...</div>
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Some of the backgrounds on this quilt were very printed. I do like what this brings to the texture of a finished quilt. It certainly poses as a challenge, though, when quilting and trying to see what on earth you are doing (unless you are using a contrasting color thread, which was not the case). With that thought in mind...I second guessed these small pumpkin seeds, because half of the time I just couldn't see them. In the end, they are still there, but they only show when the light is just so. Deciding what to use for motifs is not always easy. The notion of repeating piecing into the quilting, as I did here, helps to create unity for the overall quilt. And, after all, I just couldn't use linear lines everywhere there was print! </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gi7AA71OuMk/XJk98WG_lvI/AAAAAAAAQQs/FX-YdTc3C64R66nEs1GxgZ7CyKkL31xoACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gi7AA71OuMk/XJk98WG_lvI/AAAAAAAAQQs/FX-YdTc3C64R66nEs1GxgZ7CyKkL31xoACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4553.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
As an aside...you can see the second location (above) that I decided to put the trapunto. This time, the quilting in fuchsia thread is in a finer silk, so that it has a more delicate effect on the solid purple fabric.<br />
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On to the applique border now. This area of the quilt already has great interest since this is where the applique is located. The problem I created, though, is that I also used the very solid gray silk here too -- and for me, traditionally, locations where I put silk are places I hope and expect to have more showy quilting. Delicate, detailed quilting does not show well on the print, but it does on the silk.<br />
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I don't really know how this particular design for the space behind the applique came about, but the general feeling of this quilt has always been one leaning towards the Asian influences to me. I remember this awesome Japanese garden I used to visit in San Francisco (back when I lived in No Cal). It had peaceful pagodas, koi ponds, simple gardens, and appealing meandering walkways. The serpentine walkway look came from that memory.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j47PrEuRHk4/XJk99-kRtWI/AAAAAAAAQQ0/YBbbQ1FRU7oZVNDe9hXbTjgSbBOzNDJ5wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j47PrEuRHk4/XJk99-kRtWI/AAAAAAAAQQ0/YBbbQ1FRU7oZVNDe9hXbTjgSbBOzNDJ5wCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4562.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I included the random stacked bricks in my book Dense & Dainty, and always wanted a location that it just felt right. This was the one. It is also bordered with bricks turned on end, to give a more realistic feeling. This part of the quilting is stitched in a lavender thread. Though it does not show in t he photo above, it does show in the real quilt. I also quilt around the blocks more than one time so that the line between blocks is pronounced and darker in color.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9N169JDLu8Y/XJlTT6FEVoI/AAAAAAAAQTQ/JpC6tRK2Yq0zH0_wt73sdPeGI0nxtN3xgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1563" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9N169JDLu8Y/XJlTT6FEVoI/AAAAAAAAQTQ/JpC6tRK2Yq0zH0_wt73sdPeGI0nxtN3xgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9664.JPG" width="312" /></a></div>
I created this very low-tech cardstock pattern to create the walkway shape. They were marked as I quilted them because I didn't have it planned well enough before it was loaded.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qPV_QPiX9Y/XJk9-tmjB5I/AAAAAAAAQQ4/vdq70HfqOYYE9vEiwLGGUXWPxVzyVKUygCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qPV_QPiX9Y/XJk9-tmjB5I/AAAAAAAAQQ4/vdq70HfqOYYE9vEiwLGGUXWPxVzyVKUygCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4593.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
The space around the brick ways is quilted in gray silk thread. These 1/8" spaced lines are very effective at popping the applique, but were a complete pain given the massive number of knotting and burying of threads this entailed.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6egCBe1CZTA/XJk9-sVk-eI/AAAAAAAAQQ8/UMh1MRraM6Ag2_vJbAg5EBj_lwFkXe0NQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6egCBe1CZTA/XJk9-sVk-eI/AAAAAAAAQQ8/UMh1MRraM6Ag2_vJbAg5EBj_lwFkXe0NQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4608.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Here's the finished border.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QAPXL8GlJF0/XJlRru1dNKI/AAAAAAAAQTE/PrNwnwLUxI4C6fiv50AfW7fCuXjv9PRnQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QAPXL8GlJF0/XJlRru1dNKI/AAAAAAAAQTE/PrNwnwLUxI4C6fiv50AfW7fCuXjv9PRnQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0625.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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The only area I have not discussed is the center of the quilt. It is easy to look at this and just see 100 orange peels and background. I staged the color gradation of the petals to be lighter at the center to draw the viewer's eye inwards. I wanted the quilting to do this too. Creating a central focal point is important, especially on medallion-style quilts that do have an intended visual center.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DfeaWmWve4M/XJk9_UI0w5I/AAAAAAAAQRA/RWox8opuvGk3b7p2O4MTyKDJ2zYHWjDWACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_E4626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DfeaWmWve4M/XJk9_UI0w5I/AAAAAAAAQRA/RWox8opuvGk3b7p2O4MTyKDJ2zYHWjDWACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_E4626.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I placed a very-visual diamond at the center. I also created a secondary frame outboard of that. Both of these frames consist of two 1/4" channels so that they show more effectively on the printed Kaffe gray fabric. Putting dense linear lines on both sides of the frame enhances the frames' visibilities. </div>
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Originally, I was going to use two or 3 different floral fills for the silk areas, but you may notice that in the finished quilt (a couple pictures down from here), I have just one. I got to yank out the more ruffly flowers because I didn't think the variety was effective. Sucky? yup...but life goes on.</div>
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The quilting on the silk petals themselves is all identical. You could say I learned my lesson with the backgrounds :-) I actually pulled this leafy-feather design from a 2015 quilt of mine, Bouquet Royale. A similar version was used on the almond shapes surrounding the center medallion.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ibgdeFJz00/XJlYBt6c-PI/AAAAAAAAQTc/hw9LAkfKhJ8DhPOGan9XGaV6nPWcRPEMgCLcBGAs/s1600/camera%2B713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ibgdeFJz00/XJlYBt6c-PI/AAAAAAAAQTc/hw9LAkfKhJ8DhPOGan9XGaV6nPWcRPEMgCLcBGAs/s400/camera%2B713.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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On The Value of Violet, different color 40wt poly threads were used for these orange peel pieces. The quilting was not done in silk, as I often do on silk fabric. Mostly, I wanted the added texture that a colored thread brings.</div>
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Here are a couple pictures of the backside of the quilt... The backing is not a solid, which I often choose. It is a pretty, Gingko leaf print reminiscent of Asian designs. The quilting on this quilt was such that I knew there would be every color bobbin from white to dark purple. I opted for a print because I didn't know what solid color backing might be best. Lazy?...yea, a little!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wcpQH6Ahc9A/XJlQVMc4rzI/AAAAAAAAQSw/xR8lhHOEsrEvVeJOsMl4gaOrv5214-HuQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wcpQH6Ahc9A/XJlQVMc4rzI/AAAAAAAAQSw/xR8lhHOEsrEvVeJOsMl4gaOrv5214-HuQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0531.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Kinda pretty from the backside!<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tCVjf6f_qo0/XJlQU3E1vGI/AAAAAAAAQSs/KIwq4unCi1Q1UO6JmB-KiI_Y3xMYf0x6gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tCVjf6f_qo0/XJlQU3E1vGI/AAAAAAAAQSs/KIwq4unCi1Q1UO6JmB-KiI_Y3xMYf0x6gCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0532.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I'm almost done...</div>
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How about a relatively brief discussion on embellishments. The quilt does have some subtle things added after it was finished to enhance it's appearance.</div>
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Remember the frames I quilted to the center of the medallion? When I saw the finished quilt laying on the floor AND when I knew that the binding/edge would have the bright white prairie points, I knew that the center really needed the white too. It needed a small punch, nothing too heavy, to bring the viewer's eye inwards. The white at the outer border would serve to move the eye outwards. At that point, though, I'd have to go with paint. It was too late to applique. I always approach paint and fabric as a last resort, knowing that in the blink of an eye I could completely botch a finished quilt that has somewhere between 800-1000 hours invested. This is painted with a white paint with a pearlescent colorless extender. It has a subtle sheen. It took about 3 coats to cover the Kaffe print, but the end result is good.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wf-hbxts-Ss/XJlAKay2mtI/AAAAAAAAQRc/bq6L590AFdUyHylstIb-IubRumUx9cduACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wf-hbxts-Ss/XJlAKay2mtI/AAAAAAAAQRc/bq6L590AFdUyHylstIb-IubRumUx9cduACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1464.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The other things I did were to add embroidery around the perimeter of every orange peel. It is in a color floss that is slightly darker than the silk. And it took what felt like near forever! It is so hard to embroider at the middle of a finished quilt. Someday, just someday, I will think of these things before the top is sandwiched with multiple layers of batting! I also added the delicate ring of pearls around the center circle. I did not add crystals or pearls to go over the top. This is a very traditional quilt, and it needs that simpler, understated elegance.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sWwlrT13y-U/XJlh95Z0-CI/AAAAAAAAQTs/oolLHTchEJM0BJVfeQ1JVIQLH3SHubEaQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sWwlrT13y-U/XJlh95Z0-CI/AAAAAAAAQTs/oolLHTchEJM0BJVfeQ1JVIQLH3SHubEaQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2190.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WcoH_k8jtl4/XJlh91sFRHI/AAAAAAAAQTo/dNCNzjwwY6EmDFhAB5CM2t79FS3OuUmKACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WcoH_k8jtl4/XJlh91sFRHI/AAAAAAAAQTo/dNCNzjwwY6EmDFhAB5CM2t79FS3OuUmKACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2191.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There were a couple places I hand couched a perle cotton floss in deep fuchsia. It helps to give a finished look here. It is stitched on with a matching SoFine thread.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZ1tJ0Heg3M/XJlAVKh_EkI/AAAAAAAAQRg/X8LNue6KUYwztLXFmRac42rFuqKCn1bHgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZ1tJ0Heg3M/XJlAVKh_EkI/AAAAAAAAQRg/X8LNue6KUYwztLXFmRac42rFuqKCn1bHgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0623.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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In this location, you can see where I traveled numerous times with a pink thread. There is too much backtracking...too much to leave and too much to try to mask with purple Sharpie. Whoops, my secret is out!...</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SKJVGzTszqU/XJlAoZSTowI/AAAAAAAAQRw/2uekl0wm9408cZzgh4a1OD3Q8Lkqi3LKwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SKJVGzTszqU/XJlAoZSTowI/AAAAAAAAQRw/2uekl0wm9408cZzgh4a1OD3Q8Lkqi3LKwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0899.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
So, with the same perle cotton, I hand couched another line of embroidery thread across this area. What's another 10 hours between friends?...Seriously, all of this hand embroidery and hand-couching is extremely time consuming. I spent nearly ~60-70 hours doing all of it.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mv0wHuRDkl0/XJlAos065eI/AAAAAAAAQR0/KZWdp2HAcFsLxxRQKzHbEZwPX5KWWmKRgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mv0wHuRDkl0/XJlAos065eI/AAAAAAAAQR0/KZWdp2HAcFsLxxRQKzHbEZwPX5KWWmKRgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0900.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I don't weigh how long something will take when trying to decide whether or not to do it. It all comes down to "Will it make this a better, more finished quilt". Then the answer is very simple. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vagEc4D7dFk/XJlAedG2tTI/AAAAAAAAQRo/rsNJUrScHbsBe4GWOBpYtwPjYjHgF4mswCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vagEc4D7dFk/XJlAedG2tTI/AAAAAAAAQRo/rsNJUrScHbsBe4GWOBpYtwPjYjHgF4mswCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1466.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The last area I embroidered around are these white appliqued swags. In this case, I chose 3 strands of white satin floss. It gives the edge of the appliques an interesting effect, almost a texture and a sheen.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1qSjGYOmVac/XJlAeSqAWJI/AAAAAAAAQRs/VvD3TRfsXBQnhqBTxeeaLFe5YZ6b3MlMACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1qSjGYOmVac/XJlAeSqAWJI/AAAAAAAAQRs/VvD3TRfsXBQnhqBTxeeaLFe5YZ6b3MlMACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1467.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Just before I brought this to the MQX owner, I thought I'd take one stab at fixing a couple of places where the older embroidery thread bled (see below). On a quilt many years ago, I marked the pieces with Sharpie pen, and some of this remained on the edges of the pieces. After I blocked the quilt, this sharpie bled to the top and back of the quilt. I was successful getting it out using rubbing alcohol. So...I dabbed a Q-tip in alcohol and went to rub the bleed spot. Almost instantaneously, the bleed blossomed and spread. It was the colossus "oh-shit" moment if ever there was one. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f5nkC5mIEHc/XJ5UJdMyJ3I/AAAAAAAAQT4/z4UYQGLACc4J8wuQIYV2abfS1SI3QALxgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f5nkC5mIEHc/XJ5UJdMyJ3I/AAAAAAAAQT4/z4UYQGLACc4J8wuQIYV2abfS1SI3QALxgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2526.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Because I had already bound the quilt with all the scallops, there was no way I was going to reblock this. I had just one last option to fix this up my sleeve...Paint. All the white paints I owned were pearly so I had to buy a jar of flat white Jacquard acrylic paint from my local artist store. I thinned this down slightly with medium that does not have a pearlescence, and gently painted away the bleed. I was extremely lucky!<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wHcoPtD0eps/XJ5UJh7KzGI/AAAAAAAAQT8/6qbv8YE9-BY2zcLwRCj-9rPVjJwKvjuCgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wHcoPtD0eps/XJ5UJh7KzGI/AAAAAAAAQT8/6qbv8YE9-BY2zcLwRCj-9rPVjJwKvjuCgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BOlktg5qRT0/XJ5WcmXmHlI/AAAAAAAAQUM/7JGpbo-x14QzO4FCEhI2dxEjkXD9mO7iwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BOlktg5qRT0/XJ5WcmXmHlI/AAAAAAAAQUM/7JGpbo-x14QzO4FCEhI2dxEjkXD9mO7iwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2231.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So there you have it. That is all I can think of to write about this quilt. Since this has posted, it is fast forwarded 2 weeks. I don't know at the time I am writing this how it will do at MQX, if it will ribbon, or what the judges will think of my choices. That is partly why I usually keep these longer analytical posts about my decisions until after it has been seen and judged. I like judges to discover the details without them being told where they are. I hope you have enjoyed hearing about this quilt. If you have any questions, please post them here or on my facebook page (where this will also post). I can be found <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mainelyquiltsoflove/">here</a> on facebook. If you post questions here, though, I can only reply if you have your blogger account enabled with an email.</div>
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Cheers!</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-2183864674583058712019-03-23T08:19:00.001-07:002019-03-25T08:01:02.117-07:00Quilted Scallop Binding for The Value of Violet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My days are needing a distraction, so I thought I'd get back to the posts I have envisioned to do on the making of The Value of Violet. This post discusses the quilted scallop binding I put on this quilt.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jgXQZxMebj0/XJZDPonZbZI/AAAAAAAAQPg/Y0RWBPoSZQMPR41K_AoM6Kw5RLTXyqMSQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jgXQZxMebj0/XJZDPonZbZI/AAAAAAAAQPg/Y0RWBPoSZQMPR41K_AoM6Kw5RLTXyqMSQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1278.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The nice thing about this detailed finish treatment is that it is mostly done on the machine. That, though is the double-edged sword because some of this process was challenging because of using machines. Often it is easier to "tweak" as needed when doing hand work.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Do7V-hCWSrQ/XJZDPleegsI/AAAAAAAAQPc/ljZidXYy8DIwgdXvjE0sCDtUCb6rHZOmACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Do7V-hCWSrQ/XJZDPleegsI/AAAAAAAAQPc/ljZidXYy8DIwgdXvjE0sCDtUCb6rHZOmACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1279.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I tried to take photographs throughout the making of this binding edge, but I do know (in retrospect) that I did not capture all of the steps quite as thoroughly as I would have liked.</div>
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***added...</div>
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When I initially wrote this post, I failed to mention the importance of this step. When embarking on creating a new (or in this case somewhat experimental) edge treatment, making a mock-up is really important. Below I am showing both the mock-up I did for a previous quilt, as well as the one done for The Value of Violet. At this point in my thinking process, they were very similar. I was unsure of how the narrow lavender 1/2" strip of silk Radiance would behave, in the latter case.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xGlPI4gPrK8/XJjsls4fCjI/AAAAAAAAQP8/dM1heov3jkUVMH95aM5pnUOzp0VR24hzQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xGlPI4gPrK8/XJjsls4fCjI/AAAAAAAAQP8/dM1heov3jkUVMH95aM5pnUOzp0VR24hzQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0633.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As you can see from the first two photos, the scallops are made from several different shades of the lavender fabrics. There are also some done from the silk Radiance (below). I just did not have enough of the Radiance to do all of them. The first step is to determine what size/diameter scallop will be used. The pieces of fabric are cut a bit larger than this, but I always mark a boundary for where the finished seam will go so that quilting does not extend further than there. These are quilted on my long arm -- this is mostly because I find it easier to do, and I am really not a very good domestic machine quilter.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--pqL3HXxdRo/XJZBogWCwUI/AAAAAAAAQOo/HJ5hjgcwJA8Vg33jSh7QrmkYo7BvTLT7QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--pqL3HXxdRo/XJZBogWCwUI/AAAAAAAAQOo/HJ5hjgcwJA8Vg33jSh7QrmkYo7BvTLT7QCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1034.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I made 104 scallops. The initial quilting on the scallop just has a cheap muslin on the backside and Hobbs 80/20 as the batting. Each color scallop has a thread that best compliments its shade. I quilted a simple half-flower design on each, after first playing with several other options.</div>
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Below, the quilted scallop is seen from the backside (muslin side). The plastic gig is centered on the quilting, traced, and then the scallop is cut out.The soft fabrics distort and stretch some, so using the original marking on the front of the shape is not the most accurate way to end up with a semicircle.</div>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ASh-mNoG_-w/XJYr3kUpfBI/AAAAAAAAQNs/ZBgEPh_snPUONmJmaLXvnioc6nip1ItJACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ASh-mNoG_-w/XJYr3kUpfBI/AAAAAAAAQNs/ZBgEPh_snPUONmJmaLXvnioc6nip1ItJACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1049.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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Here are some of these cut out, seen from both the back and the front.</div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6XuywclvRyw/XJYr4bh3x1I/AAAAAAAAQNw/py6vQJDMud4YkuuBB6xNp97ok2QdGoFmwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6XuywclvRyw/XJYr4bh3x1I/AAAAAAAAQNw/py6vQJDMud4YkuuBB6xNp97ok2QdGoFmwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1050.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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I made up several samples before delving into the actual scallops. The one on the left is just finished as I would have done a previous quilt (<a href="https://quiltsoflove.blogspot.com/2017/04/taking-unmapped-road-new-show-quilt.html">Taking the Unmapped Road</a>), while I the one on the right is amped up by the addition of a micro-piping. Adding the piping was complete craziness, but I loved how it completed the look, making it appear more finished. Chaching...this was bound to add at least 50 hours to the project!...</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pVZayCm_1Fg/XJZGoy5OyCI/AAAAAAAAQPw/A5B6dV9k2M8E_k4sTdnFgpV_3uNG-BAfQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_E1037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pVZayCm_1Fg/XJZGoy5OyCI/AAAAAAAAQPw/A5B6dV9k2M8E_k4sTdnFgpV_3uNG-BAfQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_E1037.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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As luck would have it, I had a yard or two of this grape Radiance which had not yet been used on the quilt. I cut strips of bias about 1" wide (if memory serves correctly). The Radiance is wrapped around a piece of very fine cording, and is stitched with a zipper foot using a matching silk thread. I don't know how many yards of this stuff I made, but quite a few.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TUAc7iEWFc0/XJYrziD7JcI/AAAAAAAAQNQ/D2vYipcaUksuKQq9ueancipiHzPWJSzwgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TUAc7iEWFc0/XJYrziD7JcI/AAAAAAAAQNQ/D2vYipcaUksuKQq9ueancipiHzPWJSzwgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1040.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Next, it is trimmed using Susan Cleveland's trimming tool to have a consistent 1/4" seam.</div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kTn1-GA5QUY/XJYr57EPMTI/AAAAAAAAQN8/Lb5k3YYu-nsqC9LzBgc9_m9Qj0a72NVBQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kTn1-GA5QUY/XJYr57EPMTI/AAAAAAAAQN8/Lb5k3YYu-nsqC9LzBgc9_m9Qj0a72NVBQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1053.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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Now I get handy with the iron and Elmer's glue. Pieces of the piping are glue set around the perimeter of the scallop. The glue is heat set with the iron. You could pin them, but the presence of the cording makes pins a pain in the rump to deal with.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w6aUINCgEaM/XJYr49m2TqI/AAAAAAAAQN0/Ct8q5us9QJcm3d55uexsyFsWoo3npK-jwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w6aUINCgEaM/XJYr49m2TqI/AAAAAAAAQN0/Ct8q5us9QJcm3d55uexsyFsWoo3npK-jwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1051.JPG" width="240" /></a> </div>
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I immediately stitch the piping down, again with the silk thread.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jpJFy2tWgck/XJYr5Bk2OXI/AAAAAAAAQN4/Y3yIxXyoF5s69fhiS1LEIKUkxnyqSVCOACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jpJFy2tWgck/XJYr5Bk2OXI/AAAAAAAAQN4/Y3yIxXyoF5s69fhiS1LEIKUkxnyqSVCOACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The next step is blind. These scallops are backed with the same fabric I used for the backside of the quilt, for a continuous look. I cut 104 "backs" using the same gig shown earlier. the backs are pinned onto the top of this piped, quilted scallop. The pieces are carefully stitched together with a zipper foot. I use my fingernail to locate where the piping is so that the stitched line is right beside it. It is a slow process, and often required going back and moving the stitched line a bit closer as needed.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pgJS2PwkbcY/XJYrznkMn4I/AAAAAAAAQNU/nEtU65O8JDcPxQTKnE1-NezydHQ39J0awCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pgJS2PwkbcY/XJYrznkMn4I/AAAAAAAAQNU/nEtU65O8JDcPxQTKnE1-NezydHQ39J0awCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1043.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Turn the scallop right-side-out to inspect, and "tweak" as needed. If it was ok, then a second line of stitching was placed 1/8" outboard of the first. Note, in both cases I am using a very short stitch length and a 50wt poly thread.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TPUilEescN0/XJYr6Q211eI/AAAAAAAAQOE/1OGLf_heMw4vCq2aBk4oEctsHEabn-toACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TPUilEescN0/XJYr6Q211eI/AAAAAAAAQOE/1OGLf_heMw4vCq2aBk4oEctsHEabn-toACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1054.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I7RPte6DNBY/XJYr1W6JpwI/AAAAAAAAQNc/CuPgn7TuL70mg3CF4oR43Pykr9km43e0wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I7RPte6DNBY/XJYr1W6JpwI/AAAAAAAAQNc/CuPgn7TuL70mg3CF4oR43Pykr9km43e0wCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1044.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Trim just barely outside the 2nd line. My Karen Kay Buckley scissors are fantastic for this. The serrated edge keeps the cut sharp and accurate. Lastly, create small snips into the curve, occasionally penetrating through the outermost line of stitching. This will ensure that the curve will turn and be smooth.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Um4eqMPnUOg/XJYr17nz5lI/AAAAAAAAQNg/RdRx8DvurTskPlDQyVgVeoPZ30FHC4WMgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Um4eqMPnUOg/XJYr17nz5lI/AAAAAAAAQNg/RdRx8DvurTskPlDQyVgVeoPZ30FHC4WMgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1045.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Let's look at the finished, piped quilted scallop...From the backside -<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ob6wh7S_0s/XJYr2T3zDaI/AAAAAAAAQNo/pd5HUby9y0A5_GddqMYzaIrpOjYdDiMKACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ob6wh7S_0s/XJYr2T3zDaI/AAAAAAAAQNo/pd5HUby9y0A5_GddqMYzaIrpOjYdDiMKACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1047.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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And now from the front - </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Dny5YUqwCg/XJYr1_qhSlI/AAAAAAAAQNk/-b2eoYS5b60h4nceHNyoSZzR32E13nqqgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Dny5YUqwCg/XJYr1_qhSlI/AAAAAAAAQNk/-b2eoYS5b60h4nceHNyoSZzR32E13nqqgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1046.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
The dark purple piping was perfect!<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sdY-JQRkiyY/XJYr6KOUCHI/AAAAAAAAQOA/ordfCCrNPJ88fVIsuw8rOnKlOtPu4ZkNwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sdY-JQRkiyY/XJYr6KOUCHI/AAAAAAAAQOA/ordfCCrNPJ88fVIsuw8rOnKlOtPu4ZkNwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1077.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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It was not enough to just create perfect scallops. Now they have to be turned into the binding.</div>
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I measured the edge of the quilt, going one side of the quilt at a time. A 1" strip of the grape radiance (this time interfaced) was cut, marking the exact length. Scallops were placed along this and stitched on. For several weeks, I puttered with ways to jazz this simple binding just a little, each time really wanting to bring some of the white into it. Call me a nut, but my eye wanted to have a dash of white at the outer edge. I played with using a cording (below). Interesting, but too much finicky hand work was my final assessment.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I7tZzY1ERjc/XJZCkqNFP7I/AAAAAAAAQOw/_7gD38bZMyEAA8t6CkmIT3hhzxVgRYAcwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I7tZzY1ERjc/XJZCkqNFP7I/AAAAAAAAQOw/_7gD38bZMyEAA8t6CkmIT3hhzxVgRYAcwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1127.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
I also contemplated adding a scallop of another shape to place in between the purple semicircles. My first go at this plan was using a white satin fabric. I did not have enough white Radiance, and did not want to use white batik. I wanted the sheen.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4flCWcBeQB0/XJZCkywBFpI/AAAAAAAAQO0/LQDdJnwmux4ofyoRhlce5oSH29MZoG5rgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4flCWcBeQB0/XJZCkywBFpI/AAAAAAAAQO0/LQDdJnwmux4ofyoRhlce5oSH29MZoG5rgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1158.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
These were also quilted on the longarm. My first go with this plan proved frustrating. The blue marking pen did not want to come out, and I ended up soaking them, which caused distortion. I just was not pleased with the finished result. I managed to get my hands on some PFD Radiance, and tried again, but when I assembled one of the binding sides, it was thick and bulky. Again, not something I was going to use. Sorry, no pictures of this for some reason.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ybyh0NhbyAM/XJZCk1N8CrI/AAAAAAAAQO4/2QZ4ZjeM8RUJqk4ih75t7eIrgC7ejsW3wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ybyh0NhbyAM/XJZCk1N8CrI/AAAAAAAAQO4/2QZ4ZjeM8RUJqk4ih75t7eIrgC7ejsW3wCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1159.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
For a while it was a veritable white scallop factory.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0mLgd1LHpMI/XJZClQZqJ3I/AAAAAAAAQO8/NJsHTToHkVAK830M3suwMZ7yj13SrDnxQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0mLgd1LHpMI/XJZClQZqJ3I/AAAAAAAAQO8/NJsHTToHkVAK830M3suwMZ7yj13SrDnxQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1220.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
In the end, I opted to go with the prairie points in white, just as I had done with the previously done binding. I really wanted to have this edge slightly different, but it was not in the cards. I was running out of fabric, steam and time. Life goes on.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kr9vG04T6Lg/XJZCmekiM6I/AAAAAAAAQPE/dCSZIviDG4cm7emuUAM_6S4Gq6CXy8v4QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kr9vG04T6Lg/XJZCmekiM6I/AAAAAAAAQPE/dCSZIviDG4cm7emuUAM_6S4Gq6CXy8v4QCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1280.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
So...100 or so of the prairie points were made (again no photos). They alternate white batik and white Radiance, just to get that occasional pop of sheen. These are placed and stitched behind the purple scallops. Then a piece of ~2" wide "facing" fabric (it is the light print above) is stitched to the assembly.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bp2F36E0HT0/XJZCl4yuPGI/AAAAAAAAQPA/TvHlRCmG88gtTTjz9VRM0F3PwUc7vNBXwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bp2F36E0HT0/XJZCl4yuPGI/AAAAAAAAQPA/TvHlRCmG88gtTTjz9VRM0F3PwUc7vNBXwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1277.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
With all pieces together, the grape Radiance part of the assembly is pinned and sewn to the quilt. I had already added a micro-piping to the edge of the quilt. That is why I needed to mark a line (above) with pencil to know where to stitch. This contraption has a good bit of bulk so using the zipper foot didnt work well. marking the piping edge, then following the line was the simplest thought I had.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qaJYqXrAdY4/XJZCm9PQpLI/AAAAAAAAQPI/7cB8WqM__JE2a81i7UFBKPeLLNNQJkA5gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qaJYqXrAdY4/XJZCm9PQpLI/AAAAAAAAQPI/7cB8WqM__JE2a81i7UFBKPeLLNNQJkA5gCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1346.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
The facing was hand stitched to the back of the quilt. It is not perfect. The use of slippery fabrics make for a pretty distraction, but they can be challenging to keep really straight or in place. In the end, I think it turned out well, and mimics the orange peels of the quilt's design.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-38243497895207105692019-03-10T06:07:00.002-07:002019-03-11T14:20:17.871-07:00Not all Templates are Created EqualI know that this post is smack in the middle of my series of posts about the making of <b><i>The Value of Violet</i></b>, but it has information that just needs to be put out there. Having just taught at the AQS Daytona show, I was able to see a wide variety of templates that the students brought, most of which are <<choke choke="">> total crap. OK, being professional here, they are just not the best tool for the job and are wrong for many reasons, which I hope to outline here in a clear fashion.</choke><br />
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In my templates classes, I ask students to bring 2 templates -- a straight template and a curved cross-hatching template. Being reluctant to explicitly state which 2 they must bring, I mention the two I have, and suggest they have ones "like" these. I receive no kick backs or discounts from these manufacturers for posting this. Being the template junkee that I am, I have bought many templates in my years of longarm quilting. I, therefore, have purchased some total crap too before finding a couple of really great tools. Those are the ones I am sharing with you, and suggest you invest your money into.<br />
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<b>Straight Template</b><br />
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Let's face it, these templates are not inexpensive. This one sells for $22 at <a href="https://www.thegadgetgirls.com/longarm-tools/janet-lee-s-favorite-detail.html">The Gadget Girl</a>s. In the scheme of templates, that cost is pretty good. It is called Janet-Lee's Favorite. (and there's no kickback from Janet-Lee to promote this template just because she's my friend!)<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ePap64mw05k/XIT7YYka0OI/AAAAAAAAQL8/83Yge302-3cj9gByNETJlMLZ8RujVKG0wCLcBGAs/s1600/photo%2B6%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="545" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ePap64mw05k/XIT7YYka0OI/AAAAAAAAQL8/83Yge302-3cj9gByNETJlMLZ8RujVKG0wCLcBGAs/s400/photo%2B6%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="135" /></a></div>
I know, you are wondering why I like it. First, it is not because it is bright yellow. I like that it has a color, because you don't lose it, but I honestly prefer templates with a soft, subtle tint more like the ones <a href="https://www.mainelyquiltsoflove.com/main/store/templates/">I designed and sell</a> on my website. The yellow, though generally fine, can be difficult to see through on certain color fabrics. For the most part though, this is my go-go straight template.<br />
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Why?<br />
1. It is a perfect size. 3" x 10". Anything wider than 3", and it's a total handful to hold. The 10" length is enough for most lines I need to quilt. Any longer, and it will far exceed the length of the base plate (which is there to support the template), and you will risk having the template teeter (yes that is a word!) and potentially hit the needle. You know what that means. <<see above="" bite="" end="" my="" of="" out="" template="" the="">> The needle hit the template while I was not completely paying attention. Doing this can foul the machine's tension.</see><br />
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2. See the many etched marks on this template?...Exactly, there are <b>NOT</b> a multitude of marks. There are only the lines that you really need to do line work and straight crosshatching. There are no numbers, excessive text, unnecessary corporate logos. There are not twenty cross lines. IT IS SIMPLE, because simple is better and easier. I am resisting the urge to show you photos of other templates, ones that are wider than 3" and with so many markings they are a confusing enigma of which marks to use. I want you to just focus on the notion of "minimal". It has 45 degree etched lines for aligning an on-point grid. If you want to do a 30-60 grid, get out your protractor to set the position of the first line.<br />
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3. No 1/8" markings. While I personally love to quilt 1/8" spaced lines (corduroy as I call it), I do it with this very template. The evidence is clear -- it is simple to do, and I can execute these very accurately (the evidence is below). I simply start by quilting two 1/4" spaced lines using the etchings on the template, then I place a third line in the center between these lines. Now, you can quilt as many 1/8" spaced lines as you like simply by using the 1/4" etchings. It is not that I have not purchased a template with 1/8" etchings, because I have. It is because when a template has that many etched lines, you can hardly see what is beneath it. Coming from the perspective of the beginner quilter, having better visibility is preferred. Consider purchasing a ruler with denser line etchings after you have successfully mastered using a template similar to what is suggested for these classes. Minimal...think minimal.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqo0xAIUUMo/XIT_x3h-KeI/AAAAAAAAQMQ/TfWIkECg3PAJONhiL8iheaqJ4lj-zD0QwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqo0xAIUUMo/XIT_x3h-KeI/AAAAAAAAQMQ/TfWIkECg3PAJONhiL8iheaqJ4lj-zD0QwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0609.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(from The Value of Violet)</i></div>
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4. No Handles or additional "holding tabs". The notion of a template having a handle always seems good initially. I fell for it too, buying about $120 in handled templates, only to get them home to discover how much I truly hate the handles. They seemed awkward. It increased my tendency to not keep the template flat. Remember, a tippy template is a template that will soon come in contact with your needle. While I occasionally meet quilters that like the handles, the consensus of much of my Daytona class was that they were soon to be replaced with flatter templates. With any template, especially ones with handles, just follow this advice. Buy one. Test it at home for several hours before purchasing the entire set. They are not bad, but they are not a style I like or can endorse. Discover for yourself if you like them.</div>
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5. No special additional shapes or things to aid with ditch stitching. While it is an eventual certainty that you will probably stitch in the ditch with your straight template eventually (they are not just for quilting corduroy!), I am a firm believer that you will adapt to knowing how to spy that 1/4" offset between the edge of your stitching and the needle. The template below on the upper left has a notched area on the right intended to help you with doing straight ditch stitching. If you place the central line on the tabs on your ditch, it will automatically offset where the needle goes so you stitch close to the actual ditch (assuming the seam is in fact really straight). It has a great intention, and I do know many people who appreciate this function on a template. But for me, I dislike this multi-function template because it just does not feel good in my hand. It has a ton of pointy edges, and the length of the straight section is inadequately short. My 3"x10" simple template is smooth and comfortable in the hand.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XTh5BlRmLy4/XIUBOdh-IHI/AAAAAAAAQMc/zRUUacCtarA7U6ILVFT9_4ts-mvDfGengCLcBGAs/s1600/Photo%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XTh5BlRmLy4/XIUBOdh-IHI/AAAAAAAAQMc/zRUUacCtarA7U6ILVFT9_4ts-mvDfGengCLcBGAs/s400/Photo%2B1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Not yet convinced? Ok, I understand. I had to purchase about 4 templates like this before I realized that I love my Janet-Lees Favorite most. I'm just attempting to put out my reasons for why I like this best so that my MQX students who have not yet bought their templates for next month's template classes know what I'd suggest, and why.</div>
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Let's move on to the next template. </div>
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<b>Curved Arc Template</b></div>
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At some time in every quilter's life, he/she needs to have a good curved template for quilting curved cross hatching. This is not to be confused with a template that quilts circles; that actually does need to be a circle, rather than an arc. </div>
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Curved cross hatching looks like this - it is basically a grid but the lines are curved.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bBMdEZnqaWU/XIUDK6YOewI/AAAAAAAAQMo/6ys1tTTlJQQoczO-_IRIzxsGygKOg8IvwCLcBGAs/s1600/photo%2B12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1152" height="317" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bBMdEZnqaWU/XIUDK6YOewI/AAAAAAAAQMo/6ys1tTTlJQQoczO-_IRIzxsGygKOg8IvwCLcBGAs/s320/photo%2B12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
When you have mastered the simple, there are lots of gorgeous variations of curved cross hatching that you can learn, Cathedral Windows being one of them (below). This type of design is where my recommended arc template makes the process doable.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MSPR-g77fy0/XIUDQkVzukI/AAAAAAAAQMs/4v9NfOIBV1s_Kf7W-oqvnXGW1ZaJoYgtwCLcBGAs/s1600/photo%2B1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MSPR-g77fy0/XIUDQkVzukI/AAAAAAAAQMs/4v9NfOIBV1s_Kf7W-oqvnXGW1ZaJoYgtwCLcBGAs/s640/photo%2B1b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As you know, there are also as many curved templates on the market as there are straight. The one I stand behind as a quilter and a teacher is called the<a href="https://www.deloasquiltshop.com/collections/long-arm-rulers/products/boomerang"> Boomerang</a>, and is sold by Deloa Jones. It has an arc on both sides of the template, as well as etched concentric ARCS. I'll tell you why having 2 arcs is important shortly. These Boomerangs come in several diameters, so be sure to select the size suggested. For new users, I like the 8", 12" and 16" (but you know me, I do have a few others too, they are THAT good!).</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YTcp-lN9Csg/XIT7YyBeyhI/AAAAAAAAQMA/AADisxD5o_M6oMnI2SUXYRUVCBG7_caBQCLcBGAs/s1600/photo%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YTcp-lN9Csg/XIT7YyBeyhI/AAAAAAAAQMA/AADisxD5o_M6oMnI2SUXYRUVCBG7_caBQCLcBGAs/s400/photo%2B11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Deloa Jones Boomerang)</i></div>
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Let's talk about the etched lines.<u><b> They have to be curved</b></u>. There are more templates out there similar to this that have straight lines or a straight etched grid on them. They are essentially useless for curved crosshatching. If you just want to quilt curved bumps, then fine. This template has several etched lines too. I saw a template last week that had just one etched line, which means that you can only quilt 1/2" spaced arcs. It seemed pretty limited.<br />
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This template has a central perpendicular line too. I marked it with pink on the above photo. This is to help you keep the template aligned when quilting a grid. There are 45 degree lines, but if the template were mine, I'd have left these off. I can't say I've ever used them.<br />
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Now let me talk about the two curves. Unlike some similar templates available with 2 curves, these two curves quilt exactly the same shape! Genius, huh? They don't look like the same curvature. Well, they aren't. The inner is 12-1/2" diameter and the outer is 11-1/2" diameter (the 1/4" distance of needle-to-hopping foot makes them both quilt 12" arcs). Having two different curves capable of quilting the same shape enables quilters to quilt the left part of the arch (below) with the inner curve, which is more stable.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P2sXudcVu98/XIUDTYT2JXI/AAAAAAAAQMw/PLKzRmNambkNXII5jI0vQ6TfSqkmjxSpACLcBGAs/s1600/photo%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P2sXudcVu98/XIUDTYT2JXI/AAAAAAAAQMw/PLKzRmNambkNXII5jI0vQ6TfSqkmjxSpACLcBGAs/s400/photo%2B3.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
And then they can quilt the right part of the curve with the outer curve (below). It's not rocket science, but it sure is smart and clever. Nobody has to cross arms unless they feel like being a contortionist.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nhy4hlqUkI8/XIUDT9i21kI/AAAAAAAAQM0/TDz1K7Ypt6Ex0CSfCDPib_dkVVeJnIntACLcBGAs/s1600/photo%2B4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1468" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nhy4hlqUkI8/XIUDT9i21kI/AAAAAAAAQM0/TDz1K7Ypt6Ex0CSfCDPib_dkVVeJnIntACLcBGAs/s400/photo%2B4.JPG" width="366" /></a></div>
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Now, because the template has 2 curves, if you were quilting the area beneath the arch with a crosshatch, you'd use the inner curve. If you didn't have an inner (lower) curve, well, you couldn't create the cathedral window. Sometimes I prefer to curve crosshatch the area between the arches, and in that case you will use the outer (upper) curve.</div>
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In my Creative Templates 2 class, we learn about cathedral window motifs, so having a template like this is imperative. In Templates 101, we also do the simpler curved cross hatching. You don't need to have the lower side of the template curved, but your template does need several etched concentric arcs (at least 3 that are 1/4" spaced apart). My theory is, though, once you learn to do the basic curved crosshatch, you will most likely want to learn to make cathedral windows, so consider purchasing the best template from the beginning. This is one of those times when my experience can be a favor to you. </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-40579466276256004532019-03-05T13:32:00.001-08:002019-03-06T04:35:35.961-08:00The Value of Violet...In the Making (post 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All my life I have had this love affair with the color purple. I love this color and all of its shades -- lavender, plum, fuchsia - they all just speak to my passion for this quilt. I'm not sure that this originally intended to be a one-color quilt in the beginning, but it rapidly turned into that. What I learned in this process is that these type designs are immensely challenging. I have always used a variety of color to convey movement, or depth. A chosen "pop" color helps to move the eye around the quilt. I still wanted to create a quilt with these same characteristics, but was forced to use the values of the single color to do this.</div>
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My quilt, The Value of Violet, debuted at the MidAtlantic Quilt Festival last week. This is my new quilt for 2019. Over about 11-12 months, I worked on the quilt so it is fun to finally get to share the entire thing. It finishes at about 71" square, and is made from both commercial cottons and silk Radiance. As you may know, silk Radiance has been out of production about 20 months now, but fortunately for me, as soon as I heard production was stopping, I purchased about 50+ yards in a variety of colors.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FI8_DVtY1nU/XH7WlVty5aI/AAAAAAAAQIk/CP3a99Equ_kQj7f5lZPZG7qcqM7wHNUMgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FI8_DVtY1nU/XH7WlVty5aI/AAAAAAAAQIk/CP3a99Equ_kQj7f5lZPZG7qcqM7wHNUMgCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_1461.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This post will discuss the making of the top.</div>
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In December 2017, I decided I wanted to make a modernized version of the Pumpkin Seed pattern. I had 3 shades of the hand-dyed purple silk Radiance which was barely enough to cut out these petals. Debra Linker (a fantastic dyer) dyed these for me for another quilt the year before, but somehow my interest in finishing this quilt waned, and I was left with some of the fabric. I am probably considered a hoarder when it comes to fabric, not throwing away even the smallest scraps. That came in handy this time! The background is the simple pieced checkerboard of silver Radiance (a stock color) and this Kaffe print that was actually bought for something else. The two silver fabrics just happened to match nicely.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HctT2AgoxRo/XH7XdZCR7gI/AAAAAAAAQIw/PSxfPnh8JpoyNVad4W877-xVR2MRDgwYQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HctT2AgoxRo/XH7XdZCR7gI/AAAAAAAAQIw/PSxfPnh8JpoyNVad4W877-xVR2MRDgwYQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3032.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The applique bits are all turned edge using the startch and templar method. It does take what feels like a proverbial lifetime to get them turned but once they are prepared, I can take the pieces anywhere and stitch them. Weeks later, the edges are still crisp. At the time of this photo, I was still auditioning layouts and playing with the pink dots. It didn't end up quite like what is above.<br />
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I have put the lightest lavender fabrics at the center, and the darkest at the outer edge. This creates a pretty glow from the center of the quilt. Because I chose to applique over the seams, when all petals are stitched down, I went back and snipped away the seams from beneath the petals. There is nothing more unsightly than to have nice quilting over the lumps of the piecing.<br />
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Originally, the center medallion (above) was going to be set on point, and there were going to be rather sizable appliqued corners (shown below). I remember thinking how daunting all that applique was going to be to prepare, and it was subsequently modified. I'm not really sure though that the design I switched too had any less applique!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9k6M49XOHT8/XH7XdP6T7UI/AAAAAAAAQIo/lX5xF5XYvj8Oyr1OF41EgZTGDTJC62IOgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9k6M49XOHT8/XH7XdP6T7UI/AAAAAAAAQIo/lX5xF5XYvj8Oyr1OF41EgZTGDTJC62IOgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3182.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The applique is whimsical, and less realistic than my last quilt. It's hard when all of it is from the same color. Leaves and flowers were all purple. Floral applique is much simpler when there are many shades of green for leaves, and other bright colors for the flowers. a single color scheme poses many more challenges than I initially considered.<br />
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When I ditched the large applique corners, I had to go with pieced corners. The diamond piecing is a bit of a pain, but it is great when you only have a few inches of any one fabric. I tried to work in a couple of the lavender silks, for that variety in sheen, as well as a pretty gradation of darker to lighter purples. By themselves, the colors of the corner seem a bit odd, but on the quilt, I think it twinkles.<br />
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<i>(doing a layout test)</i></div>
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The biggest problem with these corners is that the outer edges are ALL bias. I had to come up with a way to put this all together so that it wasn't a stretchy mess. Here's what I did.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0MQHE3kk8xQ/XH7Xe6GDfdI/AAAAAAAAQI4/nDmeSS0i-ZAJhsGBPpqgTH1FunglqR6vwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0MQHE3kk8xQ/XH7Xe6GDfdI/AAAAAAAAQI4/nDmeSS0i-ZAJhsGBPpqgTH1FunglqR6vwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3202.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I cut a piece of muslin in the exact size needed the finished square to be. The corners were carefully basted to the muslin, forcing the outer edges to be square.<br />
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I wanted to use this 1/2" fuchsia border, but knew it would only work if it remained very straight. This construction method seemed unorthadox, but I knew it would accomplish my goal. The tiny border was pieced into place, attaching it directly to the muslin-basted square.<br />
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Next the center medallion is carefully centered on this muslin, and basted to heck and back. How do you center it?...Guess you won't accept "carefully" as the answer. I place it squarely on my wood floor, using the boards to keep it straight. Using a laser and measuring tape, I tweak the medallion until the alignment is straight. There is no easy fix later if this is not right. You can't exactly ask the viewers and judges to "kindly cock your head sideways 3 degrees when viewing". LOL!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9RUNdK6aP2c/XH7ej26p33I/AAAAAAAAQLQ/RDyTSEzkLXgjAwN_pDwc8CepMHieCO1JACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3384a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9RUNdK6aP2c/XH7ej26p33I/AAAAAAAAQLQ/RDyTSEzkLXgjAwN_pDwc8CepMHieCO1JACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3384a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I added the deep purple scallops. They are left raw edge because I covered the edge with the magenta bias (below). I also tucked a piping under the outer edge, but I can't seem to find a photo of this before the quilting was done. 4058 photos of this quilt, but not one of this. Go figure...what were the odds!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ghQ7xNQ_eMc/XH7XiFNUd0I/AAAAAAAAQKQ/reB-otM93lwDWmHxAzI1k81j60g3jx1WwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ghQ7xNQ_eMc/XH7XiFNUd0I/AAAAAAAAQKQ/reB-otM93lwDWmHxAzI1k81j60g3jx1WwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_3385.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This shows the piping... (pretend you haven't seen the quilting!)</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QV_uT3SBblU/XH7f0pr5pgI/AAAAAAAAQLc/uWVyDSpD7aIwzO-ZMQDgb4uW5h8NYbYdACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QV_uT3SBblU/XH7f0pr5pgI/AAAAAAAAQLc/uWVyDSpD7aIwzO-ZMQDgb4uW5h8NYbYdACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4553.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I machine appliqued the bias edge to the scallops using a clear thread, then carefully stitched the entire medallion to the background via the ditch by the piping. The last step is to remove the muslin that was used to keep everything perfectly straight and square.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g35dP7bmt0c/XH7eHmIEqwI/AAAAAAAAQK8/OjyHiRoi8bwUHyFPk5F3ezSxYlh01KqwwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g35dP7bmt0c/XH7eHmIEqwI/AAAAAAAAQK8/OjyHiRoi8bwUHyFPk5F3ezSxYlh01KqwwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4180.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
This shows the muslin removed from the center (above). Below, I cut it away from the pieced corners. There is a tiny ridge ~1/4" wide where the seams are that you can't get rid of completely, but that is ok. What I don't want is to have the muslin shrink should I need to do a hot soak (if a fabric were to bleed), because the muslin would shrink more than the other fabrics.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OikXLgLHcUQ/XH7eHkH32oI/AAAAAAAAQLA/R5SPSQiJYYUeShQ161TZzMlFwmJmJhGGACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OikXLgLHcUQ/XH7eHkH32oI/AAAAAAAAQLA/R5SPSQiJYYUeShQ161TZzMlFwmJmJhGGACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4181.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Here's my fancy-shaped cutaway of muslin...<br />
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On to the applique borders...<br />
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In all truthfulness, the design of these was ongoing as the work just described was being done. I drafted the pattern on paper. Like the last applique quilt I finished (My Secret Garden), all four sides of the applique are different, and there is an intended top and bottom.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4-nTGZzlLoQ/XH7Xf0xUflI/AAAAAAAAQJE/rPpwJIu4KIgVD_SAqN97aCKbmenx6PwyACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4-nTGZzlLoQ/XH7Xf0xUflI/AAAAAAAAQJE/rPpwJIu4KIgVD_SAqN97aCKbmenx6PwyACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3223.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
I create "patterns" of the key shapes (main leaves, flowers, etc) and they are traced onto the serpentine vine. At some point in the design, I decided I wanted a ribbon to intertwine behind the applique, so it was added. The only color that made sense for the ribbon was white.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iu8Oi4sHZm4/XH7XgtwZIVI/AAAAAAAAQJI/xuCGWGVNUss7QUkRzUNSrX6y0EK7axixwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iu8Oi4sHZm4/XH7XgtwZIVI/AAAAAAAAQJI/xuCGWGVNUss7QUkRzUNSrX6y0EK7axixwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3380.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
These ribbon sections were made from white batik, and had an edge of the white silk Radiance. I just didn't have enough white to make them all from the silk. The bothersome part though was that the gray fabric shadowed through the white batik.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-waGe4dKxbg8/XH7XiPM39rI/AAAAAAAAQJM/iNPOCHXfiewV8dpok8s79cblJ_ibakF5ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-waGe4dKxbg8/XH7XiPM39rI/AAAAAAAAQJM/iNPOCHXfiewV8dpok8s79cblJ_ibakF5ACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3387.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
So I added a rather heavy fusible interfacing, fused across the entire back (below).<br />
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I used an Elmer's glue to position the silk and batik pieces, so after it was stitched, these went into the sink for a quick bath.<br />
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And air dry, then re-iron... because they were a tad puckery. I hoped once quilted they'd be flat. Why do all quilts seem to be somewhat experimental??!<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBvnkEIZNys/XH7XkR3EkZI/AAAAAAAAQJg/rCNLoGtXRpgNEFouhZyiLNHDIVRdDs82gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBvnkEIZNys/XH7XkR3EkZI/AAAAAAAAQJg/rCNLoGtXRpgNEFouhZyiLNHDIVRdDs82gCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3668.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Each of the 4 applique borders was hand stitched individually, before they were added to the center. When they were complete, I soaked them to remove glue and starch, and blocked them on the foam core boards back to size. The handling of being stitched as well as the bias vine can make these (when appliqued on silk) want to distort a bit. Blocking recreates a perfectly flat quilt which is ideal to have before quilting. The only thing not done on these borders is the applique that is on the corners.</div>
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The "greenery" I designed for this quilt is different from other floral applique I have used. Leaves still look like leaves, but I added that deep plum pod-like shape and the modern-ish "flowers". I knew it would all read as "floral", but I was going for different. These three flowers (shown at bottom of borders above) were intended to mimic the shapes of the pumpkin seeds of the center. Clever?...well, no...it was sort of planned. I do that with the quilting too, but you'll have to wait until the next post for that.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qmb5e1_es5A/XH7XmqZuckI/AAAAAAAAQJ0/DBn22A0Zscs5ncEvonoz2EEzXGddlWk7wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qmb5e1_es5A/XH7XmqZuckI/AAAAAAAAQJ0/DBn22A0Zscs5ncEvonoz2EEzXGddlWk7wCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_4046.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>(slight bleed)</i></div>
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This was the first time I have used faux suede. I never knew how fantastic this stuff is -- no edges to turn, no circles to manually cut. The 1/4" berries (nearly 300) were cut with circular punches than hand appliqued. One firm whack of the hammer and you have a microscopic circle! It was good for kid-raising stress-relief too. The vines are appliqued with 2 color of floss - magenta and purple. Truth be told, one of these embroidery threads likely bled. I used a floss that I have probably had since the early 1990s, and I suspect it was that. I thought it was the right color, so I used it. Bad deal!...Toss all your old flosses!! If it weren't for the white ribbons, the bleeds might not have been seen, but it's in a few places, subtly.<br />
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Viola! Here is most of the top. The corners are pinned into their square positions (yes, with the aid of the magical aligning hall flooring and a rotary cutting square. The remainder of the applique that covers the corner miters is hand stitched.<br />
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But of course, I was thinking two steps ahead of where I actually was. Before the applique was actually done, I was playing with how to do the outer border. I knew that the quilt needed more beyond the silver silk to properly ground it. I wanted to bring that very deep purple of the scallops to the outside of the quilt. It's about moving the eye, and color was my only tool to do that.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zZnvCJ3zToQ/XH7XlHeVZcI/AAAAAAAAQJk/1QdeTNFjr649ODLomtO2KLmu3V42yrv_ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zZnvCJ3zToQ/XH7XlHeVZcI/AAAAAAAAQJk/1QdeTNFjr649ODLomtO2KLmu3V42yrv_ACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3701.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The one inch squares are simple, but colorwise effective. No rocket-science or extraordinary measures needed. Just a dark plum border. There were a few of the magenta squares thrown into that outer border to pay homage to that shade as well.<br />
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Now, I needed to decide on what fabrics to use on the 3/4" circles I was going to applique to the points of the pumpkin seeds. I had a small piece of this Celtic print that I have been hoarding forever. I love this, and thought since I used it on the corners of the white ribbons, it would be perfect to reuse on the dots.<br />
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They were more than a bit pesky to align just so. Many naughty words were said for each I had to remove and straighten!<br />
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Three or four other shades were also used on the dots, from darker at the outer to lightest near the center.<br />
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This is essentially the finished top, as it was when I loaded it on the longarm. I added trapunto, quilting, embroidery, couching, some pearls and more (yea, the crazy quilted scallop binding) as the process continued!<br />
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Stay tuned...the next post in a few days will discuss the quilting!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26850144.post-77860375591211560152019-02-28T05:49:00.000-08:002019-02-28T05:49:16.955-08:00My New Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My newest competition quilt, "The Value of Violet" is making her debut this week at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton, VA. I am excited to hear how the quilt does, if any of my readers happen to be at the show.</div>
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What you may not know about me is how much I absolutely love purple. I have always loved purple, and all of its shades. This quilt was fun because it was all about this one color, but immensely challenging because it was only one color (I don't include the silver, as it is just the background). All dimension and movement is created solely by use of value. There are commercial cottons as well as silk Radiance in at least 7 colors (5 are shades of purple).</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qFp_W3E-xKc/XHKfhas_xxI/AAAAAAAAQIU/vKZP0yDt5W4sOmRiX3CdxaNTlIU7XbRPACLcBGAs/s1600/value-of-violet-sm1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="900" height="397" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qFp_W3E-xKc/XHKfhas_xxI/AAAAAAAAQIU/vKZP0yDt5W4sOmRiX3CdxaNTlIU7XbRPACLcBGAs/s400/value-of-violet-sm1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This original quilt was a year in the making. It is mostly hand turned-edge applique (all but the pieced diamond corners and outer border). It has significant embroidery and hand couching, hundreds of tiny dots (AKA 1/4" berries!), a little hand painting, and another crazy binding treatment! After I return, I will post a longer post with info and photos about her making, including some closer-up shots of the quilting. Right now, though, I am "tied" up in sunny and warm Daytona Beach teaching at the AQS Daytona show. Life is hard...LOL!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7