Oversized Nine Patch

10, 680 hand-quilted stitches later, (approximately!) and the quilt that I gave a sneak peak of in my last post is now finished. (Such a good feeling!)

The quilt is titled '9Patch Quilt in Red and White' and is loosely aimed at exploring the design possibilities in constructing and using an exaggerated and oversized nine-patch. 

The idea for this started when I looked out my back door at an old quilt that I had made years ago, which I had washed and hung out to dry. The quilt in reference is nothing to write home about let alone show, (thus no photo). Simply made from nine 12 inch squares in rather boring fabrics it was one of several that I made to be used for purely utilitarian purposes... to cover one of my girls when they were very little, to put one in good old Mo's dog bed, to sling another one over the coffee table to hide the scratch marks... And now, all those years later, here I was looking at this plain jane quilt, and for the first time I saw the really bold potential held in those nine 12" blocks. 

I knew right away that I wanted to make a red cross quilt. The graphic image of the Red Cross, used over the years as a symbol of humanity, mercy and aid has always been one of my favorite symbols. I plan on exploring the red cross theme again, as well as with other colors. 

Each of the nine squares used to create the quilt were made up of various sized strips of fabric in varying shades of neutrals and reds. I used cottons, shot cottons and linen-cotton fabrics.

With the combination of both hand and machine quilting, this piece is very similar to one of my Work Quilts. The only difference is I didn't sew any appliqué patches onto the quilt top. However, some of the piecing, such as these two small beige squares, kind of give a patched visual, which I like.

I also like the way that the colors of the variegated threads, (used for the hand-quilting) dance across the surface, visually popping here and there. (And for the record, as I get asked this question A LOT... I am using 12 weight cotton thread, doubled over and knotted at the ends, so two strands are used while sewing. And, I use a small quilter's 'between' needle...whatever size I have on hand.

If I do another one of these, I may or may not hand quilt it... it's truly all up to the quilt, (but I am hoping that the next one just wants to be machined quilted, as my fingers and hands do get sore!)

Okay, that's all I have to say about this quilt... other then, I throughly enjoyed the whole process and am really happy with the final results. When all of those elements come happily together, the journey and the destination, you just can't help but to be grateful that you get to be a quilter. 

For more information on '9Patch Quilt in Red and White' please visit my shop here.

Obeying the Quilt

I am starting quilt and wanted to give you a sneak peek...

My original plan was to just machine quilt it in close, straight rows, but the quilt wanted none of that and after several attempts I gave in, ripped out my stitches, and did what the quilt wanted me to do. The quilt seemed to demand that it be machine quilted in un-straight rows, spaced further apart in unequal distances, and with hand quilting done in between, also in un-straight rows. (And yes, I know that by looking at these close up photos, the rows of stitching seem pretty straight, but in reality they aren't... it's all much more organic. Exactly what the quilt asked for!) 

Of course, this is a wee bit more time consuming then what I had first planned, however, the quilt was right and I am glad I listened to it. I find it's always better to give into the work then to try to force your will upon it. 

Hope to finish the quilt this week and will be sure to share the final results. Have a happy weekend everyone!

A Stitch a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

Here's another little, flowered, appliquéd mini quilt. 

Similar color pallet as the one from my last post, but with a much less traditional look.

Shot cottons and hand stitching make such a lovely marriage... they just go together so nicely.

Now available in my shop. Please see here for more information

Revisiting Love

Along with continuing to work with appliqué, I am revisiting two other loves... shot cotton and hand quilting. They both make my heart sing.

Using some relatively simple vector drawing applications that I now have on my new computer, I am now easily able to re-create whatever original appliqué designs I think up. I can then print out my templates to scale on some card stock, and get to work. I like this new, (to me) ability to virtually move things around and play with scale, design and layout before ever cutting into fabric.

The shapes have all been hand turned and then machine stitched down with a decorative blanket stitch. The hand quilting is all done free-form... just eyeball it and go! Very relaxing.

If you haven't done much hand quilting, or are just feeling rusty because its been awhile, small projects like this one are perfect to practice on.

To hang the quilt I opted not to use a hanging sleeve, (as it can add some extra bulk and isn't always the best choice for something this light weight and hand quilted). Instead I went for two little folded fabric corners, which can easily support a thin dowel rod for hanging.

A couple more of these mini quilts, in other designs, are in the works. I am finding them perfect to bring along for all those on-the-go summer activities and travels!

This little quilt is currently for sale in my shop here. (Update: Now sold.)

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Garden Party Pattern

As promised at the end of my last post, here are the photos of the finished Garden Party set.

If you remember, I began by making this flowered appliqué table runner, using the freezer paper appliqué method. I had such fun making the runner, that I decided to make a set of matching placemats...

To keep it playful, I switched up the colors of the flowers and the binding for each placemat...

now everyone can have their own!

And now, after much technology based trial and tribulation, (one broken computer resulting in lost files, replaced by one new and advanced computer, (resulting in a slight learning curve) followed by one broken printer 4 days later, now replaced by a new printer which again is requiring me to stretch my technology tired brain once again...) I have finally gotten the pattern for this Garden Party set done!

Appliqué, (something I use to do quite a bit of, if anyone remembers... Space Spores anyone?!) really lends itself well to pattern making, and after all the piece work and improvised quilt making that I have been doing the last several years, (and will keep doing) I am enjoying revisiting the creative illustrative design aspects that appliqué offers. 

I've written patterns for books and magazines before, but this is the first pattern that I have created to sell in my shop. I took a great deal of time and care to write it in a friendly conversational manner, so it would feel as if I were right there, as if in a one-to-one lesson. The pattern comes in a PDF file and is full of illustrations and photographs detailing the steps, from creating the freezer paper appliqué motifs, to laying them out, and quilting them. Helpful tips and suggestions are sprinkled throughout, as well as ideas on alternative ways to achieve different looks, including suggestions for easier and quicker quilting methods.

Along with the project directions and templates, (which once downloaded will print out at the correct size, eliminating the need to enlarge or resize)  I've also included a handy comprehensive 'Basics' guide where lots of helpful information on on sewing and quilting can be found, as well as a completely illustrated guide to sewing and attaching a continuous binding with metered corners.

All in all, I wanted my Garden Party Table Runner and Placemat Set Pattern to be something that offered the more intermediate/experienced quilter a fun project to work on, but I also wanted it to be a very user friendly pattern for any beginner quilter who is now comfortable with the basics and is feeling ready to stretch her wings and try some new things! 

For more information or to purchase, please go here.

Have a great week, everyone!