Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows Quilt

I can finally show you more of the quilt made by Linda Collins from Quilts in the Barn which I quilted a few months ago.  Linda's quilt "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows" has just been published as a project in Australian Country Craft and Decorating Vol 22 No 6.  The magazine came out today and I have managed to pick up a copy.  It is always great to see a quilt you have worked on in a magazine.

Linda's quilt was inspired by a bundle of fabrics and a Dresden Plate wedge purchased at the Australian Quilt Convention earlier this year.  During a retreat that same weekend, she played with both the fabrics and the wedge, desiging this quilt.  The result is a stunning quilt based on a traditional design.

I quilted Linda's quilt with swirling feathers in between the dresden plates and along the borders.  The dresden plates are quilted with continuous curves and a small feather flower in the centre.

Congratulations Linda on having your beautiful quilt published.  Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows would make a great holiday project - remember to pick up your own copy of Australian Country Craft and Decorating.

Ishbel

I used to be involved in a large range of craft activities but in recent years have focussed mainly on quilting.  As I don't seem to have the patience for hand piecing, I tend to have some knitting on the go.  A knitting project can take me quite a while to complete as I usually only work on it while watching our kids play sport or on holidays.

I have just finished a lovely shawl using the pattern Ishbel.

This was my fourth Ishbel, all of which have been given as gifts over the last year or so.  The shawl was knitted using Malabrigo Sock Yarn in Lettuce purchased from Eat Sleep Knit.  Ishbel is a lovely, easy knit and makes for a very portable project.  The yarn feels very soft and blocked beautifully.

I know it may be a while before you get to wear your shawl, Steph, as it is certainly not shawl weather in Melbourne at the moment - I hope you enjoy your shawl next winter.

I have decided to knit a different shawl next - I am trying the Haruni shawl which is a free pattern on Ravelry.  What "on the go" projects do you have?

Vintage Fabric Linen Quilt

My customer Linda Bear from Somerset Patchwork & Quilting has designed and made the most wonderful quilt using vintage linen fabrics.  Linda's quilt was made from linen curtain fabric which came from her grandparents' farmhouse.

Each of the squares in this quilt has been made from the same fabric.  Linda has carefully fussy cut 4 triangles for each square creating a kaleidoscope effect in each.  The light and dark squares have come about with the careful selection of light and dark areas of the curtain fabric.  I was amazed at the incredible number of different squares she has managed to create - closer examination of the lighter squares reveals an amazing array of designs which are not initially apparent.

There must have been a huge amount of curtain fabric to enable the creation of this quilt.  Linda did say that she still has a considerable quantity of the fabric left.



Linda's quilt has been quilted with cross hatching on the darker squares.   The cross-hatching is alternated with feathers which wind themselves through the remaining areas of the quilt.

The back too is wonderful.  Linda selected a backing fabric with a small print which still allows the quilting design to show.

Thanks for letting me quilt this stunning quilt Linda - I enjoyed the challenge and love the end result.

Random Reflections Quilt

Today I would like to feature a quilt which has been made by my customer Evelyn.  Evelyn has made the Random Reflections Quilt which is a free pattern by Moda Bakeshop.  The pattern can be found here and comes together really quickly using just 2 jelly rolls of fabric - 1 jelly roll of a range of prints and 1 jelly roll of a solid fabric.  Evelyn has used the Freebird Collection by Momo for Moda for her prints and Moda Solids in Snow.

To tie in with the many floral fabrics used in this quilt, we decided to use an all-over design called Daisies Galore by Timeless Quilting Designs.  I must admit, I love a quilt which has some areas of solid fabric where the quilting can be a feature - Evelyn's quilt has quilted up beautifully.

Evelyn's quilt is a wonderful example of a quilt which looks great quilted with an all-over design.  I hope you are enjoying your lovely quilt Evelyn.

My First Vintage Quilt Top

I am afraid I may have started something which will be hard to stop...  I have been trawling ebay and the internet looking for vintage quilt tops to buy - a new addiction perhaps.  I love the look of vintage quilts.  I don't seem to find much time to piece my own quilts but would really like to quilt some quilts for myself.  Buying a vintage quilt top would solve the need to piece my own quilts. 

While I was in Adelaide recently at the AMQF, I did a class with Pam Clarke, an American Longarm Quilter and teacher, who has quilted many vintage quilt tops.  Her view is that unless it is a blue ribbon quilt top it is better to finish it than to have it sit in a cupboard and not be used.  Apparently there are so many vintage quilt tops in America that some real bargains can still be picked up.

My first vintage quilt top is a Lone Star Quilt made in solids.  I love solid quilts and I am hoping that the quilting will eventually be a real feature.  The name of the maker was Eva Stelters and the quilt top originates from Oklahoma.  The quilt was bought from Buckboard Antique Quilts.

Perhaps it is just the perfectionist in me coming out, but I have decided that the corner squares and setting triangles are too big for the quilt causing it to not quite lie flat.  I am going to remake the corners and insert new setting triangles.  It will make the quilting much easier.  So much for my time saving theory...

I have sourced matching fabrics from Kona Solids using the Kona Solids Color Chart - it is great to be able to see the actual fabrics rather than trying to match colors on a computer screen.  As usual, the fabrics arrived promptly from The Fabric Shack. 

I am looking forward to finishing Eva's quilt - hopefully it will become a much treasured and used quilt.

Oh, my second vintage quilt top is currently on the way from America.  I have stopped myself from looking at any more vintage quilt tops on the internet ... for now.

Blogger's Quilt Festival

I am once again participating in the Blogger's Quilt Festival being organised by Amy of Amy's Creative Side from October 29 - November 5. The Blogger's Quilt Festival is an online quilt festival where bloggers from around the world showcase a quilt - once you have had a look here, head on over and take some time viewing the other wonderful quilts.

This time I am sharing a beautiful quilt made by my customer Susan.  Susan's quilt is a chubby star quilt made with gorgeous fabrics - I particularly love the owl fabrics which are featured in the centre of the stars.

I have quilted Susan's quilt with spirals on the centres of the stars, swirls in the areas around the stars, feathers in the white sashing and swags with feathers and piano keys in the border. 

Sometimes I dread plain backs...luckily I didn't have to work with too much contrasting thread on the back.  This time the plain back has made for a stunning result - I love the quilting on the back!

I hope you have enjoyed Susan's quilt - I had a great time quilting it and am thrilled with the end result. Remember to head on over to see many of the other quilts in the Blogger's Quilt Festival - enjoy!

Kermit - Fat Quarterly Quilt Along

Kate from One Flew Over has collected her beautiful Kermit Quilt from me this week.  This quilt was made as part of the Fat Quarterly Quilt Along.

The reason for the name of Kate's quilt becomes apparent quite quickly - it has almost every imaginable shade of green!

I have quilted Kermit with semi circles through each square and petals in the centre squares and corners, creating a floral design in those areas.

Thanks again Kate, you have made a gorgeous spring time quilt!

If you would like see some more of the beautiful quilts created by the Fat Quarterly Quilt Along, go and have a look at the Flickr Fat Quarterly Group - there are several other lovely examples of this quilt.

Japanese Lantern Quilt

I guess I had better get back to featuring some of the quilts I have been working on.  This week, I have completed a Lantern Quilt in beautiful Japanese fabrics pieced by my customer Mary.  I love the way Mary has included some carefully placed red lanterns in her otherwise indigo blue quilt.

Mary wanted the quilting to be kept fairly simple with mainly straight lines.  I hope I have obliged with straight lines 1/4inch apart outlining the lanterns and a piano key border.  I have quilted some curved lines in the lanterns which I believe have added to the concertina effect of the lanterns.

My favourite lantern:-

Quilts in the Barn Exhibition 2010

Just a reminder that the 2010 Quilts in the Barn Exhibition is nearly here...

If you have been to Quilts in the Barn before, you will know that Linda puts on a fabulous event with beautiful quilts, in a glorious setting. All monies raised are for breast cancer research. If you haven't been before, now is your chance! There will be morning & afternoon tea available, Corliss from Threadbear will have a stall and Di Ford will have some of her patterns for sale.  Check out the amazing Raffle Quilt made by the Secret Sewing Sisterhood.  Apparently there will be about 70 quilts on display - certainly worth a trip!

Back Home from AMQF

I have returned home from the Australian Machine Quilting Festival exhausted.  The four days were fabulous - I would like to thank Tracey Browning and Sharon Parkinson for organising this fantastic event.  Thanks also to the many volunteers, vendors, teachers, sponsors and judges.

The American instructors were truly inspirational especially Pam Clarke, Kimmy Brunner and Anne Bright - they are all so passionate about quilting and were great instructors.  I have learned a lot and am looking forward to putting some of these quilting ideas into practice.

The Australian Machine Quilting Show was held in conjunction with AMQF and was a wonderful display of quilts.  I was thrilled to learn that two of my quilts had been awarded ribbons.

My wholecloth quilt "Envy" was awarded a Second Prize ribbon in the Custom Heirloom / Show - Wall Category.

My quilt "Field of Flowers" was awarded a First Prize ribbon in the Edge-to-Edge Category.

It is back to the quilting machine now - lots of quilts to be done before Christmas!

Australian Machine Quilting Festival

I am very excited to be heading over to Adelaide tomorrow to attend the inaugural Australian Machine Quilting Festival.  The event is running from 1st to 4th October, 2010 and I will be travelling with 2 Longarm Machine Quilting friends.

I am looking forward to taking classes with international teachers Pam Clarke and Kim Brunner as well as an amazing group of talented Australian tutors in all aspects of machine quilting.

The AMQF is catering for all machine quilters that own either a Longarm, Mid-arm or domestic sewing machine.

The 4 day event will also include a vendor mall (looking forward to some shopping) and the Australian Machine Quilting Association Quilt Show.  I have entered a number of quilts in this exhibition and it is always fabulous to see your own quilts on display amongst a fabulous collection of quilts.

I am looking forward to 4 days of machine quilting, the company of like minded people and getting away from the stresses of the St Kilda / Collingwood Grand Final Replay on Saturday.  Go Saints!

Snail Trail Quilt

I would like to share another quilt I have recently finished quilting which was pieced by Linda from Quilts in the Barn.  Linda's first love is antique quilts and reproducing them using reproduction fabrics - the Snail Trail Quilt she has made is a wonderful example of such a quilt.

Linda's quilt was quilted with a spinning feather in the red snail trail blocks and continuous curves in the cream snail trail blocks.

 
More feathers were quilted in the border with a scrolling feather.
 

And yes, Linda knows that some of the four-patches in the quilt are facing the wrong way.  She is just not saying whether they were as a result of the fact that this is quite a confusing pattern to construct or whether they are intentional as only God is perfect!

Thanks again Linda, your quilts are an absolute delight to work on!

A Wedding Signature Quilt

Linda from Quilts in the Barn today picked up the beautiful wedding signature quilt which she made for a couple married earlier this year.  Linda organised for patches of fabric to be signed by guests on the wedding day.  The result is this stunning quilt.

The cream sashing in the blocks are made up of the well wishes from many of the wedding guests.  Click on the photos to read the messages.

Even the Bride signed the wedding quilt.

I have quilted the wedding quilt with feather wreaths on the blocks, piano keys in the border and a feather scroll in the blue sashing.

And sometimes a plain back works beautifully - I love this back!

Thanks again Linda and best wishes to the recipients of this quilt - may they enjoy a long marriage full of love and happiness.

Pat's Pies & Tarts Quilt

I have just had the pleasure of quilting another quilt for my lovely customer Pat.  I am not exactly sure about Pat's age - I have quilted several quilts for her over the last few years and ever since the first quilt she has been in her "early eighties".  Pat takes great delight in the making of her quilts - for Pat it is certainly as much about the journey of making the quilt as it is about the end result.  Pat is the only customer for whom I pick up and drop off quilts at her home.  Each time I do so, we have a wonderful chat and, as she said on my last visit, she doesn't know what her life would be like without quilting.  I certainly enjoy my meetings with Pat - she has a lot of life experience to offer and is wonderful company.

This time Pat has made the Pies & Tarts Quilt designed by Sue Dailey from Patchwork with Busyfingers.  Pat only sews by hand - the entire quilt has been hand pieced and she will even put the binding on by hand.

In keeping with the circular theme of the quilt we decided to quilt a spiral on each large pie.  Each spiral extends almost to the centre of the smaller tarts and overlap eachother - the quilting has put me in mind of a spirograph drawing.

Pat is a member of the Bluegum Quilters.  Bluegum Quilters are having a Quilt Exhibition on Saturday 6th November, 2010 at St James Church, Corner Pender and Newcastle Streets, Thornbury from 9.30am to 3.30pm.  Entry is only $2.  Pat's Pies & Tarts Quilt will be on display there amongst a selection of many other beautiful quilts.

Thanks again Pat - I will look forward to your next quilt - I am sure it will be another beauty.

Windows & Frames Quilt #2

I have recently finished quilting another version of the Windows & Frames Quilt published in the first issue of Fat Quartertly.  This lovely quilt has been made by Lurline who requested that it be quilted the same as the original version of this quilt made by Kate from One Flew Over.

Lurline used some beautiful blue fabrics which, together with the white fabric has resulted in a fresh, modern looking quilt.  I love the way the spirals complement the straight lines of the piecing in this quilt.

I hope you are enjoying your quilt Lurline - it was a pleasure to quilt.

Eight Pointed Star Quilt

I have just had great fun quilting this little Eight Pointed Star Quilt for my customer Cheryl.  Cheryl has made this special quilt for her sister who is seriously ill - it will hopefully be a quilt her sister will be able to take along to hospital and take comfort from when at home.

Cheryl has hand-pieced the stars using fabrics from her stash including some of her favourite Liberty fabrics.  I have quilted the quilt with a feather border, continuous curves in the points of the stars and line-dancing and swirls on the plain fabrics.  I managed to quilt each block continuously - the quilting really seemed to flow.  I did change colour on each block to match the plain background fabrics.

The line-dancing on the plain fabrics has made a secondary design where the four corners of the blocks meet.

Thanks for letting me quilt this quilt Cheryl - I hope your sister loves it and that is brings her joy and comfort.