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.