pillows

Sometimes I need a small project. And recently new pillows for the den.

This is all scraps. I love flying geese! FMQ in matchstick lines.

This is 4 paper-piece blocks from an old quilting magazine. I think it was Quilters Newsletter from the 1990s. I made each block to represent the 4 seasons. 

All scraps, improvised piecing. Love the colors, reminds me of a gated flower garden.

 
 
 

a sweet baby quilt

This is for a friend of my son.

A sweet little boy, born early, but doing well.

Fun koalas and dots. The quilting is a loose meander to keep it soft.
 

Pattern is Moondance by Villa Rosa Designs.

February Dragon

My most recent quilt has been in development for several years. I sketched it and hung on to it, then got brave enough to do it!

The background is a patchwork of batiks, the dragon is Moda Cross weave. I added dense matchstick quilting to suggest dragon scales. 

I do like the stencil-look, but there wasn't much contrast between the dragon and the background.

I decided to add some thread work around the dragon in black. This added contrast, and emphasized the dragon more.

 

Much better. Although I can tell you I will revisit the dragon in a different approach again. 

The black thread work helps the contrast.

 
 
 

 
 

January practice

I decided that instead of doing practice pieces that I toss, I would create an entire composition for FMQ practice.

I started with trying a different style of feathers. In a flower shape. With a cross-hatch background.

I added formal feathers in the corners. 

Then I pondered the border. It needed even quilting to balance the intense FMQ in the center. 

I did ruler work to create an architectural border. With loops in the cornerstones.

Finished at 24"square. I used a layer of Quilters Dream mid-loft poly on the bottom under a layer of Quilters Dream Puff. Quilted with Glide thread on top and Aurifil in the bobbin.

Love the texture on the back!
 
 
 
 
 

last one for 2016

So I made another map quilt. This one in batiks. For my brother.

He was very surprised.

This is his happy face!

Straight line quilting all over the states, with various free-motion motifs in the background. 

States are 50 different batik fabrics, background is Moda cross weave. Free motion quilted by me on my Baby Lock Tiara with a variety of threads.

 

 

 

one last Quilt of 2016

I made this quilt top in October-November, quilted it in December and just finished the binding.

Pattern is "Merry-Go-Round" by Missouri Star Quilt Company (again!). Rings are fabrics by Tula Pink. Background is a specked gray I have been hoarding.

I free-motion quilted feathers all over.

Quilted with 40 wt. Signature polyester thread on top and 50 wt. Aurifil in the bobbin. This combination always works for me.

Now to think about what quilts I want to make in 2017!

 
 
 

 

snuck in some Christmas sewing

Just like the title says, I snuck these pillows in on Black Friday:

I printed the silhouettes from Google Images, traced them onto fusible web, cut fused to my Christmas fabric, cut them out by hand. Ironed them onto background fabric, then did blanket stitch (by machine), next came the free motion quilting. So glad I got them finished!

I have made quite a few gifts, but no sharing until after Christmas. What are you making?

 

2016 Christmas Quilt

Yet another Missouri Star Quilt Company pattern! (Nope, I am not being paid by them but I am available if they happen to read this. Call/email me!)

This was based on the "Sandy Sunrise" Quilt from BLOCK magazine Spring volume 2 issue 2.

I made 8 blocks, the pattern calls for 4. 

I free-motion quilted feathers with looped accents in the center blocks. It finished at 72" square.

a Scrappy finish

Yes, this is from a #MSQC tutorial and pattern, but isn't it cute?

This went together like a dream. I cut 2 1/2 inch strips from my scrap box, and used some cream yardage from my stash.

Kerley likes it too!

He may have tried to claim it. 

But this is a gift!

Free-motion in a soft loop all-over, used Aurifil 50 weight thread and Quilter's Dream puff poly batting.
 

 

 

September

Can't believe it's been 3 months since I posted! It is tough managing my blog with my business travel. But I try! 

Seriously, when I am home and have time, I would rather be quilting!

So completed this summer:

I had a line-drawn map enlarged at Staples. Then fused the states, appliquéd to my favorite Moda Cross weave and free motion quilted. This was gifted to my son for his birthday.

If this works, follow this link to see a video showing close ups of this quilt:

https://instagram.com/p/BI21N_0ghH7/

Another finish is this Rising Star:

The pattern is by MSQC and found in this summer's MODBLOCK magazine. I've always loved watching their tutorials, and lately I've been making several of the MSQU patterns. They are well written, easy to follow and make beautiful quilts!

Piece out!