Sharing some Cher!

my kind of intuitive

This is "good for the Gander":

 57"square

I used no pattern, making it up, deciding on the parts as I went along. I started with some random scraps, using this method for the Flying Geese. It is a fantastic, precise and fun way to make this block.

I love medallion quilts so I set out to find an appropriate center. I settled on this block, but I strip pieced it instead of the method given. I made positive/negative versions for more visual interest.

After some thinking, exploring and pondering, I stumbled upon this method for Flying Geese, and changed it up to have the Diamond strips.

After a bit more pondering, and auditioning different blocks, I opted for a piano key border. I kept the quilting simple, mostly SID (stitch in the ditch) as this is a quilt that for me is about the play of fabrics. I FMQ-ed feathers in the setting triangles.

What do you think? Like my method of intuitive quilt design?

Small Whole Cloth Quilting

I have finished a couple of small whole-cloth quilts.

These measure 17" square and are gifts.

It is really difficult to get a good photo of the "V", the red fabric really flares.

Silk thread, 2 batts: wool over cotton.

I love the dimension and texture.

The back shows the density of the quilting.

White on white is hard to photograph as well.

Here it is, back lit by the sun.

More dense quilting, more feathers. Way too much fun!

Syzygy

 (read on for a discount code for the pattern)
I have been planning this quilt for a while. The pattern is "Designer Star" by my friend May Chappell. She brought her quilt to our guild meeting and I was smitten! I love big, bold, one-block quilts and hers fit the bill. I bought her pattern and set out on this experience.

Syzygy (pronounced siz-uh-gee) 55" square

Lee (the genius behind May Chappell) and I are buds, yet I had never made one of her patterns. She is gifted at combining fabrics, has a fantastic color sense and is a great designer, but can she write a pattern?

Heck, yeah!

(Lee is also an excellent teacher!)

(And she won 2nd place in this year's Accuquilt Barn Quilt contest)

The pattern description states "Want to make a quilt top in a day? This graphic quilt comes together very quickly and is so fun to make! Using simple techniques, the pattern is written for a beginner, but fun for an advanced piecer as well."

The instructions are clear, concise and easy to follow. There are pictures and diagrams, and instructions available for 11 (yep, eleven) sizes! My quilt is the 55" square version. This is a great pattern for a quilt that will make a tremendous visual impact. And it goes really fast! I pieced mine in about 3 hours.

My version the pattern photo

I chose to cut into my Moda Cross Weave Natural stash for the background, some Kaffe and Tula Pink give it the zing!  I free-motion quilted in soft wavy lines to accent the star.

Like this and want to make your own? Well, Lee has graciously offered a discount to my readers!
This pattern is available in the May Chappell etsy shop. You can order the pdf or printed version. And until July 31, enter the code "kheli20" in the special instructions area and you will receive 20% off!
Check out all of her amazing patterns. Do you have an Accuquilt die cut system? The Designer Star pattern is also available as an Accuquilt GO pattern.

I believe making a quilt out of the 10" or 19" blocks would be awesome too! I am going to make a pillow from one of those for me! This quilt now is hanging behind my sofa, so we can enjoy it every day!

What are you waiting for? Go, use the discount! Make a quilt!

Why "syzygy"? The astronomical definition of a syzygy is an alignment of 3 celestial objects; for me this was 1) the perfect pattern at 2)the right time, with some of 3)my favorite fabrics!

2013 Stokes County Humane Society Quilt "Cute Poochies"

Here is my 4th quilt for the Stokes County Humane Society:

Cute Pooches

83" by 58"

I used the Strip Tube Chevron pattern by Daniela Stout for Cozy Quilt Designs. It is a fun pattern, well-written and includes 5 sizes. (I have made other quilts from Daniela and Cozy Quilt Designs, they always have great directions.)

Once again, I have been collecting the fabrics over the past few months from a variety of shops. I have already started collecting for next year's quilt!

I nabbed a remnant of the blue Kaffe dots for the border. I love how that makes the quilt pop!

I FMQ-ed different patterns in each chevron section.

The back was pieced from left-over yardage from this quilt and last years quilt.

The SCHS will be raffling this quilt. It is a wonderful organization of volunteers who go above and beyond for the pets of our area.