Creating Ghost Shapes

I've been using this concept quite a bit on my high end custom quilting.  You know those quilts that have a great deal of plain or open areas?  When you can't use feathers, or you need something else besides feathers in an area?  The last time I used this idea was on the opportunity quilt.  It had lots of open areas so I found star shapes online, printed and cut them out, then traced those shapes with chalk.  I used my rulers to follow the shapes with contrasting or matching thread.  By doing heavy quilting around those shapes, they puff up like trapunto, too.   Here are a couple examples of ghost stars.

Scraps and Raw Edges Get Loopy

This is Teri's raw-edge scrap quilt.  I just love the colors, and the solids, and really enjoyed quilting it, too.  

The piano keys are approximately 1.5" wide, each, and they were very precisely stitched.  I think I may have to make one of these for myself!

I'm not sure why my watermark program had decided to create its own watermark??  Thanks for stopping by!  

Halcyon - so Versatile

Halcyon was one of the first pantos I purchased, and it continues to be one I reach for more than any other.  I gives great texture, it's fun and fast to stitch, and it seems to fit with almost every type of quilt. This is Donna's version of a mystery quilt that my sewing group, Loose Treads, did in February.  It was a fun night.  We started at 4'pm, and had until 12 in the room we were in.  I think it came out really cute.  What is the one panto that you use more than others?

Thanks for looking!

Joanie' Photo Quilt

Joanie made this quilt for a friend with whom she traveled to Isreal with.  The colored blocks represent tiles she saw there, and the picture blocks are of their trip.  Picture quilts are nice, but can be a challenge to quilt because you certainly don't want to stitch over faces...at least I don't. I sure appreciate Joanie's trust in my work. 

Thanks for taking the time to check out my blog.  

A Really Big Finish

I tried to sound like Ed Sullivan there, did you hear it?  Haha!  Who knows, it may be sooner than we think that we will be blogging via video!

This was a REALLY big finish for me...design ideas, dense quilting, machine issues including the dreaded retiming, not once, but twice!  Probably the major reason it was so big for me was that this quilt will get shown at quilt shows around California and tickets will be purchased...hopefully lots of tickets, too.  I really don't want to let my guild down.

This quilt was made by members of my quilt guild and is an original design,isn't it cool looking?  I was asked to do the quilting which, of course, caused me great anxiety and many hours of frustration.  Anxiety because I really really care to a fault what people think of me and my work, and also I am not an intrinsically creative person...I can copy pretty well, though!!!

Frustration because I stood and stared for way too long and procrastinated far, far, too long!

If you are a machine quilter, you will understand me when I say that it took twice as long as I originally anticipated.  One day, oh one day, I would love to be able to somewhat accurately gauge my time on custom quilting!!

Well, thanks for looking through all these pictures, I truly do appreciate you reading my posts!

In Progress

This is a peak at the guild opportunity quilt that I am working on.  It has been on my machine for weeks, literally.  I started and hoped to finish it before I went to Montana and Utah, but just underestimated the time I would need to spend.  I did the stand and stare dance for days and days, then did a bunch of drawing, and then hit a ruler and had to retime my machine.  

When I got home late I had to prep my house for a realtor caravan, and then I got sick.  I can't wait to finish this.  I way overthink my work...

Flowers and Loops - Quick and Easy!

I finished this quite awhile ago for Cathy.  She needed this done quickly for the family who lost their home (and all their quilts) in a devasting fire.  I sure appreciate my customers!