Redwork and Feathers

This is Cathy's beautiful redwork Christmas quilt.  I tried to keep the quilting simple, so resorted to my go-to freehand feathers and then swirls in the redwork.  I hope I accented her gorgeous work so it would shine.  I think I may have to start doing some redwork - it would be good to have something to do when watching a movie or on a long road trip.  I've tried my hand at needleturn applique and it was really a struggle, so this may be my new hand work technique...

Wow, Red and White!!

This quilt is just so striking with its red and white contrast, isn't it?  My customer Laura made this and asked for a pantograph.  I just love how it finished up.  It is another perfect example that pantographs CAN look great on any quilt.  She supplied Warm and Natural batting, and I used Omni on top and So Fine! on the bottom.  I just love the combination of threads.  I really love Laura's quilts and am definitely adding a red and white quilt to my 'to do' list.

Carpenter Star ala Naturals

This beautiful quilt will be a wedding gift for a lucky couple who were married yesterday.  I love the neutral tones used.  I am always trying something new and this is no exception.  I went with leaves and swirls as my theme and carried it through from border to center.  Thank you, ladies, for allowing me to quilt this gift for you.

Americana or Primitive?

Cathy made this beautiful quilt.  if you needed to label this 'type' of quilt, what would it be called?  Primitive?  Americana?

I haven't been exposed to very many of these type quilts, and am so impressed by the workmanship and detail that goes into the construction.  Each block is unique and has its own story to tell.  Many of them have hand stitching.  I just love this quilt.  Cathy is so generous, too.  She must give away one quilt each month!

 I tried to stay within a budget, so no rulers were used on this one, and I also tried to move from one block/motif to the next without tying off and restarting.

I think the back looks fun, too!

Thank you Cathy for letting me quilt this for you.

Laura's Ladies

My customer, Laura, from Ft. Worth, made these ladies from her grandmother's clothes.  Her workmanship is just outstanding.  According to Laura, she took just one class on applique and I would say she mastered it.  Laura cut out all the fabric behind the ladies dresses to reduce bulk...nice!  I measured once, but now can't remember exactly, but I believe each lady is approximately 12" wide  25" tall.

 Each lady is holding a different object, from a book, to a mirror, to a kitty cat.  They're just so sweet.

Just in case you wonder about me placing my customer's quilts on the floor so I can photograph them, I will share that I always mop the floor immediately prior to doing this.  In this case, I had to hurry out the door and couldn't wait for the floor to completely dry, so I placed a sheet on the tile so the quilt wouldn't become damp.  I never let my dogs near my customer quilts either.  In fact, I don't let them in the studio just in case my customers have allergies.

 I love the way the back looks on this one, don't you?

I used a mere five different ruler templates, two different marking utensils, three different threads, and listened to the entire 17-hour audio version of Catherine by Anya Seton (as well as started a new Louise Penny audiobook).

I sure hope that Laura is happy with this gem - I think it will definitely become a family heirloom.

Asian Fabrics and a Fabulous Pattern

This is Peg's quilt.  Each large block is a different Asian fabric.  I love this pattern so much I am adding this to my list of 'gotta-do's.'  Lots and lots of ruler work went into this one.  Isn't it pretty?

I think this would look great with some of the larger modern prints, too.

 The back looks pretty cool, too.

To Mia with Love!

My youngest granddaughter, Mia, who turned three on December 2, moved to a big girl bed well over nine months ago and I just finished her quilt for the new bed.  I recycled her window valance, bumper pads, and dust ruffle, added some new fabrics (lots of new fabrics... too many fabrics) and came up with this cheery quilt.  I say too many because I ended up buying almost double the needed fabrics trying to find just the right mix.  I had even made all the blocks with completely different sashing strips, and then ripping them all apart and starting over!

This is going to Montana tomorrow.  Wish I could just take it to her...

My other daughter, Mia's auntie, will do the binding for me.