Fifty two

52 yards.

Yep, fifty-two yards of binding.

5-2     Y-A-R-D-S

It's been a long day.

Featheration= Beautiful!

That Golden Threads pantograph, Featheration, stitches out beautifully!  Look!

I'm still working on the other four quilts that are getting this edge to edge panto.  This is a great example of an inexpensive choice for machine quilting.  

New Pantograph

I got to shop through all the wonderful pantographs offered by Golden Threads at the  Houston Quilt Show.  There were some real beauties there.  

I was drawn to the 13 1/2" wide panots.  These can only be used on larger machines but they provide more breathing space between the stitching lines.  I know that, as a machine quilter, I like to quilt every little inch of a top.  However, most piecers would rather the stitching be less dense. 

 This panto is perfect for that.  It is call Featheration and it is so much fun to stitch.  I'm using it on 5 twin quilts right now.  

I'll post a picture later.  It looks beautiful!

Done and done!

Here's the finished batik quilt.  It turned out so nice.  What I really like is that all the elements work in harmony. 

 The color palate doesn't allow any one color take center stage.  They all lean on each other and work so nicely together.  The pattern allows each block to blend into its neighbors so that it all looks like one voice.  The gold thread used adds sparkle and interest but it doesn't shout at the viewer the way a gold thread on a more subtle palate might.  

The gold thread for this quilt and the movement the swirling quilting design motif helps the eye travel around the quilt top.   

I'm so thrilled that the piecer of this quilt top who is a long time internet friend of mine, trusted me to bring her top to life!

Next up, five quilts done for a commercial client.  They require a quick turnaround so I'm gonna be really focusing on churning these out!  I'll be doing a pantograph for them that I picked up in the Houston show last month.  I'm looking forward to working with a new panto!

Golden threads and tarnished thoughts

I've got the batik quilt on the frame today and my client decided upon the swirling scroll design motif for her beauty.  I thought a variegated thread would really make it sing. She was immediately receptive but I was really struggling to find a variegated that could stand up to the batik palate. I had a spool of golden metallic thread by Superior and I kept being drawn back to it. 

Finally, I asked my client what she thought about using a gold metallic thread and she said she thought it would really make it pop. She was so right! It really does make the quilt top sing but it is making me scream. It keeps breaking!!

I've slowed down and loosened the tension. I've changed the needle- again! I've even walked away from it thinking the thread gods just needed a little time alone with my machine. I'm bound and determined to get it done but it will take just as long to bury all these thread tails as it has to actually quilt the top! 

I'm so glad that I've got clients who trust my quilty instincts and are willing to be a bit non-traditional when it comes to thread choices.  I keep reminding myself that the end result will be stunning but I'm also reminding myself not to use metallic thread again! LOL!  Look for this thread option to soon disappear from my website- after I tame this golden beast to behave for this quilt top!

Fresh off the frame!

TA DA!  

You last saw it as an awkward jpeg file with my doodles all over it.  

Here it is with playful blue bonnets  dancing across the top! 

 Didn't it turn out precious? 

Design choices

Here are two design choices one of my clients is choosing from for her baby quilt:

Freestyle meander level:

Quilter's Choice level:

What would you choose?

Second Breast Cancer Quilt Complete!

I delivered the beautiful quilt to my local quilt shop which will be auctioned off for breast cancer research.  Each block was as beautiful and expressive as each of its makers.  I chose an all over cabbage rose motif with leaves.  It turned out great!

Quilt for the Cure part 2

I put the large Quilt for the Cure top on the frame today.  

It was made by the customers of a local quilt shop, Among Friends.  This is the second one I've quilted for them and both will be auctioned off to raise money for breast cancer research.  

The challenge on this quilt is that there are many 3D blocks with embellishments or embroidery.  I have decided to put a freehand meandering cabbage rose with leaves on this quilt.  You can see the design I'm auditioning using quilter's plastic with a wet erase marker.  

Notice the bright green tape I put all along the edges of the plastic- 

very important!

I should finish this top up tomorrow and get it delivered to the shop in the afternoon.  Next up, a baby quilt for a new little angel.

Whirling, Swirling, Curling Wind Soaring Through The Murky Pond

Here's the grid dropped onto my client's batik quilt.  I found out the pattern is called Murky Pond in the Bershires and is from the book, Batiks and Beyond: 22 Quilts from Fabulous Fabrics.

Can you start to see the block on point emerge from the top?

Once I broke up the top into that grid, I played around with a twirling scroll pattern to give the quilt some movement.  

It is a pretty contemporary treatment of the top but I think it is a compelling way to add some sizzle to the top.

Now, those squares in the center are calling out to host a motif of some sort, don't you think?

I'll have to play around with those blocks and start thinking about the borders now.  

Of course, this is just one treatment and my client gets the final word!

Baby stripes and mysterious batiks

Here are two client quilts that arrived today.

Don't you just love how dramatically different they are?  I get such a kick out of seeing how the creative spirit is expressed through fabric from the same person.

The first quilt is for a precious little newborn who has endured so much in his first few weeks.

I have it up on my design wall right now so I can think about the motif possibilities while I'm working on two charity quilts for my local guild.

The second quilt this client sent me is made of these luscious batiks.  I don't know what the pattern is but the first thing that jumped out at me is the secondary pattern between the blocks. 

 I'm thinking about highlighting that block between the blocks.  I just love it when the quilting makes the viewer consider a whole new idea that isn't what you'd expect from the piecing.  

Do you see the secondary block pattern?  It is on point between the smaller squares.  In the next day or two I'll post another photo of the batik quilt so you can see what I'm talking about. 

These are the first two quilts I've done for this friend of mine and I'm so delighted to be a part of her handiwork!  

What a fantastic job I have, eh? 

Sage King Sized Spread

Isn't this pretty?It is a huge king sized bedspread for a local design shop. 

 The color is so soothing.  I wish I could see how it will look in the final room.  

The fabric is made up of diamonds with luscious embroidery defining the space.  

Due to the massive seams from the weight of the fabric and the 3D embroidery, I couldn't do an all over pantograph.  What I've done instead is an echo diamond throughout the top to emphasize the design of the fabric.

It is difficult work, however- making straight lines is one of the most difficult things to do on a longarm.  Curves and feathers are a TON easier.

Houston Quilt Show

I just returned from the International Quilt Show in Houston.  What an incredible experience!  I got to check out all the latest gadgets and goodies! 

I loved this swirled lone star.  

Overall, I felt so blessed to be around the incredible beauty and creativity required to make all the inspired creations that surrounded me.  

What a trip!

Gingko leaves are falling

Here is the beautiful table topper made by a client of mine.

I used an all over meandering of gingko leaves to show off the sophisticated fabrics she 

utilized in the top.

The top itself was made during a

 workshop with our quilt guild. 

 

I want to put in a plug here for quilt guilds.  If you are a member of one you'll know what a wealth of knowledge can be gleaned from the workshops, speakers and seminars that are put on by guilds all over the country.  

My local guild is called Nimble Thimbles and the women there are so incredibly welcoming and supportive.  I'm blessed to have them.

Are you looking for a guild?  Ask at your local quilt shop for names and contact numbers of guilds in your area.  

Get out and meet some fellow quilters- you'll be so glad you did.

I especially like her treatment of the backing.  

She used some of the scraps from the top in the back.  I always love this way of finishing a quilt.  It gives the back character and provides an opportunity to use up the fabrics so your stash is ready to take on the next project!

Ginkgos in the air

I've come up with two approaches to the sophisticated table topper I'm working on for a client.

The first version is an all over, edge to edge design of meandering ginkgo leaves to keep with the upscale Asian fabrics in the quilt top.

The second approach is a leaf branch growing up through each diagonal space with a separate design in the border.

The client has chosen the all over Ginkgo leaf approach and I think it is going to be beautiful!

Quilt for the Cure

I picked up two quilt tops from Among Friends Quilt Shop. They are participating in the national Quilt for the Cure program.

Their customers made quilt blocks and then had a workshop day to piece them into tops. I volunteered to quilt them on my machine and the quilts will be auctioned off to raise money for Breast Cancer Research.

I find it amazing how many women I know who have been touched by this cancer. I feel so honored to have an opportunity to lend my services towards helping improve the care and treatment available.

Up Next!

Up next, this table topper quilt was done by a woman in my local quilt guild.

She made it during a workshop class offered through my guild. She did a great job and the fabrics in it are beautiful.

She used some Japanese style fabrics that look very sophisticated.

She stated that she didn't want it over quilted so I want to make sure that the quilting is very open and flowing.

The diagonal spaces scream out for attention so I'll need to think over those areas carefully.

Time to plan and play with the quilting design!

Double Plum Pantograph

I pulled this beauty off the frame.






The quilt is for a teen in foster care. Isn't it fan and bright and happy?










I know it will bring joy and comfort to that teen.











Whenever I quilt a top I like to know something about the recipient.







I hope it makes her smile as much as it made me smile.

This quilt was made with a Double Plum Pantograph. It was quilted edge to edge at a $.02/sq. inch rate.

Baby Nines is done!

I finished the Baby Nines quilt today.









I'm really happy with it and I hope my client will love it as well.










The quilt is for a lucky expectant mom whose having a baby shower this weekend.













What a wonderful gift she will receive!

Quilted Sampler

I put together this Amish style quilt and used it as a sampler to demonstrate different ways to quilt borders and blocks.

I still need to get the binding on it but then I'll be taking it to local quilt shops to show them my "wares" in hopes that they will agree to hand out my business cards.

Isn't interesting how different each block can look with different designs? Gotta love eye candy.