Finally Off the Design Wall

This quilt has been up on my design wall for months. It feels good to have it down and done.

 Not only is it done, it's all washed and soft. Simon, of course, had to test that out.

 I used Aurifil 50 wt white thread for the whole project - top and bobbin. Quilted beautifully.

 Simon is pointing out one of his favorite blocks. I combined many of Leah Day's fills within some organic shapes surrounded with straight lines.

The front is fun, but so is the back. I just used fleece as the batting and backing, just two layers. This whole project was just an experiment to see how well quilting blocks using fleece and joining the using this QAYG method. 

The quilting shows up really nicely on the back, even better after washing.

Pea Gravel Path is one of my favorite

I've been a fan of Leah Day's for a very long time and she is the reason I'm somewhat fearless in challenging myself to try new fills and techniques.

I'll be linking up with to Linky Tuesday at FreeMotion by the River and Fabric Tuesday at  Quilt Story.

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

WIP Wednesday

Thanks to another snow day on Monday, I was able to get a little more quilting done on my Galloping through the Meadows quilt.

 All of the teal flower centers are now quilted - lots and lots of pebbles. I also have all of the white flowers outlined.

The back of the quilt look at the pebbles and outlining

 I have stitched two horses in the navy. I think they will standout a lot more once I quilt more densely around them.

I used Quilters Dream Wool batting and Aurifil 50wt thread. This project is a dream to quilt.

I'm linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

Sketchy Doodle Potholder

Last week I made a set of potholders, which has inspired me to make a few up for Christmas presents. Oh yeah, it's that time of year again. I talked to my stepdaughter and asked if she wanted to team up. She's a fabulous  baker. I thought that a set of potholders and a loaf of applesauce cake or zucchini bread would make a lovely gift. She can make the sweet treats and I can make the potholders.

I love to doodle, always have, what a perfect way to inspire some new potholders. For the set this week, I thought I would use some of my hand dyed fabric and do a Zentangled inspired FMQ. Are people that do Zentangles all children of the 60's? Sure feels that way to me ;)

 This weeks potholders were stitched with Aurifil 50wt thread. I used a layer of Insul-Bright and Warm & Natural batting.

I'm linking up with TGIFF, Link-A-Finish Friday, Can I Get a Whoop, Whoop, Finish It Up Friday and FMQ Mavericks


Color Me Quilty!

Pat 

FMQ Potholder Set Completed

Front

back

I like to practice free-motion quilting, so I decided to have a little fun and create a set of  potholders. I might as well make something useful while practicing. I used two layers of batting, the bottom layer of Insul-Bright and a top layer of Warm & Natural. The thread was a variegated King-Tut, Aurifil 50wt bobbin and Aurifil Invisible thread for the binding.

The quilted designs were just free-form feathers with a lot of echos. Then I just trimmed each one to 9"x 9". Lucky for me, I had just enough leftover binding from another project to go around each one.

I didn't have enough binding to make traditional potholder loops, so I just stitched on a bit of gold ribbon. I think it works.

I think I might have to make up several sets for Christmas presents.

For today though, I'm linking up with TGIFF, Link-A-Finish Friday, Can I Get a Whoop, Whoop and Finish It Up Friday


Color Me Quilty!

Pat 

A Modern Scottish Baby Quilt Finish

I did have fun designing and making this quilt for a very special cousin. My family is of Scottish descent and  my cousin's husband is also. As a matter of fact, my cousin's husband and family recently visited Scotland. So my goal in making this quilt was to incorporate a Scottish theme. That is easier said than done with a baby quilt. Thistles and plaid made it to the top of my list to use.

I used three shades of yellow and pieced a gingham top.

I used a tattoo design of a Celtic Thistle and used reverse applique' with dark grey fleece. I thought the fleece would be fun for baby to touch.

I found this yellow and grey fabric in my stash that fit it perfectly in both color and size.

I used Aurifil 50wt to piece it together, then tried some new types of threads for quilting. I used Aurifil invisible thread to stitch in the ditch and to stitch my faux piped binding, that worked wonderfully well. Then I used Aurifil 40wt and 28 wt to create the "plaid" with straight line stitching.

I used Quilters Dream Puff batting so that it would be soft for the baby to play on, but yet fabulously washable.

This is Jess, the mama-to-be, her grandma (my aunt) was looking on from behind.

I even took the time to sign my quilt.

The straight line stitching isn't really straight, but the quilt was made with love. Hopefully, that's what the baby and her mama feels when they touch this quilt.

Today, I'm linking up with TGIFF, Link-A-Finish Friday, Can I Get a Whoop, Whoop and Finish It Up Friday


Color Me Quilty!

Pat 

Quilting ALong

I'm quilting in between picnics, I'm hosting four this week - two down, two to go. But, I really want to get my Modern Scottish baby quilt done before Sunday's picnic, so that I can send it on it's way to it's new owner.

I tried something new, I used some Aurifil invisible thread to stitch in the ditch. worked great.

 It ran really well through my machine. I used a 50wt grey Aurifil thread in the bobbin, I wasn't sure if I could use the invisible thread in the bobbin. Has anyone done that?

I think it turned out fine, well the thread worked great, I could use some practice at stitching a straight line. I guess I will get the practice because I plan on quilting straight lines of different colors to make it look like plaid.

 I stitched down the thistle really well. I really made it pop!

All in all, I think it's turning out okay. Now to start the plaid quilting.

Linking up with A Quilt Story for Fabric Tuesday and Free Motion by the River for Linky Tuesday.

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

Quilty Pleasures

The other day I stopped in at a new quilt shop in my area, Quilty Pleasures, located in Geneva, NY. I LOVE that we have a new store in the area, easier to do a little fabric therapy!

They have a good selection of solids, which if you know me, you know they are my favorite.

A huge selection of marbled fabric

And even a selection of modern fabrics.

PLUS, Quilty Pleasures carry two of my very FAVORITE items.

Aurifil Thread

Quilters Dream Batting

 They are still working on opening up another section of the store and they have a list of products ordered, that are arriving daily. They are offering classing and have a long-arm quilting service.

I met one of the owners, she was very nice.

Be sure to check out Quilty Pleasures, they have an online store too!
I'm linking up today with Free Motion by the River for Linky Tuesday and A Quilt Story for Fabric Tuesday.

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

Fearless Free-Motion Quilting

I'm so excited and honored to write a guest blog post for Jess at Elven Garden Quilts. She starting a Giant Chevron Free Motion QAL.

I shared lots of tips on getting started free-motion quilting, by setting yourself up for success.

1. Practice samples
2. Sewing Machine set-up
3. Thread and Batting
4. Ergonomics
5. The quilt project

 Please stop by Elven Garden Quilts for a visit, let me know what you think!

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

The Modern Quilt Guild/ Michael Miller Fabric Challenge Finish - YIPPEE!!!

Fastest quilt finish I've had in the longest time. Yippee, I finished my MQG/Michael Miller Fabric Challenge quilt. And I'm pleased with the result - The Deconstructed Pinwheel!

The back

This was a fun quilt to make. The finished size is 40" x 55 1/2". I used Quilters Dream Wool batting and of course yummy three different colors of Aurifil 50wt thread.

That empty spool on my Pfaff is my fav, # 5004. Fortunately, I just order some more of it through Hawthorne Threads.

To all my U.S. peeps, Happy Independence Day! To everyone else, Happy Finished Friday!


Today, I'm linking up with TGIFF,, Can I Get a Whoop, Whoop and Finish It Up Friday


Color Me Quilty!

Pat