Free Motion Quilting Project QAL Review

I have had so much fun this year quilting along with Leah Day. I've been gently pushed outside my comfort zone, which has actually just enlarged my comfort with FMQ. I have come to the conclusion that I quilt to get to the FMQ part, my favorite thing to do. Certainly over the past year, my quilting has improved, but the biggest difference is my willingness to try anything. So here is some highlights from this year.

The first week we started on stippling. A bit shaky. I also asked how to figure out how to quilt this storybook quilt.

We stippled and played with scale and shapes of independent design. That all led up to this great little whole cloth quilt.

Learned how to outline applique

Mid year I started feeling confident to try out more designs

Micro zippling and railroad tracks

We played with quilt painting

More courage gained to try out more modern motifs

Zen break quilting

Combining designs

Paisley with metallic thread

Pod quilting

This weeks variation of confetti hearts

Ending with Christmas presents for very special girls.

I've had a wonderful year of FMQ, I can't wait to see what Leah has in store for us next year. Linking up to the Free Motion Quilting Project for QAL Wednesday.

Color Me Quilt!

Pat

Finishing in the Nick of Time!

Or should I say finishing in time for old St. Nick! I just finished hand stitching the binding on Storybook # 2 quilt. I'm pretty excited about both of my Storybook quilts (click here to see Storybook # 1), hoping that my acquired granddaughters will love them too. I am working not to set too high of an expectation, kids will be kids. But what I do know is how much I cherish the handmade gifts I received from my grandma, many years ago. Sometimes it just takes time and perspective.

As with any story, it started "Once upon a time...".

How the story goes from here, really can be different from whom ever tells the story.

Front

Back

I used a form of "Spiral Ornament" motif to quilt the border.

Hand stitched the binding.

 The only thing I can hope for is that the story ends "Happily ever after...".

It has taken a year to complete both quilts. I am very proud of both of them.

Storybook # 1 back

Storybook # 1 front

The quilts are almost the same with just some slight variations. The order of the blocks is different, the Fairy Frost is a different color purple. The backing is different and the border quilting is different. I'm hoping just different enough for the sisters to appreciate the uniqueness of the quilts.







I'm linking up with UFO Sunday, with a smile on my face, know one more UFO is complete (except for the label).

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

Bordering on the Edge!

When I finished the first Christmas quilt back in May, I thought I was so cool and ahead of the game! Well, it's now less than a week before Christmas and I'm scrambling to finish everything up. Amazing what a little time crunch does to push some serious productivity.

Over the weekend I got all of the blocks joined, then last night I got the borders added to my Storybook #2 quilt. On the front I used the same Fairy Frost as some of the blocks and small joining strip for the front border. On the back I used a contrasting dark fabric for the border. I will quilt it with a light purple thread.  It should quilt up pretty quickly, I plan on using Leah Day's Spiral Ornament for the border motif.

I do like the QAYG method I used to add the border. Basically you add the front and back fabric, right sides toward your quilt and just stitch it on with a 1/4" seam. Then zigzag on a piece of batting to the raw edge of your quilt. Flip and press the border fabric over the batting and Voila borders!

So, considering that last Saturday, my Storybook 2 quilt was just a pile of quilted blocks and today, all I have left is to quilt the border and bind. I'm pleased with my progress.

But the week wouldn't be complete if I didn't at least attempt Leah's homework - What a Starry Mess.

Front

Back

So next Wednesday is the day after Christmas, I'm hoping that I only have the Elephant quilt left on my WIP list. But for right now here are my stats for the week:

In-process: (4)
Purple heart wall hanging  (quilting and binding)
Elephant quilt
Storybook quilt # 2 - quilt the border and bind
Pod Pillow - add the button

New projects: (0)

Finished (0)
 
I'm linking up with  Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday and The Free Motion Quilting Project for QAL Wednesday

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

As Busy As An Elf

The clock is ticking, the count down to Christmas is looming large. I need to finish my second Storybook quilt. I have been working away on it, although it is still not quite done. I do have all of the blocks joined.

Front

Back

This quilt is slightly different than the first one that you can see here.  Now on to adding the borders and binding. Both quilts will then need labels. These quilts have been a long time in the making. I started them the week after Christmas, last year. I'm ready for them to be done, so I can start some new projects after Christmas this year!

I'm linking up with UFO Sunday at the Free Motion Quilting Project.

Color Me Quilty!

Pat