My, oh my, does the time fly! It has been a busy year and I realized that I haven’t posted to my blog for a LONG while! So, today is the day!
I do a TON of stuff – videos, patterns, online classes, in-person classes, etc. – which is all quilting related and I do quilt on real quilts from time to time! The past few months I have been working on some AMAZING quilts and now I want to show you some of them.
This first quilt I am going to highlight is a quilt I made for my Granddaughter Maddie Tong. As with each quilt, there is a story!
This quilt was made from a kit that I found (on a great sale) while visiting with my sister in Illinois. We went “shop hopping” in her area and I found the kit.
Click on any image for a larger view.
I did a little research and this was offered in 2018 by Moda. I purchased the kit in late 2019, pieced it 2021 and finally quilted it earlier this year, 2022.
The quilt is WAY too cute, WAY too much fun to piece and WAY, WAY too much fun to quilt!
Here is the finished quilt! It is a larger twin size.
Here are some of the quilting details –
I quilted a feather cable in the outer borders and a combination of continuous curves, ribbon stipple, swirls and other fill in patterns to complete the quilting, The batting is Warm Company, Soft & Bright and I used an assortment of Signature 100% cotton, machine quilting threads.
For the center Castle block I did straight lines (free hand), wavy cross hatching, continuous curve, landscape stipple and swirls in the hearts.
Here is the back of the quilt and you can see a lot of the quilting detail even though the backing fabric is a fairly busy print
And of course, here is one HAPPY Granddaughter!!
I know she will use and enjoy this quilt for many, many years!
For the last few days the weather here in the Seattle area has been BEYOND hot! Yesterday, an all time record was set at 104 degrees and today it is going to be even hotter! Usually, we have one, maybe two days above 90 degrees, and sometimes we don’t even reach 90 during the summer!
Because the summers are usually mild compared to other parts of the country, most people in the Northwest do NOT have air conditioning. And guess what, I don’t have it either!
I am sitting under a ceiling fan and I am having a standing fan blowing on me. It’s till warm in my house – 84 degrees at 10:30 am – but the air is moving and it doesn’t feel too bad.
As this heat wave started, I began making some more neck coolers for myself and my family. I wrote about making the neck coolers a few years ago. For the post on how to make them Click Here
I am also keeping myself hydrated / caffeinated by drinking liberal amounts of iced tea and iced coffee! For a post on how I make my iced coffee Click HereThe “recipe” is towards the bottom of the post.
After making my large glass(es) of iced beverage, the sweat running off the glass was awful (I forgot how much iced drinks sweat!) and leaving puddles of water where ever they were placed. Which is not good when you are trying to piece a quilt top under the ceiling fan!
I thought to myself, “I need a coaster for under my sweaty glass!” And, of course, could I FIND a coaster? No way!
Then I was looking around my work area and spied these two fabrics from a patriotic quilt top I am working on.
Click on any photo for a larger view
As I looked at those fabrics, I “saw” a four patch coaster! And guess what I did? I made one – or a few of them!!
Here is what I did – I started by cutting the two fabrics into 1 – 3 inch x width of fabric (wof) strip and stitching the two pieces together along the long edges. I pressed the seam to the darker side. Then I sub-cut the strip into 3 inch sections the full length of the strip. I got 13 – 3 inch pieces from the strip. This will make 6 – 5 inch (finished size) coasters.
Then I laid out the strips to form the pattern
Then I stitched them together to form a 5-1/2 inch, 4 Patch block
But what about the quilting? I could have put them on the longarm, but that was too much of a hassle. And, there is no fan in my quilting room! So I went “old school” and quilted them on my home sewing machine! Yes, I still know how to do that!!!
I found some scrap batting (Warm & White) and scrap fabric to use as the backing, layered everything together, put my walking foot on my sewing machine and had fun!!
I kept the quilting super simple. One coaster I did “modern” stitching straight lines with white thread and the others I did straight lines with blue thread in the stars and following the “waves” of the stripes with white thread in the wavy fabric.
Modern straight line quilting
Combination straight lines and wavy lines
Last, but not least, I trimmed the blocks and put some binding on – again fabric from my scrap bag and I had quilted, patriotic drink coasters!
Now it is time to make a iced beverage, I’m thinking iced tea for now, and put my patriotic quilted coasters to work!
PS – I had the red and white wavy fabric in my stash. If you don’t have fabric like this, you can make your own red and white stripe fabric by cutting strips of red and white fabric into 1 inch strips and then stitching them together to form a striped fabric.
Here is an illustration of how this block would look. Note the placement of the position of the stripes on each part of the 4-Patch. Or you can have all the stripes in the same position.
Remember, you are the Queen (or King) of your own quilting world, and, as Queen (or King) you can do what you want when making your quilts!
If you make some Patriotic quilted coasters, send me a photo and I can post them on this blog.
My oh my!! I don’t believe it has been six months since I have posted to my blog! Where does the time go? These last few months HAVE been busy. Even though I have been somewhat housebound – thank you Mr. Covid – there is still a LOT of quilting to do, patterns to create, instructions to be written, samples to be made, etc., etc.
On New Year’s Day 2021, I hosted my annual Mystery Quilt Along class on the Longarm Classroom website. This year, the quilt was “Winter Stars” For more details on this quilt and online classClick Here
Click on the photos for a larger view.
The quilting, which was done with contrasting thread, was fairly simple feathers, but when they feathers “came together” they formed some secondary patterns.
When the dust settled from the Mystery Quilt Along, I began working on some customer quilts.
This quilt, Prairie Points and Pinwheels, 37 x 44 inches, was impeccably pieced by Connie M, and it is FUN to quilt!
I quilted a feather border and had the feathers dip in between the Prairie Points. The body of the quilt is quilted with an all over, free hand feathers and swirls pattern. Click on the photos for a larger view.
And today, I finished this quilt, 56 x 73 inches, for Shirley R. Again, an impeccably pieced quilt! This is theBoomerang Quilt pattern. You can view the pattern details by Clicking Here Click on the photos for a closer view
The quilting is all free hand with the matchstick quilting in the main part of the blocks and a diamond “spiral” in the smaller part of the blocks. The quilting was going along smoothly with no problems. Then, when I was finished and turned the quilt over, Oh NO!!!! I had the dreaded “big loops” on the back of the quilt. This has not happened to me for a LONG time!!! It started from when I put the last bobbin in the quilt. The quilting goddess is keeping me VERY humble!
So I took the quilt off the machine, took out all the bad stitching, put the quilt back on the machine and re-quilted the area. All the time checking the back for the big loops. Thankfully, the big loops disappeared and the back now looks wonderful. Check out the photos below.
Here are the dreaded big loops!
And here is the back of the finished quilt. I LOVE the texture on the back! You can’t even tell where I took out the stitches!
I am going to believe that my “big quilting mistake” of the year is now over and done with, and that all my quilting in the rest of the year will be problem free!
It has been a wild last few weeks! It seems like the more I stay home, the busier I become! Of course, I’m not cleaning the house or anything like that. I have been sewing, quilting, knitting and creating many new things!
I just finished this quilt for a customer, and I can’t tell you how much fun I had quilting it!!
The pattern is Snowflake, by Modern Hand Crafts. (For details on the pattern Click Here) and it was perfectly pieced.
Click on any photo for a larger view
This quilt is 60 x 72 inches. I quilted swirls in the background with silver high sheen poly thread. The snowflake has a combination of feathered wreaths and feather.
Here is a close look of the snowflake.
And here is a closer view of the “middle” of the quilt.
We can’t forget the back of the quilt.
This is a spectacular quilt and I love the fabric that my customer used!
Here is one more quilt I recently finished. This is a quilt my sister pieced a while ago and she wanted to gift it to a friend. She sent it to me and I went a little crazy with feathers! Which was totally appropriate for this quilt. All the feathers are free hand and I did have to make some (many) registration lines for the outer feather borders.
Click on any photo for a larger view
I can’t remember the exact size of this quilt, but it was about a Queen Size. My sister did an excellent job with the piecing!
Here is a corner of the quilting. I used a cable feather in the outer borders, wavy lines in the inner borders and all over, free hand, feathes and swirls in the body of the quilt. I used Soft & Bright batting and Signature 100% cotton machine quilting thread in the color Linen.
Here is the other corner of this quilt. I LOVE the texture of the quilting!
And, of course, you got to see the back of the quilt!
My sister gave the quilt to her friend and her friend LOVED IT!!!!
I am hoping that as we approach the Christmas holiday, that you are calm, relaxed, and everything is under control.
If you are anything like me, that is all a dream and I am in almost panic mode because there is still way too MANY things to do!!
Do you have some orphan quilt blocks or other quilted fabric laying around? If so, you are half way done with making the gifts I have listed below
Click on any photo for a larger view
Practically Painless Pillows – Who doesn’t love pillows? And, if you have some orphan quilt blocks, half of your work is done! You don’t even have to quilt the blocks! I have figured out how to make perfect pillows, every time, including an easy way to put a zipper in the back of the pillow!
Table Runners are always a great gift! Above is one I made a few years ago for my sister. She LOVES it!! I quilted this one with free hand feathers, but you can quilt ANY design you want!
For instructions on how to make this table runner Click Here
For instructions on how to make the same table runner, but quilted with Feathered Hearts Click Here
Cup Coziesare another great gift idea. If you have some already quilted fabric – maybe from some practice pieces – you can make these Cup Cozies in a snap!!
Also included is a recipe for home made Peppermint Mocha!
Mug Rugsare great gifts for the coffee or tea drinker! You can make a TON of these really quickly.
I used free hand feathered hearts, but you can do any kind of quilt design. Or, if you have quilted fabric – maybe left over from the cup cozies above – you can make these!
For an even quicker finish, use a pinking shear and cut around the edges of the mug rug instead of binding them!
For step by step instructions on how to make the Mug Rugs Click Here
I hope these last minute gift ideas will help you in your last minute holiday preparations!
PS – I still have to put the binding on a couple of quilts!
MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your family!
It has been a while since I have posted, but I have been keeping busy, busy, busy! It is hard to believe that November is right around the corner!!
I finished this quilt for Chris W and it is looking great! I went with a little different style of quilting, sort of modern-ish.
Here is the full view of the quilt – I love this pattern!!! Simple but yet so elegant!
click on any photo for a larger view.
It took me a while to figure out the quilting, but it was worth the wait. Here is a close up of the quilting –
The quilting was done all free hand! NO rulers were used!! The lines are about 1/4 inch -ish apart, using Madeira high sheen polyester thread. There is no quilting in the 9 patches and only a bit of quilting in the center of the Plus block. I used Warm Co, Soft & Bright batting.
Here is a photo of the back of the quilt. I love the texture and you can really see it. Some people call this style of quilting “match stick” quilting.
This was a fun quilt to work on! It did take a little extra time due to the density of the quilting, but it was well worth the effort!
I have more photos of other quilts I have been working on and hope to post them in the next few days.
What better way to celebrate all things American than with a barn quilt and a barn quilt!!!
On a recent visit to Northern Illinois to visit my family, my sister, brother-in-law and I went “barn quilting” in Racine County, WI. (For more information about the Racine County Barn Quilts Click Here)
I saw this barn quilt and I LOVED it!!! I don’t think I have ever seen a pattern like that before. Of course I had to take a photo – (click on any photo for a larger view.)
And since I was visiting and staying with my Mom & Dad for nearly three weeks, and I had access to a sewing machine and sewing tools (thanks to my sister Sherree) guess what I did?
I made my own Stars & Flags Barn Quilt quilt!
I did take some liberties and added the extra stars across the top of the quilt for added length. I am planning on donating this quit to American Hero Quilts, and organization that makes and donates quilts to active duty wounded soldiers. (For more information about American Hero Quilts Click Here)
This quilt is has been quilted but I am not yet posting a photo of the finished quilt. I am working on turning this quilt into a Summer Mystery Quilt Event. I hope to be posting the details in a few days.
Take some time today to celebrate your independence and your freedoms with your family and friends!
Enjoy the day, I know that I am. And I am free to do what I love, which is quilts and quilting!!!
Oh my goodness, it has been a (long) while since I have written on my blog! A lot has been happening and I finally have a few moments to write.
It was a busy late Summer, Fall and early Winter! Where does the time go??? I have been teaching, traveling, quilting, knitting, designing and in all of that, I had the floors replaced is 75% of my house!
Here is a quilting update –
Ric Rac Rabbit
My latest finished project is a quilt for a customer, who is going to be a first time Grandma. She is so excited!! Her daughter in law picked the fabric, my customer pieced it and I quilted it.
The fabric is from a line called Ric Rac Rabbit from Andover Fabrics. The quilt is 35 x 42 inches and it is way too cute!! I used Soft & Bright batting and Signature 100% cotton machine quilting threads for the quilting.
Click on any photo for a larger view
Here is a close up of the center of the quilt. In the background I used a grid design that is based on diagonal half square triangles quilted with wavy lines. ( I LOVE wavy lines!!) Around the rabbit I did echo quilting and then quilted some detail on the star.
Here is a photo of the back of the quilt where you can see most of the quilting detail.
Flower Basket Quilt
Every New Year’s Day for the last 11 years I have done a New Year’s Day Mystery Quilt event, and this New Year’s Day was the Flower Basket Quilt.
Here is what I started with – pieced baskets, lots of background fabric and lots of borders. I know, it’s going to take a LOT of quilting to make it look good!
When it was finished, it looked like this! What a transformation!!! There is a TON of texture in the background, lots of feathers in the borders and the flowers and basket handles are appliqued with the longarm!!!!
You have got to click on the photo to see all the detail!
Here is a closer view of one of the baskets. Notice that the background quilting in this block is the same as the Ric Rac Rabbit quilt above!
And here is a closer view of the feather border, which is done free hand!! In fact, ALL the quilting on this quilt is done free hand!
The Flower Basket quilt is an online class and is open for registration. You can get more details by Clicking Here
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that 2019 will be a fabulous year for you and your family!
Happy 4th of July everyone! I hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends. If you are traveling, travel safe, if you are staying home, enjoy the day!
I was doing some traveling last month – I taught longarm quilting classes in way South Texas, and then went to visit my daughter Heather, and her family in Savannah, GA. I had a GREAT time in both places!
While I was traveling, of course I had to stop in a few fabric shops, where I picked up some great patriotic fabrics. I also did a little bit of Internet shopping for patriotic fabrics. Here is a little bit of what I got – click on any photo for a larger view.
With all this great fabric laying around, of course, I had to stitch at least some of the fabric into something! So I designed a Patriotic Star pattern!
It is a 12 inch block, using three different fabrics to form a “sort of” American Flag design. To make the elongated Star Points I used the Tri-Rec’s piecing template/ruler and the center is a 4 Patch variation.
Then I made a few more of these blocks and put them together to make a table runner.
I took the photos later in the day and it looks like the background fabric is light blue, but it really is solid white, bleached muslin, that was pre-washed. I off set the stars a bit to give the pattern more “movement”.
Here is a close up of the stars in the table runner. Again, the background fabric looks light blue, but it really is solid white!
No, it is not quilted yet, but it will be soon! I will be quilting it with a new (quilting) template I have been working on. When I get it quilted and the template is ready, I’ll let you know.
If you have some time and want to do some quilting or piecing for a great organization, I recommend American Hero Quilts. This is an organization that makes and gives quilts to wounded service men and women. To visit the American Hero Quilts website Click Here
Have a wonderful Independence Day – or 4th of July – holiday.
I have several quilt photos I want to show you all. I have been having fun working on several quilts lately and I am excited to show you all what they look like.
Quilt #1 Gwen’s Quilt
Pieced by Connie for her niece. This quilt is way too cute and extremely well pieced.
Here is a closer view of the quilting. I used cotton threads and Soft & Bright batting. I quilted feathered wreaths in the purple blocks .
I am not a huge fan of pieced backs. You have to take as much care, maybe even more so, when piecing the backs because there is the potential of pleats and puckers on the back during the quilting process. Connie pieced this back so well, there was NO problems.
Quilt #2 Woodland Diamond
This is an amazing quilt pieced by Chris W. It is traditional Radiant Star design, but with some applique. And I LOVE the choice of fabrics. Click on any of the photos for a larger, more detailed view. I used several high sheen polyester threads and Soft & Bright batting.
I had so much fun quilting this quilt! Below is a close up of a corner and you can see the quilting around the applique and the curved crosshatching I did in the corner block. Yes, this took some time, but it was well worth it!
Here is the back of the quilt. Again, click on the photo so you can see the detail.
One more view of the back. Here you can see the detail of the quilting in the corners and in the diamonds in the star.
This quilt was beautifully pieced and appliqued, which makes my job a whole lot easier!
Quilt #3 – Tree of Life
This is one of my own quilts which I created a couple of years ago. Yes, I do work on my own projects from time to time! I LOVE this quilt! It is one of the first holiday quilts I hang in my home.
The block is only 12 inches square – the half square triangles are only 1 inch finished size! This proves that you can take a single block, add a lot of borders and make it into a decent size wall quilt. The finished size of this quilt is about 48 inches square.
The photo below shows the quilt top before quilting. The border has fusible applique on it. (Fusible is the only applique that I do!)
Here is the quilt after quilting! And yes, I had a TON of fun quilting it! Click on the photo to see the details. I used several different types of thread including gold, high sheen poly and cotton threads. I also used several of my templates and a lot of free hand designs too.
Here is a close up of the tree block.
I am making another quilt with the same block – sized differently so the half square triangles aren’t quite so small – and I may have it as an online class. I’ll keep you posted when that happens.
I was also doing some online research on “Tree of Life Quilt Pattern” and my quilt wasn’t showing up. That is because photos were not online! Now they are and they should show up in future online searches!
I hope you have enjoyed the photos. Now I have to get back to quilting!
Cindy Roth, Quilter 