Why do I quilt?



The quilt I made for my sis

The quilt pictured is one that I made for this sis of mine; I call it Lemon Meringue/Key Lime Pie because the colors are that delicious.  The picture was taken before hand quilting was applied, stitch by stitch, to sandwich the quilt top to the backing fabric, the old-fashioned way.  Visiting my sis, she once commented out of the blue, "Think of the money spent on all that fabric you have stashed away."  My fabric stash?  How could someone who does not quilt or sew possibly understand?  There are lots of us out there, you know, I mean...quilters with stashes of fabric.  There's a good reason to have fabric on hand; this quilt, for example.

Mrs. Lincoln Sampler Quilt, 5" squares...oh my!

One year ago I started this sampler quilt...

Back on Christine's work board

Preparing block #5

There's been a resurgence of interest in needle-turned applique, the old-fashioned way to applique, and I'm on board.  This is something that I love to do!  In addition to working on my Hawaiian quilt projects, I've pulled out this Mrs. Lincoln sampler quilt that I started a while ago.  This quilt is made up of 5 inch squares; some blocks are pieced and some are hand appliqued.  I counted and there are a total of 48 squares; 4 almost 5 done and many more to go.  It may have to go on the back burner again, as there are other things that may take precedence from time to time, but this one will get done.  I promise myself!

Hawaiian Quilting; it's a passion of mine

Laua'e

Laua'e, back view



Ipu design

This Calico Quilter has a bunch of projects going on.  Here are three examples of what's on my current work board, of the Hawaiian quilting variety.  I have been working on this laua'e leaf pattern, done in lavender calico prints, for a few years now.  The reverse side shows off the hand quilting which I have dallied with.  It's a project I'd work on and then set aside, and then go back to it again.  Almost done and then it will be made into a pillow, approximately 20" square.  I enjoy everything about Hawaiian quilting.  My newest project is the ipu (gourd) pattern, from the Hawaiian Quilt book by Poakalani and John Serrao.  This pattern is now cut out and ready to baste onto a backing fabric.

Gourds and things

These are gourds that I have carved out and done artwork on.  Gourd dust is very fine and killer if you are not careful, even with a dust mask on.  I have an affinity for round shapes, which reflects in my body of work. 

Quilters are artists, too!

I am a self-described artist who dabbles with Adobe Illustrator, a program that Papa Paz put on my computer because he thought I'd enjoy it.  I supposed there is a certain style that defines my work.  I see my artwork as kind of wonky, plain and simple.  Whether patching together a quilt top or dabbling in creative quilting, for me, it's all about developing an eye-popping color palette.  I looked through my stuff on Illustrator to possibly bring drawings to the quilting table.  Not every drawing translates well, but then there are some that are exciting, whether printed on paper or put to fabric.  These ones keep me wanting to do more.  Above are two pieces; one of them in progress, the other waiting for the next step toward completion.  Here below are two pears.  On this one, I did a little bit of shading, using pastel chalk.  This was a free-motion quilting practice piece.  Practice, practice, practice!

Pillowcases - Sew Much Fun!

Perhaps one of the fastest, easiest projects I have ever sewn.  Each "burrito roll" pillowcase took under two hours to make.  These will travel with me to Idaho, a little something from grandma, for the little girlies.  NOTE:  There's an outstanding tutorial posted on YouTube by TheCraftyGemini (Vanessa), at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAomYjHzUQk.  Clear and easy directions made this pillowcase project a breeze; highly recommended!

L'il Keiki Dude

L'il Dude

Here's l'il keki dude to match the keiki girl pattern.  Patterns are set; time to piece together a quilt.

Sunbonnet Keiki Tutorial

 

My first tutorial!  Kathy this one's for you.  All because I want you to try out the Applique Pressing Sheet.  Isn't it fabulous?  Oops...forgot to note...allow pieces to cool before removing from the Applique Pressing Sheet; it can get very hot.

 

 

Sweet Tea Time for Natalie

Picked up this pre-printed apron kit at a recent quilt show, as well as the matching table topper (fabric and instructions).  Both were on sale...yippee!  My granddaughter, Natalie, who will be three years old in June likes tea time, so couldn't resist whipping this sweet set up for her birthday.  The table topper will make a fine picnic blanket.  Truth is I'm not crazy about sewing up pre-printed things, generally speaking, but this one was worth the fuss.  Happy Birthday, dear Natalie!

Coffee Cups; odds and ends

Here's what's up.  I chose this mug quilt pattern especially for stash-busting possibilities.  A different print for each cup?  Perfect!  I'm ready to rotate those bits and pieces of mismatched fabrics out of my stash, stuff that I've had tucked away for what seems like forever.  There must be at least a few quilt tops that can be patched together from all those odds and ends of mine.  Oi vey!  After that, I'm going to purge the stash.

Henry's Quilt

Here is Henry with his friend Lamb Chop.  Henry loves to lounge and munch on his chewies in comfort.  He has needed a blanket of his own for some time now, as he's been using an old pink one, one of my "for-practice" baby quilts from years ago.  Henry is Mr. Dog and I think the boyish colors of his new blanket are most appropriate.  This quilt measures only 30 x 35 inches, just the right size for you know who.  The doggie print fabrics was purchased as a pack of fat quarters from WalMart of all places; I should have been grocery shopping only, but who could resist?  The aqua and purple solids were from my stash.  A weekend project completed, now it's onward to other things. 

Ella es muy caliente!

Ella es muy caliente!

Roughly finished.  Raw-edge applique and free-hand quilting is something I have little experience with.  I need more practice.

My first free-motion art project

Here's my first attempt at a free-motion quilting art project.  I had this drawing tucked away in my Illustrator files and thought she'd be the perfect candidate.  I'm struggling with the technique; those stitches really run wild and get away from me, as though the machine has a mind of its own.  While this looks like a good start, it may end up totally out of control.

Hostess Apron

Here's a reversible hostess apron from a pattern presented in Stitch Magazine (Summer 2011).  This was so easy to make.  I added a front pocket panel on one side, because I like pockets and it also makes practical sense.  I used a cream-colored remnant of a mid-weight cotton twill for my base fabric.  In retrospect, I wouldn't use such a heavy fabric; still, this demi-apron hangs nicely and I'm pleased with the result.  This is a great pattern for making quick gifts.  Fun to mix and match colors and prints, and a great way to make good use of my fabric stash.

Christine in the garden, in pants that she made...

Christine; c'est moi

Christine in the garden, in pants that she made!  C'est vrai!  Copied this drawing onto fabric with my inkjet printer.  Then I cut her and stuffed her to make this odd-shaped pillow.  It's a work in progress; I plan to develop this one further.  Variations on a theme, you might say.

Workroom color palette

I wish for a crafty workroom; someplace where I can sew, quilt and create.  Here is my color palette.  Found this basket and the little pincushion on sale at Joann's.  I already had these fabric cuts in my stash.  Made the basket mat in under an hour last night.  I'd like to build my craft room around these colors; refreshing and oh so sweet!

Christmas is coming and I haven't even finished Halloween!

Christmas stash

Slowly working my way through my fabric stash.  Here's Christmas scraps and remnants.  Maybe some oven mitts, mug rugs, patchwork puzzle balls, and aprons will help this pile of fabric to dwindle?  Falling behind already! 

Cheryl's Baby Blanket

My mom's sketch

My mom passed away a good number of years ago.  Among her things was a little plastic bag containing this sketch and a handful of little dingle balls.  When my niece was born, my mom's first granddaughter, I remember my mom working on a baby blanket to send along.  There was a kind of Winnie the Pooh bear appliqued on top of a soft yellow background; that's my recollection.  I remember at the time, looking at the finished bear and thinking what a funny little bear he was; kind of on the skinny side, I thought.   I was with my mom the day she went to Hart's Fabrics in Santa Cruz, when she bought these dingle balls, a few snips of this and a few snips of that.  It must have meant a great deal to my mom to have kept these things tucked away for all that time.  It means the world to me to have them in my keeping.

Slow-going applique...Mrs. Lincoln's Sampler

Working on first applique block of this sampler

Up close

I decided to start my Mrs. Lincoln Sampler (designer Lori Smith), as noted in last entry.  I have dabbled in Hawaiian quilting and applique in general with success, and so I thought I'd whip through the 24  little applique blocks that comprise part of this quilt, without too much trouble.  double hah! hah!  The background surface is a 6-1/2" square piece of fabric, which will be cut and finished to a 5" block.  Looking at my bluebird and those green leaves, I see that I could have tucked and/or rounded the pieces a bit more, here and there.  My bird's neck is wonky, the leaves pointy, but all edges are neatly tucked and stitched down. hmmm...  Tempted to start all over and redo this block to achieve greater perfection, before I set those red circles.  But then...  After all, charm lies in a quilter's individual handwork, which makes it her very own.  Doesn't it?  Final note:  It became an enjoyable task once I relaxed.  Use the correct stitch, trust the process, find your rhythm, and the stitches will begin to flow.

Mrs. Lincoln Sampler

5" blocks

I have had it in mind to do a more detailed project.  I had thought about starting a Dear Jane quilt and may still do so later on; but then I came across Lori Smith's, Mrs. Lincoln's Sampler Quilt.  What a charming quilt.  These are 5" blocks, some pieced, some appliqued.  I am currently on my third block.  It may take me some time to finish, but I'm enjoying the challenge.  In the meantime, I'm still cranking out those pot holders and mug rugs, as well as other quick and easy projects for Christmas gift giving.  Also, my Colores quilt top is complete and I'll soon begin machine quilting that one and finishing it off.  I've got a lot of projects going on!