Sunday, April 6, 2014

My computer gave up a few weeks ago and it took me some time to find a new one and get used to the new systems. But, lucky for me, I don't need a computer to quilt so here's a quick update on what's happening...

Lava Meets Sea Quilt

This quilt has been an exercise in trust - at least for me. The idea came from a blog written by a rather experienced quilter so not very many details. And the customer moved out of the area just as I was getting started so we've been sending pictures and emails to keep on track. Several times, I just trusted that my instincts were going to work out and today, I finished the top. I have to say, it's the first time I've felt this level of pride in something I made.

For this customer, the next step is to decide on the backing and binding material. The quilt is supposed to be queen sized but as you can see from the pictures where it's on the bed, it doesn't hang over the edges too much. The option would be to put a border on it - wasn't in the original discussion but that would make it wider if that's of interest.

Because this quilt top is so "busy", I'd probably go with a back that is simple, maybe even wide enough so there doesn't have to be a seam. And the binding on the blog was black but it could be any of the colors in the quilt if you wanted to emphasize one. OR we could do a pieced binding and include several of your favorites.

Here are some pictures of the original lay out - it took quite a while to figure out how to show off this beautiful material.



After fussing for quite a while, I had to just trust all the pieces were in the right place and start sewing. Here is the final quilt top all sewing together, ahh!



Here  it is on our queen sized bed. Plenty of length for pillows but not so much on the sides.



Stars and Stripes quilt

A friend of mine sent her son to Army training this fall and when she returned from his graduation in December, she told me the story of the honor he was given. It's called Solider of the Cycle - which to my understanding means that of all the soldiers in that training class (over 200), he most closely represented what being a solider meant.

The next day, I was wandering around on Pinterest and saw a quilt that was red, white and blue and immediately dug through my stash and pulled some material together. This is the first quilt I've done without taking pictures at different stages, I didn't have anything more than the picture on Pinterest and I didn't even put it into the database until I was done with the top and back.

All the time I was making this one, I was thinking this is kind'a a silly idea. But then Mom sent her son pictures and his reply told me this is going to be a well used quilt.

Here are pictures of the top and back. I'm going to do the quilting myself - just straight lines. He is now in school - he's studying to be a doctor - but will be home in May for a break. Don't know if I'll be able to get it done by then but I always work better with a deadline than without.



Other Quilts In Motion

The Wedding Patchwork quilt is now done and in use. The owner was really happy with it and I was quite happy she liked it.
 
 
The Wedding Quest quilt just came back from the long-arm. It is really pretty with the custom quilting all around the blocks the guests signed. I'll get the binding on today and start working on getting it tacked down.
 
And, the Kaleidoscope quilt is now done - in the wash as we speak. I get to deliver it in May when I go to Juneau for a visit with my Sister.
 
To the Manor Born came back last week from the long-arm. It isn't spoken for so I've put off working on it until the custom work is done. It has the binding already on it so just need to get it tacked down and it'll be ready to sell.
 
 
Busy, Busy, Busy!