A Special Quilt

All quilts are special, but some just have an incredible story to tell, a journey of sorts. This following quilt is one.

When your husband is taken from you when you have only just got started in life, the grief must be a weight. Tracy had just this happen to her. When Tracy read Cat's blog post about her Dresden Plate quilt.......(I quilted that one for Cat, see here ) Tracy loved Cat's quilt & commented she would love to make something like that from her husbands clothes. Well Cat being Cat, asked Tracy to send the clothes to her. So Cat & her friend Leonie set to work. Please pop over to Cat's blog to read the full story, it really is bittersweet.
I was honored when Cat asked if I would please do the quilting. A mix of denims, from jeans, shirts, complete with cuffs & buttons & ties.

I quilted loops, hearts, the words 'love' & 'peace' on the sashings.

The backing was made up from a Dresden block, a bandana & messages hand written for Tracy. And incorporating Tracy's favourite colour.........ORANGE

These are just some of the heartwarming messages, what a true treasure this quilt will be to Tracy & her children.

Now for the quilting info. Madeira poly neon thread in......orange! Also Aurifil's new variegated poly thread, over cotton batting.

With Tracy's permission I will leave you with one last photo.

1 Xmas item

The 25th has zoomed around again. This wee Cross stitch was a kit I bought from a suitcase sale at retreat earlier in the year. I have been making myself finish it for the last couple of months.

The thing is only about 11" x 16" but did I grumble! Grumble, grumble that was me! Moaning ole cow! I did not enjoy making this. Years ago before patchwork took over my life, I was a cross stitching junky. But now I would be happy never to do it again. The design is by Terri Lyn Richards, Shepherds Bush Printworks. The cool wire hanger I bought from the best quilt shop ever! The Country Yard.
Thanks again to our magical Elf Narelle for nudging us all to complete something each month.

Speaking of completions, I whipped this up yesterday ( another purchase from the suitcase sale.....thanks Rachel! ).........well she still needs eyes, but other than that she is finished.

Design from Country Keepsakes. She looks a little on the wild side don't you think?

When I am in my studio quilting I often listen to talking books. This was the last lot I listen to.........

Then I try & read in bed at night.....I usually don't get far before I nod off! I finished Clare O'Donohue's next 'A someday quilts mystery' The Devil's Puzzle.

Thanks for stopping by to my neck of the woods!

A story to tell

Sometimes you just have to face things head on..............................................
For many years I coveted The Angel Story quilt, two friends had both made the quilt. One friend photocopied the patterns for me. Then I had the opportunity to meet Anni Downs ( Hatched & Patched designer ).....who is the designer of Angel Story. That's when some wires got fused in my brain...........................
 All designers are real people, with bills to pay, families, taxes, mortgages etc. So if I photocopy one of their designs surely that is a type of theft? I had all the a patterns at my finger tips, the 3 Sisters jelly roll, matching charm pack, a few fat 1/4's now all I needed to do was get to work. But I couldn't I had one more thing to purchase.......yes purchase....... The book.
 So long story over, I bought the book & set to work!  P.S Anni is a really lovely person.

Needle turn Applique, stitchery, piecing & quilting by me. I used my favourite threads, Madeira & Gunold over Warm & Natural cotton batting.

My appliqued label, the backing fabric is the same as I used for my Heirloom Romance quilt.
I hope you enjoyed my show & tell........now for somewhere to put it????

Customer quilts & a sneaky peek

Di finished her pinwheel quilt & commissioned me to do the quilting. Don't you think to dog tooth border looks like giant Ricrac??
Anyway last year several ladies participated in a pinwheel block swap, remember Jacki's?? massive pinwheel quilt? & my quilt?
Di wanted large cross hatching in the 'nine patch' pinwheel blocks & what ever else I thought best for the rest of the quilt. Using Maderia poly neon threads over cotton/bamboo batting here are some close ups.................................

While we are looking at feathers..........................................here is your sneaky peek.................

More on that soon!

Customer quilts..................

Another busy week in the Quiltme studio. I have a very special quilt to show, but that will have to be for another post as the quilt is now winding it's way back.
First is the quilt Lois made for her friends one year old daughter. Lois is fondly known as 'the cat lady'............here's why.............

I have quilted several quilts for Lois & most feature cats. Lois asked for simple quilting. So a looping stipple on the border , curling ribbon & plenty of ditch stitching.

Look at this cute little face!
Lois found the perfect fabric for the backing...................................

Next up is Jenny's wall hanging. Purchased as a BOM from The Country Yard a couple of years ago.

A combination of stitchery, applique, piecing & English paper piecing. Designed by Helen Stubbings of Hugs and Kisses.

Until next time......................................................

Customer quilts & one of mine!

Glenda's very first quilt! This is no baby or beginner quilt, look at all those points & triangles..........................triangles mean bias edges too. This quilt measures 90" x 104" & Glenda has made a most excellent job of the piecing, all the points are there! This quilt was delightful to quilt, no wavy borders or cut off points.

I did a large open stipple/meander through the middle, then ditch stitching on the border, orange peel & curling ribbon.

Next is Jill's pretty table runner, made as a gift. Jill finds these table runners perfect for posting overseas.

The Country Yard had a fun class on Friday night called 'Whirlwind Scraps'. I quilted the sample with all over Baptist fan ( I like to call it 'horse hooves'......see my explanation here ) using a  Auriful variegated poly thread.

This is the back, you can see the lovely texture.

Today I finished my Angel Story quilt top! Whoopwhoop!! Did you hear me? You didn't? Well I was doing it! This was another long term project...................could be another long term project to hold down the quilter to quilt it too!

I learnt how to do English daisies from the Crabapple Hill Studio, I was going to give you the link but they don't have the tutorial there anymore? Basically an English daisy is a small circle of wool felt covered with masses of lazy daisy stitches.

click on the photo

a wool felt star

some lace

and French knots.

 

My great Nephew is now 3kgs & nearly ready to go home......where have the months gone?