BIRTHDAY GIFT

This is a gift for a friend who has become a real fan of machine quilting and loves pincushions. Isn't she the cutest thing???

BOOK LOVE

                                                          

                                                                                                   

I have been waiting for this book for quite some time. I was intrigued by the skinny slivers I see in some art quilts. Lisa O'Nells method is quite different. It adds more weight to the block due to the areas where there are four layers of fabric. I think this can be an added advantage to some projects. As I was sewing, it occurred to me I could have used a template to create this same fan appearance, but I must tell you I loved sewing the sections. It went really fast even though I forgot to chain piece as she suggested. There are other quilts in the book where the slivers are not as regular and look more on the artsy side. I think this is a book to add to your library. I love it.

DECISIONS

One of the easiest ways to change your design is to turn your blocks on point. Diagonal settings are intimidating because of the math. Figuring out setting triangle and corner triangle measurements. You could use a ruler made for that or keep this handy.....For setting triangles, take the diagonal measurement of your block and add 2 inches.Cut a square of that size and cut the square in quarters on the diagonal. Cut as many squares/triangles as you need for your size quilt. For corner triangles measure your block from top to bottom and add  1 1/2 inches to that number. Cut out 2 squares of that size and cut each in half on the diagonal once giving you 4 corners. As they say...easy peasy.

A CHAIR OF MY OWN

Quite some time ago, a guild member Beth made a wall hanging of a darling chair. I finally got around to creating my own. My chair holds a book that has my favorite quote..."A day spent reading is a good day, but a life spent reading is a good life." Pictorial quilts is really why I started quilting so I have decided to return to that format more often. It is still a magical process much like seeing a photo develop in the dark room. Take time and create some magic. It's a good thing.

REGULARITY...OVERRATED

So today's challenge was to quilt rocks in a linear format, in opposite directions continuously and not using a figure eight technique. ( yes, I love long sentences). They are irregular in shape just like real rocks. If you look  in the middle, you can see the thread buildup from where I traveled from one line to the next when going in the opposite direction, but I can live with that.

           In the drawing you can see how this is easily done by making a curvy line( left side), then completing that line going up to the top ( right side). It is OK to start the second line from top to bottom if you wish. So how can this be applied to a pieced top?

Hey, I think I like this! This is much easier than pebbles, yet still impressive if done all over, keeping in mind you will see more of the quilting on light or solid fabrics, unless you lighten the thread color on dark fabrics. ( not usually my taste) Anyway, I hope this inspires you to try it.

FINISHED TOP

This is the last of the Wednseday class projects for this year.I have combined two blocks from different patterns. The little block is 5 1/2 inches and works great as a cornerstone. The wonky block is 10 1/2 inches finished. It went together rather quickly. OK so no more quilt tops. I need to get quilting!!!

ZIPPER QUILT BACKING

I know this must look a little strange, but this is one of my favorite ways to piece a back. It is called a zipper back. Vertical or horizontal, it is fun. Pick two fabrics and make enough squares to alternate in a row top to bottom or side to side. Then sew each fabric to either side of the squares. I think these squares are 6 inches. Any size works. Try it!!