Traditional Red and Green Quilt Top

Well, I finally got the borders added to my top! It’s ready for hand quilting but it will have to wait it’s turn.  I will be hanging her in the to be quilted area of my closet.   It is hard to believe that when I started this journey last Christmas, collecting fabric while visiting relatives in Illinois and Tennessee that I would come this far.    I have definitely caught the applique bug and plan on doing another quilt next summer.  For now fall is on its way, and for me it means hand quilting is back on the agenda.  I will pull out my peony/carolina lily quilt top get it marked and start hand quilting it.  I also have my Klosjes to work on when I take a trip or want a change of pace. 

What's next

So I have completed all the blocks for my traditional red and green quilt, so what is next.  Today, I will spend some time in the sewing studio, piecing a border to add to the quilt.  But, I will also find some time to sit and do some hand quilting on my flea market bow tie quilt.  I am once again using a design called baptist fans. It is an easy way to get an even amount of quilting across the quilt.

 I am using a piece of left over wool batting. I love quilting thru wool, it is so easy to needle.  However, this time of the year it can leave one a bit warm.  My hoop has a base that supports it while I quilt but it also means the quilt is pretty much draped over my lap.  Some quilters use floor frames and I find it easier to have a round hoop that I can turn when I need to go different directions.

So this will be a busy week, finishing the pieced border and attaching it to the quilt, and hopefully getting closer to finishing this little bow tie quilt. 

Ta–Da! The final block

I am so happy to have completed my final applique block for my red and green traditional quilt.  No ruched flowers, I know, but I really think the layered flowers are much more fitting and work with the rest of the quilt.  This was my first attempt at designing my own applique block, and I am thrilled with the results. I also tried some new techniques, such as layered flowers and fussy cutting.  The three little circles on the vase were fussy cut out so that there is a little flower centered in each circle. It seems like such a minor detail but I think it adds a lot.

Layered flowers

I am working on the final block of my Red and Green Traditional Quilt.  Fall is on its way, and I am really amazed that my goal has been met.  I know I talked about adding ruched flowers to the final block, but when I went to stitch one down, it just said "no" to me.  So, I went back to the idea of trying one of the layered flowers in the Book Baltimore Garden Quilt by Barbara Burnham.  I really really want to make this quilt and would love to start it next summer, but before I jump in with both feet, I think it is a good idea to try some of the more challenging parts of the quilt. So, this morning I tried a layered flower and the photos below are the results.

We will always remember!

One hour of Simply Needle and Thread

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I bought this little quilt top at a local flea market. I’ve decided to hand quilt it with a little inspiration from Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville. She is featuring Simply Needle and Thread and challenging her self to spend an hour a day do some hand work. That shouldn’t be too hard since most of what I do is hand work. So I am challenging myself to get this little quilt finished , it will be a great warm up before I start quilting my peony/carolina lily quilt this fall.

Pineapple Block Completed

This block was definitely a nice break, it went together quickly and I can’t wait to hand quilt it!

Another Slow Stitching Sunday

It's another slow stitching Sunday! This may become a habit, and I need to thank blogger Kathy'sQuilts for hosting these slow stitching Sundays. 

 

I have always loved pineapples, they have served as a symbol of hospitality and warm welcome throughout  the history of America.  Often a pineapple would be placed in the center of the table to welcome guests, and pineapple would show up in the dessert at the end of a meal.  If the guest would spend the night, they would find pineapples carved in the bedpost in their guest room. Sometime ago, Tim Latimer a blogger posted a pic of his finished pineapple quilt.  It really caught my eye.  He does a wonderful job finding vintage quilt tops on ebay and reconstructs them if needed, and then his wonderful hand quilting turns them into a beautiful quilt.  I know there must be some quilter makers in heaven smiling down upon him. Tim has allowed me to include a picture and if you want to visit his site just click on the his name above.

This pic is a closeup of some of Tim's wonderful quilting! As I was choosing blocks for my red and green quilt, this block showed up in the block ideas page and of course caught my eyes.  Luckily, it is a pretty simple design and I was able to come up with my version. It isn't quilted yet but  I hope mine will be as lovely someday.

 

Oak Leaves and Acorns

I loved stitching this block, except for the acorns. They are quite small, but I asked my husband if he could tell what they were and they passed the test.  I will be posting my next block on Sunday, a  pineapple block. The pineapple block I chose is a much easier block, so it will be a breeze to stitch.  I decided I needed a break after all those little berries I  added on this one. The process has also started for the final block of the quilt. I have come up with a design, now I just need to get it stitched!

Windows LIve Writer

I happened across Windows Live Writer on my computer and decided to test it out. I have read several blogs that say it makes blogging much more enjoyable.


So far so good!

Slow Stitching Sunday

I really enjoy hand stitching and came across a great blog. Kathy's Quilts has been sponsoring Slow stitching Sundays so if you want to see what others are doing check out her blog.

This applique block is called oak leaves and acorns.  I was a bit apprehensive about starting it, but due to good techniques it has really been a very enjoyable block to stitch. I also was able to try reverse applique with this block, which is something I have only tried once before.

Once this block is completed, I will start the final block of my red and green quilt.  I want to design this final block my self including some new techniques that I have been dying to try.