Batik quilts are always so rich looking and this Star Quilt is no exception. The piano key border really frames the blocks perfectly!
Speaking of piano key borders or any pieced borders I highly recommend what is known as a victory lap after piecing your quilt top. It is basically stay stitching around the outer edges about 1/8th inch, this will prevent thread pops when handling your quilt top.
We chose the pantograph Star Swirl, as it not only adds the starriness but also adds a sense of movement as well.
The backing fabric is so gorgeous and rich looking and really showcases the pretty stitches.
As usual the quilt is trimmed and ready for binding.
Yesterday was a fun day of quilting, first of all my friends and I enjoyed a day of sewing at the Rec centre along with a fun potluck lunch! We all agreed that we should do that more often, the potluck that is. We meet every Monday at the centre already.
I am currently piecing scrappy 16 patch blocks which sure can make a mess. It’s fun to see the variety of projects being worked on.
After supper I attended the Thunder Bay Quilt Guild meeting which is currently held on Zoom. I have mixed feelings about zoom meetings…I really don’t mind not having to go out at night but I do miss seeing people in person along with their quilts.
The guild is busy getting ready to hold the long awaited for quilt show!
The program last night was about Gadgets, what people love and what they don’t. One of the gadgets that was mentioned as unliked was Deb Tuckers Wing Clipper rulers, these are my go to rulers for flying geese and probably my most used specialty ruler.
Below is Debs you tube demonstration.
Do you have a favourite ruler for making flying geese?
One other favourite that was mentioned was Frixon pens, and yes I agree that they have their uses, however I would not personally use them to mark a quilt for quilting… the ink may disappear with heat but I have seen it return when cold so if a quilt is being transported in the winter the marks return. I do suspect washing the quilt will remove the residue. Just my opinion.
With the forecast of rain and then freezing weather with snow…I decided to make sure I was prepared and able to stay home and work all day today.
There will be a pot of soup made and maybe some chores done but if you need me I will be in my studio!
Some quilts get named while they are with me…this one is Bring on Spring!
The green batik that Joan chose for the backing is that beautiful green of new grass and leaves in the spring and perfectly compliments the quilt top.
This is a large queen size quilt. I love how beautiful the simplicity of piecing captures both colour and designs of the fabric. The centres of each block is a pretty floral adding a pop of contrast and will also be used for the binding.
Speaking of binding, I almost always prepare Joan’s bindings for her, it’s a task that I enjoy.
One more picture to show the backing. I chose the pantograph A Little Bit of This.
This delightful quilt was pieced by a little guys Grandma. He will soon be transitioning to his big boy bed with his new quilt!
I love the way this pantograph (waterworld) adds movement to the quilt while also adding enough quilting to hold up to the many washings it will no doubt have over time.
The yardage used for the backing was fun to piece and match up making the seam really challenging to find.
Another gorgeous quilt, this one showcases the Northern lights. Using the pantograph Kindling added movement to the lights along with variegated thread to help highlight all of the colours.
I used black Hobbs 80/20 batting.
Trimmed and ready for binding, the backing is just also a treat for the eyes!
Well the month has begun in the deep freeze! The feels like temperature this morning when I woke was -42C. I am extremely happy to be able to be at home all day today!
January was an extremely full and busy month and I am so grateful for all of the people who entrust their quilts to me to help complete. Other than finishing my Longtime Gone quilt top and a little sewing on Mondays at the Rec centre most of the month was spent working on the Longarm.
Just a peek at a recent Northern Lights Quilt…more to come.
The Thunder Bay Quilt Guild is gearing up for the long awaited Quilt Show in May so we quilters are all extra busy these days. I am planning to show some of mine and hoping to fit in one or two into my my Longarm schedule. (If you are wanting a quilt done by me for the show please let me know soon as my schedule is getting pretty full.)
On the life side… I enjoyed a full day this week watching Liam and his school team play in a basketball tournament with his Mom 😊
And today marks not only my 37th Anniversary of becoming a Mom …
Ingrid told me that she began this quilt by just making the half square triangles and then played with different layouts on her design wall. It really is fascinating to see all of the different possibilities.
Ingrid chose the pantograph Feather Grande for her quilt she was thrilled with how beautifully her quilt has turned out.
Liam came for a visit and held the quilt for a photo shoot for me!
It was really challenging to capture the true colour of the quilt back so I tried a different location and came really close!
Let me help you bring your quilting projects to completion!
I think one of the biggest attractions to quilts made with solids is how beautiful the quilting shows up!
This quilt was Nancy’s first modern solid quilt…she is fortunate to have what they call a family quilt guild and I have been so fortunate to quilt many of their quilts!
Nancy chose the pantograph Jitterbug for this quilt and I love how it dances all over her quilt!
She used fireside fabric for her backing. These soft backings quilt up beautifully and help make such wonderful snuggly quilts.
Her quilt is trimmed and ready for binding.
Contact me at 807-251-4261 to discuss my Professional Quality Quilting Services
While many quilters are working along with Karen at Just Get it Done Quilting’s cleaning and sorting challenges I have been working on another half square triangle quilt for Marilyn.
If you have been following along with my blog you will know that this isn’t her first quilt like this!
It takes many years to accumulate this type of stash! When you look closely at her quilts it’s easy to see some fabrics that may have lost favour over the years over new projects and different fabric lines. Some might say get rid of what you won’t use or that you no longer love but something to consider…some day you may have a little more time on your hands for such a project one that will include memories from many years of quilting!
Some quilters work on a project like Marilyn’s over many years and eventually have enough to make the quilt… what projects are you working on?
Wendy’s Quilting and Life 