Bloggers Quilt Festival ~ A Quilt for my Mom

 

 

 

I am excited to be participating in Amy's Blogger's Quilt Festival.  I am entering a quilt I recently made for my mother in the Quilt Photographer category.  This is my second entry for the Fall Festival.

 

I have been slowing working on finishing several projects that have been put aside.  I am not sure if I should be proud or embarrassed that this quilt has taken me almost a year to complete (10 months).  I am not much of a yellow or orange person so the fabric colors did not really hold my attention.  I don't know why I did not like the quilt when I was making it or even when it was complete.  Once it was quilted I was awestruck and trying to comprehend what I had not liked.  I love it.  I was so shocked and happy when I picked it up from the woman who quilted it. 

Before binding - my assistant kept burrowing under the quilt making photography difficult.

Since binding is not my favorite activity - it took me another month or so to get that completed.  This quilt reminds me of fall so I wanted to get some pictures with fall leaves.  I told my son we were going for a hike and after he helped me with quilt pictures he could have some Cold Stone.

It was quite windy that day - My son wanted to know why "I wasn't a normal mom" - "none of my friends mom's make them climb a tree in the wind trying to get a good picture of a quilt"

A break in the wind.

Close up of the quilting.

 

 My son had more fun than he will admit on his hike with me and he was rewarded with Cold Stone as promised. 

 

Quilt Pattern:  Hopscotch by V and Co.

I did make a few changes.

Fabric:  Riley Blake

Pieced by:  Me

Size: 100X100

Category:  Quilt Photographer

Quilted by:  Loretta Tibor

 

 Thanks so much for stopping by.  Be sure to check out Amy's Blog to see all of the other talented blogger's/quilters.

 

 

 

Bloggers Quilt Festival - Fall 2013

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by for the Blogger's Quilt Festival.  This year I am entering a quilt that I made for a friend recovering from knee surgery.  She had no idea that I was going to do anything for her.  I had asked her a few questions about colors (pink, purple and really girly) I was hoping to do an abstract quilt - After talking with her I knew that she would not like that.  She loves symmetry.

She also loves really bold designs and flowers.  Since I had a large scale print I wanted to find a way to showcase the fabric.  I found a pattern free quilt pattern by Nancy Mahoney that I thought would work well.  I made my first test block on my design wall.  I did not like it. 

Test Block

I went back into my stash and I was able to come up with fabric that I liked a little better.  I was determined to work with what I had in my stash and I am pleased to say this entire quilt came from my fabric stash.  Of course I forgot to take a picture of the next block I made.

 

Here is the completed quilt top.  I spent a few weeks debating on how to quilt it.  I finally got up the nerve to begin a new swirly pattern on my machine doing free motion quilting - I did not care for it.  A friend came over and looked at and encouraged me to keep going - I did for a bit.  I decided I hated it and then spent the next week unpicking the quit.  It is amazing how fast the stitches go in and how slow they come out!!!

 

While I was at my local quilt store debating how to quilt I overheard someone talking about a person who rented out a long arm.  I got a name and number and away I went.  I was able to get an appointment for the same week.  I did not take any pictures of this one on the rack - I was too excited/stress to remember much.  Ironically I ended up quilting it with the same type of meandering loops I had just ripped out.  It was much easier on a long arm and I am quite pleased with my first attempt.  It was scary using my first long arm lesson to quilt on something that I was planning on gifting.  - I did have a back up quilt in mind to make if I really messed this one up. 

 

Close up of Quilting

 

 

Heida's Quilt

 

 

When I gave it to my girlfriend she was so happy she started crying.  I am glad that she is going to enjoy it.  Of course as you can see from the pictures that this did take me more than one season to complete - If I could only focus on one project at a time.......

 

About the Quilt:

Fabric:  Kona white, Riley Blake, Tina Givens, Art Gallery Fabrics, and a few others.

Pattern by:  Nancy Mahoney

Pieced and Quilted by:  Me

Size:  48X60

Category:  Throw quilts

 

I am off to look at other entries and become more inspired by all of the creativity I find on line.