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.