Quilts, Quilts & More Quilts

I'm working on the 3rd Comfort Quilt. I finished piecing the top today and started to get it placed on the quilter. I want to finish it and possible the 4th one by the guid meeting [3rd Tuesday in April].

I also took a class called 'Shadow Box', which I'm doing in oriental fabrics. I haven't had a chance to work on that one since the class on March 7. I'm a bit behind in my quilting.

This Saturday I took a class with the guild called 'Weaver Fever'. It's not hard, but you have to concentrate or you can sew strips upside down or sew the wrong set of strips together, which will mess up the pattern.

I am going to a 'craft fair' in October. I want to have a variety of items for sale; not just quilts. I have some embroidered towels done already. I want to get some table runners, table toppers and pictures of the quilts I've already done.

The top photo is a close up of the design I quilted on my Mom's quilt pictured below.

Shadow Box Quilt Class

I think I've figured out how to add a photo. The quilt pictured is called Yellow Brick Road, which I made for my Mother. She has Alzheimer's and decided she wanted to use it as a table cloth for her dinning room table. I have to admit, it does look nice.

Yesterday I took a class on how to make the quilt pattern 'Shadow Box'. The class & pattern was a birthday gift from two friends who also quilt. I uses oriental prints; the primary color being shades of purple. The shadow is a dark green leaf print. The sashing is a gold swirl pattern. I will post a photo when I finish the top. It was a fun day, despite the trouble I had with my machine. I didn't get as much done as I thought I would. But that's ok; I want it to be done well.

The second comfort quilt is almost done. I finished quilting it today. The label and binding is all that's left to be done. Once that's done I'm going to start sewing the pieces for the crazy quilt. That has a deadline of June 1; which means I need to complete it by mid-May.

Completed One Comfort Quilt

I completed one of the four comfort quilts. There were a couple of blips, but as a whole, it turned out very nice [at least I think so]. This was one that I used some of my own stash to piece the top. I started to put another one on the quilter last night. I hope to finish getting it set up on the quilter, as well as mapping out the pattern I'm going to use tonight. I truely hope that it brings comfort to someone undergoing chemotherapy. Using my skills to provide these quilts to cancer patients is very satisfying [this is not the word to really convey what I mean].

When I finish the four I have now, I am going to take a least one per month to complete. I also have the crazy quilt to complete for the contest - due in June. I hope to have some pictures soon.

Comfort Quilt Day

Saturday was a day for the members of the quilt guild to come together and make Comfort Quilts. These quilts brought to hospitals for patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. It was a rewarding day. There must have been about 50-60 women, some piecing the tops, some pinning and/or sewing the layers together, others decorating them with some fancy machine stitching or free-motion sewing. I've only belonged to the guild for 2 months, but I feel at home. Everyone was friendly and encouraging. I sewed 3 tops while I was there; brought 2 home to finish on my Handi-Quilter, which is a mid-arm quilting machine. I have 2 from last monthto finish as well. I want to have all 4 done by the next meeting. Then I will start on my crazy quilt for the contest.

Quilt Contest Progress

Last night I bought the fabric for my crazy quilt contest. I went to the store with one idea, but once I saw this glittery fabric, my whole concept changed. I bought all different bright, bold colors along with co-ordinating marbled fabric - and all of it sparkles. 'Going to the Ritz' popped into my head for a name [it has to have a name for the contest]. I have to finish drafting the pattern, then I can start sewing.

I joined a quilt guild last month. I am so glad that I did. The members are so friendly. Each month at the end there is a segment for members to show what they are working on or what they have completed. It is truely inspiring to not only see so much talent, but to see how much they give to charity - quilts, caps, dolls and more. I want to be a part of this very giving community.

Besides quilts, I also do embroidered towels, table runners, table toppers and wall hangings. One of my goals is to create my own website to showcase my creations and workmanship. There is still so much for me to learn and I am eager to try the multitude of techniques available for fabric art and quilting.

My Quilting Adventure

According to Webster's Dictionary, an adventure is an exciting or remarkable experience. That's how I feel about quilting. I have so much to learn, not just about the quilting, but how to view colors, how to work with different techniques and fabrics and how to create something unique.

I have been sewing on and off since grade school. It's only been the past few years that I have become more focused on quilting and 'fabric arts'. I am thinking about entering a quilt contest, which I have never done before. The main reason that I'm even thinking about entering is because the quilt is only 16" x 16". Actually, I've started to plan the design and fabrics.

I bought an HQ 16, which is a mid-arm quilting machine, which I love. I wanted to go to the classes given by the manufacturer, but now with the economy I'm not sure I can. So, if not this year, then next year. I love quilting on this machine.

I hope to add some pictures of my quilts [when I figure out how].