A Christmas Quilt....

There is nothing more satisfying than stitching a quilt to be gifted for someone special.

This quilt is from the pattern {Trees!} by Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts

and intended for my lovely friend, Rachel.  You can find Rachel at Family Ever After 

Rachel and I met through a mutual friend, although I knew who she was, I just hadn't formally met her. I was fortunate to be part of a small group of friends who got together every now and then to quilt and chat.  For about 2 years now we all meet to work on quilts, blocks or individual projects.

Rachel will be leaving Ohio next summer and just the thought of it makes me so, so sad.  I know she will love having her family closer to her mom and dad, so I can't be too sad.  Family is a good thing!

       

As for the quilt....the color palette needed to be simple....I love red and white quilts.  Red and White for Christmas. I used a variety of red prints.  A Japanese dot, a gingham, apples, and a vintage large red and white check. Then I added a touch of grey...a text print called Dictionary by Tim Holtz.  The grey binding and splashes of the same text in the blocks, is a nod to our OSU Buckeyes. 

In the lower right hand border, I added a pieced heart...for Ohio!  Ohio is shaped like a heart and our state slogan is Ohio, the heart of it all!

                       

Here and there, I fussy cut a heart for the top of the tree from a Maze and Vale panel.  A sweet little heart because Rachel and her family have touched my heart.

  

I added a great red check from the new collection by Molly Hatch...and the backing fabric is also a Molly Hatch fabric...

  

And, finally, I hand quilted this with a color I LOVE!  Valdani size 8 perle cotton in Orangey Red.  Stitched with love.

Of course, pieced using Aurifil cotton thread.  

This is a small quilt...great for a wall hanging, over a chair or on a table.  I can just imagine Rachel unpacking it every Christmas and remembering her group of friends in Ohio who will always love her dearly.

Love you, Rachel :)

One week to go! 

happy thursday!

xo mary   

 

Kitschy Kitchen Stocking....

Last year my niece and her husband bought an old home in Southern Ohio...

She spent the bulk of a year working on updating the house and making it their own.  In a couple of weeks she is hosting an Open House and I can't wait!  I love old homes!  And I know she has made this home something special...hopefully I can remember to take pictures to share :)

When my niece saw that I was working on a little clamshell stocking project, she mentioned that it would be cute to have a clamshell stocking to hang in her kitchen with a few vintage utensils.  

   

Being the World's Best Aunt....I went to work!

I began with a 3.5 inch clamshell template.  Because my template is 3.5 inches, I made a 3.5 inch grid on a piece of Kona Cotton.  Of course, I used a Frixion pen to mark my lines.

    

I love fussy cutting fun kitschy fabrics with my clamshell template!

 

Then I use a dab of Roxanne's Glue Baste-It to secure my clamshells to the foundation fabric...

 

Beginning at the top of the foundation fabric, the clamshells are simply added between the grid lines and every other row is staggered....

 

Notice I cut a little more than an 1/8 inch outside my drawn line for turning under.  And with the Frixion pen I don't need to worry about my drawn lines. The heat from an iron will make the marks disappear.  It's always a good idea to test first, though.

Next using my favorite, Richard Hemming Milliner needles and Aurifil 50 wt thread, I simply appliqued the top curvy part of the clamshell.  You do not need to turn under and applique the scooped out section or the point.  These areas will be covered by the curve of the row below it.  Brilliant!!!!

  

Once my clamshell fabric was complete, I backed it with a piece of cotton batting and  I quilted it using Valdani perle cotton in black.  Then, I simply placed my stocking template on top of the fabric and cut out a stocking shape.  Since this stocking is going to be hanging in a kitchen {and to save time} I only used clamshells on one side.  The other side is a solid piece of food themed fabric. 

 I added a lining in a black buffalo check flannel and a scalloped cuff!  Pom-poms and braided yarn for hanging!

And there you have it!  A kitschy kitchen stocking!

Have fun with all your holiday makes!

xo mary 

A Quilt for Miles....

My niece, Mary, welcomed a baby boy into the world last week...

Of course, I knew the due date was closing in, but I thought I might have another week to put together a baby quilt.  But babies have their own time tables and Miles has been in the arms of his  loving family for nearly a week now!

I pieced his name - MILES - using Denyse Schmidt's Proverbial Quilt Pattern.  Like most of Denyse Schmidt's patterns, I have used this one more than once...it's that good!  And makes a fantastic (personalized) quick quilt!

All of the letters for the name are from the same black and white gingham...the background fabric is Essex Yarn Dyed in Steel...with a little text fabric and ticking stitched in.

BUT...for the first time I used wool batting.  This is a Pellon wool batting and I have to tell you....I may never use anything else.  It is absolutely amazing!  This batting quilted like a dream!  I have never felt such a difference!  

    

I quilted with large 3" loops [with Aurifil thread].  Using the seam for the name strip as my bottom edge guide, I placed a piece of masking tape 3 inches above that seam.  My loopy quilting was contained between the seam and the tape.  Always a good idea to contain your loopy-ness ;)  hehe!  The wool made the quilting so much easier!  So fluid and fast!  I finished the quilting in just 3 hours!  Amazing!

I do prefer to hand quilt, but when I machine quilt I like a simple pattern.  So these big loops fill the bill.  Simple, not perfect, but yet add a nice texture...I am kind of smitten.

After I finish a line of quilting, I simple move my tape 3 more inches above the loops of the previous line.  It keeps my loops fairly straight and similar in height.  

      

I used the same black and white gingham for the back of the quilt as well as the binding.

His birth date is fussy cut from a fabulous number fabric from Kokka  [more on where you can find that later ;-) ]

 

 It just wouldn't feel right to call it finished without adding some hand stitching...and a little perle cotton....

so I added some red stitches with Valdani perle cotton to the binding and to the numbers!  

I love the stitching on the binding....yes indeed!

   

And in case you were wondering about washing with the wool batting...it has been washed in cold water with a color catcher thrown in for good measure.  And dried on low.  PERFECT!!!!

 This one will be wrapped up with lots of love!

happy monday!

xo mary

 

 

Rachel

I am sure every quilter loves making baby quilts!  I know I do!  

When I discover someone special in my life is having a baby, the wheels start spinning!

    

Rachel is a friend, fellow blogger {Family Ever After} and a neighbor!  Well, she doesn't exactly live in my neighborhood, but just around the corner.  Less than 5 minutes away... I consider that close enough to borrow a cup of sugar!

Her children attend the same elementary my kids attended...I love seeing pictures of them walking in front of the building.  Brings back sweet memories!

Rachel is just a wonderful person!  I mean, she really is wonderful! There are numerous adjectives to describe Rachel....

beautiful

happy

good

faithful

talented

I could go on and on....

Rachel has 3 adorable children and is expecting her 4th. in June.  I should add 'patient' to the list of adjectives!  Actually, she is the perfect person to have a large family.  She is also very resourceful.  And I know she has a reliable support network of family and friends.

So I had to make her a quilt for the new baby.  She is having a boy.   I didn't ask her about nursery colors...I thought this quilt should be used and used.  No need to match colors.

 

 I began with these two fabrics.  The sweet little fabric on top is a Japanese from Superbuzzy and the gingham is also a Japanese from Purl.  

 

 I added some additional fabrics from my stash...and pieced together using the technique I outlined a couple of posts ago.  I stitch the rows together on the diagonal and then true up the sides. 

I quilted with a combination of machine quilting and pick stitching.

I used Aurifil thread for the piecing and machine quilting straight lines. And hand quilted with Valdani perle cotton....every other row of triangles.

The binding is the same sweet Japanese print with a little of the gingham thrown in!

 

    The backing is a large check gingham...also from Purl.

And, finally, a label to mark the year of his happy birth!

What a lucky baby!  Born into a family that is so excited to see him!  A mom and dad who put faith and family first!  It just doesn't get any better than that.

xo mary

  

Flight!

As the end of the year approaches, I have my last finish of the year to share!

 I call this quilt Flight....

 The grey is a new fabric from Studio E....it is a Peppered Cotton in a dark charcoal color.

The Geese are paper foundation pieced.  Two Geese per block with a finished block size of 6 inches square.

   

I felt the design of this quilt lent itself to machine quilting rather than pick stitch.

So I went with a large loopy motif....easy to do and not at all perfect in appearance.  Call me crazy, but I prefer my quilts to look less than perfect...more homemade and lived-in.

I used Aurifil thread for the piecing and the quilting.

     

The backing is this fabulous fabric from Anna Maria Horner's Dowry Collection...AMAZING!!!

 

This quilt is about 42" X 54"....perfect for a lap or a baby....

You can see this one at Sew To Speak....

it will be a class in the New Year!

  Happy Thursday!

mary 

Utility Quilting....Lovely Quilting!

Well, it is no secret that I LOVE hand quilting!   And hand quilting (or pick stitching) with perle cotton is my all time favorite form of quilting.  

Carolyn Forster asked me to be a part of the Blog Tour for her new book and I was thrilled!!!

The book, Utility Quilting is a must have for anyone who would like to learn to hand quilt with perle cotton....OR....for those who love to hand quilt and are looking for new ideas.

      

I adore this book!  There are several great stitches that can be used to finish a quilt.  One of my favorites is Crows Footing {even the name is fun} and then there are the little X's in the Running Cross Stitch!  So Cute!!!

One of my pet peeves with quilting books is that they don't really explain both in words and pictures the complete process of quilting...

Not so with Utility Quilting!

You will find complete instructions from gathering the tools to making the templates to laying down the stitches.

  

I decided for my part in the blog hop, I would quilt my Anthro-knock off Triangle Quilt - following Carolyn's instructions.

I did somersaults when I saw Carolyn includes instructions for making a Mennonite Fan template!!!

So I chose the Mennonite Fan as my quilting design....

and followed her instructions to make my template.

 

Then I transferred my design to my quilt using Bohnin chalk pencils.

  

Aurifil Wool Thread was my thread of choice for this quilt.

Utility Quilting offers recommendations regarding stitching supplies... as well as tips for starting and ending your stitches....basting and binding.  Even complete instructions for several quilts!

The Mennonite Fan design for this quilt just ripples across the quilt.  For the top border I used a technique Carolyn calls thumb quilting.  I simply echoed the fan design using my thumb as the a measuring tool.

I love the look of these fans stitched in wool!  The back of my quilt is Essex linen and I think it shows off the design so nicely....

A sea of Mennonite Fans.....with a little thumb quilting thrown in....what could be better?

  

Well, maybe winning a copy of Utility Quilting for yourself would be better!  Pop over to Carolyn's blog and comment....you may win a book and some other fun stuff as well!!!  Yay! 

Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes for my mom.  I appreciate every single positive thought....keep 'em coming!!!!

big hugs,

mary

Basted, Quilted and Bound.....

If you recall, my family had an issue with this quilt being hung in our entry/great room.....

it was just too darn cheery!  But I have a large space that needs to be filled and I've always had a quilt hanging in that space...

So the Basket quilt in neutral colors, with lots of linen and muted tones seemed to be the Zen-like quilt they were hoping for....

It is finished....and basted....

This quilt was machine stitched with Aurifil 12wt ivory colored thread....random vertical lines first and then back through with several horizontal lines....

    

The binding is a French General stripe in grey and charcoal.....

the binding was hand stitched and the quilt washed.....and then....oops

  

A small area where I didn't catch the quilt top....darn! 

All fixed now and a sleeve added to the back so it is ready to hang...

This one is small....about 1/3rd. the size of the Dresden.  But I will add some artwork on the wall with the Basket quilt....

I will let you know how the fam likes it!!!

Happy Monday!

mary

Aurifil Giveaway Winners!!!

Wowza!  I wish I had a pack of thread to give everyone who left a comment....although I don't think I would like the postage :)   But rest assured, I am certain there will be more Aurifil giveaways throughout blogland....

This morning I used the infamous Random Integer Generator to choose 5 winners and here they are....

#174 - Dolphinlady from Winlock, Washington

#8 - Rachael from Belfast

#96 - Jean from Council Bluffs, Iowa

#192 - Sandie from Carlsbad, California

#220 - Piggyscraps from Germany

Yay!!!  Congratulations to all of you!!!

I will be sending each of you an email to get your address!

I could not find email addresses for Dolphinlady and Piggyscraps....so please email me with your address - you will find my email address just below my blogroll...

Thank you everyone for entering and a BIG thank you for all the lovely comments...

you make my heart happy :)

mary

      

   

A Day of Firsts....

As I planned this post I realized that this is a day full of firsts....

I used my scraps of Birch fabric to make a little pillow of simple patchwork....

This was my first experience using Wool Aurifil Thread to machine stitch the pillow top....

The Wool Aurifil is 50% Wool and 50% Acrylic.  Acrylic is a man made fiber often used as a substitute for wool. 

I am pleased to say I love the results....it is a heavier thread {12 wt} and at the same time a bit of a loose twist.  So the thread definitely has the appearance and feel of wool....the real test was how it would perform in the sewing machine.

To prevent the thread from shredding, I used a metallic needle.  A metallic needle has a larger eye - so less friction on the thread.  I also adjusted the speed of my machine to slow down my stitching...again a great idea to keep thread from shredding.

The squares are 3 inches square...and the entire pillow is just about 12 X 18....I stuffed it full with a small travel pillow.  I really love this pillow :)

So on to my next first!  I am pleased pink to be able to share samples of Aurifil thread with you!

  Yes....this is my first giveaway!!!  YAY!!!  

I will keep this easy...just leave one comment on today's post and you will be registered to win.

  I will close the giveaway on Monday at midnight....and the winners {yes I said winners!}  will be chosen at random and be announced {hopefully} on Tuesday.... August 23rd. 

And now for the best news yet....I have 5 sample packs...so there will be 5 winners chosen!!!  Yippee!!!  Do the Happy Dance :)

Just be sure if you want to win that you are NOT a No-Reply Blogger...

I want to be able to find you and let you know that you are a Happy Winner!

I did have another fun first today.  I worked on a cute little 'person' block for a student in my quilt class....I thought she may like to incorporate this idea in her quilt...

I first fell in love with people blocks when I saw the adorable block done by Marit....

How cute would it be to dress your person in those bits of baby clothing saved from when your children were little.  

    

And now, just one more first....I continued plugging away at my first ever Spiderweb Quilt...Or Star Quilt....however you want to look at it :)  I wanted to share my progress with you!

Whew....what a day!

Have a wonderful weekend!

mary :)