Thursday, October 27, 2016

Karen's King

No photo today, just a question. My daughter wants a king-size quilt in taupes with some lights/darks and in a modern, non-traditional pattern. I've been looking and have a few photos but nothing definite. Do any of you have a pattern or a link to a pattern that would work? Or even a photo that would be easy to do without a pattern? It does not have to be those colors, but adaptable to 3 or more values. 

I'm not asking anyone to do the looking, as I can do that, but just in case your research has already found one... that would be super! :-)

Friday, October 14, 2016

"Never Again"

This quilt is only 36.5" x 40.75" and I cannot imagine ever making a bed quilt with 2 inch 1/2 square triangles! I'd be in a white jacket without sleeves long before it was done! Even though making them with "Thangles" was easy, I'd rather applique a zillion pieces than sew these little squares together.



Strangely enough, doing the intricate quilting was fun! I was terrified to start, had no idea what it needed, but made it up as I went along. This was on my Handiquilter Avante. It took about 5-6 hours to do the quilting... but not all at once. Lots of thinking in between. Since this was my first attempt to use rulers with micro-quilting, I should get faster with more practice?? I hope so!

I didn't have a ruler for the trio shapes along the bottom in the photo, so my hubby cut one from a piece of plexiglass. It was not easy, so he won't be going into the ruler business any time soon! But he is asking me what shape to make next!



Friday, October 7, 2016

Tips wanted...

A young mom asked me to show her how to make a quilt from her teenage daughter's beloved pajamas she had when she was little. She wanted to include those beloved blankets too. So we started out with a sketch, and this week got the blankets sewn together, but not trimmed on the outside edges. She pinned the pjs to this background. It will have some borders and be about a twin size.



Our plan is to cut the back of each pj top and bottom off, as in all the parts that do not need to be there, then applique the visible parts in place. We are having a lot of fun and the results so far are just adorable. However, she has little sewing experience and has never made a quilt. I am also 'winging' it on this one. 

The blankets are somewhat stretchy so we hope quilting will help, but the fabric is firmly woven. The borders will definitely not be stretchy! Two pjs are knits and the other two are woven.

Has anyone ever made or even seen anything like this? If so, directions, tips, advice, etc. would be so appreciated!