An Easter weekend & Month End finish

I am very happy (and a bit relieved) that I have finished my Sarah's Revival applique' block that I started earlier this month. Just one block each month - that is the goal that I've set for myself for now. This is my evening handwork project. My applique' method of choice for these is Needle Turn Applique'.

As you can see, I have a long way to go before this quilt is finished. Unlike a few other projects of mine - this one really has no "true" time constraints. I really do love applique' work and for this project I'd prefer to embrace the "Joy of the Journey" without adding any personal pressure on myself.

Wishing you all a Blessed Easter and Happy Ending to the month of March!

A dozen more Jane's for March

More blocks completed this month for my Modern Day Jane quilt.
I have another half dozen in baggies just waiting for me to add the tiny applique's to finish.

Just 4 more triangles and another baker's dozen of the center blocks left. I'm creeping ever closer to the finish line now. (grin)

Wishing you all a very Happy Easter!

Quilting Friends, a trip to Williamsburg

I was invited to attend the monthly Third Thursday Quilter's group in Williamsburg this past week. This group of lovely and talented women meet at Martha Berry's gorgeous Longarm Studio Two Rivers Quilting.

I was so engaged in conversations that I only took a few pictures of Show & Tell. The picture above is a quilt that Eileen made. It was designed by Sherry Whitford who is currently teaching this as a class titled Birth of a Sampler.

My friend Kathy made this quilt. It was also designed by Sherry as a mystery project during a quilter's retreat. (you can sort of see Sherry in right side of photo)

Debbie made these 2 quilts, the smaller finished quilt is for a baby shower. The theme of the shower is Childrens story books so Debbie will present the quilt and the story book titled 10 Rubber Duckies. I thought this quilt was so creative and wonderful! The dresdan plates is for her Mom.

And here is Mary's progress on a gorgeous redwork embroidery and pieced quilt.

Eileen is working on the final assembly of her Dear Jane quilts that she made in Civil War and 1930's themed fabrics.

When I arrived, there were a handful of dear women there that I knew. But after meeting everyone in attendance, it felt like I was saying Good bye to an entire room full of old friends. It really was a special day and I feel very blessed for the experience!

New Reader for my Blog

With Google Reader phasing out -I've moved my blog list to Bloglovin.

I am not one to embrace technology changes at all very well.
To my delightful surprise this was a super easy transition!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I have to say that I really like this reader! The pictures and text appear sharper and larger, it's a bit more fun to scroll thru my reading list now.

every quilt tells a story....

My first Finished Project for 2013

This is the kit I received from a customer. She brought it back from Hawaii as a souvenir and consigned for me to complete it for her. I decided to construct it using the traditional Polynesian applique' style. I learned this process at an island quilt shop 5 years ago when I traveled to Kauai,Hawaii.

The first thing I did was trace the pattern onto the quilt top using a wash away marking pen. Then, with contrasting thread I basted the solid blue fabric behind the white background fabric. I kept the basting stitches approximately 1/8" to 1/4" beyond the turning edge of my design.

The pattern is created using a process often referred to as "Cut-away" or "Reverse" applique'. You only cut away a small portion of the fabric in front of your stitches as you work your way around the design.

Here is a super close up for you to see the markings,basting stitches and where I removed them once a section is completed.

Progressing along the design and a finished top.

The top was backed with a pretty Hawaiian batik fabric. (shown in kit above) The finished piece measured 20" square.

And here is my current Applique' work in progress. It is block #2 of Sarah's Revival. I started this on Saturday while attending my State Guild meeting in Culpeper, VA.

For this quilt, the applique' fabrics are marked, cut out with narrow seam allowances and sit on TOP of the background fabric. Once basted in place, I begin to needle turn the raw edges under along my marked lines.

every quilt tells a story.....

Progressing Along with Jane

Here are the Triangle blocks and final KITE block that I've completed since the start of the new year. Just 8 triangles to go and the outside borders of my quilt will be complete. The plan is to finish this quilt top before month's end!

Wishing you all a Happy and Productive March!

every quilt tells a story....