Presentation Does Count!

Sometimes I get so wrapped up in creating and making quilts that I don't even think about the presentation of what I've made. Once I did get a lovely basket for a quilt I made for Julie, but usually I ask John to find some acceptable large gift bag, which he does. This wedding quilt for Jen was going to be no different - until my friend Cecilia weighed in on the issue. She argues that presentation is very important and enhances the quilt gift. She was instrumental in this lovely presentation. After folding the quilt accordion-style, she tucked tissue paper into various nooks and crannies. There's just a bit of the quilt peeping out of the right corner. Wouldn't you love to have this gift?

Jen and Tim's Wedding Quilt

Jen and Tim's Reversible Wedding Quilt is completed. The photographing is over, and now it's just a matter of figuring out the presentation of the quilt (box vs. basket). I have loved every step of this quilt from when I first asked Jen what she wanted, working with her color and design choices, meeting Tim and seeing who exactly is this Jen-worthy person and reassuring him that I wasn't going to do something girly, and gathering fabrics for both sides of the quilt all the way to the actual quilting and construction.

Some quilting detail is below. The construction of the quilt allowed me to quilt each 8" square individually before the assembly. I also used a feature from my sewing machine that allows me to embroider some words. Unfortunately, where I chose to do this is more readable from the reverse side than from the front. For left handers, reading mirror images isn't a problem. Hope the newlyweds will be able to find their names, the date of the wedding, and my quilt signature! 96" x 112"

My new Trip Around the World

As I watched Chris H, Cristina, and Catya putting together their palettes for their Trip Around the World quilts, I knew I had to make this pattern with them. Although this pattern is a great one for tying, which is what Chris H and Catya did, I machine quilted mine. Cristina is still in the process of finishing her and is experienced in both techniques, so it will be interesting to see which she chooses to do. Chris H pointed out that with this quilt, my color palette hasn't changed much in the past 20 years. Yep, still into greens and purples. This quilt will remain in the studio.

Catya's Trip Around the World

Let's have a big round of applause for Catya and her first quilt. Her color selection, diligence in sewing, and delight as the project was finished are all laudable. This 72" by 92" tied quilt is sophisticated and still cozy. I enjoyed getting to know Catya, who is about to start her senior year at LTHS, and am glad that my friend Cristina introduced Catya to quilting.

John's Great-Niece Emma is a Quilter!

John's sister Terry has really been doing some fabulous quilt work. See the July 23, 2007, entry for one of Terry's quilts. Her enthusiasm for quilting is having an effect on all of her family members, especially at this point granddaughter Emma, an 8th grader. Em and her mom chose some fabulous flannel fabrics, Terry chose the pattern, and Emma really took to the rotary cutter and Terry's new Bernina sewing machine. Terry and Emma used my studio to tie the three layers of Emma's quilt. Then they went back to Terry's where Emma machine-quilted the outer border and the binding. The results are spectacular.

One of the joys of quilting is seeing others get hooked. Another of Terry's granddaughters was here with Terry and Emma. Cassidy took lots of pictures of my stash - hope maybe she left here thinking that she wants to try a quilt! (Meanwhile, I'm about to finish the reversible quilt for Jen Thompson!)

Progress on Jen T's Wedding Quilt

Several posts back, I had a picture of various fabrics in consideration for Jen's wedding quilt. After several discussions, samples of little bits of fabrics, a catalog picture of something both Jen and Tim liked, and input from trusted friend Cristina, the Thompson-Peters quilt is underway. Because of the whole green/blue issue, this quilt will be reversible with Tim's side being primarily blues and Jen's side focused around this one green she loves so much. All the fabrics were organized and the layout was planned. Each side uses 8 fabrics, and each one of those fabrics was cut into 22 8" squares. Batting was also cut into 8" squares. Then each one of the 168 squares was quilted. Now, everything has to be sewn together. All squares on Tim's side will be connected with navy blue, all on Jen's side with her green. I'm still undecided about the binding. The layout is 12 by 14, and the quilt will be 96" x 112".

These pictures give an idea of how the 2 sides of the quilt will look. Click on the bottom picture to see some of the detail with the quilting. This project is a fun one to work on and will definitely be completed before the August 30 wedding.

Chris H's Trip Around the World

Isn't it spectacular? These vibrant colors fit into the house beautifully. Chris is using this quilt as a wall hanging. Click on the quilt to see some the detail of some of these great fabrics. 55" x 75"

Trendy Nails Quilt

There's a nail salon at the Garden Market in Western Springs that I frequent. Patti is the owner/manager - she and her family are charming people. This salon has a facial room which Patti has just redecorated, and this quilt was made for that room. Getting a facial is relaxing. This quilt is meant to help that process and soothe the soul. The pattern is the "Trip Around the World" referred to in a previous post. Click on the quilt to see the detail of these beautiful fabrics. 50" x 70"

YIKES! My Parents Have Been Married 60 Years!

Although their actual anniversary was yesterday, today they are taking the entire family to The Barn in Burbank, IL, for dinner. Even niece Jen is flying in from NYC. And this is their treat. What a far cry from childhood days when we'd go to a restaurant after church and get a limit on what we could order ($.99 was the limit for many years, excluding the drink). They have also listed their house and are preparing for a move into an Active Senior community. Hard to imagine 60 years of marriage... Here they are in Springfield, looking at Dad's brick in the World War II Memorial.

Trips Around the World

The first quilt pattern I ever did was Eleanor Burns's Trip Around the World. I love that design and made over 40 of them in my early years of quilting. Neighbor Cristina wants to teach her friend Catya to quilt, and I suggested that they both do a "Trip Around the World." Although Cris has made several quilts, she's never done this pattern. Cris and Catya chose their 6 fabrics, ranging from light to dark. This design is a variation of the Amish Sunshine and Shadow pattern.

Look at the web site Gallery for an album of quilts featuring this design. The fabric choices of Cristina and Catya inspired me, and I am going to do a "Trip" along with them. So is Chris H. Here are our fabrics. First, Cristina's, then Catya's, then mine, and then Chris H's.