Carol's Linda Star

A paper pieced star in a class taught by Linda, a member of our guild and an incredible paper piecer and designer.  One of my favorite wall hangings.

A Christmas Wallhanging

The pattern for this wallhanging came from Quiltmaker magazine two years ago.  I had most of the batiks in my stash.   This now hangs in my daughter's home at Christmas time.  A favorite of mine.  (Click to enlarge)

Small Wallhanging

Here is a small batik wallhanging I did several years ago from a pattern I found in Quilting Arts magazine.

I was just starting to do a little bit better in machine quilting.  This is raw edge applique and it turned out okay.  (Click to enlarge)  





Hitch Your Flowers to a Star

This is the quilt that is shown in my header - Hitch Your Flowers to a Star - that I finished in 1988.  It is machine satinstitched appliqued and hand quilted.  I found the idea in an old Quilt magazine that used a large star with an applique in each empty block.  The blocks are large - about 17 1/2 inches square - with a wide sashing and border that is quilted with a feather row 

The center of the quilt with a feather motif quilted on each point around the block.

 

More of the blocks in the quilt.  I quilted motifs in the centers of the designs that had a space.

In later years, I did the wallhanging over the bed from some of the leftover fabric that I still had and machine quilted it.  I have always loved this quilt and have had it on the bed for lots of years.  (Click to enlarge)

Really Old UFO

Some time in the early 80's, I found a pattern for a quilt in one of the few magazines devoted to quilting back then. It was in the style of "quilt as you go" which was championed by Georgia Bonesteel. You would make blocks or sections of quilts, quilt them, then assemble them afterwards. A good idea but a pain in the neck! I did one quilt that way and didn't get this one finished.

This is a good representation of what was available in the way of fabrics back then - small prints, calicoes, pin dots, etc. None of the gorgeous fabric we have now. And most of the backgrounds were plain. Still pretty, though.

This is one of the borders - I think I have one or two of them finished and the other two still need to be completed. Maybe someday someone will find this and think the old "antique" quilt would be fun to complete. I doubt if I ever will since I haven't by now. (Click to enlarge)

Challenge Quilts for the Guild

At the first meeting of each year, we are given a challenge to be ready for our yearly quilt show in the spring. This year it was Mother Goose, which is shown in a previous post.

The year before we each drew a playing card and had to do a wallhanging to depict that card.

This was another challenge in an earlier year and I think I called this one "Flying to the Fiesta" which referred to the subject of the challenge.

Can't remember the specific challenge but I did this wonky log cabin hanging. There were always so many fun, really cool wallhangings that the members came up with. Wonder what the one will be for this coming year? (Click to enlarge)

Fluffy Ruffles

There have been some of these little ruffled quilts popping up here and there and they are so cute. I recently bought a specialty foot for my machine that gathers with the speed of light. You first have to finish the edges, though, and that takes some time zigzagging along each side using a wide stitch that is quite close together. Seems to almost turn the raw edge under and works great. After that the gathering goes like lightning. I put the entire quilt together, ruffles and all, then made the quilt sandwich and did the quilting. It was kind of a wrestling match but turned out well. Next time, after a suggestion from one of my blog readers, I will do all the prep and quilting and, then before binding, will add the ruffles. It will make it much easier and much less bulk. I really like this little piece! (Click to enlarge)