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)

Two of My Quilts in our 2010 Quilt Show

Here is my little Mother Goose wallhanging which I did for the challenge for our quilt show about two weeks ago. It did come in second in that category in Viewers' Choice. A fun quilt to make - I did it with fabrics I had on hand except for the backing. And above that is A Tisket A Tasket, a block of the month quilt taken from the website of Anne Sutton which came in third in it's category of wallhangings. It does make you feel so good to be receive recognition especially when there were so many beautiful quilts in the show. (Click to enlarge)

Some Old Hand Applique

I have always admired the work of Nancy Pearson - her applique is glorious. I haven't seen many things by her in quite a few years, but this book is one that I think is beautiful.

Back in the 80's or maybe early 90's I hand appliqued this basket of flowers and never did a thing with it. A couple of weeks ago, I was going through lots of things in my basement and found this. I also found the striped fabric that I had bought to go with it. So, I put it together and machine quilted it and now have my pretty little basket wallhanging.

During that same period, I hand appliqued this pillow - and this one is hand quilted, also. The fabrics back then were so much different than they are today. Applique has always been my number one love and I think it will always be. (Click to enlarge)

Small Appliqued Wallhangings

Made in the mid 1990's, this little piece is hand quilted and machine appliqued. From a book called Fairview Meadows by Jeanna Kimball.

This is fused rawedge applique in batiks and is machine quilted. The picture does not show the beaded centers in the geraniums that I did later. It was from a pattern I purchased while on a "shop hop" with some quilting friends and is one of my favorite little pieces.

This was done in 2008 0r 09. (Click to enlarge)

Whirly, Twirly, Round and Round

I did this quilt several years ago. I first saw a picture of it in..........................

the above book

and was so intrigued by it. After studying the article, I decided to give making one like it a try.

These are the templates that you use to make freezer paper pieces. It is basically freezer paper and gluestick that makes the block. And it is sewn with invisible machine applique. I used batiks for my quilt. The maker of the quilt in the publication is Dee Doebler.

In the January, 2004, Quilters Newsletter, this article and how-to for a similar quilt is featured. I am quite proud of this quilt. (Click to enlarge)

Another Wallhanging

This wallhanging featured in an old book that I have has always fascinated me.

Several summers ago, I decided to put one together.

It is fused and machine buttonhole appliqued and machine quilted.

If I were to do it over, I would have picked different colors even though I think these go very nicely together. It is rather like an optical illusion - sometimes the dark seems to be on top other times the light.

A long and narrow piece, it would look nice in an entryway with high ceilings or over a fireplace as in the first photo.

I had almost forgotten this was in the closet. It was a fun piece to do. (Click to enlarge)

A Little Watercolor Wallhanging

Sometime after moving to Michigan, I took a watercolor class at the quilt shop and made this small piece. I really enjoyed doing the shading and think it turned out pretty well. This is one of my first machine quilted pieces. I really like the way the quilting radiates out from the center. My stippling in the border is pretty crude but it is done with the invisible thread so that helps a bit. All in all it isn't a bad little wallhanging. This was done probably in 1994. (Click to enlarge)