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)

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)