Wednesday, November 25, 2009

A different Quilt

Oh my...look at this.



I quilted a multi fabric lap quilt, designed for Alzeimer's patients.
The quilts are designed with ' tactile-ness'. Okay sew, the back is fleece,
 just a hunk no selvages.  I tried not to stretch it.
  BUT I wasn't successful,  did an very open meander.
 What we have here is indeed tactile.  Ha, it's very tactile.

  Just look at that pucker-y back....heck the whole thing is one big pucker.
It feels nice though, and the variety is great.




I put the binding on this one too. Machine binding,  and don't cha know I broke the needle plate of my Husky.  Tsk.  I dis-remembered  cracking it...it didn't like bulk.  Well it was only a matter of time.(sigh)  I am sure glad I have a 'spare' sewing machine  :)


A bit of satiny fabric with a bit of embroidery....check out those puckers  :)



A bit of lace, fleece, knit, some shimmer and some shine....I hope someone enjoys it.
gudrun

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Quilted Table Pieces

I was wondering what pattern  to try for place mats and perhaps a table 
runner, consequently wondering what favourites are out there in bloggerdom.
What piecing pattern do you use for place mats, also what is the finished
 size that you like for a place mat? It'd be nice to hear...  a comment, or a link.

My dm, mentioned he liked the larger ones we have...
I never knew he cared  :)

 I have some  precut strips  in  blues....good start.   I know I need to keep
 it simple.  I 'd like them to not look 'simple'.  I can do that
 with some fancy quilting :))

I finished piecing a few pink and green place mats, from bits left over 
after acover was made for a Kitchen Aid machine. 
  (Never took any pictures duh!)
I find this is not the most efficient method of piecing, but then
 I like doing jigsaw puzzles, too. It seems to some, to be 
a time waster .....my kind of waster. 
 (These are pretty greens,  I promise its true! The orange background doesn't help.)
Also contrary to what I thought
this project did  not use up a significant amount of scraps. 
 I am  wondering if the scraps clone when I leave the room.

The Sun just peeked in the window so I'm going out, happy Sunday friends.
gudrun


Wednesday, November 18, 2009

What's in a word

So, what's in a word.  This is one of the roads in my valley and at the top of the hill, lives the Hill family.

Keep smiling...
gudrun

Straight but not Square (saving at your long armer))

 There are some folks do not understand  'square'. 
Certainly not as it applies to fabric.....as in large pieces of fabric.
This is a picture of backing fabric. The pieces are all cut straight, 
and seamed straight.  But the end result is not a square piece.
And no,  I don't know why that happens,  it just does.



Those large 108" wide fabrics need to be squared as well. 
As you see several inches may be lost squaring fabric, take this  fact
into consideration when purchasing backing.
Squaring a large back is no different then squaring fabric for cutting strips.
It is bulky and awkward to handle, but needs to be done.
So here's a quick how to, and one can check the web for lots of visuals
 if this is too obtuse.

1.  Find the centre of the back, lengthwise. Fold in half. Carefully smooth the 
fabric and fold again to fit on the cutting surface.  This will take a minute or
 two as you need to make sure the fabric is smoothed out.  The rough edges 
that appear, are now ready to be trimmed.
2.  Repeat this process for the width....or you can do width and then length
 if your feeling contrary  :)

I allow my clients the first 'unsquare' back adjustment gratis, because some 
folks just don't know.  
Then I explain, because there is a charge and who needs to pay
 that when it is sew simple and you can do it yourself.
Happy Wednesday,
gudrun



Sunday, November 15, 2009

Funky Brown Quilt

Okay I confess, I don't care for brown fabrics. I like the colour brown
it has its place....wood, dirt, dogs, and chocolate. But brown fabric has
never inspired me. So, this quilt was a lovely surprise, for me.
It has a very friendly and relaxing feel to it...just perfect for
the young lady it was made for.



The back is the same solid brown, I used a paisley pantograph and a Poly Neon Variegated Madeira thread.
Forgot to take a picture of the back..sigh. Trust me it looks good :)





I have lots of quilts to get finished on the long arm, in the next few days so watch for the pictures.

Happy Monday folks!
Gudrun

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Canadian Grade School Reader Quilt


Do you remember Dick and Jane? Here's  2009  quilted version





Oh oh what fun! Sorry about the soft focus...I will get better with the camera I promise.

Happy Tuesday!
Gudrun

Monday, November 2, 2009

New York Beauty

Check out this lovely little quilt. Wahoo wild and wonderful oranges and brown. The right now kinda colours!





Of course George came outside to help me photograph this lovely...the wind was up and the photographer is an amateur.


It's a small piece 46 x 68 and is not rectangular...as you can see.
What all ya 'all think?  Love to hear from you.  Leave a comment.
Gudrun