Raffle Quilt

I had a great opportunity recently to quilt for a community group called the Beaver Valley Agricultural Association, they organize and hold the Beaver Valley Fall Fair each Sept.

  Last year, BVAA purchased a quilt from Georgian Quilters' Guild for  raffle. It  happens I quilted that raffle quilt, that quilt now resides in the Philippines, but I digress.   This year a BVAA member gathered together blocks from previous challenges,  put them together with sashing and borders, and asked me to quilt the piece for BVAA.  It came together nicely, wouldn't you say.

                                                              

TGIF folks,

gudrun

Yesterday....Talking about the Long Arm

I am glad yesterday is yesterday.  I felt like a cat on a hot tin roof. Perhaps it was because we had a heat wave ...up to 5 from - 10)  here but probably because
I gave a little talk about what I do as a long arm quilter.
I was relaxed about it until a few days ago.... thought it would be "an okay gig" It was running around in my brain that I have quilted for almost half the membership but then I started to over think the whole thing and like I said I was sooooo nervous.  Apparently I did all right, had a hand-out to cover the basic requirements needed from the piecer and had some small samples to touch and examine circulating the room, answered a few questions. I hope I didn't say 'um' and 'like' a lot and I hope I wasn't slouching.  Mom  says I slouch.

 Anyway that was yesterday.  Today the sun is shining, even so, the day hasn't been stellar.  I had to take a tow truck ride down from the ski resort...no brakes on my car.  Totally creepy.  I was dropping DS off at the hill, and returning to the hospital rehab centre to get DH, when the lack of brake power in the car had me heading for the nearest parking lot at the resort hotel.
Okay that was before lunch, I am home drinking tea and having toast, all will be well, car is getting fixed and life continues  ...whew.  Today, I am will phone mother, tell her about my not 'another boring winter day'.

drive safely friends,
gudrun

Folded Flowers Daffodils

FOLDED FLOWERS ~~~~   DAFFODILS 

1. Place two template pieces RST*, sew around  scant ¼” seam,  leaving an opening for turning RSO. Blind stitch opening shut.

2.  Applique one fabric circle (needle turned) to centre of prepared flower petal,
 re: step  1. 

3.  Run a gathering stitch 1/8^th inch from circle......  (a significant contrast required here)

Pull gathering and gently manipulate the centre and Flower petals until it pleases you....back stitch to hold. And that is it.  Easy? Yes!

Daffodil template shown on one inch graph paper, note there are six points/petals. 

I do not have a finished piece using daffodils.....I am still making them. Also there is one more
tutorial using a circle...coming soon.
Happy sewing,
gudrun

Tulips

It was brought to my attention, that I don't have picture of the completed 'tulips'.  Sew here ya go!

These were the first few that I made, the flowers do get better looking as one makes a few.  Just like a real flowers they aren't all alike...some have nice folds and pleats, some have none....how about that.

Happy Tuesday,

gudrun

Tutorial~ Folded Flowers

Kumiko Sudo, is todays inspiration.  I am sharing a couple of simple flowers that I learned through her publication:
Fantasies & Flowers: Origami in Fabric for Quilters. 

If after trying this you are inspired...and you will see how easy it is to make fantasy flowers then I highly recommend owning a copy of this book. The book is informative and entertaining. Her flowers come with stories.
 Let's start with a tulip.
gudrun
As with all instructions, I suggest you read all the way through.
 Materials and other Requirements: template material, small amounts of fabric (5'" squares are ample) 


 FOLDED FLOWERS ~~~~ Part 1 (illustrations & template drawings below)

1. Place two template pieces RST*, sew around  scant ¼” seam,  leaving an opening for turning RSO. Blind stitch opening shut. Press.

2. Fold along line B

3. Fold corners B to A, pin  as shown.

4.  Stitch along edge of B as shown, make sure stitches are only catching A, and not going thru to C

5. Turn  over, stitch B points to center line of C, again stitches should only catch  C

*Pressing with a starch product,  gives crisp folds and will assist you  learning  this, however finger pressing is sufficient. **(rst= right sides together,  rso= right sides out)

#1

#2.

#3  At this point you need to decide which colour will dominate, I decided the red would be the ‘outside’

#3

B fold is now stitched to A, an accordion pleat is created.

#4  B corners are folded to the back, and stitched

Create another accordion pleat on both sides of A, when you fold B points to the back and stitch closed.

(accordion pleats not visible here)

Hexagonal template for Tulip (one inch graph )Possible shapes for leaves.
I leave the leaves to you and your imagination.

Remember to have a strong contrast between the background and your flowers. Here's a picture of a folded flower (foxglove) though very pretty doesn't show well because of the background.

Another shape, with a bit of gathering creates a Bleeding Heart.
Part two is a Daffodil.....coming soon.