Category: Quilting and Sewing

Surprise, surprise!  I’ve completed a quilt top with another Carolyn Friedlander pattern.


This is her Botanics pattern, and it was the first pattern of hers that I saw.  I loved it and ordered it and opened it…. and was totally intimidated by it.  I’d never tried needle turn applique before and all the pinning and basting seemed like so much time and work… so I never started.

As I was reviewing 2016 and setting goals for 2017, I came across this quote by Walt Disney:

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”

I realized that there are a number of areas in my life that I’d like to change, and I was talking about doing it but hadn’t actually started.  As I considered my creative goals, I also realized that there are some patterns I’ve talked about making for a while.

So I’m trying to quit talking and begin doing.


I got the pattern out, started cutting, ironing, pinning and basting.  And finally, stitching.  The pinning and basting weren’t quick, but they did get done.  The stitching wasn’t quick either, but lots of time in January reading books aloud as a family made it easy to stitch for a few minutes every night.


When the basting stitches are all pulled out it’s really fun to stand back and smile.  Adding the borders was a quick and rewarding last step.  Now it’s a finished quilt top!


This is the fourth Carolyn Friedlander pattern I’ve worked with this year.  I finished the Aerial Grove quilt top, used her Facing East pattern to start a traveling quilt , and am currently working on the Catenary pattern .  I have a few more CF patterns I really want to make.  Carolyn’s style is so unique and I enjoy learning from her as I make these quilts.

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” -Walt Disney What will you do today?  Let’s go make something awesome happen!
Jennifer

Who wants to party alone?  In this quilt, the lone star officially has friends, and I love the way they look together.  Like a sky full of stars, the lone star party is an improv collection of seven different sized lone star blocks.


With a white background, the quilting is difficult to photograph but I love how Melissa of Sew Shabby Quilting interpreted my request for movement between the stars.


She also quilted each star beautifully.


It’s gorgeous and I’m grateful for such beautiful quilting.


I used a Melody Miller print for the backing and another Cotton and Steel print for the binding.


As I mentioned when I shared the quilt top , this idea had been in my head for a long time.  It is so gratifying to bring a mental picture to life and have it work the way you hoped.  This quilt is a new favorite for sure!

For more lone star photos, including my detailed step-by-step tutorial for making a lone star of your own, visit my lone star page .  You will also find a free PDF with cutting instructions to make lone star blocks in 8 different sizes.  It’s a bold, dramatic block that is a lot of fun to play with!


Thanks for visiting!
Jennifer

I’ve had a mini rainbow on my bed all winter long.  We added a quilt for another layer of warmth this winter, and on the gray days it’s warmed my heart to see these bright colors.


The pattern is Big Charming by Denyse Schmidt, and it’s made with one of the large charm packs from her solids collection.  I love the simplicity of this quilt, a pop of color surrounded by solids.  For the solid I used Essex Yarn Dyed Linen in Steel.  I love the texture of the yarn dyed linen, and the quilt has been the perfect weight on cold nights.


Modern Loops is the name of the quilting design and I love the simple beauty it adds to the quilt.  I’ve been reflecting this week on how fortunate I am to live in a world with such beauty and color, both natural and man-made.  When I get to sew with these lovely fabrics I sometimes feel a little emotional – I am so grateful for the color and beauty in my day to day life!


I hope your day is filled with beauty, and that you have eyes to see it clearly.  We are so blessed!