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This is a quilt I just finished up on Sunday.  The fabric is Aviary by Joel Dewberry.  It’s an older line, but I wasn’t able to track down any of the fabric until recently.  I made up the pattern using a plain block alternating with what I call a “chaser” block.  You can tell how I quilted it by looking at the close up.  Tony really liked the look–thought it was very modern looking.

One of my favorite parts of the whole quilting process is pulling out the finished quilt from the dryer.  I wait to wash my fabric when I am completely done with a quilt, because it shrinks up so beautifully giving it a very cozy/aged look.  (WARNING:  This is only a good idea if you buy quality fabric!!!!)

Here is quilt number 2 from Sunday.  I showed this quilt to you before but now it is complete.  It’s very different–my thinking with the pattern is to show how you can make a quilt very simple and show off some of the wonderful large scale prints.  This fabric is from Heather Bailey.  I added a ruffle for a touch of whimsy.  Tony is not sure how he feels about the ruffle…

I have discovered that I am a production quilter instead of a process quilter.  I quilt for the finished product, not so much for the process of doing it.  I love the beginning and the end–picking out fabric and pulling the quilt out of the dryer!

One of the first spring storms rolled through the area today, so while Tony was out chasing, I had some wonderful rainy time in the sewing room.  This is a quilt I have been wanting to do for some time now–I wanted to do a modern style quilt that utilizes a large scale fabric.  I just made it up as I went…laying the fabric out to see what it would look like and then cutting.  It’s a lap size that I will use for myself and for show and tell at speaking engagements.  My inspiration was Denyse Schmidt quilts and how little piecing she does in her quilts. 

The main fabric in this is from Heather Bailey’s newest line.

I also did a ruffle along the top of the squares just to add some texture and interest.  Sort of the unexpected.

See how easy quilting can be!  It is as easy as sewing chunks of fabric together!  See what you can do.

I spent some good quality time in my sewing room today.  I have a bad habit of telling myself that I can do whatever I want on the weekends.  That means housework and other tiresome duties get neglected.  This is a new table runner I made with some Heather Bailey scraps.  Really no quilting knowledge needed here.  You simply sew pieces of fabric together and trim it to the size you want.  This is a fun change for the most dearly anticipated spring season.  (I heard you can decorate for spring after Valentine’s Day.  Yippee!) 

Here’s a box of fat quarters (fabric cut 18″x21″=quarter of a yard).  It’s so fun to go through fabric and see what you have in your stash.  I always think I should use up what I have, but then I go shopping and just can’t resist picking up something new.  Many quilters have boxes and boxes of unused fabric!  I’m not there yet…I hope I never am.  In the background you can see one of my favorite hand dyed balls of yarn.  I have yet to think of the perfect project for that. 

Happy President’s Day!

I’ve been flying around like a chicken with my head cut off!  Sometimes I wonder how it all gets done!  Well…usually all gets done.    I have been busy getting patterns out the door the last couple of days as well as trying to get the daily ho-hum done.  My husband has been eating bread and peanut butter for the last week, I know the laundry must be backed up when I hear, “Do I have any clean undershirts?”, and of course the dishes…oh the dishes, this dishwashing machines hands are getting a bit rebellious!  Yet in the midst of it all, somehow I heard the beautiful sound of my sewing machine this morning.  (Oh the things we will get out of bed early for!)

Here’s my trusty Heather Bailey pin cushion that I use when I am in my sewing room.  (online instructions.)  Oh so cute and they make fun gifts for all your Domestic Diva pals!  And get this–the buttons are handmade!!!  A lady exchanged me a button bracelet for a jar of these handmade buttons!  How cool is that!  A good old fashioned trade, straight up!