Retro Butterfly

 

 

 

Here is the "before" of this retro style butterfly quilt. These are old blocks, found , a few finished and then put together. There was some fullness in the muslin of the blocks, but it isn't too bad .

After: We just used a very lightweight thread, Invisifil , in a cream and an orangey brown to outline on the appliques. We kept it to a minimum just doing the butterfly body center and then the accent applique on the wings. The muslin background is done with So Fine in a light ecru color. I tried to keep the fill quilting more open , yet balance the feel across the quilt. Some of the blocks had a lot of background, some had a lot of applique and very little background.

I'm not sure you can see the critters quilted in as it's hard to get a good photo on the light fabric. There are grasshoppers, snails and a hummingbird nestled in the quilting.

 

This was a bit of a challenge to quilt as some of the areas are heavily appliqued and some have just a motif on a large background. Trying to keep the quilting balanced and tied together throughout was always on my mind. But what a happy outcome! this has a playful feel, just like the butterflies!

Client was very happy and said she had no idea it could look so good! Praise I always like to hear!

 

On a personal note: New Grandson George

Born May 2 in Hong Kong. Can't wait to see him when I go in June!

Yes, his quilt is in the works!

Quilting along

It has been hard with all the tragedy in the news from Boston to be cheery and upbeat . Quilting really helps as I find my mind gets absorbed into the quilt and what it needs. So it was  perfect that the three quilts up next were for a client's charity. Giving back to comfort someone in the midst of illness. Perfect use for a quilt. That's what I think quilts do anyway is comfort and cheer. At least I am always happy when I see a new quilt! How great of my client Pat to do this.

Here are two of the three done. Simple , but fun. The blue squares quilt has a simple meander in a light blue on it.

And the reddish orange quilt has sunflowers in the fabric, so I did a easy sunflower quilting design in a orangey-red thread.

Both are pretty and will be very welcomed by their recipients. The third is still on the frame and has a train theme. It is quilted with puffs that mimic steam in a light grey. More texture than design on this one as the train fabric is really the star.

 

 

Bargello ..ta da, Done!

Okay, all done. Tried to give you a good view, but this king size just swamps my little queen bed! But isn't it pretty?

My client , Donna, worked very hard on this and her hard work paid off. All the seams match and it quilted beautifully.

We used So Fine 723 variegated top and bobbin and it took 1 and 1/2 cones of thread!

The swirl design really adds movement to the bargello and it looks awesome.

I'm glad it turned out so well as Donna said it was the first and last bargello she was ever going to do!