As a longarm quilter I have the privilege of working on some really amazing quilts. Many times I was also the teacher for workshop to make the top. Earlier this year I had the pleasure of teaching Barbara from Pflugerville. She had signed up for a workshop I teach on the Bali Wedding Star (pattern by Judy Niemeyer) at Pinwheels and Posies. She had quite a drive so she and her mom decided to make it an adventure and headed out a day early so she could arrive at class bright and early the next day. While Barbara was in class her mom scouted out the local mall and just had a day to herself. Barbara had decided this was the quilt she would make for an upcoming wedding so she had a deadline, she also made her reservation to get on my quilting schedule even though we had just met and she had only seen a couple of examples of my quilting – what faith!
Barbara plugged along on her quilt, 106×106 and we met during the Kerrville Quilt Show over Memorial Weekend for her to hand over her quilt to be quilted. She received her quilt back this week and now I can share a few photos. (On facebook I had commented that I may never do continuous curve again as I had performed this design numerous times on her beautiful arcs!) I love the earthtone colors of the Hoffman Bali Pops she used in her arcs and I think her blue stars are outstanding in this quilt, they really get to shine!
After working on one of these quilts I like to wind down with a quilt that has less intense quilting, I loaded this t-shirt quilt which had a couple of new items for me. First of all most of the t-shirt quilts I quilt have quilting fabric sashings or other designs along with the t-shirts, this one was sewn t-shirt to t-shirt. Next there was no stabilizer used on the back of the t-shirts, meaning if I was not careful I would have some stretching issues. It also had a flannel backing which can be stretchy and this quilt was also quite large, 96″x104″. I did have a couple of small tucks on the very outer edge that will disappear once the quilt is trimmed and bound. I enjoyed quilting this quilt that will go away to college in a few short weeks – the fun part for me was reading all of the various t-shirts, the places this young person has been and all of the various activities they have been a part of – what a wonderful childhood this young adult had, I know the future must also have great things in store for them as well. And I must confess if I ever do make a t-shirt quilt – I might just have to break all the rules and construct it just like this one – when I took it off the frame it was the softest, most cuddly quilt I think I have ever made and it will only get better with each washing!
And then because it was the weekend – I decided to do one of mine – this one will be heading to Salt Lake because I am teaching this class July 30, 31 and August 1st – we will be quilting until we are wilting at Elaine’s Quilt Block – call today to sign up!
Enjoy your day! The weekend is almost here!