Mona's Stack n Whack

This fun Stack and Whack quilt was made by Mona.  I love how the technique creates so many unique blocks.

I used the "Plush" panto and a mossy green thread that blended well into all the colors in the quilt.

Mona chose one of my Stonehenge wide backings and Quilters Dream Blend batting to complete her quilt.

Pineapple Quilt

It has been over two months since I have added anything new to this blog!  I have been quilting (among other things) and I hope this quilt makes up for the long silence.

Reneta made this wonderful quilt top from a tutorial by Jackie Padesky .  (Reneta did change the pineapple tops slightly.)  Reneta loved this quilt top and decided it deserved some "super dense over the top fabulous quilting".  No pressure! How to handle the pineapples came fairly easily, but it took me a long time to decide what to do as the background spaces in the quilt were not symmetrical.  Once I had the idea to include the "hibiscus like" flowers the rest fell into place. 

I used two layers of batting to make the quilting really pop.  A layer of Quilter's Dream Blend on the bottom, followed by a layer of Quilter's Dream Puff on top.

Reneta had a pieced backing, and although things turned out fine, I wouldn't recommend this much piecing on a back with dense quilting on the top, as the risks for a pleat or a messy looking back are high in my opinion.

I have quilted many quilts for Reneta and she always has a vision and often challenges my creativity.  This time she challenged me to step outside my box to complete her vision and I am really glad that I did.  I think I might need one of these for myself!

Mixed Mutts

This super cute quilt was made by Cindy for her granddaughter's first birthday.  The pattern is called Mixed Mutts by Lunch Box Quilts.  Cindy did the embroidery version although there is a classic applique version available as well.

Cindy requested custom quilting.  I quilted a little heavier than I normally would on a quilt for a young child, but I just couldn't help myself!  We used Quilter's Dream Puff Batting so the quilt is still nice and light.

I used three types of thread on the front of this quilt.  For the pebbles, and ditching around the embroidery  I used an Invisifil 100 wt so that there wasn't a lot of thread build up.  For the outside border I used my trusty So Fine thread, and for the loops on the frames around the dogs, I used a variegated Fantastico thread in bright rainbow colors although it is very hard to see in the photos.

I love all the texture on this quilt!

International Round Robin #1 QUILTED!

I am so happy with how this turned out I can hardly stand it!!  I love the back just as much as the front!  And the best part is - this one is mine!  It gets to live at my house!

This project was a Round Robin that traveled between Canada and Austrailia.  My contribution was the center square and the quilting. Here is the label I made that shows the progress and includes the names and locations of the other participants.   You can see more about the process here.  

I used Superior's Monopoly on all the colored fabrics.  I didn't want to distract from all the beautiful clear colors, nor did I want to change threads countless times.  It was the perfect solution.  I knew I wanted to do a little more than stitch in the ditch on the piano key border, and after some doodling and playing around with my templates I came up with these curves.  I used a 6" circle.

For all of the quilting on the white fabric I used Invisifil thread with Bottom Line in the bobbin. I used two layers of batting for this one as I wanted to make sure the quilting would pop.  Quilter's Dream Blend on the bottom and Quilter's Dream Puff on the top.  Why that combination? It's what I have on hand! The blend is firm and stable and the puff is very light and lofty.  It is great in this wall hanging but would be too heavy for my taste in a bed quilt.

I was very happy with the pebbles around the feather sprays and the motif in the triangles.

I knew I wanted simple quilting on the center star. ( I'm glad I left some breathing room there.)  I really struggled with what to do in the background spaces behind the star.   I decided to attempt some feather sprays in the style of Bethanne Nemesh.  I just got her book recently, and they seemed to be the perfect thing to tie the other elements of the quilt together.

 I think everyone should take a chance on a fun project like a Round Robin once in their quilting lives.  I have had great results and a lot of fun each time out. If you really want to stack the odds in your favour be sure to surround yourself with extraordinarily talented people!  Thank you Kathy, Desley and Bronwyn - this quilt would not exist without you!