Flying Forward but not done!!

Man o man... this dark sky (night flight) background is taking forever. I've saved a number of white areas some parts of which will surely disappear (i.e. be painted out/darkened) as I get further along. The history of an F4U Corsair is fascinating. I'll include it at some point... but as you know... I must paint paint paint so I can quilt quilt quilt to meet a deadline.

Anything for the Navy

I was impressed to learn the airflight arm of the U.S.Navy is working on a Quilt Challenge to raise funds to send deserving kids to science camp. I'm up for that so this glorious weekend I at least began a piece reflecting a WWII aircraft carrier fighter plane .. a Corsair... an incredible fast fighter. I have one month to get this gone, quilted and sent to the organizers. Get with it Patt!!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

Thank you to all those that have sent me emails about the Machine Quilting Unlimited article. Quilters are such wonderful people!!!

Some non quilting stuff here that I've not blogged about because it's just not fun...I have been embroiled since February in an ugly (now solved) dispute with one of those misguided HOAs we sometimes hear people talk about. It is finally done.... and totally to my liking so I am headed out of town to teach for 1 day with a private group ( I do offer private group classes for groups as small as 8), and also to 'hang out with some quilter pals. This retreat time is so needed and welcome. I'm taking my laptop so will post while gone if I can find signal. GRINS!!!! Patt

Fast and Small Binding

When I bind rather than face an art piece, I like a small bias binding because:
1) a quarter inch front view narrow binding doesn't distract from the central quilt image,
2) a bias binding does a better job of turning a neat crisp corner, and
3) I kind of think it looks neat... as in tidy!

The fast part of this equation comes from both what binding I use
1) pre made bias binding...like Modas 2 1/2 inch doubled over to 1/ 1/4 inch width, and
2) how it's applied.

Here's the how....
A. First I block, dry, and square up the quilted piece.
( If I'm not able to complete the remaining steps right away, I will likely loosen the downward pressure foot pressure and run a straight stitch all the way around the quilt as close to the edge as practical... like 1/8" from the edge. This process minimizes the potential for trimmed up quilt stitches to unravel.)

B. When ready to bind... I lay the ready to go bias binding right along the trimmed edge and sew 1/4 inch from the edge. As with any binding job, I allow enough length to join the start to the finish.

C. I roll the bias binding from front to back machine stitching as I go from the front in the bias binding ditch. I use as small a thread as I have for this.... like a mono filament or in this case a black 100 wt. invisifil thread. There's plenty of overlap on the back to catch these stitches because remember we are only showing on the front 1/4" of the 1 1/4 inch binding.
Talk about fast.... and it's crisp and tight!

On The Cover... Machine Quilting Unlimited

The premiere magazine for those that complete the quilt process has honored me with both a cover photo and cover story. The September 2010 issue is now in the mail to subscribers. Thank You to this wonderful magazine that offers so much information for domestic and longarm quilters. The several page article inside includes quilt pics and stories of their and my quilting origin. There's a great article too by friend Laura Peterson describing the creation of her incredible quilt.. THE QUILT SHOW!!!
Check out www.MQUMAG.COM for more info about the magazine.

Week 4 of 4 at Quilting in the Desert

This annual summer event is now 11 years old... and I'm told this years event stepped up the game considerably... largely because of a new venue at the Hyatt in Indian Wells including great ballroom sewing and incredible food. I was thrilled to give talks all 4 weekends. Quilters are wonderful people. We 'know' each other before we even meet! The Hyatt has an enormous grand ballroom capable of holding all 60+ quilters at once. This photo is a view of 1/2 the room.



And once again.. delicious dining.

Maybe better than a birthday card!

I share a birthday with a member of one of my friendship groups. Carol Brodie of Corona California is our group matriarch... a refined beautiful lady with a like home. When I was last at her home, I received 3 windsor lace doilies from Carol's doily stash. I knew that moment that one would return as a table runner of sorts. So, I selected a brocade in her favorite home decor color, made a pattern that echoed the shape of her doily.. and got to work.
I cut 2 brocade pieces and 1 low loft batting that larger pattern shape of the doily. I stitched along the edge thru all 3 pieces, then made a 5 inch slit in the middle of one of the brocade pieces. The slit's location was directly beneath where the opaque center of the doily would later rest. Once 'birthed' through the slit, the resulting piece was formed and lightly steamed to lie flat. I then quilted the perimeter of the piece about 3 inches from the outer edge... all the way around. After that, atop went the doily which I quilted in pivotal locations to secure the doily and center of the runner piece underneath. Carol loved it... so it is already sitting atop her table. Click on photos for closeup.
I have 2 doilies left... yeah!

I think I'm done

I think this tiger can be called done... at least ready to bind. I think I like the eyes and all the solid black areas unquilted. The eyes seem piercing this way. Click once or twice for detail closeup. (c)
Now to find the paperwork that goes with this for the Houston Silent Auction.

I Love This Quote!!!

" If at first you don't succeed....
... try to hide your astonishment!"

Harry F. Banks

As of late yesterday, all the out of state offspring and grandchildren have returned home. It is QUIET. Below:
8 year old twin Jersey Boys Max and Leo, 11 year-old blond Colorado girl Kaley, and local brunette Morgan. xoxoxoxo

Carrying On!!!!

Continuing on with this scholarship fundraiser donation to IQA, I'm first securing the black sections of this quilt . I don't really want the thread to show much so 'am using a 100 wt Invisifil. Around the eyes , I simply add a securing stitch to hold it together. Outlining the eyeball perimeter is important

I'll be stitching fairly heavily on the rust colored and white ares, and letting the black outlined areas stand on their own. I tend to think the minds eye likes the variety of textures... smooth versus furrowed with quilting. It's all an individual decision I know and for me varies by piece. Yahoo!! There are no rules!


Quilting upside down is fine with me! Click on photos to enlarge.

Fundraiser Donation For Houston

Each Year, Houston IQA offers a silent auction from teachers donations made to support scholarships. All donations must be small quilts, and since I already have an unquilted tiger eyes, I think I will quilt it more densely than my class samples and donate that. For this piece, I'll use 2 layers of batting to provide a bit more stability. So pin and get goin' Patt.

I'll begin the same way I do my samples of this image... a simple and casual curvy zig and zag at the edges of the black tufts of fur. Note: it's not necessary or even helpful to follow the feathered edges of the painted area. Near the edge is good enough!

More to come.

Quilting in the Desert

Indian Wells Hyatt and Calico House of Anaheim Ca plus Monica's Quilt and Bead of Palm Desert hosted Mystery Quilt weekend no 3 of 4. Another 60+ quilters were hosted this weekend as part of this annual retreat event. One more retreat next weekend. Thanks Monica!!!

Sewing was great and food was fabulous.

New Talk Blocks

Moving along the path to getting a phone quilt for a friend.... 2 more contributions have arrived.

Oh Mystery of Life...

I'm packing and heading to Palm Springs for the 2nd of 4 August weekend mystery quilt retreats sponsored annually by Monica's Quilt and Bead (Palm Desert) and Calico House (Anaheim). I'll do my best to entertain the 60+ quilters each Saturday luncheon. Soooo much fun. It was 110F degrees outside when I left there to return home last weekend (at 3pm no less) but inside the hotel was lovely.

Late yesterday, I put my dear grandaughter on a plane to return home to Colorado. Color me 'mopey' but I'll recover. She's growing up my Kaley.... A pic from a visit to a local stable this trip...

Lastly... a quote for today:
"If at first you don't succeed, try to hide your astonishment!"
- Harry F Banks

Heartwarming Heroes Quilt

Nothing is more satisfying to a teacher than seeing how inspired students take off and do their own thing... so hats off to Cynthia Wilson who I met while teaching at Houston last year. With her permission, I have posted her quilt and story.

Cynthia wrote:Hi Patt, I took your portraiture class last year in Houston. You may remember. I painted a picture of Jill Scott, the actress/jazz singer. When I got home I practiced, and practiced. I did a portrait of my father and each of my three grandchildren and gave the wall hangings as Christmas gifts. I then started with celebrities and finally settled on personal heroes of mine. I showed some of my portraitures at my guild meeting (Annapolis Maryland Guild). It was suggested that I make a quilt out of my portraits. I have enclosed a photo of the quilt for you to take a look at. I am also pleased that Dorothy Height did get to see my quilt when it was first completed. My sister friend, who pieced and quilted the "Heroes" quilt, Bernerdett King, and I took the quilt to the National Council of Negro Women Headquarters for Ms. Height to see it. The quilt was also displayed for a couple of months at the opening of the "African American museum of Prince Georges County".