Fini!!!!

I've completed the same steps shown on my first 2 pieces on my third/final piece... a Bee... and now  I have a set.  These are designed to be hung together vertically.  I did put sleeves on these 3 but suspect if I hang them I will use the Damage Free Hanging "Command" strips that allow you to hang a quilt like it was a post it note. There are several types of Command strips  so check them out on line,  at hardware stores.. or I've even seen them at JoAnns/ and Michaels too.

Fast Back!!!

Picking up where I left off last.  I normally face my quilts, but since these are quite small ( 12" square") I decided I could use the method I often use on odd shaped fused quilts... essentially a birthing finish through the sleeve location.  I picked this up years ago from Melody Johnson. It is fast and fun.  Before I go forward... one first squares up the piece just quilted. After that.. I decided on a piece of backing fabric.

The next step will be to reduce the size of the backing fabric to be a hair smaller than the quilted top. If you use the quilted top as a template and cut all the way around it... you will likely make a second cut on at least the top and one side.  The purpose of getting the backing just a wee bit smaller than the top will be evident in a couple more steps.

Now we'll take the backing fabric and fuse a piece of paper backed fusible stabilizer to the wrong side of the backing fabric in a position where a hanging sleeve will ultimately be placed. For now... cut a small slit maybe 1 inch or so  as shown on the photo below.  We'll ultimately come back to the slit later and make it larger for the birthing process... For now, all we want is a spot to later insert  the end of a pair of scissors.  Click on photo for closeup.

The backing fabric will now be placed right sides together atop the quilted top. It is lined up and pinned on all four sides in preparation for stitching a very small seam along all four sides.

I'm stitching all the way around with the smallest seam I can pull off.. generally about 1/8" inch. I usually use my 1/4 inch foot for this.

Once all around stitching is complete we can move on to the birthing process. But first consider if you might want to carefully remove a wee bit of excess batting on the corners.  This tiny removal can help the turned corner be sharper than might have been otherwise. Your call of course... but be careful not to trim too much such that the seam is compromised.

Now increase the size of that slit in the fusible,  leaving the fusible paper in place as you begin bringing the quilt top out through the slit.

Carefully push out the corners...

Reach your hand inside the slit and remove and discard the fusible web paper.

Before we fuse down the slit... I generally use my  iron to be certain I've pressed the backing outside edges such that it is not visible from the front view.

 Time now to close up that slit and fuse it closed for good.  Not shown but at this stage, I worked from the front to add a free motion monofilament outline stitch around the butterfly perimeter.

 You may now chose to add a hanging sleeve placed atop this slit area. No one but you will know the slit is there. ;-)    Cool, eh?  Thanks Melody!!!

A Little Something Extra

This may seem a bit odd but we are going to add a little something extra to each of the pieces before a backing is added.  This time... I'll show it on my butterfly quilted much the same as the dragonfly but for the center filler.

When all quilting is done... if I flip to the opposite (back) side... one can see where I initially stitched with monofilament around the butterfly.

I created a drawn image of the butterfly outline on freezer paper , ironed it to a piece of scrap batting, and then cut it out on the inside of the drawn lines... meaning I wanted this butterfly to be slightly smaller than the original.

Now it is merely a matter of glueing the piece of batting (sons the freezer paper ofcourse) to center behind the original butterfly perimeter. This will act like a little trapunto but as importantly will add strength to the butterflies wings and body, and minimize future potential for a central pucker of sorts.

The next step is to create an easy added backing much faster than my normal facing approach.

Rubbing Art Quilting

Okay... I'm ready to quilt but have no backing on this puppy .. that is dragonfly. I am using quilters dream a fairly thin but dense /smooth batting.  Here we go.

Not shown... first things first.. I outlined the dragonfly with clear monofilament. Then chose a simple scrolled triangle filler shape to go all around the central area of the piece.  I did much the same on the other pieces but chose different fillers for each piece. Click on photo for closeup view.

From here, I merely added some simple outlining here and there within the outer border.

and in some areas just a meandered a knockdown of  border background.

I pretty much completed all 3 earlier shown rubbing art images the same way as this.  

At this stage... we have a top quilted only through the batting.

 More to come to address a quick finish and backing. 

Perfect Timing!!!

I  had a GREAT WEEK last week... working in the judging room at Road, setting up our incredible Route 66 exhibit, doing a bit of shopping ( actually alot) and, taking a couple classes  'CUZ I COULD!!!! .

A day with Linda Taylor .. great fun!!! We played with new meanders and fillers ('think she calls this class "beyond stippling") for intermediate / advanced students...  I'm definitely NOT the advanced student on the long arm.   ... Lots to learn, but  FUN! FUN! Linda was great!! Here's a mere practice star designed to play with lots of things in one small spot.  Click on photo for closeup view.. but no laughing allowed... It's a PRACTICE and play piece!

Then a play day with Cindy Needham just cause I love her and didn't have to do more with my exhibit... This was a class strictly about designing and marking a linen quilt top. I had a ball.... but noticed a slight problem at the end of the day.  This quote is MOST applicable.

Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused!"

I beautifully marked the BACK side of the linen.  I AM SOOOOOOOO amused!!!

Happy Quilting all...

Seasonal Changes

The last of my returning quilts is this quite large piece.. The dueling images of baby and 'older gentleman.. BOTH represent my husband.., the younger.. The Summer of 42... the older.. current summers.  I called the piece seasonal changes though you will surely note many similarities.
Click on photo for a larger view.

A Pair of Koi

I love it when former students send me photos of finished pieces.  Georgia Heller  of Arizona beautifully captured these 2 Koi in ink.. then appliquéd them to a dark mottled hand dyed background. Gorgeous work Georgia. I'm thrilled when one time Patt students take off leading there own journey. Yeah! .. and very nice photography by Bill Bohnhof.  Click on the photo for a view of Georgia's great  painting AND quilting.  Thank you Georgia for letting me share this with everyone.