quilting

Sundays in the Sewing Room – Modern Quilt Guild

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Well this year I am embarking on a new sewing challenge for myself: Modern Quilting

I went to our local Modern Quilt Guild, just in time to participate in the Christmas Gift Exchange. We were to create an 18″ x 18″ mini wall quilt. I toyed with the idea of a Christmas themed one, but thought that it would be used for a few months of the year. I was hopeful that the owner would love it so much that she would display it all year round!

I searched the internet for days, trying to find a design idea I liked or could jump off from to create my own…well the search was long, which meant my sewing time was short! Alas, I discovered this pattern on Craftsy. There is a short video tutorial to go along with it. The downloadable pattern has instructions for multiple sizes. The picture of  the full size quilt looks amazing. I took the cushion pattern and adapted it to fit within the measurement constraints.

Here is the final product:

Here is a close up of the quilting. I did straight line quilting about 1/4″ apart. I am pleased with the finished piece…It was hard to give it away!

I did corner hangers and a corner label that doubled as a pocket so I could include a coordinating card:

Image may contain: 4 people, stripesThe photo above was taken at the guild. Interesting how we interpret which end is the top!

Leave me a comment to let me know which way you prefer the design??Orange triangle at the top or bottom?

Sunday in the Sewing Room- Charity Quilt

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I love to sew! Early on I would sew, mostly my own clothes. I even made my own wedding dress!! Then I discovered quilting..wow, what an eye opener to  me! This encompasses all the things as a child I was drawn to: fractions, shapes, geometry, colour theory, sorting, puzzles, cut and paste, and paper. It’s amazing how I have gone through my creative journey only to discover that the things I loved most in childhood are the things that I revert back to as an adult.

Take a moment and think of your childhood games and activities, what were some of your favourites? (Leave a comment below and share). Our senses play a big part in our creativity. In quilting the feel of the fabric, the colour combinations and the shapes/patterns need to speak to me.

I decided to join a local chapter. I had been cautioned that it was a large group…and it was! I was amazed at the talent and the sharing of that talent within the group. Many quilt guilds give back to the community and this group was no different. The quilts go to 15 different organizations including neonatal blankets.

At my first meeting I came upon a table filled with quilt kit (and I LOVE kits!). I soon found out these kits were to make charity quilts.

I was excited! This kit jumped off the table into my hands..did the polka dots have anything to do with it? Or was it the combination of pink, black and white? I eagerly signed up. One year later here is the finished project ( I never said I was fast!).

 

I love that the pattern was simple to piece together and  ALL the elements for the completion of the quilt were included (great for taking to retreats). The best part is that somewhere, someone will be cuddled under the warmth and love of a handmade quilt. We may never meet, but I am glad that I made the time to create a hug for someone who may need it more than me.

Creatively Yours,

R