06-APR-2006
Jewelbox Wall Hanging Quilt
This is my Jewelbox wall hanging quilt. It is 36 inches on each side. When I started it, it was supposed to be a challenge quilt to raise money for breast cancer research. However, I didn't finish it in time for the deadline because I was too busy with school in those days. The challenge was that you had to use 3 of 4 preselected fabrics to make any wall hanging no larger than 36 inches on either side.
The piecing was all done on machine. The quilting, which is almost completed is all done by hand. I am quilting every 1/4 " in the white spaces, and am quilting a flower-like design in the large color squares that are formed by 4 triangles coming together. I love the look and feel that come from putting so much quilting into the project, but I'm sure glad I chose to do it on a quilt that is only 36 inches on each side.
06-APR-2006
Roots and Wings Quilt
Why do I call the quilt "Roots and Wings"?
When my mom was pregnant with me she made a framed embroidery that said
"There are two lasting gifts we can give to our children - one is roots, the other wings."
This is the first big quilt I ever made. It started as a 7th grade math fair project on tessellations.
The pattern is Dutchman's Puzzle, alternated with solid blocks. I pieced and quilted the entire quilt by hand. I quilted butterflies, birds, and birdhouses in the solid blocks (wings) and a vine and leaves on the green border (roots).
I finished this quilt just before I left to go to a residential high school. In the 16 years that I lived at home, my parents helped give me strong roots, and I was finally ready to use my wings.
06-APR-2006
Fat Quarter Quilt Carrying Bag
This is a bag I made to carry large projects in when I take them to a quilting bee.
The outside is made from 6 fat quarters sewn together in a 2 x 3 grid. Then, line the inside. I lined mine with a very colorful fish fabric.
Add elastic to the sides that are made from 3 different fat quarters. Use a nice, wide elastic, but make sure it has a lot of give.
Then, I put a fabric drawstring through each of the sides that is made from 2 different fat quarters. I just tied the ends of the fabrics in a knot. That way, you can easily adjust the length of the straps or change them out if you ever need to.
It doesn't look all that big, but it can hold a lot. In the photo, it's holding a queen size quilt, quilting hoop, and a box of sewing supplies.
This bag makes it much easier to carry those big projects around.
06-APR-2006
Sewing Bear Bag
I made this bag when I was 15. I embroidered the front pannel with the sewing bear and my name. Then, I sewed the front pannel to a back fabric and made a drawstring bag for carrying sewing projects.
It's a great size for carrying a little bit of knitting or crochet.
I also made one for made one for my friend Holly (hence the need for the names).
06-APR-2006
Scarecrow Challenge
In the fall of 2005, my quilt group got together one day and had a scarecrow challenge. Everybody had to make a scarecrow project : whether you made a block or an actual 3D scarecrow.
The applique was done with a zigzag stitch on the sewing machine.
This is what I came up with. I think I'll make a little wall hanging out of it by next fall.
