Quilting With Friends

It has been ages since I last shared the quilts my quilting friends have made. Let's take care of that right now!

First, the most egregious oversight of all is the quilt that Sharon made for Reagan. Oh my goodness, this is such a darling quilt!

Back in August, when a group of us sewed at retreat, Sharon was very sneaky when she purchased a kit. I had no idea what she intended as I was obliviously wrapped up in my own little quilting world. Very soon, though, I found out that she had bought and stitched an entire quilt for Reagan!

It is the perfect size for a baby quilt, and the colors are so cheerful. Sharon and I both have become overly fond of the beauty and simplicity of 9-patch quilts, and this is one is perfectly executed.

Baby Reagan will grow into this quilt, to be sure! I hope I see it being used - and loved! - a lot as she grows up.

The Frankfort Girls were here at my house last week, and two of the ladies had quilts for show and tell.

Becky, our resident applique queen, just got this beauty back from the quilter. Isn't it spectacular? She said it was her very first experience with applique. I am just in awe of such intricate work. Certainly another masterpiece from her talented hands.

Helen had two quilts to share. This first one was a kit given to her by Terry just a few weeks ago. Once again, here's proof that the simple 9-patch block can result in a gorgeous quilt! The border fabric is by Betsy Chutchian, and the chevron border adds impact, but those 9-patches on point sure do capture my fancy!

The other quilt that Helen shared was a UFO that (I think!) her sister had handed off to her. She was unsure about how to finish it herself, as directions were either unavailable or unclear. Anyway, she took what she could use and "created" a finish that she felt she would be able to use.

These quilting friends continue to inspire me to keep up my own efforts in the sewing room. I have been way off my game this year, and when I see these beautiful creations, I find myself 'itching' to get back to it.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne

Helen's Pink Quilt

About the same time Hettie asked me to quilt her new grandson's baby quilt, Helen asked me to quilt a small quilt, too. I'd had such good success with quilting some of my own quilts, I had no qualms at all at quilting for these two friends.

Well, my machine gave me all manner of fits while doing Hettie's baby quilt. In the link above, I shared some of my frustrations and how I totally fixed the problems all by myself! It gave me hope that I would have complete success with Helen's quilt.

And I got along great. It quilted up like a breeze! Gives me a little confidence boost, for sure! 

I believe Helen had purchased a quilt kit for this pink beauty. It wasn't too large - maybe a nice lap size. I used two bobbins, if that can be any sort of reference.

The center element is a heart-shaped design. Looking at it from the other end helps to see it better.

To get a real good look at the entire quilt, I like to spread it out on the bed. I left all the trimming to Helen. There would be a good bit of backing fabric available for binding, if Helen intends to go that route.

I am still reluctant to take on quilting for others, but for close friends who understand I am still very much a rookie. I suppose I am willing to take that leap of faith that they will be gentle and kind with me. I need so much more practice, and believe me, I HAVE the quilt tops ready to go for plenty of practice!

I actually spent yesterday making the backings for THREE quilts, and they will be going 1-2-3 onto the longarm this week.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Quilting For Others

Once upon a time, this quilter was certain she'd never feel confident enough at the long arm machine to ever, ever, EVER quilt another person's quilt. I knew first hand the love and care that goes into piecing a quilt. I could not even think about quilting one and ruining it with sub-par quilting. Doing it on my own work would be one thing; doing it on another's carefully created quilt top would be an entirely different story. Unthinkable!

I'll have you know, that with steady practice, I have agreed to do two in the past month or so. And they turned out pretty darn good, in my opinion. Granted, they were small - one was a panel wall hanging; the other was a baby quilt - but I wasn't ashamed in handing them back over to the quilters. 

This first one has been done for quite awhile, but because of our schedules, I couldn't get Helen's penguin wall hanging back to her until a couple weeks ago. This past Friday when the Frankfort Girls met at Helen's house, she'd prepped the binding and worked on while we visited.

I'd quilted it in late March, according to the date on this picture. It was fun to quilt; my first panel, actually.

This second quilt is much more recent - Hettie (one of my Frienzies) brought this baby quilt over on Saturday morning, and I quilted it Saturday afternoon. It is such a dreamy little quilt! The lucky baby will never be too overstimulated with such a calm, peaceful quilt.

So, while I am not doing anything remotely close to starting a quilting business, I am feeling comfortable picking up occasional small project to help out some friends. These two little quilts were good practice for me, and with each quilt I finish on the long arm machine, I feel confidence growing. 

It's all good!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Helen and Her Penguins

Last time the Frankfort Girls were here, Helen asked if anyone would be willing to quilt a small panel wall hanging for her. I said I'd do it.

Helen has a thing for penguins. I've seen quite an assortment of figurines at her house, and I know of at least one previous quilt made with penguins on it. 

Working on this gave me an opportunity to practice the meandering stitches I'm trying to perfect. And I wasn't investing tons of time on a large quilt. Worked out quite well for both of us, actually.

Helen says she will trim it up when she gets it back. It's a sweet little panel - 4 babies marching behind their mama. Fun and playful.

Here's a link to Helen's earlier penguin quilt; scroll down about half way.

Hope you are having an awesome day!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Helen's Treasures

On Friday, the Frankfort Girls met for some stitching and visiting. Helen had the premier show and tell of the day - quilts from an estate sale! Vintage beauties! Have a look at some fine, hand-stitched quilting from generations gone by.

The first one she shared is this crazy quilt. I sure wish I'd taken more pictures of this one. The colors are so vibrant and the condition is near perfect.We could only see one place where the fabric looked worn and even that we weren't sure of. The detailed stitching is fantastic, and this is what I should have photographed. Quilters would appreciate the stitching that made a squirrel's tail look fluffy, just to mention one intricate feature. There were many more. If you click or tap the picture, you will be able to get a closer look at details.

The next quilt was a pieced quilt - some version of a Star of Bethlehem, we think. It is hand pieced and hand quilted.

I did regain my wits and took close-up pictures for this one, although they are rough, at best. Even so, that you can adequately see the detailed quilting stitches on this beauty. What a labor of love. The maker surely had a task on her hands with all those bias edges, and then all that hand quilting. Hours and hours of painstaking work, right?

When we happen upon lovely quilts at tag sales or auctions, we puzzle over so many questions. Who made these quilts? Did the same seamstress make both quilts? Were many hands involved? Many generations? How would this quilter feel at having her beautiful creations picked over at an estate sale and sold for $20 each. Fortunately, a quilter found them, and Helen does appreciate their beauty. She will care for these quilts as the fragile gems that they are. 

Sweet, fun-loving Helen is all giggles over a funny comment made as we were folding her quilts. Just being silly. She says she plans to investigate correct cleaning and caring instructions for these lovelies. They definitely will not suffer under her care.

I imagine that many of us who make quilts, occasionally consider how long into the future our quilts will last, and what journeys they will take. We work so hard and so carefully, and often with considerable expense, to create a thing of beauty; we entrust them to loved ones. At some point will they be lost to a random auction? 

We can never know. What we can know is the love we have for making them - what it does for our souls. I am satisfied with that.

Since both these quilts involve a significant amount of hand stitching, I am going to join in on the Slow Sunday Stitching fun over at Kathy's Quilts. I hope the stitchers visiting there will enjoy these antique beauties.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Quilts By My Friends

It has been far too long since I last brought you any quilts made by the sweet ladies I quilt with on a regular basis. The Frankfort Girls, as I refer to them, are a prolific group, and do their best to keep me motivated and productive. We all feed off the energy of the rest, and a more wonderful group of quilters would be hard to find. I am so fortunate to be a part of them!

The three quilts below are all from Helen. The first is her 9-patch quilt using the exchange blocks we shared back in March.

This next quilt is Helen's Simple Friendships 2 quilt. Look! It's quilted! She worked on the binding the last time we were together.

Helen has a distinct fascination with penguins, so it was a natural for her to make this next quilt. I don't know if you can read it all, but she had our friend Jan embroider names for each penguin - Paula, Poppy, Phoebe, Porter, Pearl, Petunia, Preston, Polly, Paige, Penelope, Patty, Priscilla, Peyton, Parker, Prudence, Portia, Palmer, Pixie, Pamela and Pippa. Fun!!

Another member of our group, Terry, has also had a very productive few months - she has made lots and lots of mini quilts! Most, if not all, of the following quilts are very likely from the Simple Whatnots sew along. I don't know many details, as I am not participating. So rather than give inaccurate or incomplete information, I will just show the pictures. These are all minis.

This next quilt is a patriotic lap quilt that Terry was binding at our last gathering. It will be finished just in time for the Independence Day celebrations coming up next week.

Now, there are 7 total gals in this group, and I have just highlighted the work of Helen and Terry. The rest are equally productive, yet I just didn't seem to have the pictures of their work. Maybe they are shy about show and tell! *wink*

How is your productivity today? I hope to continue with yard work and sewing on Six Degrees.

Happy Quilting, Friends!