Donna's T-Shirt Quilt

Donna sent a T-shirt quilt top for me to quilt. I also did the binding (last turn down by hand) to help her out. The quilt is full of memories. I hope she enjoys using it. 

• Size: 87" x 98" Queen bed size
• Quilting: Quilted in a meandering loose stipple in the borders. Each block quilted with a different pattern. Sometimes the picture on the block was used as a guide. Free form quilting. Used light blue-gray 100% polyester thread (Omni from Superior Threads-named "Harbor Sky"). 9 bobbins. Quilting by Patty.
• Backing: Navy blue cotton. Wide fabric for backing. Sent by Donna.
• Batting: 100% cotton from Win Line. "Back to Basics"
• Binding: Navy blue fabric from my Patty's inventory. Left from Narinder's Maple Leaf Quilt.
• Pattern: Traditional T-Shirt quilt
• Piecing by Donna
• Pinned into frame August 16, 2017. Quilting on long arm quilter August 18, 2017. (Patty). 
• Binding by Patty. 
• QC by Mother

 

 

Dahlia Star Hotpad (New Technique)

Grandma Short made entire quilts with these hand pieced blocks. To try the life changing magic of slow sewing and a new technique (2017 Goal), I decided to hand piece one block for a hot pad. The life changing magic of slow sewing does about as much for me as the life changing magic of tidying up (not a great deal of life change). Even though it's hand pieced I lost the points of the stars, but luckily the fatness of the pot holder makes the star bend around the edge and disguises the lost points somewhat. I'm not sure how Grandma churned out these blocks. Guess I have to practice a lot more!

 

What I learned:

1. The thread you use is very important. I tried several and found Bottom Line from Superior Threads to be the best. It glides through the fabric, doesn't tangle, and the stitches don't show.
2. The needle is equally important. The pattern says "medium size" needle. Again, I tried several to find one that is easy to use. I have heard that Milliner's Needles, Size 11 are the best to use. Maybe I'll try those next time.

• Size: Approximately 9" Square
• Batting: Insul-Brite. It makes a crunchy sound, which is annoying!
• Pattern: Hot Pad from Dahlia Quilts and Projects by Cheryl Bennerand Rachel T. Pellman
• Piecing by Patty

Spider Web

This is another of my mother's special strip quilts built on a starched foundation block. See Sausage, November 2015 and Scrappy Happy, November 2014. On Aug, 19, 2019 given to Zebiba Ahmed who was Mother’s best caregiver after she broke her arm and neck.

• Size: 60" x 60" Twin Lap Size
• Quilting: Quilted in a meandering loose stipple with curly designs in the chartreuse corners. Free form quilting.  Used dark red 100% polyester thread (Omni from Superior Threads-named "Cranberry"). 6 bobbins. Quilting by Patty.
• Backing: Maroon-brown print with a border. This fabric has been in Mother's inventory for a long time. The border was used across one side.
• Batting: 100% cotton Warm and Natural
• Binding: Black fabric with white dots that mirrors the webs in blocks. Fabric from my Mother's inventory.
• Pattern: Strips arranged by Mother
• Piecing by Mother
• Pinned into frame August 4, 2017. Quilting on long arm quilter August 11, 2017. (Patty). 
• Binding by Patty. 
• QC by Spencer.