Wedding Ring Quilt update #4

I have finally finished the quilt top. All of the pieces are sewn together and the top has been squared off. The finished quilt will measure 84" x 84".  My next step will be to cut  the backing and batting to size and layer them with the top. I will be using spray tacking and pinning to attach the three pieces together. I am planning on using a curved arc design for the quilting. The quilting will be rather loose. I am not a fan of tight quilting. I prefer to quilt just enough so the batting does not shift when washed and dried.  I then will have only to add the binding. I am currently trying to decide weither to use the 9 fabrics and make a colored binding or to use the muslin that will be the backing. I will have to see how each looks after I finish the quilting. Here is a photo of the finished top. I hope to complete the entire quilt within the next week.

Wedding Ring Quilt update #3

I finally finished making the rows to put together. There are two types of rows. The directions call one Row A  ( on the left) and the other Row B (below left).
Basically they are complements of each other. A convex and a concave that fit together to form the entire ring. Once the individual rows are complete it is time to sew them together. It has been a little challenging but I am amost finished. Here are some pictures of the progress.

Row B

One row A and one row B sewn together. I am almost finished sewing all of the rows together. After that is done all that is left is to sew on the fill in pieces around the edges to make the quilt top have straight edges. I really need to get moving. October 1st is just around the corner!

Wedding Ring Quilt Update #2

I finally finished piecing all of the 120 half rings together and removing the paper. The next step was to cut 60 of the off-white center that will join the rings.

The rings were then sewn to the center piece. Curved piecing isn't as difficult as it may appear. It does take some time to get used to easing the curves together, but if your pieces are cut correctly they will usuall fit together rather easily. Pinning is critical here if you are not going to baste. ( I never do). Your pins should be placed perpendicular to the seam line so that your needle can glide over them and you do not have to stop to remove them as you are working.

A half moon becomes a full circle and the quilt is now beginning to take shape. The next phase will be to add the  -patch piece that joins the circles end to end. I will be making 6 rows consisting of 5 circles and four  4-patch pieces to join them.  I am getting really excited about finishing this quilt. I will probably pull a few all nighters to get the top completed.  I will keep you informed.

Wedding Ring Quilt update #1

This is a photo of the quilt I am making for an October wedding. The bride likes navy & royal blues, and yellow so I chose colors and patterns that go together. It was difficult because I needed to have 9 different fabrics. This quilt is made using the paper piecing process. I first had to cut out the pattern pieces from freezer paper. There were 120 half rings and on each half ring I had to draw the sewing lines for the pieces. Each half ring has nine different fabrics. To create these arcs I needed to cut rectangles from the fabric and then sew them on to the paper pattern.



After sewing the arcs I needed to remove the paper pattern. This proved to be very challenging but I was able to come up with a way to do it without destroying the stitching. I am now ready to cut the remaining pieces that will fill in around the rings. Once I start sewing these pieces together I will really feel like the quiilt is nearing complettion. Right now I still feel a little overwhelmed.

So now the pieces are all ready for the next phase of adding the center of the circle. More photos with the next update.

Bridal Bliss

I recently completed a crocheted bride doll for a friends daughter. I began the project in January and finished it 2 weeks ago. I was able to take my time and not be rushed. I had forgotten how much I love crocheting!                                                

I usually try to chose a doll with the same hair color as the bride and the flowers are the color of the bridesmaids dresses. In this case the dresses are an eggplant color, but purple is the closest I could find. The style of the hair is determined by whatever the doll comes with. I am not into doing hair styles. Most dolls have an up-do and that is perfect for the way I make my crowns and veils. I crochet a crown and in this case glued sworski crystals on to the front.

I use tulle for the veils just as a real veil would be made. This dress is also adorned with pearl "buttons" down the back of the bodice and on the front at the shoulders. The large bouquet on the table will be used to decorate the box that the doll is wrapped in.

I am looking forward to beginning another doll. I 'll be using a different pattern next time.

My very first quilt

I first became interested in quiilting backin the early 1980's. I bought a very basic book and found two patterns that I liked. One was the dresden plate and the other a butterfly. I already had a stash of fabric from my years of making clothing, so I decided to use the scraps. I really had no idea of how to quilt, so I learning as I went. The directions were for making squares and sewing them together.

I appliqued the patterns onto the square with batting and backing. I then sewed the squares together. When that was done I added batting and backing to the entire quilt. As you may have guessed the quilt is quite heavy. I did not know at that time that if you add batting and backing to each square that you don't add it again  when finished. Since my knowledge and  skills have improved, I hope to make these patterns again in the near future.
    Currently I am working on the double wedding ring quilt. It is my first time doing paper piecing and I will let you know how I like that method. I will post pictures as work progresses.

My Contest Entry

I found a contest in one of my magazines, sponsored by The Alliance for American Quilts. I decided to enter it. The grand prize is a free arm quilting machine. Boy would I love to have one of those! The theme was People, Patterns, and Passion. In a more detailed description they said basically it was anything that goes together.

I found my inspiration in a cooking magazine, and so I named my quilt "Chocolate Covered Strawberries". After all they do go well together!

Entering the contest enabled me to try some techniques that I had not yet explored because the contest entry quiilt was only 16" x 16".

I really enjoyed doing this and it has renewed my passion and given me the drive to start another quilt. This one will be the double wedding ring, a gift for a friends daughter It is very challanging, but I am confident that I can do it.

You can view my quilt and some of the other entries ant the following website.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-zfTFrFZCE