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

WELCOME!

Hello, my name is Linda  and this is my first post on my new blog. I am a retired teacher. I have been sewing since I was about 10 years old. I began making clothing for myself, including my own wedding gown. I then went on to making curtains, slip covers for chairs and sofas and then costumes for a local community theater. During this time I also began making quilts. I have made many quilts for gifts and to sell. I decided to start a blog to allow me to share my quilts and my skills with others and maybe to learn some new 'tricks of the trade' from others.
I have also dabbled in making other crafts such as covered wedding albums, wedding ring pillows and wedding candles.
I hope to post at least once a week with a picture and story of one of the many things I have made.