Wedding Ring Quilt final update

I finally finished the  quilt. Here are pictures of the pattern in the magazine and my finished project. I decided to go with the multi-print binding as the plain muslin did not enhance the quilt.

I really enjoyed making this quilt and I hope the bride and groom love it as much as I do. It has some flaws, but to me that is beautiful. I learn from every quilt that I make and I sure did learn a lot from this one. First, I had never done paper piecing before and I must admit that I rather enjoyed it. I will try another one using this method in the future. I also learned that from now on I will be pre-shrinking all my fabrics. I had to rinse this one to get the marking chaulk off and some of the prints shrunk at

different rates than others. I will also test the marking chaulk before using it. Some of the lines did not come off cleanly, as the directions said it would. It has not destroyed the look of the quilt in any way but it still bugs me.

 Magazine photo.

.My finished project. I hope you enjoyed the journey with me.

Next up, a baby quilt for a little girl due the end of November. I think I will look for a new pattern to try. I have so many that it will be a challenge to find just one!

More quilts

I have decided to post some more of my past quilts with comments. Hope you enjoy them.

This was one of my first quilts made from squares of fabrics that I received from a friend of my moms. I really loved making the simple square quilts where the fabrics create the design.

I also like to crochet and knit. This lap blanket was knitted. I made this one about 20 years ago. I had begun it in September and planned on giving it as a Christmas gift, however I liked it so much that I decided to keep it for myself.

This blanket was a baby gift and was crocheted. Again, it is a very simple design but it shows beautifully.

This is another bride doll that I made. It is a much simpler pattern but similar to the previous one that I posted.

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.