Penny’s panel wallhanging will brighten the snowy weather we are having. How many months before we see a real sunflower?? Simple outline quilting, piano keys in border, matching threads & Hobbs 80/20 batting for this quilt.

Cathy L made a modern throw with solids which show off the Chinese Crescents design.  Design is by Keryn Emmerson. Cathy chose a pretty coordinating print for the backing.

For the new year I resolve to get a few quilt tops that have stacked up in my closet out & quilted!  As each gets completed I will post photos of them here on my blog.  The first out of the closet for the year is a Carpenters Star quilt I think I might have started piecing back in 2008(?) It’s funny now fast the time passes & how out of mind they can be when behind closed doors.  Here are a few photos of it quilted before turning the binding. I used Hobbs 80/20 batting, a simple musling backing & a butter color thread. The quilting design is Virginia Dogwoods by Christy Dillon of My Creative Stitches.

Debbie K has done a series of Labyrinth quilts. Here are a few of her recent quilts.

Its fun to see them in different color ways.

Even though I’m up to my eyebrows in projects, I love looking around in cyber space for new patterns, tutorials, and just sometimes simple info that I don’t have access to at my fingertips.

Today I found a new site to bookmark that offers lists of shops, quilters, guilds, shows, quilt appraisers and basically all things quilty. I’m definitely putting http://quiltersresources.net in my favorites folder. My memory needs all the help it can get!

I’ve learned a lot of my quilting skills from instructional videos. I was pleasantly surprised at the ease of use of the Craftsy videos! I like the ability of deciding when I have a free moment & a chance to pop up a video and watch a new technique. I can pop some earbuds on & its a no compete with whatever hubby is watching on TV at night. It’s a great way to escape the daily doldrums & learn something new. When I need some quilty mojo, quilting videos are where I find motivation and inspiration.

I like the way they split up the videos into sections so I can watch a portion at a time if I don’t have time for the whole thing in one sitting. The Free Quilt Backs video was great! I learned more about how quilts can be put together freestyle on a design board without all the rules & corner aligning. What a cool new techno world we live in where I can take classes at any time & even in my PJ’s! Whoot-whoot!! Oh & there are other sources of online instruction too which I will mention in future blog posts.

I get asked a lot of questions about quilt backs, pieced backs in particular. There is a lot more thought going into quilt backs now than ever. My requirements for quilt backs are that they need to be bigger than the quilt top by 8″ wide and 8″ in length after you’ve squared them up.

I also request that you do not put a border around them or “picture frame’ the quilt back. Even with the best plan, the quilts can draw up during quilting and result in a bottom border that does not match the top. I would also try to limit the amount of piecing around the outer edge of the quilt back as clamping may pull piecework apart ( ex: piano keys). Stay stitching around the edge can help to prevent this but limiting the amount of piecing near the edge is a good plan.

I do love the look of pieced backs & there are so many great ways to do them. I found a great free instructional online video that shows several ways to piece backs. http://www.craftsy.com/class/creative-quilt-backs/117 You will have to sign in with http://www.craftsy.com but it is well worth doing to see some of their free videos. Elizabeth Hartman also has a blog with free quilt patterns you may enjoy.  http://www.ohfransson.com.

Happy Piecing!

Now is the best time of the year to get you quilt tops quilted. My schedule is starting fresh & there is approximately a 2 week turn around.

It’s also a great time to purchase holiday fabrics & start you holiday quilts. Imagine having them done before the end of the year rush. Most of the local quilt shops are offering great deals on holiday fabrics too.  Supporting your local quilt shop is the best way to make sure we keep quality fabrics in our local area.

2013 is here & as many of you already know there have been a lot of changes in my life. The end of November my mother passed away. I want to thank all my customer’s that have been patient while I’ve been helping to care for her needs the past few years.

I’m getting used to my new schedule & have added a second machine and computer to help increase turn around time for edge to edge quilts.  Right now is a great time to have your edge to edge quilts quilted. The holiday rush has passed and so there is only about a 2 week wait for your quilt.

I look forward to seeing and quilting for you in the new year!

Ho, ho, ho Christmas can still be merry with a Gift Certificate for quilting. Let your friend or loved one choose their own quilting design. While it is too late to book a quilt for Christmas, it is not too late to get on my schedule for January 2013. This is the best month for quilting since I begin booking with no backlog of quilts!

Please note my mother has been very ill and it may take me a day to respond to voice messages. I will still be quilting, I will just be working my schedule around her needs.

Thank you for your understanding.