April Software Sampler Project

This is the small project for the April Software Sampler. The lesson is about using the same design and changing the fills to change the design. It is a fun lesson and also is a fun project. The small quilt is completed in the hoop and just sewn together after the blocks are stitched. It is a unique technique to complete a quilt but very easy. I will take the quilt to the shop next week when we have sewing group on Wednesday.

Small Cosmetic Bag

This is a small cosmetic bag that I made for Della. It really is the cutest one that I have made. I made tabs for the ends of the zipper and I am much happier with that look. The other unique feature is "iron-on vinyl" that I used on the lining fabric. The cording is couched onto the purse using the embroidery module. Really a neat technique. I have enjoyed this project from March Software Sampler.

Cosmetic Bags

These are samples of the cosmetic bags that will be part of Software Sampler this month at Bernina dealers. The small ones are about 3.5" x 4" and the larger one is 4.5" x 5". They are relatively easy to make except I am not an expert with zippers. I really need a lesson on how to make them look great instead of just okay. The software lesson is about digitizing different types of patterns. Mona, the new Bob's owner, has many new Benartex fabrics--so I get to use them to make samples.

What Do You See?

This little quilt is from a Keepsake kit. It is called What Do You See. The entire quilt is a panel and I just did a little quilting along the black triangles. I just had to provide the binding fabric. It makes a nice, quick quilt for a child. I took the quilt to the Cancer Center in Topeka during my routine visit yesterday. I had three nurses and the children's doctor come into my room and thank me for the quilt. They were very appreciative. I wish I could have told them I put a lot of work into it, but it was one of those easy peasy quilts.

Muslin Quilt

My newest project is a muslin quilt. This week I have my third lesson for this quilt taught by Doris Davidson, who has won grand champion ribbons for her quilts. The book(s) for this quilt are by Jennie Rayment from England. She uses different folding techniques to make many block designs. The technique takes advantage of bias and embellishments in many of the blocks. She also uses lots of tucks to create texture. I took the lessons several years ago but never got to the finished quilt. So I am trying again and have several blocks ready for the top. The most fun in the class is seeing what others do to embellish their blocks. It is the first time I have used pintucking, bias bars, and ruching. I enjoy learning the new techniques.

Garden Nouveau Quilt

My friends are not tall enough to hold this quilt but you get the idea. I just have to put the back together and it is ready to take to the quilter. I am extremely happy to have this quilt completed. It was a unique challenge and my new 830 was up to the task. In all of the satin stitching I may have seen two thread loops and they may have been my fault for not changing the needle sooner. The quilt took a lot of stabilizer because each block required two to six hoopings. The side borders had seven hoopings and the top and bottom had five hoopings. Now I just have to decide who receives this quilt...My thanks to Vicky Lawrence for designing and Anna Aldmon for digitizing this beautiful treasure.

Working on Garden Nouveau

I thought maybe I would have this quilt finished in early January, that did not happen. Each of the side borders took 14 hours of stitching and the other two borders took 12 hours each. Then there were four corner blocks to embroider. All of that is complete and the embroidered borders are on the quilt. Now I just have two more borders to finish this task. I am getting a little tired of this quilt and will be glad to have it finished. My machine quilter is about ready to tackle the task of making it look beautiful. I'll have a picture before long.

Happy Stitching!