Kaffe Fasset wall hanging

This was made simply using strips of Kaffe Fasset fabric to be used by the quilter as a wall hanging. It is a good example of how custom quilting on any densely printed or busy fabric is not worth it, as the quilting simply doesn’t show up.

Hexagons by hand

This massive hexagon quilt was done by three generations of women, all done by hand.  Grandma started it, Mom took over after her death and when she got tired her daughter offered to help.  The only obstacle I encountered was the different types of fabric used to make this.  There is denim, upholstery, polycotton and occasionally good-quality cotton.  Some of these stretched more than the others and I needed help to avoid puckering.  Therefore, the choice of this quilting motif is to shove the fabric around so the puckers won’t be all that visible.

Interlocking squares

This quilter—and I may as well mention her husband—simply has a way of playing with colours. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a quilt of theirs and not wondered how on earth they got this beautiful result combining those colours. It all turned out stunning, and this quilt was no different.

This was made for her daughter, who had returned from France, and I guess Mom wanted to give her a welcome-back gift.

Row-by-row sampler

This time, another beautiful sampler was done in rows, pieced to perfection with plenty of deliberate loose points.  I had to keep my wits about me to not quilt over the loose points, find another motive for every row, and still keep the quilt coherent.

Flower truck panel

A new customer sent this panel to be quilted.  I’ve seen this panel before but honestly never even thought about how I would quilt it, so this was a matter of “start and let’s see what happens and how it turns out”.

Fortunately, the borders were pieced and I had enough experience with those blocks.

Sampler quilt

This came all the way from Kimberley, and any regular reader of my blog will know I simply LOVE working on a sampler quilt. The quilters’ piecing skills also made it a pleasure to do.

Re-used rose quilt pattern

The quilt maker from my previous post liked the block pattern consisting of 6 parts and decided to make another quilt.  This time however she did not use rose-printed fabric as this would go to a male friend.  The colours she selected were perfect and being for a male, I kept the design less curly or flowery and did the geographic design.

 

Rose quilt

The quilt maker bought a kit called The Rose Quilt.  The only thing rosy about this quilt was the rose-printed fabric but she enjoyed making it and did a good job.

With its name, I decided to do an edge-to-edge design called cabbage rose with loops and leaves.

Vintage fabric turned table cloth

This tablecloth is made from vintage fabric by my most minimalistic quilter or how she prefers free-motion quilting.

She did not use batting and only added a brushed cotton sheet as an inner. After the tedious quilting on the previous massive quilt, this was a breeze to work with.

Violet posies

If I say I worked two full weeks, or every available moment during this time, on this quilt, I am not exaggerating. This must have been the largest quilt I ever worked on (90” x 102”). To make it feel even larger, it had double batting and waffle weave as a backing. Pair all of these, and I had a monster, and my machine, towards the end, with most of the roll resting against the bed of the machine, had a hard time moving smoothly.

The quilt maker requested hearts on the borders and not wanting to do all the same, I played with several motifs and ideas.

The maker's piecing is well done, and I could not fault her for anything. I am glad it was done and the recipient will receive a beautiful quilt.

Peacock blue wholecloth

Some two years ago, shortly after we moved into this house, I took an online longarm class on quilting feathers.

With my memory not improving with age, I wanted to make something from what I’ve learnt to cement the rules, tips and tricks into my muscle memory.  I then decided to make this whole cloth.  However, it did not happen as fast as typing this sentence as I had it on the frame and whenever a customer quilt arrived, I had to take it off and reload whenever done with customer work.  It nearly took me two years.

The worst part was when I sat doing the binding, one side by hand, I noticed I omitted one curved line.  Back onto the frame it had to go, binding and all but now it is done. All was done free-hand with rulers to guide me around the curves.

“Tannie” (aunty) quilt

We were invited for supper on Friday at the house of one friend, another friend came too and brought along curried chicken, which was really special.  Luckily the cook shared the recipe with me and I intend to make it for us one day.

Before supper, I finished this quilt, a pattern from a local quilter, teacher and designer.  She called it the ‘Aunty’ quilt and people in one of her groups could give a name and a story to go with the name and each block represented that person.  The outline of the block is basically the same with the inner detail changing from one block to another.

The quilt maker plans to use this on a bed so it needed no more than an edge-to-edge motif and we decided on medium grey thread.

Log cabin bed quilt

I worked two full days to complete this quilt as I expected 2 more quilts from out of town but I never got a message from the courier.  I then decided to cook hubby a decent meal for supper seeing he had the bare basic the last 2 days.  Tonight, I am making sweet ‘n sour Eisbein.

When I received this quilt, I found the floral prints representing the darker side of the log cabin almost overwhelming.  I knew whatever I chose to quilt should enhance the cream fabric and I must keep the quilting on the floral prints to the minimum.

Nothing seemed to be better than a large-scale feather, this turned out good as the feathers now attracted the attention. The picture of the full quilt can be found on the Gallery page.

Table runner

When receiving quilts from out of town I get a message from the courier early on the day of delivery.  However, I have often sat at home the whole day and then it will only arrive early evening.  It was frustrating as it seemed those days I had to wait for them were when I needed to do heaps of things away from the house.

I complained about this to my neighbours.  There are 4 ladies making dance costumes from their house and they offered that I could have my parcels delivered to their address seeing there is always someone home.  This is a huge help and I dearly appreciate it.

This runner was one from another town and I can clearly see this quilter has been at this hobby for years and is now scrapbusting with her remnant fabric.  A table runner always comes in handy.

English villages quilt

Next up on the frame was this tall skinny quilt.  I suppose this will be a wall hanging. It had plenty of applique work I outlined in certain places, filling the rest with different free-motion motifs and a little continuous line stitching.

Peaceful star quilt

We had a public holiday known as Heritage Day on Tuesday and the idea is that we all should recognize, learn and respect the heritage of the different cultures in our country. Still, I am not aware of anyone really doing that.  Nowadays everybody lights a fire and celebrates Barbeque Day.

Knowing it would be a holiday mid-week, I organized an evening with some of our friends called it “Breakfast for supper”.  Each lady had to bring 3 items they’d like to have at a breakfast buffet, that would be our meal for the evening.  Needless to say, with 5 ladies each bringing 3 items, we had way too much food for the 9 of us but it was a good evening.

Everyone was welcomed with breakfast punch as they entered the house and with all the food and plates in one serving area, the table was less cluttered.

The weekend before I worked on this perfectly pieced quilt and it was the most fun, I had quilting over a weekend in a long time.  This quilt was absolutely stunning.

All applique quilt

Ten years ago, we celebrated quilting friend Rinas’ 60^th birthday just after a tough chemotherapy session.  Her having no hair did not prevent her from having a party.

Last weekend we celebrated her 70^th birthday and this time it was a proper party with proper hair.  Here Rina is the one standing with a full head of hair.

While partying and having fun I had the loveliest hand applique quilt on the frame.  The detail that went into this is amazing and it only took the quilter 5 months to complete and she even made a smaller applique quilt in between.

I could stare at the perfectly hand-stitched blanket stitches with not one leg longer or wider than the other for hours.

These are a few pictures of the detail of some applique shapes.

Animal print baby quilt

When I finished the geometric motif on the previous quilt, I expected a quilt from out of town via courier.  I cleaned my machine, tracks and wheels and changed the needle, ready for the new quilt.  Then, late afternoon, I got a call from a quilter needing to bring me a baby quilt.

This one was tiny and only required loops, I popped it onto the frame and was able to finish it as well and phoned the quilter to fetch it.

Stars for a boyfriend

 I find it gratifying to meet or hear about a youngster making quilts.  Looking at photos of quilt groups, guilds, or gatherings, I often feel that this hobby is dying out, with just a couple of older survivors still going.  I wonder how much the cost of this, or any other hobby, has to do with it?  I cannot imagine my life without a hobby to keep my hands busy.

This quilter however is young and beautiful and pieced this top with all its sharp points to perfection.  With it being for her boyfriend she requested the geometric design to make it more ‘manly.’

Half square triangles

 This quilter loves what she does but needs more time for her hobby. She told me she’d like it if her points all match.

While long arming any quilt, I get to see every part of every block and could not fault her.  If only my points met up this neatly.

We decided it needs nothing more than continuous line curves.

Protea sampler quilt

 This is a lovely pattern by Wilna Moena Tombi and I think the quilter did it justice.

A lovely sampler quilt

I don’t think I’ll ever again be brave enough to start another sampler quilt but as said so many times before, I do love quilting these because of all the possibilities it lends to free motion quilt so many different motifs.

This one was no exception.

Solid fabric

This is another mystery to me.  The quilter sent me two solid pieces of fabric in different colours and asked me to quilt them as a unit.

With both fabrics in Autumn colours, I decided on the oakish-leave motif with the odd loop in between.

A rather long runner

I need to catch up with my blog posting but my study is a freezing cold room while my sewing room is warm and cosy.  I would much rather spend time behind the machine than behind the computer.

I am not quite sure what this will be used for.  It is somewhat too wide for a runner but not wide enough to cover even a single bed but I am sure the quilter knows where and for what this will be used.

I enjoyed the process of quilting it.

Quilt in rows

Digging through my UFO containers, I found this one from many moons ago.

I attended a once-a-month group, and we received the pattern to the next row each month.  This was also a quilt-as-you-go project.  One started in class with the next row and had to complete it before the next class. I never kept up or fell behind as I still needed two rows to complete this quilt.

I liked what I’d done way back then but did not see myself finishing the last two rows and decided to simply put a binding on what was already done and gift it to someone.

The free motion quilting on this one was still done on my domestic machine and I am proud to say I’ve become so much better in doing this.

Wimbledon quilt

 I started this Japanese quilt block, in 2008, all done by hand and I only worked on it during the two weeks per year, I watched Wimbledon.

 Finally, 16 years later it is completed.  After finishing it, I realised my hand-sewn seams might not withstand washing by machine. I popped it under the long arm and strengthened the seams in both directions with a soft curvy line of stitching.

 Once hubby finishes replacing the cracked tiles in the living area and we have everything neat and clean again, I will use this as a throw on one of the couches.