Friday, January 30, 2015

The Leader in Me Tree Quilt

Hello Friends,

I have just got back from my Daughter's school where I presented them with a signature quilt the kids helped make.  The school is following a program called The Leader in Me.  I was excited to help create a quilt that will hang in the school entry.


I sent fabric squares for each student to school along with a Fabric Signature Pen.  I used a Tee Juice Pen (I should say, several pens).  Pre-school and Kindergarten signed their names to the pieces for bark.  And 1st - 4th grade were all the leaves.


The kids signed their names to the block and cut out the leaf shape they wanted on the tree.
I collected all the leaves and bark pieces and appliquéd them to the tree.  I thought the tree needed a little color, so I made the ribbon and blue birds.  The school mascot is a red bulldog, so after many attempts of drawing a bulldog, this one was the best version.



Around the border of the quilt, I quilted the Seven Habits that the school uses in The Leader in Me program. 

How many leaves?  I lost count.  But there is about 420 students and I added a few blank leaves and bark pieces, so that if anyone is missing, we can have them sign it and not be left out.  

How many stitches?  A gazillion.  But now I have the appliqué bug again, and have been looking for some more things to stitch down.

Thanks for letting me share.
Cathy

Friday, January 23, 2015

3-6-9 Pattern in M is for Mystery Fabrics.

I have just hung the 3-6-9 Pattern by P3 Designs.  I have used this pattern several times and it is always nice to have a simple pattern that doesn't require much mental energy.



I used the M is for Mystery by Faye Burgos in the quilt.  


I quilted it with a simple cotton seed quilting pattern.  I just fell in love with the blue border fabric.  But blue is my color.  I tend to make everything blue if I am not careful.  

Thanks for letting me share,
Cathy

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Carpenters Star by Calico Carriage Quilt Designs

I came across the Carpenters Star by Calico Carriage Quilt Designs, and just had to make it.  I had been holding on to a piece of red and black print from the Tavern Red collections just waiting for the right project. I haven't found a pattern from Debbie Maddy that I didn't love.  I think they are so well written and easy to follow.  Every time I make one of their patterns, I am amazed at how fast it finishes.

My version is in Civil War fabrics.  The border is a Tavern Red paisley print.  And the star points come from many of the Civil War collections in Black and Red.  I used Moda Bella Natural for the Background and Solid Moda Bella for the borders.

You can tell it is a large 90" x 102".  If you have tried a Calico Carriage Quilt Designs patterns, then you know how easy they are to piece.  The star does not use diamonds and there are no Y seams to worry about.  My suggestion when picking one out is make sure the fabrics used are non-directional and  have enough tonal motion that when seamed together, you do not notice the seam.

I quilted with a flower meander.

I used a cream on cream for the back of the quilt and bound it with the same fabric as the Large Border.
So much fun.
Thanks for letting me share.
Cathy