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

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

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

Monterrey Medallion by Atkinson Designs

Hot off the Quilt Frame is the Monterrey Medallions by Atkinson Designs.

I had this pattern booklet for a while now and could not decide what colors or if I wanted to make it scrappy like the photo on the pattern booklet.  But then we started getting in all the blacks in the Inkwell and American Gothic collections.  I just knew it was perfect for this stunning quilt.  It is now hanging at the shop.

I used one solid Moda Bella Natural - 12 for the background and the Moda Bella Kansas Red -120 for the contrast fabric.  The book has patterns for two version Simple and Challenge.  We chose the Challenge version,  the main visual difference is the red fabrics.  But I think that is what gives this pattern it's AHHHH!!! 

 The center is a large star with a log type block set on point.

The stars are simple Ohio star type blocks.

The outside is a Jacobs Ladder block.  I quilted it with a medallions, feathers and in the ditch.  I finished mine as the large 90" x 90".

I picked a light piece from the American Gothic Collection for my backing and bound it with a black print.  I just loved working with a scrappy type pattern, but in one color way.  It really adds contrast and texture, without looking busy.

Thanks for letting me share.

Cathy

Foursquare by Red Crinoline Quilts

I finished the Foursquare by Red Crinoline Quilts.  This one is a change from my normal sewing.  Most of my Civil War quilts are dark.  This one is light and bright.  The background is a tan on cream print.  I used a solid civil war blue for the set-in triangles.  Most of the colored blocks are tonal prints.  The outside border and binding is a solid Moda Bella Natural.  I just love how simple and clean the quilt looks.

I quilted with a very dense vintage rose pattern.

The simple nine patch was a very nice change from all the angles I had been sewing.

Thanks for letting me share.

Cathy  

Lilly by Red Crinoline Quilts

I have just hung the Lilly I finished last week from the new Red Crinoline 2014 patterns.  The pattern called for 18 different lights for the background of the pieced blocks.  However, I thought it looked took away from all the piecing in the blocks.

The alternating squares are a rosie pink from the Pin Money Collection.  The pattern showed a bubble gum pink, but I like the aged look this piece brings to the pattern.

The blocks have 18 different prints from various civil war fabrics.

I quilted the quilt using a Large Feather.

This is my favorite block.  I am not usually a purple fan.  But I just love the little pop of color that the purple brings to the quilt.  

Thanks for letting me share.

Cathy

Parker's Crossing by Red Crinoline Quilts

I have been sewing a ton lately.  And over the next few post hopefully you can see some of the things I have finished.  First is the Parker's Crossing by Red Crinoline Quilts.  This is a new pattern that the Red Crinoline just released.  I was so excited to find fabrics that I thought look perfect for my living room.

The all over photo of our shop sample.

I quilted each block with a medallion.  I used a beautiful gold print for the alternate block and set in triangles.

I used a Brown star print from the Freedom Rings collection for the backing.

I love this black block.  My eye goes right to it every time I spread the quilt out.

Please note that if you are going to use this pattern, my copy had a typo in the cutting directions.  We have corrected all our copies at the shop, but if you get it from somewhere else please make the adjustment, or you will have several mis-cut blocks like me.  The gold alternate block should be cut 12.5".  The directions had 10.5".  

Thanks again for letting me share.  

Cathy