2020 in quilts...and a rag doll

i choose to document this extraordinary year through my creative endeavors, from quilts to rag dolls and mixed media journals, not facemasks. i didn't sew any facemasks and i certainly didn't take any photos of people...not us or anyone else...in facemasks.

faces are important.

i made three quilts this year and pieced together a top for a fourth.

i previously posted about my pacific northwest t-shirt quilt. it was the first of the year.

this was my second...

my third was for my sister and it matches her bedroom perfectly...

and here's that quilt top i plan to finish in 2021...

i took a little break from the quilting to make a rag doll. here's emma...

i have six photos of my mixed media journals. i'll save those for a separate blog post i'll publish tomorrow to wrap up 2020.

2018 quilts

i made two quilts in 2018. the first is what i'm calling a couch quilt because i specifically sized and designed it to fit an old leather couch that i didn't want to replace quite yet, but had some unsightly rips in the seat cushions.

it was a great project because not only do i get a few more years out of my couch, but i used up a bunch of batiks i had in my fabric stash. the back is a solid dark blue so the quilt is actually reversible. when the front gets dingy or frayed, after a good wash, i can flip it over and have a "new" quilt.

the second quilt was a "three across" lap quilt using more scraps and pieces of fabric from previous projects.

i'm still sewing/quilting on an inexpensive Brother XR9500PRW machine that i've had a few years now. it's proven super dependable, suits my needs and fits my space. i am limited, however, to size. that's why i prefer to keep my projects small, like lap quilt size, and I design my quilts in blocks or rows (as opposed to hourglasses or flying geese, for example) so i can more easily quilt in straight lines, either stitching-in-the-ditch or using the ditch as my guide. it works for me. less stress is best.

t-shirt quilts

i had absolutely no intention of ever making a t-shirt quilt because i had no idea how. but, when i received a special request, i accepted the challenge.

that was late 2017. since then i've made three more.

i don't have permission from one of the owners to share her quilt of great sentimental value, but i think it'll be ok to use a photo that highlights my quilt lines and binding.

my third quilt was for the same, beautiful being that requested my very first, pictured at top. i loved being a girl scout so this one was super fun for me.

i basically used the same "pattern" for the commissioned quilts because the logos i had were different sizes and quite eclectic. i wanted to bring in as many different fabrics and coordinating colors as possible. every step of the way i consulted with my clients and enjoyed the process as well as working relationship.

feeling more confident, i decided to make a quilt with some of my own special t-shirts that have been stored in boxes for too many years. i had several from my first trip to the pacific northwest in 1995 with similar colors and themes that would be perfect for a quilt. i went more "traditional" with the layout, trimming my logos per row. i didn't have very many logos so i decided to mimic more by using larger blocks of fabric in coordinating designs. it's different, but i like it.

i'll be digging through more of my t-shirts for a nice collection i can turn into another lap quilt and continue to explore layouts and designs.

stacks. a twin quilt & pillow sham

I'm super excited to share my very first twin size quilt and pillow sham!

A friend commissioned both after I made a mini with the same color scheme.

The mini was a gift for her sister who was re-decorating a room to become her study/quiet space. From the quilt she picked a pretty lavender to paint the walls where the mini was then hung.  A twin size bed was going to remain in the room and they wanted the twin/pillow sham to match.  I was a bit concerned with quilting something bigger than anything I had made before. It was a challenge and I can't say there are many more large quilts in my future, but I'm happy with my results.

I felt like I needed a few more fabrics since I was designing three stacks and didn't want to repeat the same color/design too many times. I decided to pick up some of the pretty blues to give a pop of color which I thought would also look pretty in contrast to the larger, predominantly purple space (not what you see in these photographs as these were taken in my home, not hers).

I kept the same quilting scheme as in the mini, using quilting stitch number 45 on my Brother XR9500PRW which is my favorite.  It reminds me of a string of pearls or an embossing. I stitched each row on either side of the ditch then in the ditch around the stacks where I had attached the border. I added a second stitch outside this ditch for decorative purposes and consistency. For the purple blocks in the border I stitched top and bottom...in the ditch and on either side of the ditch.  It was a lot of work, but I just love the results of all those quilt lines.

Dragonflies are of special significance to these two sisters.  They particularly liked the purple dragonfly fabric which is why I thought to add the simple, single blocks in the border which will be visible on both sides of the twin upon entrance into the room.

I don't have a twin size bed in my home so I had to improvise to photograph it on a queen size. It was designed so the stacks would cover the top of the mattress only and the pretty, purple border long enough for the height of the mattress.

The pillow sham is, I believe, a perfect match. These are happy, pretty colors and definitely a fun pattern! I did my usual computer generated spreadsheet to get my sizes down for the stacks then let the fabric tell me where they should each go. It's a process that works for me!

minis

Since I was last here, I've made 8 mini quilts. With each one I learn something more about my machine, about my preferences for color and design, about what is visually pleasing to me, from the stitches I choose for quilting and binding to a favorite color palette. My minis are yet far from perfect in my eyes, but I try to remember that is how someone will know they are handmade, each and every one, not manufactured.

I'm proud of myself for being committed with a goal in mind.  I may even attempt a larger quilt again, having gotten some good practice in with these minis.

I'm also learning to use what technology I have on hand to assist in my quilting.  I had been designing my quilts with pencil, eraser and graph paper. It's nice being able to do so anytime, anyplace.  However, it's also frustrating when your design doesn't fit the space as you intended and you have to start over again.

I decided to make a spreadsheet using Numbers on my iMac, mimicking the graph paper.  I can fill the cells with color. I can even add shapes when I want something besides squares and rectangles.  It's much easier to select the cells and wipe out the color and the lines when I want to make a change.

The colors don't necessarily designate a particular fabric. I use them for placement, length, width, etc.  I don't always know what fabric I'm going to use for a particular style quilt; therefore, trying to designate colors for the different fabrics would be impossible for me.  I let the fabric tell me what to do with my template as a guide.  And, without hesitation, I make changes to the template if needed as I'm working with my fabric.  It's meant to guide, not restrict. The lines I've included for notes at the bottom of the page have proven useful. I jot down fabric, what stitches I used, thread tension and date completed. It means less time spent agonizing over my machine settings.

Quilting and working with the spreadsheet satisfies both sides of my brain...the side that aspires to design and the one that is the foundation to my creativity.

pink patch doll quilt

when i mentioned on fb i was making doll quilts and hoped to open an etsy store by the end of the year i had a few sweet friends tell me they'd be interested. and they reminded me little girls like pink! between what little bit of pink i had in my stash and what i found at my local hobby lobby, i came up with this quilt. it measures 18" x 24" and i quilted using curvy lines, with and without bows.

pink patch doll quilt - front

pink patch doll quilt - quilting

pink patch doll quilt - back/binding

thankfully i don't have to pick my favorites because, though i've only made two so far, i am loving each and every one. they're fun to design. and fun to imagine being cherished and played with by a child.

and, yes, that's my American Girl doll, one of the first they ever came out with! there are so many more options now, from hair to eyes to skin tone, to choose from so every little girl can find her very own playmate. or every woman who knows to nurture the child within!

the cutest thing ever!

this morning i finished my first little doll quilt and i positively love it! the fabrics are all from my scrap bin. i chose bright, happy colors and sweet designs. and i stitched, quilted and did the binding with my Brother XR9500PRW machine.

mini mod stripe doll quilt, front

mini mod stripe doll quilt, decorative quilting

mini mod stripe quilt, binding (back)

it's the best binding i've machine attached ever! i couldn't be happier!  yes, i still see my "imperfections." but with every piece i make, i learn something new and i improve my designs. that's a win-win in my book!

the rain has gone, the skies have cleared and the sun is shining bright and warm. life is beautiful. go live it!

pay-it-forward

at the start of this new year, a sweet high school friend of mine i've had the pleasure of reconnecting with thanks to facebook posted that she was participating in a pay-it-forward project. to the first five people who responded to her status update, she would send a small token of friendship anytime during the year. in turn, all who responded would post the message on their page and do the same for five more of their friends. it's always fun to receive some mail love, something that is NOT electronic. i was in!

it's already april. AAUGH! but i haven't forgotten. in fact, i've been busy working on my friendship gifts for the past few weeks. after finally making myself a version of prayer or peace flags that i'm ready to hang in my yard as soon as the hubby puts up some hooks for me, i decided these would be perfect...handmade with love.

i've since made three more sets. i chose colors and fabrics that reminded me of the recipient. and i'm going to include a bottle of fabric paint that each one may write their own words/blessings on their flags if they so choose. tee suggested that. i thought it was a wonderful idea.

one set has already been mailed off.  two more are pictured here with mine.

can you tell that mine is the flamingos?

i've made my flags double sided, pretty from either direction, and sewed them with sweet decorative stitches. this photo shows the "backside" of one. the fold is actually pretty cute, too.

i strung some on braided trim i found at hobby lobby, but then picked up a nice, big roll of twine at lowe's. i tack my flags down to the twine so when they're hung they won't slouch or shift in the wind. and, yes, i plan to leave mine out. i want them to fade and fray, sending my blessings to the heavens, just like the tibetan prayer flags. read a description here.

this morning i wanted a little something more to include with flags going to the kind woman who inspired me to do this. i made my first mug rugs from the same fabrics as her flags.  

as soon as i jot down a note on a card i've tangled, i'll be ready to bundle everything up and send this package on its way.

mod blocks. wall hangings

lately i've really been into modern blocks for modern quilts. because we have so much wall space in our home and all this fabulous color from room to room, i decided it would be fun to do quilted wall hangings, turning the open space into a canvas of favorite things.

i'm also really liking white in my quilted projects which is pretty unusual for me. it looks fresh and color really pops in contrast.

i did this first one a couple of months ago now.

White Mod Blocks - Front

White Mod Blocks - Back

White Mod Blocks - Stitching

because it's a nice size, easy to maneuver around on my machine, i took my time and quilted squares and rectangles in various configurations. you can see the cute pattern it created in the second photo of the back.

this was the first time i cut my own binding and i realized how much easier it was to machine sew than the more stiff store bought.

this wall hanging will be in our hall when i repaint the walls something more like lavender than the "fuchsia" it is now. and super white for the trim.

there's a second one, quite a bit larger, for the same hall. i'll save photos for another post. it's pieced but not quilted yet.

the following photographs are of a wall hanging i just finished today that will be for our den. again, i've used colors that are a bit of a departure for me, but in our den we have these beautiful Native American framed masks that are red and black. and a snowscape i had professionally printed and mounted that i took on our adventure to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica. this will fill up the wall nicely.

Red and Black Mod Wall Hanging - Front

Red and Black Mod Wall Hanging - Back

Red and Black Mod Wall Hanging - Stitching

i pieced the blocks with my Husqvarna Viking Scandinavia 200, but quilted and did the binding with my Brother XR9500PRW. i used straight stitching as well as decorative stitching to quilt. because the fabric i chose for the back is rather busy, the various stitches aren't distracting. the stitching becomes part of the artistic design and personal expression. mine are far more simple than the amazing quilt designs i've seen on the net. some day it would be a pleasure and a privilege to witness artists at work on their extravagant designs created with or without a long arm machine.