Any Quilters?

[mmeblue]

Anybody who quilts over here?

I'm almost finished with my very first quilt. I took a class on beginning patchwork in spring 2003, and I didn't finish making all of the blocks...until a year and a half later. Last December, I picked it up and finished the blocks and then pieced them together, and then I did the quilting. All I have left to do is the binding, and I'm hoping to get it done this week. Unfortunately, I don't remember how the instructor in the class told us to do it, so I'm going to have to figure it out using books and websites. (If anyone has any tips, I'll gladly take them!)

Here's a pic, from when I was just starting to do the actual quilting (and yes, I know it's not perfect - it's my first quilt!):

http://mmeblue.home.comcast.net/images/quiltinhoop.jpg

I want to get it done this week, because I'm going to visit my parents this weekend and would like to be able to show them the finished product! Also, I have another quilt in mind to make (and the fabric for it), and I'm not letting myself start that one until this one is done. ;)

So...other quilters? Post pics and tell us about your projects! :)

[Pamela]

Hi! I just got into quilting recently, thanks to my awesome mom. She's been trying to get me to start sewing ever since I was little (both she and my gramma are really good at sewing) but I never had any interest. *shrug* I guess I was waiting for the right project! I'm still a beginner, so I haven't done a lot yet. Lemme to find some pics to post.

Your quilt is so pretty! That is awesome for a first project!! I've just been doing squares and rectangles so far.

[Pamela]

Ok, this was my first ever quilt. Its a flannel rag quilt, very simple to make and it was a fun first project. It was a birthday present for my little niece, so its not very big:

Smooth side
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/MrsPamela/flannelrag2.jpg

Raggy side
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/MrsPamela/flannelrag3.jpg

Comparing the smooth and raggy sides
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/MrsPamela/flannelrag4.jpg

My second quilt was another flannel rag quilt, but much bigger

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/MrsPamela/engagementquilt1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/MrsPamela/engagementquilt2.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/MrsPamela/engagementquilt3.jpg

[mmeblue]

Yay, another quilter! :D

Those are very pretty - I love the colors on the second one especially!

I'm working on mine right now (well, okay, I'm taking a break *right* now, but I'm in the middle of working on it). Hopefully I can post a "finished" pic by the end of the day! :)

[Pamela]

Hooray, they finally showed up! I'd love to see a finished pic of yours, it looks great so far! I just took a class a few days ago on doing bindings and learned some neat tricks. This is such an addictive hobby! I like to take pictures of my projects at different stages of completion so I can keep a photo album of them all.

This one is still not finished (I had to take a break from it to work on another one that is a wedding gift for a friend). The pattern is Yellowbrick Road, and is pretty simple and really fun.

Quilt blocks sewn together, before I put the borders on:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/MrsPamela/watercolour1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/MrsPamela/watercolour3.jpg

After I put the borders on:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/MrsPamela/watercolour4.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/MrsPamela/watercolour6.jpg

I just got a piece of fabric for the back and I've got the batting, so I need to put them together and quilt it and get the bindings on.

I'm nearly finished a quilt that is a wedding gift, I just need to finish up the bindings, hopefully I can get pics posted tomorrow or else really soon.

[Peaches]

Hey,

I'm a quilter too. Here is my latest project that I am working on for a friend's birthday in August:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d809b3127cce922199a78fed00000016108EcOXLRmyaa

I am planning on hand-quilting to finish it. I have always finished my quilts by knotting so this will be a first for me!

Mrs. Pamela I have always wanted to try a rag quilt, they look really fun!

mmeblue I love the colors and different blocks you have used. I wish I could help you out on the binding. I usually just wing it ;) What ever makes it look like the picture!

[mmeblue]

Hi Peaches! That quilt is beautiful! How long have you been quilting?

Mrs. Pamela - Green is my favorite color, and I love that border fabric on the last quilt you posted!

As far as my quilt goes, I pretty much got the binding stuff figured out (after a bit of a power struggle with my machine - I finally won). It's all attached on the front and I'm doing the stitching on the back to secure it now - about 1/4 of the way done with that. I might get it done tonight, definitely by tomorrow. :)

[Peaches]

Peaches! That quilt is beautiful! How long have you been quilting?

Thanks! :)

Well, I made my first one for a friend's baby and she (the baby) is now 4..so I guess four years now. I have only managed 3 quilts in that time though...

Glad to hear you have the binding figured out. You'll have to post pics when you're all done! BTW are the heart blocks from your quilt applique?

[Pamela]

Peaches, your quilt is beautiful! And you have far more patience than I do -- I do Not do hand quilting!! The nice thing about rag quilts is that you don't have to quilt them! For that watercolour fabric quilt I posted, I'm just going to stitch in the ditch to quilt it, and the one I'm currently working on I took in to a quilt shop and had someone who works there quilt it on the big machine.

[mmeblue]

I'm finally done with it! :D

Peaches - yes, the hearts are applique, as are the handles on the baskets. I did the applique and the quilting by hand, and the piecing by machine.

And here's the finished pic (sorry it's a little fuzzy - best one I could manage):

http://mmeblue.home.comcast.net/images/firstquilt.jpg

[Pamela]

Beautiful! And the binding looks great!

[Peaches]

I'm finally done with it! :D

Peaches - yes, the hearts are applique, as are the handles on the baskets. I did the applique and the quilting by hand, and the piecing by machine.



Looks fantastic! Was the hand quilting hard? How long did it take you? Did you use a hoop?
I am thinking of doing an applique quilt next time, possibly with a moon and stars theme.

[mmeblue]

Thanks to both of you! :)

The hand quilting wasn't hard, just time-consuming. I got faster as I went. I didn't time myself on it, but I think the first couple of blocks took about 6 hours each, and by the end I was down to about 2-3 hours per block. They're 6" blocks.

Oh yeah, and I couldn't ever get the "sewing" motion down - you know, where you put several stitches on the needle before pulling it through. I used the "stabbing" method the whole way through, same as I do for cross stitch. My hand just won't maneuver the other way!

I took a class on machine quilting in March, and I think I'm going to go that route with my next quilt. I'm not swearing off hand quilting, just wanting to try something different next time. :)

Edit: Yes, I did use a hoop. I used a 12" one, and that was a pretty comfortable size for me.

[islandgirlsj]

Everyones quilts are beautiful.
I have done about 3, although it has been about a year since I have done one.
I definately have the itch to start another one now.
I will have to go find pictures of mine, and get them uploaded to share.

[mmeblue]

Hi islandgirlsj! Can't wait to see pics of your quilts. And you shouldn't have to itch...go ahead and scratch it by starting another one. :)

Question: Where do you guys get your supplies (mainly thinking fabric, but other stuff too)? A local quilting shop, a craft store like Joann's, Wal-Mart...? I love the way the fabrics feel from my LQS, but they're so expensive.

[Peaches]

I have a great quilt/fabric store locally so I mainly shop there...although I hear you on the price issue! I soften the blow by telling myself I am helping to support a local business and my husband's computer stuff is WAY more expensive ;)

[risa00]

I'm in the middle of a t-shirt quilt, but here is the last 2 that I worked on. The first one is the first quilt I've ever done which is why it's not straight at all. :) The second one is finished but I haven't taken a picture of the final project. I'll post an update when I find my camera.

http://images.snapfish.com/34433%3C2723232%7Ffp65%3Dot%3E2327%3D9%3B7%3D889%3 Dxroqdf%3E2323345%3C35%3B64ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/34433%3C2723232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2327%3D9%3B7%3D889 %3Dxroqdf%3E232339%3A3%3B%3B654ot1lsi

[mmeblue]

Wow, risa00, those are so gorgeous! How did you get the pictures onto fabric? And which did you like more, the piecing or the applique?

[katmg]

Awesome work ladies!

I've got a quilt in progress that I've been working on since about 1999. :rolleyes: I finished the quilt top fairly quickly - machine stitching on my best friend's mom's machine. Since then I've set about hand quilting the sucker. I *HATE* hand quilting. I'm about 2/3rds of the way through. It's pretty much a queen size quilt. I loved doing the quilt top but I can't stand the rest of it. Once I finish this one I plan to send off any future quilts off to be machine quilted.

[risa00]

Thanks mmeblue! The applique was alot easier but it was hard to keep the pieces from bunching up. The piecework took FOREVER but I like the end product more. There is printable fabric at the store that runs about $8.99 for 5 sheets or so. It is the size of paper and you'll find it in the quilt section. You put it through your printer and then peel the backing off.. Iron it and I believe wet it.. I love that stuff because it makes a quilt that much more personable. :)

[Peaches]

I thought I would post an update. I haven't finished it yet. I gave in and did the ditch quilting on the machine. The batting I am using is too fluffy to stay in a hoop so I just have to quilt in my lap. The machine stiching helps to keep everything in place. I better hurry up. I have to mail it out in a couple of weeks and I'm only a 1/4 done!

[Georgiana]

This is so cool! I'm glad a thread has been started!

I have been dying to learn how to quilt! Where I live quilting is BIG around here and I just love quilts! I am in the process og ordering tons of books to learn how to make them. I like the more abstract modern looking ones with the cool colors.

I have one question: How hard is it to do the actual quilting? It seems like that would be the most difficult part.

[marathongirl]

Can I join too?

My mom has been quilting for several years and taught me how in January. I've never been much into arts & crafts, but I fell in love with quilting. To date, I've finished 4 and am nearly done my 5th. I'll have to post pics later. I have a definite fabric addiction!!!

In May I even went out and bought my own long arm machine to make quilting easier and am trying to start my own quilting business.

The pics I've seen on this thread are really beautiful! Keep up the good work ladies!

[islandgirlsj]

*whew*
I actually made it back here to post my pictures.
Who would guess it could take me so long to take some pictures.
Sheesh! :rolleyes:

So Here is the 1st quilt I did.
YES... I know, I'm rather insane. I started with a queen sized quilt for our bed.
Haha.. it was pretty funny, took me a looooong time, but I did it, and although it may not be the best quilt, I still kinda like it. :o

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v118/islandgirlsj/Quilting/quilt7R.jpg

A couple of closeups of the blocks.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v118/islandgirlsj/Quilting/quilt29.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v118/islandgirlsj/Quilting/quilt32.jpg

Next I did one for my son.
(sending post now, and will continue in the next one, since I had to many images. ) :cool:

[islandgirlsj]

Okay... back to my Sons...
He picked out the pattern from a magazine, and then we went and he picked out all the fabric patterns he wanted. I actually *love* the way it looked in the end.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v118/islandgirlsj/Quilting/quilt9.jpg

here is more of the "yellow" end
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v118/islandgirlsj/Quilting/quilt12.jpg

and a few close ups.
Mind you, when your looking at my stars, no laughing allowed. Haha.. they don't all line up exactly. Ahhh... the joys of learning.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v118/islandgirlsj/Quilting/quilt25.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v118/islandgirlsj/Quilting/quilt23.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v118/islandgirlsj/Quilting/quilt19.jpg

and a shot of the back. He just wanted large blocks... it turend out kinda funky fun.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v118/islandgirlsj/Quilting/quilt14.jpg

I have one last one to share, one I did for my nephew.
Coming up in next post.

[islandgirlsj]

These are not the best pictues because I took them a really really long time ago, and don't have the quilt now, as I gave it to my nephew.

Anyhow, it is a seek and find quilt, and each square is a different picture. That was when they are babies/ toddlers, you can have them looking for things.
It was a lot of fun, and easy to do.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v118/islandgirlsj/Quilting/Jakesquiltfront.jpg

And the back

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v118/islandgirlsj/Quilting/jakesquiltback.jpg

So I guess that is all I got to share.
Like I said, I'm dying to do another one, and am looking at vintage fabrices now that have caught my eye. :D

Thanks for letting me share!

[Peaches]

islandgirlsj

Wow!
Those are some beautifully vibrant quilts. I love the colors.

[islandgirlsj]

Thank you Peaches.
I had a good time working on them... even if they have a good amount of mistakes. Hahaa...

I think I was the thread killer.... nothing new since then.
YIKES! :eek:

[mmeblue]

Oh, islandgirlsj, don't think of yourself as a thread killer...think of the rest of us as lazy bums for not responding. :) I love your quilts, and I'm studying them very carefully since my next quilt is going to be a log cabin one and I'm not completely sure what kind of quilting I want to do on it.

Just for the heck of posting a picture, here are some strips I've cut for my log cabin quilt. :) (I've been doing more cross-stitching than quilting lately, so I don't expect to get this one done very soon.)

http://mmeblue.home.comcast.net/images/lcquilt1.jpg

[Pamela]

Islandgirl, those are gorgeous! I love the colours you used!

[Heidi]

A little late joining, but I haven't really had time to be on CC since the site has started - anyway...

Wow, I am so excited there is a quilting thread! I have been quilting since I was a sophomore in college, so about 7-8 years. I have made about 8-10 quilts (can remember them all right now at work!). I can't wait to post some of the photos, but that will have to wait until I get home.

The quilts all of you have posted are gorgeous! I am glad I have a group to share quilting with. My MIL quilts as well as many of her friends, so I often get to tag along on their road trips to quilt stores (here in rural Vermont it is usually an hour drive to get to any around us). She knows where the best stores are!

Are any of you familiar with Keepsake Quilting in NH? They have a great catalogue that I drool over for a month before ordering anything. I have been to their store once and it was like heaven!

I will be back later to show off some of my own projects, but for now, Happy Quilting!

H

[Heidi]

I'm back. I just realized I had a photo of the baby quilt I made for my nephew (I didn't know the gender at the time I made it). It is one of my favorites I have made, and fairly simple too!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5df10b3127cce9fd26307ced700000015108AaNGjRo1ctR

at the bottom it says (I embroidered the text)
in a crinkle • covers crinkle • snuggle deep • off to sleep

[Little Angel '77]

Can I ask, I love quilts, and have always wanted to make one, and when I quit my job someday, I would love to do it in my free time.

Can someone list the tools you need? and a site to learn how to do it?

[Peaches]

Can someone list the tools you need?

When I started I bought a cutting mat, a ruler and a rotary blade-style cutting tool. The only thing I would recomend is that you buy a large cutting mat and ruler. I find mine too small for a lot of cutting work.

I can't help you with a website but checkout your local library for books. I taught myself using books. Also, make your first project something SMALL :)

[Little Angel '77]

Thanks! I am going to go to Michaels one day this week, and look into it :)
I am so excited. I wanted a new hobby for the winter.

[Heather719]

Hi Ladies-

Hi Ladies-

I am expecting my first child and haven't found any baby bedding I love, expect for this quilt from Eddie Baurer Home:
http://images.snapfish.com/3454%3B%3C6%3B23232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2333%3D687%3D825 %3DXROQDF%3E23242374683%3C5ot1lsi

My aunt has generously offered to make this for me! However, she needs a pattern to work off of. Does anyone know where I could find this pattern or anything similar? I realize the pic isn't the best- but it's the best I have to work with. Who the heck would think Eddie Baurer Home would go out of business?!

I know this may be a shot in the dark, but I appreciate any help you can provide!

-Heather

[Coccinelle]

I'm just getting into quilting! :) I have been taking a class over the past 10 weeks through the community's adult ed program and I absolutely LOVE quilting! I have almost finished up a log cabin style quilt for my daughter. I have the top completely pieced together and am meeting with the class teacher on Monday morning to put the rest together. She is a seamstress and has one of those huge quilting machines and she is going to set me up with it so that I can stitch the top, batting, and back all together at once. I'm SO excited to finish it up..it has been so cool watching it come together piece by piece! :D

What is your favorite pattern to quilt?

[ks_piper]

I've been quilting since my early 20's. My mom taught me when I was on Christmas break one year in college. I didn't quilt for a few years and picked it back up when I was about 25. :)

I love it! I don't care for the piecing (boring!) but I love picking the pattern and all the fabrics. Handquilting is my fav part by far. Love it!

For those of you learning to handquilt - stick with it! The needle rocking actually has a very different look to it than just the stabbing up and down. The rocking actually goes much more quickly than stabbing too, once you get the hang of it.

I highly recommend the Q-snap frames - they are pvc pipe and come in squares and rectangles of various sizes. I swear by them.

Oh, and use the best quality handquilting thread you can find. I order Valdani threads but also love Mettler threads too. And swear by Thread Heaven conditioner to make your thread go more easily through all the layers.

Batting - I go with low loft Pure and Natural or any other 100% cotton batting. I find that some folks are sensitive to the polyester stuff and I like the thinness of the 100% cotton. Not bulky, but still very very warm. It is more expensive, but totally worth it in my book.

Here's the last quilt I finished for a friend's son - folks contributed the squares, I developed the pattern for the top and did all the handwork in a jewel tone varigated thread:

Handwork and binding from the back of the quilt. I cheat and machine my binding to the quilt.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/k_piper_t/quilt/7cb8699f.jpg

More handwork...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/k_piper_t/quilt/finished005.jpg

The quilt from the front. I love it because the squares are done by different people and most weren't quilters so they wrote things on them, and did other creative stuff instead. Came together beautifully I think.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/k_piper_t/quilt/finished002.jpg

I've done several others, but don't have pictures of them. And I've got a new one in-progress.

I'm working on a puesdo-quilting project for my kids this weekend for my new quilting group my mom and I joined. I'll post pictures when I'm done. :)

[mmeblue]

ks_piper, wow! That looks great. Your quilting stitches are beautiful! :) Honestly, I think the piecing is my favorite part - I love seeing it all come together.

I finished two more quilts in December that I never posted in this thread.

This one was a baby quilt for my cousin and his wife (she's due in the spring, and we drew their names for Christmas presents):
http://mmeblue.home.comcast.net/images/rfq1fin.jpg

And this is a log cabin quilt that I just did for myself:
http://mmeblue.home.comcast.net/images/lcqfin.jpg

Right now I'm working on another baby quilt, this one for a friend of mine. I should be quilting it right now, actually, but I didn't feel like working on it tonight. Here's the top:
http://mmeblue.home.comcast.net/images/kqtop.jpg

I'm doing the diagonals on the 9-patch blocks, and an outline of a baseball on the larger blocks. (You can't really see it in that picture, but one of the fabrics is of little baseballs - that's what the theme in the baby's room will be.)

[JJP]

http://images.snapfish.com/3454%3B%3C6%3B23232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2333%3D687%3D825 %3DXROQDF%3E23242374683%3C5ot1lsi

My aunt has generously offered to make this for me! However, she needs a pattern to work off of. Does anyone know where I could find this pattern or anything similar? -

Heather - That pattern is called "Job's Troubles" and is a classic quilt pattern. I believe it is so named because all of the meticulous, tiny piecing required is akin to the trials of Job in the Bible. Your aunt is quite generous! You can probably find the pattern in any classic quilting book such as this. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0848724747/qid=1138730504/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i2_xgl14/102-1474353-3794543?n=507846&s=books&v=glance)

[Heidi]

mmeblue - the baby quilt is wonderful. I am starting a baby quilt for a friend now as well, and I was planning on doing a log cabin (with smaller blocks) but after seeing that photo I think I might change my pattern!

[ks_piper]

Not really quilting, but I worked on this fusible applique project for my quilting group's February meeting. It's for my daughter. I'm going to do one for my son in light blue with bugs. It was lots of fun. All the embroidery is hand done. It was good to get some practice since I haven't done embroidery in ages. My mom seems to think I might be able to make and sell these - not sure about that one, but it was tons of fun to make.

Butterfly on the back - high center:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/k_piper_t/quilted%20jackets/playtime-earlyfeb018.jpg

Butterfly detail on the front:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/k_piper_t/quilted%20jackets/playtime-earlyfeb017.jpg

Close-up of front placket:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/k_piper_t/quilted%20jackets/playtime-earlyfeb016.jpg

Close-up of flower stalk:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/k_piper_t/quilted%20jackets/playtime-earlyfeb015.jpg

Front view of jacket:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/k_piper_t/quilted%20jackets/playtime-earlyfeb014.jpg

[firefly]

keely I recognized your handiwork immediatly,


I made 2 quilts this past week I just knotted them and they were much like the one ks piper posted the squares were completed by the kids at my daughters preschool and i stitched them up for the baby shower last night. :eek: I do not recommend quilting under pressure like that. my next project will be a windmill one for my oldest daughter she loves this one

http://www.fatquartershop.com/images/images_499/PinwheelKtNew-450.jpg

it's actually a fat quarters quilt. and this time I want to actually quilt it.

what is the best way to learn how to quilt.. what size needles do you use?

I used "warm and white" as the liner. 100% cotton.. I have some quilter's betweener needles and Those seem so small to get a lot of stiches on to

[firefly]

bump

[firefly]

http://quiltcamp.com/QuiltCamp/GlorifiedNinePatch.jpg

http://home.earthlink.net/~sfoster1/glorified9.jpg

http://www.realizations-mt.com/images/family/sandra_glorified9patch.jpg

[firefly]

here's the 'pattern'

http://www.geocities.com/guwood/INP.jpg

http://quiltcamp.com/QuiltCamp/GlorifiedNinePatchDrawing.gif

it's called the glorified 9 patch or the improved 9 patch. I saw it int the december 2005 mccall's quilting mag

[ks_piper]

Holly ~

Curves and and star type patterns are VERY hard to quilt. I'd suggest doing a pattern based on squares and rectangles first. It is much easier to piece and to get your pattern to line up right. Log cabin, ninepatch, and melon ball are all excellent first patterns. And really, you can do a ton with them colorwise to jazz them up.

As for needles, I started with a size 10 (I think) pretty small on the scale of quilting needles. I think the only smaller size is a 12. It was actually easier for me to learn on a smaller needle. It takes time to develop a stitch pattern and to become comfortable with taking stitches using the rocking motion. After many years of quilting I can finally take 5 stitches per needle run - crazy huh? You'll get there with time.

[firefly]

what makes them harder exactly the lining up of lines? (did that make sense?) like when you drive by an orchard and all the trees make horizontal vertical and diagonal lines? k

I've signed up for a quilting class but it does't start until april. but we're going to be making "hayes corner"

do you have any places or ideas where there are blank coloring pages for hayes corner? so I can play with color

[ks_piper]

Curves are very hard to cut and piece. Anything that requires the meeting of points that's aren't 90 degree angles is harder to piece. There is really no room for error in cutting or piecing the pieces together in those type of patterns. Your cutting and piecing has to be dead-on or it skews the whole pattern a bit and that makes it hard to correct the problem - it kind of snowballs.

I tried to do a pattern with lots of matching points for my first quilt (I rotary cut) and had to scrap the project. Too hard. Granted, I am self-taught when it comes to cutting and piecing so that probably made it harder for me, but I had great success with a pretty nine-patch pattern (some squares in lights and some in darks for contrast) and a melon-ball pattern.

I just think you're likely to have a better experience with something that is easier, kwim? If it becomes really hard to line up and such you will be more likely to get frustrated.

Just my $.02!

[mmeblue]

Try doing a search for Tennessee Waltz quilts - it's straight cutting & sewing, but it gives the illusion of curves. Not quite the same as the one you posted, but I'll bet you could work a 9-patch in if you pulled out some graph paper to sketch it out. :)

[firefly]

http://www.fourthcornerquilts.com/QuiltPhotos/custSaraD_Large.jpg

that's a very pretty pattern too. (it's the tennessee waltz quilt)

[Jenn (and Bill)]

Hey quilting gals....i have a question for you. I'm going to have a t-shirt quilt made for my mom and I need some opinions from people who know about quilting, which isn't me. I think I've narrowed it down to RossCommon and Goosetracks websites. They seem to do it differently though. I think the Ross Common people just take the squares and attach them at the sides. Whereas the Goosetracks people actually machine sew through the shirt so it's more quilted. Which do you think would be better? I'm not entirely sure my mother would want to use it everyday as her bedding or if she'd want it as a throw. So I'm having a really hard time picking all this stuff out. If you have any advice, I'd appreciate it.

[mmeblue]

First off, Jenn (and Bill): I saw your question last week, but I've never done any quilting with t-shirts, so I can't really provide a good answer. Sorry! :o

Second, I just finished a baby quilt for a friend. :) Here's the whole thing:

http://mmeblue.home.comcast.net/images/kqfull.jpg

The blocks are 6" squares; finished size is 42" x 54". The piecing was done by machine and the quilting by hand; I quilted along the diagonals of the 9-patch blocks, and a baseball in each of the solid blocks. The baby's room has a baseball theme, and my friend picked out the fabrics for the quilt.

Here's a picture of the back of the quilt, where you can see the quilting design a little better (flash didn't go off on this one, sorry):
http://mmeblue.home.comcast.net/images/kqback.jpg

And a close-up of the fabrics:
http://mmeblue.home.comcast.net/images/kqcu.jpg

I didn't get it done in time for her baby shower, but the baby hasn't been born yet, so I feel okay about it. ;) I'm going to give it to her on Friday - hopefully she'll like it!

[firefly]

it's beautiful. I need to go and pay for my quilting class.. ack

[SiValleySteph]

I wanted to bump this up. I've been having this insane idea going round my head for a while that I want to take up quilting. Like I have any time.

The idea I have is to use recycled fabric (aka clothes from goodwill or garage sales) and make a mosaic quilt where it is all squares in some kind of color pattern. Yes, it's odd. I do have a sewing machine, but I don't even know where to begin.

I'd better mull this over for a few more weeks...

[katmg]

My best friend's mom actually has done gorgeous quilts that don't have a pattern per se, but blend from one color to the next, to the next. The last one she did was absolutely beautiful, so the idea isn't totally crazy! I don't really know the "name" of the style of quilt she did, but I think it did have one.

[21daisygurl]

My grandmother is HUGE into quilting. She is just so talented.
This weekend she let each grandchild choose a quilt. The one I really wanted she wouldn't give up. So this was my second choice. It is called block party. I chose it b/c it has a "wild" look to it (as opposed to a nice patterned look) and looks like I think a quilt is meant to look you know? (Although I do have a soft spot for patterend quilts too).
You like?
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/21daisygurl/quilt.jpg

[Heidi]

21daisygurl - I like it! The first 2 quilts I made were scrap quilts made from fabrics of my childhood (dresses, outfits my mom made for me). Those 2 are probably my favorites over all of the "pattern" quilts I have made!

[Fantom07]

I'm *just* starting my first quilt - it's a monkey wrench pattern that I'm making for friends who are graciously letting me crash at their place in San Jose in a couple of months.

I've cut out the brown and the blue (secondary colors) and I'm now working on the green. Ugh - all the peices are a PITA to cut - I can't WAIT until I get to start sewing!

[kissmary]

Anyone make anything lately? I've been quilting all the time lately, and have a few projects I'm working on. Pictures to come when it's sunny out.

[pixielou]

I had my first quilting class last night. It's only 5 classes, meeting every other week. So I have 2 weeks to decide on my pattern, buy my fabric and make my templates. our instructor told us not to do any cutting until she inspects our templates!

So - should I look thru my quilt book and pick a pattern/patterns? And then go shopping for fabrics? Or should I go buy my fabric, and then come home and figure out a pattern to use? I'm still trying to figure out what exactly I'm going to make? A lap quilt? Wall hanging? Need to figure out how much time I can devote to this in the next 10 weeks - and realistically, what can I accomplish?

My ultimate goal is to make a quilt for my daughter (she's only 3 now) out of my favorite baby clothes. Instead of just cutting up the clothes, I'm thinking of appliqueing parts of the clothes onto square. For instance, I have her coming home from the hospital sleeper - I would cut out the arm and part of the bodice and applique that on to a block. Still thinking this idea thru. (Plus I won't allow her to get married until she's 35 - so I do have 32 years to complete this project!)

~pixie

[pixielou]

I've been having a great time in my quilting class. Though I have hardly made any progress. The last class is tomorow night, and I *finally* finished my first square last night! Here it is - it's King's X.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/pixielou_house/misc%20photos%20-%20for%20cc/KingsX.jpg?t=1196889955

I've cut out the fabric for my next square - Bridal Wreath. So I can learn applique. My goal is to get that square finished before the next quilting class begins in March!

[jenjunum]

I'd like to ask my grandmother to make a quilt for my baby (or feel out if she's already started one, or wants to make one). She makes a lot of quilts for special occasions so I'm sure she probably was planning on making one. I would sort of like to direct the quilt making a little bit so I can get the colors and the theme I'm going for. She gave my little sister patterns to pick from some I'm hoping that wouldn't offend her. I also want to pick out (and buy) some of the fabric so that I can buy extra for some other projects.

Anyway, since I know nothing about quilting I'm looking for a source for some quilting patterns and maybe fabric. I'm looking for something with a jungle theme I think. Perhaps something like this:
http://www.mothercare.com/gp/product/B000JIDUJQ
So not a traditional geometric pattern.

My grandmother is pretty advanced so I think she could handle pretty much anything I could throw at her.

Thanks for your help.