Sunday 29 April 2018

3-D Optical Illusion Quilt (Jan Hassard Workshop) made Dorothy, quilted by Frances Meredith at Fabadashery Longarm Quilting

'3-D Boxes' optical illusion quilt, Jan Hassard Workshop, made by Dorothy
Here is a picture of Dorothy's amazing 3-D Boxes quilt in the process of being quilted whilst on my longarm quilting machine. She made it at a workshop with Jan Hassard. Jan Hassard is based nearby to me in Bristol, UK, so I have had the pleasure of quilting several quilts which have been made as a result of her workshops, I have even done one of my own!
The designs are so striking that they deserve a striking  design, so the ever poplular 'Modern Curves', designed by Anita Shackleford, was used. Another stunning result!
'3-D Boxes' optical illusion quilt, Jan Hassard Workshop, made by Dorothy
'3-D Boxes' optical illusion quilt, Jan Hassard Workshop,
made by Dorothy

Wednesday 25 April 2018

Pat's Stack and Whack Quilt

Pat's Stack and Whack quilt with 'Popcorn' digital quilt pattern.
Pat's Stack and Whack quilt with 'Popcorn' digital quilt pattern.
When I am working in my Longarm Quilting studio in the Spring and Summer, the light comes through the window, highlighting the quilt pattern of the quilt I am stitching.  At these moments I sometimes manage to take a photo, like this one of Pat's lovely quilt.  It is a Stack and Whack pattern which uses some of Pat's lovely floral fabrics
Pat's Stack and Whack quilt with 'Popcorn' digital quilt pattern.
Pat's Stack and Whack quilt with 'Popcorn' digital quilt pattern.
An allover digital quilting design done on a longarm quilting machine is a great way to finish a quilt with an irregular pattern, like a Stack and Whack quilt.  The quilt pattern she chose was 'Popcorn' by Clothwerx for Willow Leaf Studio.  It is a popular design and always looks delightful once quilted.
'Popcorn' by Clothwerx for Willow Leaf Studio
'Popcorn' by Clothwerx for Willow Leaf Studio

Tuesday 17 April 2018

People's Choice Winner - British Quilt & Stitch Village 2018 - Nearly Insane Quilt by Frances Meredith

People's Choice Winner
British Quilt & Stitch Village 2018
Nearly Insane Quilt by Frances Meredith
My Nearly Insane quilt has been out and about again, this time to the British Quilt & Stitch Village 2018 at Uttoxeter, UK.  I had a call on Friday to say that it had won second place in the Traditional Quilt Category and I was over the moon.  I headed up there on Sunday to pick up the quilt and attended the prize-giving, only to discover that I had won the People's Choice Award, based on the vote of those who had attended the show. Along with a silver platter and a cash prize I also received a copy of a book on the history of the needle industry.
Thanks to everyone who voted for me!

Wednesday 11 April 2018

Making a quilt for man? Charm Square Quilt made by Elaine

Making a quilt for man?
Charm Square Quilt made by Elaine
Have you ever struggled to make a quilt for a man?  Elaine has made this great quilt for a male family member, using up her charm square scraps and a great denim coloured sashing.
'Diagonal Plaid - Bias Cut' digital
pantograph designed by Patricia Ritter
Amongst my digital quilt design library, which you can view on Pinterest, I have an ever growing selection of designs which are simple, modern and great for a wide range of quilt styles.  For Elaine's quilt, we chose a simple, but graphic 'Diagonal Plaid' pattern which gives an overall look of crosshatch quilting. 
Charm Square Quilt made by Elaine
The overall size of the quit was 62" x 78", with Hobbs wadding and stitched with a Persian Blue Glide thread.
'Diagonal Plaid - Bias Cut' digital 
pantograph designed by Patricia Ritter
Here you can see the 'Diagonal Plaind' digital pantograph pattern stitched out on the back of the quilt - a great quilt of its own.

Saturday 7 April 2018

Purple Charm Square Quilt made by Elaine, quilted by Frances Meredith, Fabadashery

Purple Charm Square Quilt made by Elaine,  quilted by Frances Meredith, Fabadashery
Purple Charm Square Quilt made by Elaine,
quilted by Frances Meredith, Fabadashery
Sometimes the simplest quilt patterns can produce the most spectacular results when quilted with a digital pantograph.  I think it is partly because it offers a relatively blank canvas in which to introduce a new dimension of character.  Elaine made this quilt for a family member - wow, what a lovley gift!
Purple Charm Square Quilt made by Elaine,  using Nightlight Digital Pantograph
Purple Charm Square Quilt made by Elaine, 
using Nightlight Digital Pantograph
Here is a close-up of the quilting on the purple squares.  I used a Warm Grey 4 Glide thread, which is a colour I use a lot on customer quilts as it blends so well with lots of colours.  Elaine purchased some Hobbs 80/20 wadding from Fabadashery Longarm Quilting, along with the grey circle backing fabric, which was a great match with the front of the quilt.
'Nightlight' digital pantograph  designed by Patricia Ritter
'Nightlight' digital pantograph
 designed by Patricia Ritter
The digital quilt pattern used on this quilt is 'Nightlight' designed by Patricia Ritter, one of the most popular patterns which I hold in my design library.
'Nightlight' digital pantograph  designed by Patricia Ritter
'Nightlight' digital pantograph
 designed by Patricia Ritter