Wednesday 25 December 2019

Happy Christmas from Fabadashery Longarm Quilting

Val's Blue Dove Church Banner
Val's Blue Dove Church Banner
Happy Christmas to you all!
It seems like it has been an exceptionally busy year at Fabadashery Longarm Quilting and I have enjoyed every minute of it.  Thank you to all my customers who have kindly shared their quilts with me.  I love every quilt that has come in and I love it even more that I am able to help you finish your quilts.  
Throughout December, I have shared just some of the quilts that I have done, there are many more and many which are being gifted as Christmas presents which have had to be kept under wraps.
Today's quilt is a church banner made by Val which I custom quilted - the doves have a trapunto effect and stand out from the main quilt. On this occasion the back shows more detail of the quilting than the front. 
The dove is a symbol of peace and I wish you peace in 2020.
Val's Blue Dove Church Banner - back
Val's Blue Dove Church Banner - back

Tuesday 24 December 2019

Advent Day 24 - Mary's Wedding Anniversary Labyrinth Quilt

Fabadashery Longarm Quilting - Custom Quilting
This is Mary's version of the 'Labyrinth' quilt using Stonehenge fabrics in browns and golds.  Mary made this quilt to gift to her family, who were celebrating a special wedding anniversary.  Mary had seen another custom quilted quilt I had done and wanted something similar for hers.  The Labyrinth quilt has lots of white / tone on tone spaces which are ideal for custom feathers and the like, so I was more than happy to help.
Fabadashery Longarm Quilting - Custom Quilting
Fabadashery Longarm Quilting - Custom Quilting
These photos were taken when the quilt was still on the longarm frame. When I am out and about doing talks, quilters all want to know how to do feathers - all I can say is practice, practice, practice.  I must have spent a year drawing feathers on paper before I had the courage to do them on a quilt, but when I did, my muscle memory knew what I was trying to do and I surprised myself at how good they looked. I wonder what new things I will be doing on quilts in 2020?
Wedding Anniversary Quilt, made by Mary,  quilted by Frances Meredith, Fabadashery Longarm Quilting
Wedding Anniversary Quilt, made by Mary,
 quilted by Frances Meredith, Fabadashery Longarm Quilting

Wedding Anniversary Quilt, made by Mary,  quilted by Frances Meredith, Fabadashery Longarm Quilting
Wedding Anniversary Quilt, made by Mary,
 quilted by Frances Meredith, Fabadashery Longarm Quilting

Advent Day 23 - Jenny's Stonefield Quilt

Jenny's Stonefields Quilt, quilted by Frances Meredith
Jenny's Stonefield Quilt, quilted by Frances Meredith
The busy lead up to Christmas  is over with the last customer quilt done and returned back to them.  Before the end of 2018, Jenny dropped off her Stonefileds quilt for custom quilting, so that it would be done in time for display at the 2019 NEC Festival of Quilts in the Two Person Category.
Jenny's Stonefields Quilt, quilted by Frances Meredith
Jenny's Stonefield Quilt, quilted by Frances Meredith
Almost all the small blocks are unique and it made it interesting to quilt as I could treat each block as its own miniature, just like the quilts I personally enjoy piecing.  Another lovely quilt to have been a part of in 2019 and another one for my own bucket list!
Jenny's Stonefields Quilt, quilted by Frances Meredith
Jenny's Stonefield Quilt, quilted by Frances Meredith

Sunday 22 December 2019

Advent Day 22 - Evelyn's over the Hill felt applique quilt

Evelyn's 'Over the Hill' felt applique quilt
Evelyn's 'Over the Hill' felt applique quilt
One of the most dangerous things about being a longarm quilter for customers is that they bring you lovely quilt projects which you think you would like to make yourself. Evelyn brought this lovely 'Over the Hill' quilt top designed by Wendy Williams to me for custom quilting.  The majority of the quilt is felt applique, with a mix of Kaffe Fassett Collective fabrics and textured linens and cottons.
Evelyn's 'Over the Hill' felt applique quilt
Evelyn's 'Over the Hill' felt applique quilt
I custom quilted this quit top to make the precise applique look its best and to add differing textures to each square. Below you can see all the felt flying geese - yes, each of these was appliqued.  A really delightful quilt which was fun to custom quilt.
Evelyn's 'Over the Hill' felt applique quilt
Evelyn's 'Over the Hill' felt applique quilt

Saturday 21 December 2019

Advent Day 21 - Margaret's Bright Modern Quilt

Margaret's Bright Modern Quilt
Margaret's Bright Modern Quilt
With 4 days to go, I have just checked to see if we will be getting a white Christmas  where I live - at the moment it is  only 25% chance and 6 degrees C forecast ... maybe not this year.  No fear, as earlier this year I used one of my new digital pantographs 'Snowballs' designed by Anne Bright on a lovely bright quilt made by Margaret.  It is a lovely swirls and circles longarm quilting pattern, so I can see it being used a lot more in 2020.
Margaret's Bright Modern Quilt, featuring Snowballs
Margaret's Bright Modern Quilt, featuring Snowballs
Margaret contacted me from France, wondering whether Fabadashery Longarm Quilting could quilt a couple of quilts for her whilst she was visiting the UK.  It all worked out and she went home with tow finished quilts.
Margaret's Bright Modern Quilt, featuring Snowballs
Snowballs digital pantograph by Anne Bright

Friday 20 December 2019

Advent Day 20 - Diana's upholstery fabric quilt

Following on from an earlier post about fabrics with different textures - this is Diana's quilt where she has combined floral upholstery weight fabrics with a batik.  Her colour combinations could not be more perfect and she did a great job of bringing these scraps together.
The quilt top was quite busy, so the quilting is quite difficult to see, but we used an elegant pattern, Nemesh Feathers, with flourishes and flounces to compliment the big flowers.
'Nemesh Feathers' designed by Bethan Nemesh

Wednesday 18 December 2019

Advent Day 19 - Star Wars Release Date

'The Force' digital pantograph designed by Crystal Smythe
In the UK today the new Star Wars Film Episode 9: The Rise of Skywalker, is released.  Just in case you happen to making a Star Wars related quilt I do have a quilting pattern in the style of the emblem used by the Resistance and the Rebel Alliance under Princess Leia Organa.  If you allegiance is with the Dark Side, I am sure we can find something else ....

Advent Day 18 - Sandra's Patchwork Corner Quilt

Sandra's Blue Linen Quilt, with Ginger Hearts Pattern
Sandra's Blue Linen Quilt, with Ginger Hearts Pattern
One of the things I enjoy about being a longarm quilter is that I get to work with fabric everyday.  Not all fabrics are the same and different combinations make for a different type of quilt. Sandra brought me this huge (97" x 82") quilt made from linens and French Chambray fabric, purchased from The Patchwork Corner.  These types of fabrics have a different texture and I just LOVE how the quilting really highlights it.
Sandra's Blue Linen Quilt - Patchwork Corner
Sandra's Blue Linen Quilt - Patchwork Corner
The quilt was a present for a family member, so obviously it was showered with love, with this pretty 'Ginger Hearts' quilting pattern by Apricot Moon.
'Ginger Hearts' quilt pattern by Apricot Moon
'Ginger Hearts' quilt pattern by Apricot Moon

Tuesday 17 December 2019

Advent Day 17 - Julie's Pride and Joy (Kim Diehl Quilt)

Julie's 'Pride and Joy' Kim Diehl quilt
Julie's 'Pride and Joy' Kim Diehl quilt
Julie is one of my postal customers, sending her quilts up from Cornwall.  This is her 'Pride and Joy' quilt, a Kim Diehl pattern from her Helping Hands Collection.  Once I had longarm quilted Julie's quilt, I realised that several of her friends were making the same quilt and gradually they all came for quilting one by one.  
Julie's 'Pride and Joy' Kim Diehl quilt
Julie's 'Pride and Joy' Kim Diehl quilt
I love Kim Diehl fabrics and used them for my Dear Jane quilt, in fact I probably have enough Kim Diehl fabric left over to make this quilt myself! Again, Popcorn by Willow Leaf Studio came to the rescue as an ideal quilting pattern, especially with the gold thread on the navy 'Thistle Farm' Moda extra wide backing fabric
'Popcorn' quilting pattern by Willow Leaf Studio

Monday 16 December 2019

Advent Day 16 - New Digital Quilting Patterns

Here are some more new quilting patterns which I have added to my library: Bubble Bath by Naomi Hynes, New Dehli by Patricia Ritter and Paradise Feathers by Keryn Emmerson.  These patterns and many more are waiting for your quilts in 2020.




Sunday 15 December 2019

Advent Day 15 - Gwinith's Red, White and Black Hexagon Quilt

Gwinith's Red, White and Black Hexagon Quilt
Gwinith's Red, White and Black Hexagon Quilt
Following on from Margie's red, white and black quilt yesterday, today I am sharing Gwinith's stunning hexagon quilt.  Throughout the year I have quilted a lot of hand pieced hexagon quilts and as with all patchwork patterns, it is amazing the to see the different effects colour placement and settings can make them look so different. If you type 'hexagon' into the Search box on the right menu, you will get a whole variety of some of the quilts I have done.
Gwinith's Red, White and Black Hexagon Quilt
Gwinith's Red, White and Black Hexagon Quilt
One of the Fabadashery quilting patterns which works well on them is 'Popcorn' by Willow Leaf Studio - below you can see how great it looks on the back of the quilt too.
'Popcorn' quilting pattern by Willow Leaf Studio
'Popcorn' quilting pattern by Willow Leaf Studio

Saturday 14 December 2019

Advent Day 14 - Margie's London Quilt

 Margie's London Quilt
 Margie's London Quilt
Today is the last day for posting letters to the USA and Canada from the UK if you want them to get there in time for Christmas.  Margie wasn't taking any risks with postage and we managed to get this quilt quilted and packed in her bags ready to take with her as she visited family abroad.  It was a big quilt, so I don't know if she managed to fit in anything else! The theme of this quilt is London  - with London buses and Soldiers changing the guard outside Buckingham Palace - it made for a great red, black and white quilt, finished off with Ginger Stars.
'Ginger Stars' designed by Apricot Moon

Friday 13 December 2019

Advent Day 13 - June's Blue and Yellow Batik Baby Quilt

June's Blue and Yellow Batik Baby Quilt
June's Blue and Yellow Batik Baby Quilt
Look at these beautiful blue and yellow batik fabrics which June has used to make a lovely baby quilt. 
June's Blue and Yellow Batik Baby Quilt
June's Blue and Yellow Batik Baby Quilt
The quilting pattern which June chose is called 'Spilled Ink' and has a lovely loose swirly pattern.
'Spilled Ink' digital pantograph designed by Sarah AnnMyers
'Spilled Ink' digital pantograph designed by Sarah AnnMyers

Thursday 12 December 2019

Advent Day 12 - Rhoda's Down the Veggie Patch Baby Quilt with Bottom Line Thread

Rhoda's Down the Veggie Patch Baby Quilt with Bottom Line Thread
Rhoda's Down the Veggie Patch Baby Quilt with Bottom Line Thread
There are lots of different opinions out there with regard to longarm quilting.  One concern is that the quilting can look TOO much on a quilt.  The above photo is of Rhoda's lovely 'Down the Veggie Patch' quilt - can you see the quilting?  The prints in this quilt had a light etched quality and a normal 40 weight thread may have looked too heavy, so instead I suggested a thinner 60 weight thread.  In this case it was Superior Threads Bottom Line 60wt in Ivory.  I used this on the top and the bottom and I often suggest this as a solution for group quilts which have hand writing or signatures on them, especially when they need to be clearly read.
Rhoda's Down the Veggie Patch Baby Quilt with Bottom Line Thread
Rhoda's Down the Veggie Patch Baby Quilt with Bottom Line Thread
Another way to push back the quilting is to use a pattern which is quite open and balanced, in this case we used 'Dragon Wings' which went well with the nature / garden theme.  
Rhoda's Down the Veggie Patch Baby Quilt with Bottom Line Thread
Rhoda's Down the Veggie Patch Baby Quilt with Bottom Line Thread
All I know is that every quilt that comes in my door is different and requires its own special , individual attention. This is one of Rhoda's first quilts - she did an amazing job!
'Dragon Wings' digital quilt pattern by Apricot Moon

Wednesday 11 December 2019

Advent Day 11 - Mary's Friendship Plait Quilt with Modern Curves

Mary's Friendship Plait Quilt with Modern Curves pattern  designed by Anita Shackleford
Mary's Friendship Plait Quilt with Modern Curves pattern
designed by Anita Shackleford
This is Mary's Friendship Plait quilt, done in soft traditional prints.  The reason I have chosen to show you this lovely quilt is because the digital quilting pattern she chose was the ever popular 'Modern Curves'.  Usually this quilt pattern is popular on modern and contemporary prints, but look how stunning it looks on this quilt, emphasising the vertical plaits.
Mary's Friendship Plait Quilt with Modern Curves pattern  designed by Anita Shackleford
Mary's Friendship Plait Quilt with Modern Curves pattern 
designed by Anita Shackleford

Tuesday 10 December 2019

Advent Day 10 - New Modern Patterns - Modern Pick Up Sticks and Amusement

I never know what quilts are going to come through my door and my primary aim is to offer quilting solutions which are going to enhance the quilts which my customer brings along.  I have recently added these two modern quilting patterns to my library - Modern Pick Up Sticks and Amusement.

Monday 9 December 2019

Advent Day 9 - Barbara's Judie Rothermel Row By Row Quilt

Barbara's Judie Rothermel Row By Row Quilt
Barbara's Judie Rothermel Row By Row Quilt
Barbara has made this Judie Rothermal Row by Row quilt in lovely coloured fabrics.  Barbara always makes lovely quilts and with a queue of lovely quilts waiting for her busy fingers, Fabadashery Longarm Quilting helps out by doing the quilting for her. 
Barbara's Judie Rothermel Row By Row Quilt
Barbara's Judie Rothermel Row By Row Quilt
Looking at this photo, it looks like it was the first quilt I completed in Fabadashery's new home - the room next door to where I used to do all my quilting.
'Wave on Wave' digital quilt pattern designed by Patricia Ritter
'Wave on Wave' digital quilt pattern designed by Patricia Ritter
I have taken a photo of the back of the quilt. Barbara chose a lovely soft grey rose patterned fabric.  I think it is important to choose the fabric for the back of quilt carefully.  If you will be having a digital quilting pattern, you will have a beautiful even pattern across the back, which will serve as a quilt on its own, as you can see here.  The pattern Barbara chose for her quilt was Wave on Wave  designed by Patricia Ritter.
'Wave on Wave' digital quilt pattern designed by Patricia Ritter
'Wave on Wave' digital quilt pattern designed by Patricia Ritter

Sunday 8 December 2019

Advent Day 8 - Julia's Caswell Quilt

'Caswell Quilt' made by Julia,  quilted by Frances Meredith, Fabadashery Longarm Quilting
'Caswell Quilt' made by Julia,
 quilted by Frances Meredith, Fabadashery Longarm Quilting
At the beginning of the year I had the pleasure of quilting this beautiful 'Caswell' Quilt for Julia, who is a member of the Little Coxwell Quilters.  This is a picture of it just as I had taken it of the quilting frame - perhaps my favourite part of the longarm quilting process.  If I catch the sun at the right time of day, it crosses the quilt emphasising all the quilting I have just done.
'Caswell Quilt' made by Julia,  quilted by Frances Meredith, Fabadashery Longarm Quilting
'Caswell Quilt' made by Julia,
 quilted by Frances Meredith, Fabadashery Longarm Quilting
This is not the first Caswell Quilt I have done (and I know it will not be the last!).  Several ladies in the same talented group have made the same quilt, adding their own personal twist.