Tuesday 4 August 2015

VW Camper Van Quilt - Longarm quilting with Cuddlesoft / Minky

Mk1 VW Camper Van Quilt
Mk1 VW Camper Van Quilt
This VW Camper Van quilt was a fun quilt to do.  It was made as a gift for a VW Camper loving teenager, so I imagine it is going to get some heavy use on camping trips.

Camper Van fabric designed by Victoria Louise, Craft Cotton
Camper Van fabric designed by Victoria Louise, Craft Cotton
The main camper van fabric is  designed by Victoria Louise for Craft Cotton and using the Mk 1 VW camper van motifs on the fabric a larger applique pattern had been designed to add a focus to the quilt.

Double-sided Cuddlesoft fabric Minky
Double-sided Cuddlesoft fabric
On the back of the quilt was a double sided cuddlesoft / minky fabric.  Oh boy! This was one of the best quality fur fabrics I have ever felt.  The double-sided cuddlesoft gave it a wonderful depth of softness, which might have been enough for the quilt, but on this occasion we decided to put a lightweight polyester wadding between the top and the back to make it more substantial - after all it was for a teenager. An alternative may have been to add layer of cotton flannel instead of the wadding.  This provides a foundation layer to a pieced front and a knitted backing and is soft enough to keep the cuddly character of the cuddlesoft fabric.  But as with all quilts, it depends on its future use and the clients preferences.
Double-sided Cuddlesoft fabric Minky
Double-sided Cuddlesoft fabric
Anyway, this fabric was great before it was quilted, but once it was on the longarm machine it was transformed (Pattern: 'Ginger Flowers by Hermione Agee).  It felt great and looked amazing. It really showcased the quilting pattern, adding interest to the back without dominating the camper van theme on the front.
Mk1 VW Camper Van Quilt
Mk1 VW Camper Van Quilt
As Cuddlesoft / Minky is essentially a knitted fabric it does have a bit of a one-way stretch in it and this was something that had to be given careful consideration when mounting it onto the longarm quilting frame.  Also when it was stitched, the pile from the cuddlesoft did sometimes pop through to the front, so the colour combination may also be something to consider if choosing it for backing your quilt.  I would imagine that this would subside with use and a wash.

Sunday 2 August 2015

Project Linus UK - Festival of Quilts 2015

Eye Spy Charm Square Quilt
Eye Spy Charm Square Quilt

I love spotting all the different fabrics in an Eye Spy quilt.  This one had dogs, food and aliens in it!  This is another special quilt destined for Project Linus UK (South East Wales).  At this stage we don't know who it will be for, so it has been quilted with a 'Starlets' pattern, so that it is appropriate for a range of recipients.

Pattern ' Starlets' by Patricia Ritter
Pattern ' Starlets' by Patricia Ritter

Pattern ' Starlets' by Patricia Ritter
Pattern ' Starlets' by Patricia Ritter 

If you are interested in getting involved with Project Linus UK, they will be at the Festival of Quilts this week, from 6th - 9th August 2015, at the NEC, Birmingham.


Saturday 1 August 2015

Heart Quilt - Project Linus UK

 
Pattern 'Ginger Hearts' by Hermione Agee
Pattern 'Ginger Hearts' by Hermione Agee
Often when presented with a quilt for longarming there are several designs which might be suitable, each of which would give the quilt a quite different character.  However, on this occasion when I saw this heart quilt I immediately thought of a pattern 'Ginger Hearts' by Hermione Agee.  It has a lovely flow, which provides the quilt with an even all over stitch, making it a great quilt to cuddle.

Digital Pattern 'Ginger Hearts' by Hermione Agee
Pattern 'Ginger Hearts' by Hermione Agee
It is stitched using a vey pale pink Isacord thread, which looks great on the pink and the white background.

Heart Quilt - Project Linus UK South East Wales
Heart Quilt - Project Linus UK
This small quilt has been made by one of the volunteers of the Project Linus UK(South East Wales). If you are interested in getting involved with Project Linus UK, they will be at the Festival of Quilts this week, from 6th - 9th August 2015, at the NEC, Birmingham.