En Provence Mystery 2016 Quilt made by Catherine

'En Provence' Bonnie Hunter 2016 Mystery Quilt made by Catherine

Did you join in the annual Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt?  I have just put an En Provence Mystery quilt on my long arm quilting machine and it reminded me that I hadn't shared one I quilted last month.This is Catherine's version of the 2016 Mystery Quilt, En Provence.  Catherine followed Bonnie's colour scheme, but what you probably can't appreciate on the web is that she made all the pieces half size!

'En Provence' Bonnie Hunter 2016 Mystery Quilt made by Catherine

With smaller pieces there were lots of seams which would have been a real struggle to hand quilt or even navigate on a domestic sewing machine.  Here at Fabadashery Long Arm quilting, my APQS Millie makes light work of even the bulkiest seams.

'Nightlight' digital quilting pattern stitched on plush fleece

On the back of the quilt Catherine chose a deep pile plush fabric which was beautifully soft.  Again, working with this fabric on a domestic machine would have been a struggle, but by mounting it on a large quilting frame the long arm made light work of it.  The pattern you can see is a lovely swirly digital pattern called 'Nightlight', designed by Patricia Ritter and Marybeth O'Halloran.

'Nightlight' digital quilting pattern designed by Patricia Ritter and Marybeth O'Halloran

Lynne's Charity Shop Quilt Challenge!

Lynne's quilt

Lynne is a lady who likes a challenge.  This quilt started as a half started quilt project found in a Charity Shop.  The grey fabrics had been partly pieced and Lynne added the solid colours to make up the borders and the sashing to create this amazing quilt.

Lynne's quilt

Lynne was determined to use every last scrap and used the grey pieces to make up a piano key border.

'Square Peg , Round Hole' Digital quilting pattern by Patricia Ritter and Tracey Russell

I finished off the quilt top by using my long arm quilting machine to stitch out this modern quilt pattern called 'Square Peg, Round Hole', which you can see quite clearly on the back of the quilt.

'Square Peg , Round Hole' Digital quilting pattern by Patricia Ritter and Tracey Russell

I am very lucky in my job to see all the creative work of my customers and to hear the stories behind each quilt!

Wye Knots Quilting and Patchwork Exhibition 2017 - Charity Quilt for Hands Around the World

Wye Knots Patchwork and Quilting Show 2017

I am part of the Wye Knots Quilting group based in Monmouth, Wales, and we have our exhibition coming up between 20th - 22nd April 2017.  I will have a couple of my quilts on display and if you would like to come and meet me, I will be stewarding on the Thursday.  It is being held in the Shire Hall, Agincourt Square, Monmouth NP25 3DY between 10am- 4pm.

Fundraising Quilt for Hands Around the World

Each year as a group we make a fundraising quilt which will also be on display.  This year it will be heading to Hands Around the World, a charity based in Monmouth, which seeks to help vulnerable children around the world, encouraging enthusiastic and well prepared volunteers to offer practical help, skill sharing, support and friendship.  My role is to quilt it on my long arm quilting machine and for this fun scrappy quilt I used  a pattern with lots of whirls and swirls called Turbulence designed by Apricot Moon.

'Turbulence' pantograph by Apricot Moon

Traditional Pinwheel Quilt in 1930's fabrics with a traditional Baptist Fan finish

With the possibilities offered by my APQS computerised quilting machine and the range of amazing patterns available, sometimes it can be overwhelming to choose something suitable for a quilt.  When Natalie arrived with this beautiful pinwheel quilt which she had made for a friend it called for something more traditional.

Pinwheel Quilt made by Natalie

The prints are all 1930's reproduction fabrics in lovely bright colours and after some deliberation, Natalie chose a traditional Baptist Fan pattern which was a utilitarian quilt pattern used a lot in the late 19th century.

'Baptist Fan' digital pantograph on a traditional Pinwheel Quilt

Here you can see the Baptist Fan pattern stitched out using the digital pattern whilst it was on the quilting frame.  We used a Glide thread in an off-white 'Linen' colour, which kept the overall feel of the quilt fresh.

'Baptist Fab' Digital Pantograph designed by Jessica Schick

National Robotics Week - Quilts for Electronic Enthusiasts!

'Boltz' Pantograph designed by Kyla Trammel and Patricia Ritter

Tomorrow is the start of National Robotics Week.  If you are making a quilt for an electronics enthusiast, this digital quilting design featuring a robot called 'Boltz', might just be the perfect pattern to finish off your quilt top!

You can see this and other digital patterns which I hold in my catalogue on my Pinterest page .

Penny's Farmer's Wife Quilt

Penny's Farmer's Wife Quilt

Wow! Look at this amazing Farmer's Wife Quilt made by Penny.   I love scrappy quilts and I love sampler quilts, so I was delighted when she brought it to Fabadashery Long Arm Quilting to be quilted.  Penny started the quilt as part of Farmer's Wife Quilt Along which as been sweeping the internet since the summer of 2015.  She completed 99 blocks ahead of schedule using the scraps from her stash, including special fabrics which have personal memories.  The combination of colours just have so much exuberance and joy.

Penny's Farmer's Wife Quilt

When I am brought a quilt with a lot of 'white space' it is usually a candidate for some special custom quilting. After thinking of some quilting ideas, on this occasion I stitched in the ditch of each  Farmer's Wife block, added a frame and then applied the same free-motion pattern to the background, so no computerized patterns on this quilt.

Penny's Farmer's Wife Quilt

With all the bright, modern fabrics, this fun circular 'filler' quilt pattern worked a treat, without interfering with the stars of the show, which were the pieced blocks. After, getting to know this quilt better, the Farmer's Wife quilt is definitely on my bucket list of quilts to do. 

Penny's Farmer's Wife Quilt