EMILIA's DAY AT THE BEACH FINAL

Just finished Emilia's Portrait Quilt!!! (cell phone photo) Final 21" x 22"

I wish I was there cooling off on the warm ocean shore.

My technique is getting better, just wish I could get more control over my machine stitches. But the experts say "practice, practice, practice" and don't be afraid of your bobbin tension.

You probably can't see it in this photo but the white in the dark wave says Emilia and there are seagulls dotting the i's.

I have a few small projects and then hope to get back to me and the dogs!

So as always, stay tuned and thanks for all your encouragements.

EMILIA's DAY AT THE BEACH

Starting another new project!!!!

Sergio's cousin asked me to a portrait quilt of her first granddaughter, EMILIA. She
has a photo of Emilia in the water at the beach.

This is a cell phone photo of my first draft. Still missing one leg and both hands. The final quilt will be about 20 x 30. Using the same technique as my dogs. Unfortunately that project is on hold while I have a paying commission. Stay tuned for updates!

QUILT STUDENT PROJECT

I stopped by the home of one of my quilt students from 2 years ago and saw the sample quilt that we made in class artfully displayed in her living room. I had to capture a quick photo on my cell phone. “Aida, you made me proud!”

WHAT HAPPENED TO LUDIE'S QUILT TOP?

I recently finished a quilt (80” x 88”) started over 55 years ago by the grandmother of my friend Pene. The center design of this Scrap Quilt was pieced by Ludie Aldridge, of Brownwood, Texas). Ludie used the paper-pieced method, as evidenced by pieces of newsprint still attached to the seams. It is called a scrap quilt because leftover fabrics were used, most likely from actual garments. The unfinished quilt top was passed to her granddaughter Pene Carole Turner Awodey and in 2012 I was commissioned to complete the quilt.

I added the black border and the 2” squares around the outside in fabrics closer in design to the original fabrics. The quilt top was not a true rectangle so I had to be creative to get the quilt to line up and lie flat. I quilted around the centers of each piece every ¼”. I calculated over 4,000 “stop, foot up, turn quilt, foot down, smooth and sew”, all the while hoping that you did not get a wrinkle in the fabric on the underside. I free-motion quilted leaves in the black frame.

Well, like all projects, it was a learning experience. I know what I would do differently next time….more free motion (less turning) but need to practice first!!