African Queen Pattern for a Baby Quilt

I was so excited to make this baby quilt for a friend for many reasons but I literally had 3 weeks from start to finish to complete it before the baby shower. She is a friend that I hold close to my heart and I was determined to complete it.

I decided on the African Queen block because 1. She is having a Queen.  2. The color scheme was ideal for this design, (pink, grey, white were the colors but I thought the addition of some purple wouldn’t hurt😊). 3. This pattern can be easily modified to accommodate any preference. 

The finished quilt! I love the combo of batiks. These are not all the queens! I rearranged, added, removed a number of times. I tried to spread out the skin tones and balance the colors of the dresses. I could have done that forever but knew I had to stop eventually and commit to a placement.  

The quilting is an embroidery stitch, I do not have a long arm quilter. I have a Janome QCP 9400 and it has lot of stitches. Not ever row is perfectly parallel and at first I was bothered by it and thought I would remove the stitches. But the more I looked at it the more I kind of liked it, I felt it added a little charm to the quilt. Quilting this way, took a very long time but I think the end result was worth it. 

Along the edge, I decided to echo the shape of the triangles. They kind of reminded me of the points of a crown.

I had intended to quilt over the dresses but ran out of time. I think it looks good without it but I may try it on another one just to see how I like it.

My biggest concern was if my friend would like it. Turns out, I had nothing to worry about, she LOVED it, 😊 She loved it some much, that she is going to use it instead of the one she bought. That makes me really happy and even more so because we reviewed the care instructions I gave her. Often people don’t understand the work and time it takes to make a quilt so I’m glad she does because she will treasure it.

Art Is Life!

Ready for Auction

The time has finally arrived!

The auction will take place next month! It is bittersweet for me because I enjoyed seeing all the little faces as I was working on this quilt (and secretly I was completely ok with keeping it).

I photographed each student, resized to make the silhouettes even, cut silhouettes out in fabric/interfacing, and stitched them on blocks. I decided on the piano key boarder to add even more color. This is a very bright quilt!:)

When I photographed the students, I had them to write their name on index cards. I made a scrapbook and put their signatures in order by their location on the quilt. This way the winning bidder will have a way to identify each student.

This quilt was designed for display only, there is sleeve on the back. It will have to be a sizable wall, the quilt measures 68" x 88".

After, I sewed the top, I had knee surgery. Ugh! I was so bummed because the recovery period was long (and still ongoing) and I wasn't sure if I would finish it in time. I decided to do something I have never done before, send it out for quilting. And it was a great decision! Kathleen Haskett was wonderful. She was great to work with and so knowledgeable. I have a new friend in my sewing circle.

What I would do differently! Although, I stitched around each silhouette, I would have adhered the silhouettes to the block with double-sided interfacing. Once the top was quilted, the silhouettes float from the block, it distorts the faces and creates lots of shadows.

Overall, I do like the way it turned out! It definitely increased my desire to get a long arm quilting machine. I really don't have the space for one so I will look at some smaller versions that I have seen online.    

                                                                                Art Is Life!

My First Portrait Art Piece

In a college art class, we were assigned an art project-complete a self portrait in any medium. Being textile obsessed, I naturally gravitated to fabric. I was so excited about this project even though I'd never attempted anything like this. 

I used all commercial fabrics purchased from a quilt shop, got really lucky in finding enough colors in the same tone/value. A few classmates laughed because Im green but I was pleased with how it turned out. The only comment that got a little under my skin was made by the instructor. He advised that it was a bit on the crafty side. I disagreed and suggested he do more research on textile art!

I have learned a lot since completing this piece (I hope) and I am currently working on a piece now. I recently purchased an overhead projector so I can make it any size which is great. Detail pics to follow!

                                                              Art Is Life!

The Beach Quilt Finished

Having the photograph as a color guide was helpful. I don't if it will remind my friend of the

                                           beaches of her homeland but I tried.:)                              

                             I do like the color combinations, so beachy (at least to me)!

During the quilting process, I noticed that the quilt was streeeetching on me. The bottom doesn't lay down flat. I have never had this happen to me so I was like "What the what!". After reading and talking to a "Professional Quilter" she offered some suggestions on what might has caused this to happen. The more I quilt, the more I learn!

Art is Life!

Beach Inspired Baby Quilt-Coming Right Along

The quilt top below is completely sewn and was inspired by the beach photograph. The tan represents the sand and as the colors continue they end with navy to represent the deep blue of the ocean.

The next image is the reverse side of the quilt. The blocks are pinned to my design wall and need to be sewn together. I arranged and rearranged the blocks and I "think" I have settled on this arrangement. I will make a final decision tomorrow and start putting them together.

I don't often work with this many solid colors on traditional quilts, I love patterns. But when I needed fabric, many stores were closed due to Covid-19. I had to order all of the fabric online and it was challenging, I definitely prefer shopping in the store. 

Looking forward to starting the quilting process!

Art is Life!

Fabric for Beach Inspired Quilt

It's here! It's here! My fabrics have FINALLY arrived!!! Yippee! Covid-19 has caused delays on many of my online purchases so I'm really happy.

I think I may need to get one more color but once I spread the fabrics out and arrange them according to my design, I'll know.  

Im still trying to decide between 2 different pattern styles, one of which I have not attempted. I do like challenging myself, soooooo we will see! :)

Art is Life! 

Inspiration for a Baby Quilt

A dear friend of mine is going to have a baby and I am very excited for her and her family! 
She is from Puerto Rico so I wanted to have some element of PR incorporated. So I went ah lookin on the internet. I came across this beautiful beach photo. I love the variety of colors and how they flow. Breathtaking!!! 

         Photography is from adventurouskate.com

So many ways to go with this! I may hand dye the colors or buy batiks. And of design options are endless. These are definitely fun problems to have!😊

Art is Life!