I am playing with a few new threads to work out the satin stitch along the edge of the leaves.  Cathy Racine at Charlton sewing Center is a sewing machine and thread expert.  She recommended this Hemminworth thread.  It is Polyselect 40 weight and I am using it in my top and bobbin thread.  I started with a very tight satin stitch, but soon realized that I was making all my edges fray as I ran the quilt back and forth through my Elna Excellence 740.   So, I switched to a narrow zig zag at 2.2width and 2.8 length.  I am working on sewing all the rows with a loose zig-zag to nail down the edges, then I will go back and do the slow, boring satin stitch over the zig-zag.  The sheen on this thread is wonderful!

The satin stitch requires a stabilizer, otherwise I get stretching and tunneling, even with a fairly narrow stitch.  The fusible is so soft, it does not act as a stabilizer along the edge of the fused pieces.  I tried using parchment paper to stabilize the stitching, but that didn’t work very well.  The parchment tore too easily, and bits of paper were coming to the surface and getting stuck in the satin stitch.  Also, my stitches were out of balance on the back.  Using OESD (professional quality tear away, lightweight) I got a much better result.

I will be at MQX this week, so stop in and say hello if you want to see me or Magic Carpet Ride in person!

fabrics straight out of the drier

Here is a collection from Moda Fabrics right out of the drier.  I wish I had a photo of the two beautiful fat quarter bundles that I started with, but I forgot to pull out my camera in my excitement! As you can see, the colors and prints are just yummy! This is “Dilly Dally”, and the other collection is called “Just Wing It!”

I loved the butterfly inspiration for “Just Wing It”, there are even trees made entirely of butterflies! I decided to use this collection first to make “Melissa’s Quilt” with a white background. The background is one of Moda basic white on white prints. Here is a photo of the quit in progress…

It was fun to use the templates to make the quilting design for the center of the rings.

I used a blue wash away pen to mark the basic quilting design, then added elements as I was quilting.

I used my pattern cutting board under the finished top to mark the diagonal cross hatching. I couldn’t use my Chalk Line in this case, because the background was white. I also used the pattern cutting board to line up the horizontal and vertical grid to place the 5″ petals. Simple, fun and SUPER FAST! Here is the finished quilt!  Hope you like it!

I can't remember who wrote this pattern. It is a beauty!

I just love giving presents and finding just the right thing for each person on my list. There is still time to send that special someone a message to let them know that you would like Leaves Galore under the tree this year! Send me a message on the contact page, and give me the name and e-mail of your Santa, and I will make sure they know that you have been a good girl this year, and deserve a nice quilting present!

My friend Michelle found this pattern for me, and it is by Designsbyedna.  Thanks, Michelle, and Thanks Edna for this gorgeous quilt pattern!  I have made this nativity for myself, and the set of three (with the wise men and Mary and Joseph) for a friend.  Wonderful Christmas gift for that special friend!!  Get the pattern at Designsbyedna.com.

Meanwhile, we have been to another wonderful show in Manchester, NH.  At Mancuso, my niece Candice, my daughter Lauren and my Mom, Elaine  helped me run the booth.  What fun to work with three of my favorite people!!  After 4 days of demos, I ended up with piles of leaves…you might say, we cut Leaves Galore!!

What to do with all these beautiful leaves…

Today I made an inchie quilt for my mini group of Thimble Pleasures Quilt Guild.   We have been swapping inchies, and were asked to make a quilt that would show off the 12 inchies that we traded.  Here is a sneak preview of my inchie quilt, called “Inchies in the Garden”.  I thought they all looked a little like beautiful, unique flowers, so I surrounded them with colorful leaves.  Here is my inchie quilt in my garden on a huge Umbrella plant leaf.

inchies in the garden

beautiful, unique inchies are just like flowers!

The simple quilt above is what I make when demonstrating Leaves Galore.  I have about 30 of these 9″ x 12″ quilt tops.  If you are a shop owner and you want a sample for your shop, I will send you one of these mini-samples with your next order!  Just e-mail and ask me for a mini.

My niece Candice has been visiting for about a month now.  Mancuso was her first Quilt Show Experience!  She was amazed by the artistry and social commentary woven into some of the quilts.  Most people just don’t realize how Quilting has evolved into an art form.  It was fun to see her first impressions of such a beautiful show.  When we got home from Mancuso, she decided she wanted to see the quilt I have made for her graduation from University.  She will not graduate for another year, but the quilt is finished!  Thanks to Kathy Alyce of Waterfall Quilts who inspired me to make this curved edge block quilt with her Flip Flop Block Template!  Watch for Kathy’s book coming soon from AQS, and you will see a photo of this quilt in the book!  Thanks to Kathy Sperino who made it so beautiful with the quilting.

Close your eyes Candice!