Tuesday, November 29, 2011

No shortage of photos here.............

Okay - it only took me a month to complete. Wow - that's hard to believe, but with family visitors and a week long trip - add in kids and you can hopefully see why I don't get things done super fast. I have realized that I don't like to rush my quilts anyway because I am a perfectionist and I want them to look amazing for my customers.


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This quilt was pieced by Thelma, you can see her process for this quilt here. Let me tell you that Thelma is an incredible piecer - seriously STRAIGHT piecing. It really makes a huge difference for me when I quilt. So, great job Thelma!

Here's a description of the quilt by Thelma:

The pattern is called Nottingham Star by Grace's Dowry Quilts. The original pattern was done with blues, grays, beiges and browns. I substituted red for the blues and grays. It's also Lifetime Quilt Number 62 on my Lifetime Quilt List tab on my blog.

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When I was deciding what to do on this quilt I remembered that Thelma had mentioned this quilt had a Civil War theme to it. So, I decided it would be best to get researching Civil War quilts and I ended up at this blog and found out that there are a ton of blocks out there that have meaning to them. So, I decided that I would take each square in the quilt and create a civil war block. I learned a few things and that the star block in this quilt is called the North Star. I never knew that.

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The main design that I decided would work best in the center of the quilt is a block called Order Number Eleven. I drew the block in my EQ6 and created a template that would work for quilting this block. It ended up being my favorite block.

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The stars were quilted to show the points. I didn't want to take away from the design of the star.

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Here's a close up of Order Number Eleven. I absolutely love this quilting design!

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Okay, as you can see - I have each of these nine blocks quilted differently. I had a total of 11 different quilt blocks for the quilt and I had to make a chart to make sure I got them in the right place.

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You can also see that I created a border in each block. I wanted to focus on the theme of the Civil War blocks and if I had quilted to the edge of each square, then I wouldn't be able to accomplish the look I wanted. So, I came in each block at 1/4 inch and quilted the straight border before I quilted the rest of the block.


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I think I kind of like it!

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Now, are you wondering how long this took me? Well, each block took 10 minutes to quilt - that's 24 hours for just the blocks. The borders, thread change, and marking the quilt are a different story.

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Let's just say that this quilt that is only 69" square took me over 40 hours of quilting.
Sometimes I think I am slow, but really - I am a perfectionist and I can't go any faster than I do.

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I think the blocks that have the two sided Order Number Eleven are my absolute favorite. When I quilted the first one - I fell in love with how it turned out.

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Don't you just love how these two come together?

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Borders - yes, I love the borders. It took a little planning and marking to get these little beauties finished. It's funny how I hated math in school - I told my mom I was never going to use it when I grew up and now I depend on math to quilt.

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I used my straight edge ruler for the zigzag lines, but the straight stitching and feathered design are all free motion quilting. Don't judge me if they aren't perfect - I'm no computer.


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back1

I love the back - I always do.

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I really get attached to these quilts, it's hard to send them back. The only consolation that I get in sending them back to their owners is that I get paid. Hehe!

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Here are my blocks and templates. I had to use each block as a reference, then I drew the design on the quilt and quilted it. I used 4 colors for this quilt - that's a lot of thread changing, but well worth the outcome of this quilt.

133 comments:

Susan said...

Your quilting is stunning- perfection indeed! This will awards, I'm sure! An absolute winner!

Linda said...

There aren't words to describe how amazing your quilting is! Stunning.

Leah said...

Awesome. I can't stop staring.

regan said...

Judi....you are amazing! Wow! This quilt is so gorgeous.....I love everything about it...and yeah, especially those two colored blocks! The quilting is perfectly suited to the design, too! And thanks for all the great pics.....I'm trying to find more ideas for fmq, and your blocks and borders are on my list now to try! I recently did a border with the same 1/2" straight lines, and the in-the-ditch between two contrasting fabrics was a bear! One stitch over the line and it totally ruined the effect.....but YOU have that technique mastered!

I'm always so worried to take away from the pieced design, but your designs work perfectly WITH the piecing. You rock!

Christine M said...

Beautiful!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

that is an award winner for sure - beautiful quilt and beautiful quilting.
Karen

Joan said...

Wow! This quilt is so beautiful. Love all the pictures.

Elaine said...

Beautiful. I love how you talk about it also. You are teaching at the same time as showing your quilt .

Valerie Z said...

Truly an awesome, inspiring job! I love it! In fact, I've been doing the Civil War block of the week since January and it is incredible to see your beautiful interpretation of this wonderful site by Barbara Brackman! Wow, incredible, awesome, beautiful and show stopping! Kudos to both you and Thelma!!

QuiltedSquid said...

OMG it's stunning! Excellent job. Loooks like chocolate bars.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Thank you so much Judi for taking the time to photograph and explain everything to us in this post. Your quilting is just amazing and I am in awe of your work. WOW

Unknown said...

There are no words-other than amazing, wow, out of this world! I love looking at your work, it gives me lots of inspiration. This will definitely win awards. Great job!

Leeanne said...

WOW!!!! .......lost for words!

Deborah said...

This is just about the most beautiful quilt I've ever seen. The quilting is stunning! Great...no awesome job!

Stitched With Prayer said...

Judi, you just blow me away. Every time I see your work I'm reminded all over again what a genuine gift you have, not just for quilting, but the vision you have for designing your work as well. You are truly amazing. Thelma's quilt was beautiful before, but you have given it a life I don't think she ever dreamed of. Breathtaking is all I can think of....Big Hugs...

Karen said...

The quilt is stunning and the quilting is exceptional. I really enjoy visiting your blog and seeing what you are quilting. I sure wish you lived in Canada and were close to the west coast. Karen

Erin @ Why Not Sew? Quilts said...

I love all of the photos! Your quilting is incredible. So creative.
I am sure Thelma will be thrilled!

Nancy E said...

What a wonderful job you did! The quilting is just amazing! There really aren't words to describe what the quilting does for the quilt. Thanks so much for sharing the pics!

Thalia said...

Oh I love that chocolate-covered-cherries color scheme, and you're right the back is just sublime! What gorgeous quilting!

Teresa Marie said...

I think this is one of the most beautiful quilts I've ever seen. Your quilting is so stunning, it leaves me speechless. I don't know if I'll ever make a quilt worthy of your quilting!

Laurie said...

You have done an amazing job! I'm so inspired by your work. And who would even attempt to say it's not perfect? Pffft! You go girl!

sincerely yours said...

Phenomenal! You're the best!
Emma

Jenny said...

I was just sitting down for lunch and saw this post on my I pad...you are amazing!!!!!!!! So talented!!!!!!!!! What a treat for me to see in the middle of the day! Thanks for sharing your amazing work with us!!!!!! Hope you get paid what your worth girl!!!!!

Pat Merkle said...

Simply STUNNING!!!!!

charlotte said...

such beautiful quilting. your work is stunning.

Lesley said...

Amazing piecing and amazing quilting! You must be so proud of this!

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

There are no words to describe this beautiful quilt...Your work is outstanding.....I am so jealous...lol. Really, though I wish I could hope to ever do half as well...tremendous job Judi

Melissa Corry said...

Judi this is stunning!!!! I love the borders around each of the blocks, they make the patterns really pop. The whole thing is just absolutely breathtaking!!

Anonymous said...

The quilting is absolutely beautiful!!! Drop dead gorgeous!! I love the pieced top and color theme....can't beat the combination of you two working together on this one!!! WOWZERS!!!

Jodi Nelson said...

Absolutely Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing and explaining it in detail. ooxx`jodi

Petit Design Co. said...

*sigh* gorgeousness as always! I could stare at your quilting ALL day.

your machine isn't stitch regulated is it?

The Patch Craft said...

Wow what a fantaastic job. Wish you lived closer to me

Anonymous said...

Absolutely beautiful! Your choice of quilting designs was just perfect for this quilt.

thequiltedmitten said...

You're amazing. Enough said.

Sherri G said...

Judi, your quilting is stunning and your design choices are perfect. Thanks so much for sharing all the pictures and the verbiage!

Linda V said...

Stunning! Amazing! Thanks for sharing with us!
Linda
http://homesweetquiltinghome.blogspot.com/

Marianne said...

This is beautiful. Thanks so much for all the photos and the step by step. I love this pattern and the color combinations. You have made a wonderful quilt a thing of great beauty.

Debbie B Sam said...

I'm speechless, it's beautiful!!

Sheila said...

Love your work, I thought my favourite would always be the DJ you did, this one may just take over.

justacraftymother said...

your work just blows my mind!!! i am so amazed with every picture that you can make such stunning work with a needle and thread! BEAUTIFUL, wow!!

Dawn said...

Wow. Gorgeous!!!!

Vicki W said...

That's incredible! You both did a spectacular job!

Seams Sew Together said...

Absolutely Gorgeous,you are an amazing quilter, thanks for sharing on how you go about it.

Dirt Road Quilter said...

Oye! What you create with a needle and thread absolutely takes my breath away! Is there a Hall of Fame for Quilters? There should be and you are hereby inducted! If you quilted one of my quilts, I would cry from sheer delight. Now I just have to piece something worthy of you. The recipient must have been over the moon. Sending much applause and a standing ovation.

Karen said...

WOW!!! That is some incredible quilting! Hhmm. . . I may need to start working on a quilt that would be worthy of your quilting.
I follow Thelma's blog and seems like a really neat person apart from her wonderful piecing skills.

Borderline Quilter said...

Absolutely Fabulous!

Quiltjane said...

Speechless ( well almost ). WOW! I wish I had 1 millionth of your talent. You are an amazing artist.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on another stunning quilt! Can I ask -- what kind of batting do you use? are there two layers? what brand do you like?

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

Your quilting amazes me more and more each time I see it. Wonderful job, as always.

Amanda Murphy said...

Unbelieveably beautiful! Breathtaking!

marcella said...

Seriously dying over this quilt! Your work is just stunning. Really, amazing and beautiful quilting you do.

Sue said...

Words can not describe how AMAZING this quilt is !!!!!!!!

Unknown said...

The thought, technique and research that went into this quilt are incredibly inspiring. It is exceptional! I am curious, what kind of batting did you use, or did you trapunto portions of it? Some areas seem to really pop. Quite possibly a dumb question, but I am not an advanced quilter.

Miss Jean said...

I'm familiar with Thelma's quilts and she couldn't have picked a better person to do the quilting for this quilt. Absolutely stunning!!!

Tammy said...

Wow, just stunning. Exquisite quilting!

Anonymous said...

Judi-- my jaw is on the floor. You have such incredible talent. I'm in awe of you. Amazing, stunning, everything.

For future posts, can you talk about batting for show quality quilts? Also, tips on quilting show quality quilts would be great to know.

Karen said...

I echo what others before me have said... this is just absolutely gorgeous... what a treasure this will be for Thelma... lucky Thelma!

Kristi said...

Beautiful...I love it.

Sharon said...

As always - there aren't enough words to describe how amazing your quilting is. You are such a talented young lady -- bravo!

Snoodles said...

Like everyone else, I have been sitting in front of my screen, just gazing at your work. Thank you for sharing - it's been difficult to even start to leave a comment, because I just can't come up with words to say what I want to. Sigh. Thanks again for posting all these beautiful pictures!

Rachel said...

I am in AWE! Truly stunning. Amazing. I really don't have words to tell you how much I love this.

Emma said...

Wow! No wonder ti took so long! It was definitely worth the time. And thank you for including so many photos!

Maria Wallin said...

This is nothing short of amazing, wow! I have no words to describe how beautiful it is!

Dawn Hendrix said...

WOW>> you have done it again! SO inspiring....

Megan said...

Whoa, that's some serious eye candy! I love your idea to quilt the civil war block designs into the quilt - it turned out to be just perfect!!!

The Rx quilter said...

Breathless...your quilting and Thelma's piecing and color choice are absolutely amazing. Thank you for sharing. Lisa in Texas

Tracey Holzer said...

Simply incredible! Way to go.

Josie McRazie said...

Beautiful!! And the back is a work of art in itself!!!

quilting/fitness said...

absolutely fab!!!!!!!!!!

Karen said...

There truly are no words, you are incredible. You are such an inspiration to me and so many others. Thanks for sharing.

sosarahsew said...

I love, love, love this! I want to be you when I grow up - well it is getting pretty crowded as I have several quilting gurus lined up to be.

Deb said...

I'm always amazed at what a beautiful job you do, and how much talent you have. Just curious but how must does something like this cost to have quilted? I'm sure it's way out of my league! Thanks!

Lesly said...

I don't think I've ever seen anything so gorgeous. I have serious Thelma envy going on right now! And I have the same pattern on my to-do pile, but I know that it will never work up as beautiful as this is. You are a true quilting artist!

liberal sprinkles said...

my goodness Judi, you are truly an amazing artist. Kudos to you!
Grace

Bev said...

Once again I stand in awe! Thank you so much for sharing these with us.

Mary said...

Wowsers! Thelma's quilt top was great but you have truly turned this into a masterpiece. Absolutely beautiful!!!

Karen said...

Beautiful and creative quilting.

Abby said...

I am in awe over your quilting. I'm a small time quilter - and seeing quilts like this is so inspiring! The work that goes into them amazes me. All your research and planning. Show's me the extra time spent is very much worth the effort. Beautiful quilt! Thanks for sharing. I would be fun to see how you plan these out.

Karen said...

This is just awesome!!!! I love everything you did. I am sure your customer, will be thrilled!!
Karen H

Sallie said...

The quilting is amazing!!

Pepe said...

simply wonderful

Beachside said...

Amazing! I'm in awe!

Bethany Fuller said...

This is my pattern! I can't believe it! You and Thelma made an incredible masterpiece. Thank you so much for sharing it!

Beth said...

Wow that is absolutely amazing!!! There are no other words to descripe how beautiful this is!!

Sheila said...

Your quilting is seriously amazing! Wow, I think one month is fast for the amount of quilting on this one. It is simply stunning. Thanks for posting the pics.

Barbara Black said...

Wow! Fantastic! This needs to be entered in the Big shows so many more people can see it! Wish it were mine!

JustPam said...

Absolutely beautiful. I expect we will see this winning prizes in some shows.

Strlady said...

It hard to take Thelma's work up a notch, but you did just that. You kicked it right out of the park! INSANELY GORGEOUS!!! To have that talent... You have been blessed!

Victoria said...

¡¡¡¡ Magnífico !!!! ¡¡¡¡ F E L I C I D A D E S !!!!

Un saludo desde España

Deb said...

Barbara Brackman sent us over thank goodness your pictures are just exquisite of your quilting. This quilt is spectacular! I love love love it you are so talented

Kate R said...

This is amazing work!! It's a beautifully pieced quilt and your quilting just makes it shine. Well done!

deanna said...

Fantastic quilting!! Your idea of using quilt blocks as a template is wonderful.

Donna S. said...

Oh my freakin goodness!!! Wowza. You are amazing!!

Sarah said...

That quilt is beyound amazing.... you would NEVER get paid enough to have done that quilt...

I could not possibly sell it after all that AMAZING work.

It is so inspiring I am absolutly GOBSMACKED.

beecee said...

Judi - the quilt is absolutely breathtaking and sure to become a heirloom. Thank you for sharing your process - it was fascinating to see the templates and get so much detail about how you work. Amazing!

Sue said...

Your work is breathtaking. I have never seen such gorgeous work. Wow-that's all I can say! Wow!

Carla said...

This is the most amazing quilting I have ever seen! I hope you can retire on what she paid you : ) Absolutely stunning.

Jane S. said...

I have never in my life seen such machine quilting! You are a true artist. Your quilting adds so much to what was already a lovely piece. Worth every penny and more!

Carolina said...

AWESOME!, A work of art, congratulations!

Greetings from Spain.

Leanne said...

FAR OUT !!! A definate show stopper....

Quilter Kathy said...

Absolutely gorgeous! The most beautiful quilting I think I have ever seen!

Pam said...

you are a rock star! Thanks for sharing your work with all of us wanna-bees. I get a lot of inspiration & ideas from what you share with us. All those thread changes... you are not a computer, you are an artist. really taking machine quilting in a beautiful new direction.

Iherba said...

Un trabajo preciosoo y muy elaborado. Mis felicitaciones.

Cathy said...

WOW! Remarkable quilting, it has really made this quilt into something special.

Patti said...

Your work is amazing & I love the details you give us so we can not only be inspired but study them. So well done!

Mary C said...

It's incredible! Is the batting a special kind to make your quilting designs look puffy or is that a function of how you do the quilting?

Kristin said...

Your quilting is spectacular! I love your work

Charlsey said...

You are amazing! I am speechless.....(almost!) Exceptional quilting.....I have never seen better.

Sylvia Reguero said...

Verdaderamente es impresionante.

Deb said...

INCREDIBLE!!!

Jane said...

This is perfection! I am stunned at it's beauty and your obvious talent.

Samuel said...

That looks AMAZING Judi!!! It always does(;

heartsease54 said...

This quilt is just stupendous! What a wonderful job you did on the quilting. You are justifiably proud.

paqui said...

Una obra de arte !!! impresionante !!
Besos

Anonymous said...

Judi, i am speechless!! your quilting is so beautiful..i am overwhelmed!! you truly are a perfectionist and it shows. I would be so proud to be the lucky owner of that stunning little quilt..it is a priceless treasure!! i wish you lived nearby i would be thrilled to have you quilt my civil war blocks quilt..alas, i can only dream.

Renea said...

Words cannot express of how in awe I am in your work. This quilt is gorgeous. I would love to be able to quilt like you do.

Shawna said...

WOW!! Your quilting is Beautiful! I'm a beginner and I'm blown away. You are truly inspiring. Also I'm a new follower over from Happy Quilting. Thanks for sponsoring their giveaway!

jofridsquilt said...

This quilt make me speachless. It is gorgeous and your quilting is just beautiful. Hugs Jofrid

Anonymous said...

One word AMAZING!!!
I can just about manage the straight stitch around each square and feel pretty good about it but your MACHINE quilting is AMAZING.
Thanks for sharing. I would love to see a video of you quilting because it blows my mind that anyone can get this out of a machine. Carol

Mary said...

Thank you for taking the time to post all the pictures! You are so generous! You truly are a machine quilting star!!!

life in red shoes said...

Your perfectionism certainly paid off here, this quilt is a piece of art!

greg @ grey dogwood studio said...

That is AMAZING. And thanks for all the great photos, too!

Susan P said...

Just beautiful! You are so talented.

SassyCathy said...

Amazingly beautiful!
I can't imagine.

I hope I can get a fat quarter bundle of Coming Home fabric under my Christmas tree this year!
Cathy
byrd@gulftel.com

Monica said...

Simply beautiful! Here, less is NOT more!
Thanks for sharing!
Monica
www.piecefultimes.blogspot.com

Vickie said...

OH MY GOSH!!!!

Vesuviusmama said...

You are amazing!

Linda in Arkansas said...

This is totally amazing - just beyond anything I would have thought to do. Remember when people were saying you should just stick to quilting not pattern making - this is why. (However, I think you should do whatever your little heart desires!) And I also think you deserve an award for best quilter!!!

Sis-O said...

Hard to find words...WOW!

Elizabeth said...

Wow! I was just looking for some simple stipple or loop ideas but now I've been inspired to try some of your designs on my similar-shaped squares.

Thanks for sharing!

Isabel C said...

Wow! Congrats!! It´s inspiring, and impossible to dream!!!

The Quilted Finish said...

Truly inspired quilting!

raisingran said...

Stunning work. I'm a retired short arm quilter and you surpassed all my capabilities by a mile. Wish you lived nearby I would love to send my quilts to you. Impressed.