Saturday, January 16, 2016

Tree of Life Quilt

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I have to tell you that I am pretty excited about this quilt.  I also have to tell you that I didn't know anything about this quilt until after I had quilted it.  This quilt is from an old kit, it has reference lines for the quilting and the scalloped edges that I disregarded and quilted the way that I wanted.  Now, before you are all shocked that I didn't quilt the way the quilt was intended, Jeanna (owner and appliquer) and I decided to let me just quilt the way I would. The reference lines would just become part of the story of this quilt.

This is what Jeanna had to say about the quilt:

This is a quilt that I had wanted for a very long time. I'd seen pictures of it online as it's an old kit. I think it's from the 40's or 50s and the kit itself was found on an auction site. I finally made the quilt and have been waiting to get in line to get it quilted by you. I hand appliqued it and it was my first fully appliqued quilt and my very first embroidery. I had a lot of fun making it and I'm so glad that you got to be part of the story. You did an amazing job and I thank you for your artistry and taking the time to do something so beautiful on it.

Me again - thank you Jeanna!  I feel so lucky to have been a part of this lovely quilt as well.  
2
This particular quilting design was decided before I put the quilt on the frames.  With the "Wide Open Spaces," I decided that I needed to have a plan first.  So, I marked out the lines for the inner border surrounding the "Tree of Life" first, then I added the lines for the outside border.  I quilted as I advanced the quilt, one row at a time.

3
It is fun to compare what the quilt was supposed to look like as far as the quilting and to see my take on it.  The original quilt had straight lines, feathers and 1 inch squares.  If you look on eBay (just search Tree of Life quilt) - you will be able to find a few examples of this quilt which will give you a chance to compare the quilting.  It is really fun.  

4
I used Glide thread for this particular quilt, with 2 layers of Hobbs 100% cotton batting.  It gives it a nice texture and Glide is my favorite thread at the moment.

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I had some empty space in the upper corners of the inside border and this feather motif fits perfectly there.  This is free motion quilting on my A1 longarm, none of this is computerized quilting.  I use my straight ruler to get the lines perfect as well as a purple disappearing marker for the temporary lines I mark as I quilt.  The lines come out with water.  I did use a blue water soluble marker for the permanent lines in the beginning, which also came out with water.

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Isn't this motif fantastic?  I love it and the texture of the background shell fill. 

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This is a fun perspective, one of me on the floor looking up! 

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The dancing squares are perfect for the side empty space.  I really enjoyed quilting these fun designs.

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I can't get enough of the feather motif and swirl fill.  It is so gorgeous.  

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I think Jeanna did a wonderful job on her embroidery and applique.  It is simply fantastic.

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Love. 

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This design is on the top and bottom and I love it.  It was simple enough, but I think it looks so elegant and fits with the rest of the quilting designs.  I had a lot of fun quilting this up, I hope you have enjoyed the pictures.  

A couple more things, I can't thank you all enough for taking my iquilt class, Quilting Make a Difference - it has been fun to know that those of you who can't make it to one of my classes can take one online.  I hope you enjoyed it and if you haven't had a chance to take the class - you can here.  You should! 

I have updated my teaching events for this year and you can find all the info on where I am teaching here.  I can't wait to see you all!  Oh, and if you get a chance and want to vote for me as Teacher of the year - you can do that here!  Thanks for the nomination - I am honored!

Thanks everyone!


40 comments:

Karen@littlebirdiequilting said...

Hi Judi, such a beautiful job of quilting that you have done here, and thank you for putting all these pictures up. It's good to see all the different sections and elements you've used. Such beautiful texture.
Can I also ask a question- when using a ruler, I have trouble keeping the ruler still and straight- it still tends to move a little. I'm wondering whether I'm trying to quilt lines that are too long which gives the ruler more chance to waver. Do you keep the lines you do at a shorter length, or is that not really a factor? Thank you.

Susan said...

That's beautiful Judy........you do amazing work....how do you know what to quilt on the quilts??

Cathy said...

First appliqued quilt!!! Jeanna must have been born to applique! The quilting is very impressive too. What an heirloom.

Auntie Pami said...

No words can describe the joy you bring.

LJ said...

YOU are, by far, one of the most outstanding quilters ever! I can't even find words to express how in awe I am.

gpc said...

Your quilting couldn't be more perfect -- absolutely stunning! :)

Unknown said...

Seriously unbelievable !!!!

T Holzer said...

Probably THEE NICEST QUILT I HAVE EVER SEEN!!! Holy smokes, this is a stunner! Incredible quilt and quilting, girls!

Marlene said...

Lost for words. That has to be the most unbelievable, amazing quilting I have ever seen Judy.

Leeanne said...

Breath taking beauty! You sure have a talent!

Beardie Mom said...

You really made this special in every way. No comparison to the other versions of it. The applique designs remind me of the late Pat Campbell ....

I hope Jeanna is going to submit this beauty for show . . . it's a ribbon winner!

Siver_Angela said...

Стёжка у вас просто потрясающая. Одеяло очень красивое. Аппликация хороша, в моём вкусе.

EL RINCON DE CHELO said...

Que maravilla de trabajo!! es una verdadera obra de arte, una joya!!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm in total awe by the way you managed to make the appliqué kind of floats on top of the quilting.

Liz Dunne said...

You did such an amazing job on this quilt Judi. You just couldn't have quilted this quilt any better. I love your modern version of the medallion, that's just genius. I also love how your signature feather motif came out looking very 'heirloomy' (I know that's not a real word)

Love your I quilt class 'Quilting makes a difference' class. I'm about to start quilting my traditional sample.

Heide said...

How Beautiful!The quilting is amazing.

Barb said...

gorgeous...just gorgeous.

Ben said...

Great quilting!

That sounds a lot like the quilt my mother made -- pre-printed designs, all applique and embroidery, except hers was a different design.

Colleen said...

Just sit back and take in the joy and pleasure you give by using your God given talent.
I'm just in awe of how beautifully you quilted this quilt.
The applique is stunning and the quilting is stunning.

Kathleen said...

It's beautiful!!

Grit said...

Wow, wowo, wow...
this is really amazing !!!!!!!
Grit from Germany

Sewgirl said...

Just gorgeous! You always do a fabulous job. Thanks for sharing!

Paula said...

AMAZING!!! You and the quilter did an amazing job on this quilt. So much love went into the quilt and it shows. I love the idea of making a quilt from an old kit and hope to find one at some point in time.

Thank you for your classes and for sharing your beautiful work on your blog.

Sarah Craig said...

Once again, I stand in awe of your skill! I look at your quilts and want to go try out your beautiful designs on my own quilts. And thanks to being in one of your classes, I can actually achieve something similar (though not nearly as good!) I did go and vote for you as best teacher - good luck!!!

Thelma said...

Beautiful! One of your best!!

Dora, the Quilter said...

Beautiful applique. Beautiful quilting.
This quilt was marketed in the late 1970s and the 1980s. I'm not sure when it first went on the market, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't earlier than that. I've always thought it was beautiful, but this is the first finished one I've seen.

Unknown said...

This quilt is absolutely gorgeous. I love Jacobean designs. Definitely a reminder of Patricia Campbell. This quilt NEEDS to be in shows so the whole quilting world can view it. Blue Ribbons for sure.

Barb Neiwert said...

This is a delight to look at! Truly a work of art. I so enjoy seeing your mastery, Judi. Thanks for sharing so that one day I can learn just a wee bit of what you do :)

Rosemary B❤️ said...

Very very pretty, Judi.
Just stunning quilting.

Linda R said...

Oh Judi - another beautiful job. I don't think any other design would ever have done the quilt justice.......like yours does.
You just have an natural talent to know "just what is needed to make the quilt pop". Gorgeous.

Carol K said...

Beautiful quilt and beautiful quilting. Yes it is a quilt from before the days of machine quilting or if there was any it was a wave pattern from one side to the other (but if I remember correctly, that wasn't even available.)

Unknown said...

Absolutely gorgeous! You are a true artist! The detail and creative use of negative and positive space shows how incredibly talented you are.

LindaKay said...

I have this quilt done by by my Mother years ago, it is falling apart, is there anywhere to get this kit or the pattern at all. I would be in seventh heaven to be able to make one.

lola flowers said...

Realmente este quilt es una maravilla, quizás algún día yo pueda ser capaz de realizar algo similar. Gracias por compartir y por sus explicaciones. Un gran abrazo desde España.

lola flowers said...

Realmente este quilt es una maravilla, quizás algún día yo pueda ser capaz de realizar algo similar. Gracias por compartir y por sus explicaciones. Un gran abrazo desde España.

lola flowers said...

Realmente este quilt es una maravilla, quizás algún día yo pueda ser capaz de realizar algo similar. Gracias por compartir y por sus explicaciones. Un gran abrazo desde España.

Patty said...

This is an amazing quilt!

the design story said...

I have this quilt - it's from 70s and my grandmother made me a twin size of it in pink! I do have a couple more of the kits that I was hoping to do myself. My grandmother tended to buy in bulk when she did something. I believe it's a Lee Wards kit (magical craft store I still dream about....) You did a beautiful job on it! Kudos

Lynette said...

Oh!!! Judy, this is just fabulous! You have outdone yourself here with a remarkable quilting design that plays so beautifully with the applique design. Absolutely stunning! Plus, the fill work is sparking inspiration for the vintage Bo Peep quilt I'm about to start on. :)

6th Generation Quiilter, Crafter said...

This is actually from the 1960's. My grandmother started one that she got in the 1970's and my mother finally finished it. I love the quilting you did on this quilt! Our quilt is just a little different in color than yours. We have the 1970's fabrics. The old calico's. I believe each quilt deserves to be different, even if it is the same. Beautiful work.