New product! The QuickMark Ruler!

Hi Everyone!  I am so excited to introduce to you my first ever designed ruler - the QuickMark Ruler! This has been in the works for a while, so I am happy to let you know that it is finally available.  I designed this ruler so that I could have more options with marking while working on my quilts.  You know that I mark A LOT when I quilt and that isn't going to change for my custom quilting, so this ruler is perfect for what I need. 

I have been having fun using my new ruler on my newest design, "Gypsy" which will be available as a pattern soon. I will keep you up to date on all of that.  In the meantime, you can get your ruler here.

Happy Quilting! 

Patchwork Christmas Pattern Release!

Hi Everyone!  I am so excited to tell you about my newest pattern, just in time for the Holidays - Patchwork Christmas! This quilt was a long time coming for me.  I have always wanted to make a Christmas quilt, but in the recent years I haven't had the time.  Well, I made the time this past week and I am so excited about this beautiful quilt.  It is funny how inspiration comes at the most random time. This quilt was originally going to be just the red and white star blocks using my stash, so a fun and simple quilt, but as I started drawing the quilt out - the thought came to mind to create a tree with ornaments and presents in front of the star blocks.  So, Patchwork Christmas was born and let me tell you, it has been fun watching it come together. 

I started this quilt last Friday and finished yesterday.  It is a beautiful pattern and I know you will love making this quilt as much as I did!  I realize that Christmas is very soon, but you can piece this quilt in no time! It took me about 12 hours of piecing to put the top together. 

I visited my local quilt store and found this beautiful ornament backing from StudioE fabrics. The rest of the quilt top fabrics were pulled from my stash, this quilt is very fat quarter friendly.  The quilting was done on my computerized A1 quilting machine - I now have 2 machines, one for my custom work and one for edge to edge computerized quilting.  The quilting pattern is Christmas Doodles by Patricia Ritter and it is really super cute.

So, you can get the PDF pattern right away and get sewing on your own quilt top, or you can order the paper pattern - but that won't ship until the week of December 4th. I have them both available, as well as my other patterns at Black Friday/Cyber Monday prices.  So, for $4.95 - you can load up on all of your favorite patterns!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!  

Progressive Detail Quilting iquilt class now available for download!

Today is the day my "Progressive Detail Quilting" has become available over at iquilt.  Hooray for good news!  I filmed this class a little under a year ago, so I am happy to say that it is now available. 

This class goes over the "progressive detail" of quilting for one project, but 3 different - or progressive ways - to quilt them.  The quilt design is available with your class purchase in the download materials.  The above quilt is the "finale" as it is the most detailed project in the class.  Don't worry, you can do this - I walk you through the easier versions of this project and you will have the confidence at the end to attempt this gorgeous design.

Like my classes before, I hope you will have the confidence to try new things, get out of your comfort zone and have a lot of fun with my designs.

The quilting texture is just amazing.  I really look forward to seeing all of your projects as your share them on iquilt. You can purchase the class, Progressive Detail Quilting,  here.


Also, if you haven't had a chance to take my "Fabulous Background Designs for Applique" class, the link is here. This is also a wonderful class.

Thanks, as always for your support!  I really hope you enjoy the classes. 

Kyoto Gardens finished!

 

Okay, so this fabulous quilt is called Kyoto Gardens from the book, Stellar Quilts by Judy Martin, found here. Jan pieced this quilt and took a little liberty with the design and added borders and things that she wanted for her master bedroom quilt.  It is a beautiful design and quilt that I had a lot of fun quilting. The quilt is around 94 x 104, so it is big.
 

 

I love this center part of the quilt.  I had a lot of fun playing in this area.

 

This is one layer of batting, Hobbs bleached 108 wide cotton. It worked out perfect for the quilting and for the size of the quilt.

 

I used Glide thread and bobbins for the thread on this quilt.  I had two thread colors, Cream and Military Gold.

 

There was a lot of ruler work, so I used my A1 ruler and my favorite disappearing purple marker to make the designs come to life.  Those items are found here.

 

You can see in the above picture that the outside cream borders were different sizes, but I wanted to be able to have the same quilting all the way around the quilt.  In the bigger area, I added a few more lines and details, but a few squares in - that way the design could flow better.  I hope that makes sense...you can see how the design gradually becomes bigger.

 

I used the pieced squares in the red border fabrics to come up with the on-point square designs.  I think it worked out perfectly.

 

I have to say I did have a lot of fun with these border treatments.  I allowed the piecing to do the talking and filled in the rest with quilting designs that fit the quilt.

 

 

I love how the corner design makes a geometric heart shape.  Just perfect!

 

Here's another look at the quilting detail on the entire quilt. 

 

 

I have to admit, ruler work is hard, time consuming and sometimes just plain old boring!  But, the end result is always worth it and I am so happy with how this design worked out for this quilt.

 

The stars look so amazing, not a lot of detail, but just enough lines and fillers to make the piecing stand out.  I always want the piecing to shine and have the quilting just add to it without taking away from it.

 

Ahh, that texture is so amazing! I love it!

 

Jan also made two pillow shams, this is going to be an amazing set up on her bed!

Okay, I hope you enjoyed that quilt.  It really was a lot of fun quilting - now on the next project!  I am also getting ready and excited for my classes in Paducah, I hope to see you there - info here. 

One more thing, my books and dvd's are on sale and the sale ends todayish... be sure to order yours if you haven't had a chance yet.
 

Summer Happenings!

Hi Everyone!  I hope you are having a fabulous summer and getting a lot of family time in, we sure are - but, I hope you are making time for quilting because, let's face it - quilting keeps us sane!  Haha, right?  I have my Starburst pattern on sale right now, it's a fabulous design, available in PDF and Paper form.

As you can see, my patterns are full color and easy to follow along.  You can look at all my available and updated new designs here.

And....EEK - a new design is in the works and it is going to be fantastic!  It was lots of fun to piece, but I have to quilt it first, so stay tuned for new designs coming out in a couple months.

And, one other cool thing.  I have a new member of my quilting family in my studio.  I got myself a computerized machine to do edge to edge work, while I am piecing and doing other things in the studio. Please don't worry, the custom quilting and free motion designs that I have done will not stop and I won't be doing custom quilting with my computerized machine. Phew...please don't fret over that, but stay tuned for more info on that as well...

The quilt above is my first practice quilt, and I will be doing a lot more practicing with the machine before I will be ready to make my edge to edge services available. 

Another cool thing happening are the fabulous Moda Bella Solid bundles I am adding to my website.  These colors are put together by me and they are gorgeous.  You can see all the bundles I offer, here.  I will also be adding more, so be sure to check back often.

The last thing I am working on for the moment is this fabulous customer quilt.  I am doing a lot of marking and ruler work, and it is turning out better than planned.  I love when that happens.  I will be sure sure to keep you updated with this project on this blog, or through my Facebook and Instagram pages.

Happy Summer! 

Oh, one more thing - sign up for my Fall Paducah classes here!

Bohemian Pattern on Sale!

Do you need a summer piecing project?  Look no further than my Bohemian quilt!  This is a really great project and I know you will enjoy putting it together.  Also, the pattern, available in paper and in PDF form is on sale right now! 

You can get the paper pattern here, and the PDF pattern here. 

Enjoy!

Harriot by Sue Cody

Okay, so I am thrilled to finally share with you the final results of this beautiful quilt, Harriot.  This is another masterpiece by Sue Cody and appliqued to perfection by Beth, you have seen some of her other work on here - most recently, Sweet Surrender. Beth is an amazing appliquer and I am thrilled to be able to work on her quilt tops.

This time I wanted to share with you Beth's work.  You can see in the picture above how small her stitches are and how precise the hand stitching is.  I am still in awe of her work, so thrilled to have a part of it.

I only used 1 layer of batting for this quilt top.  It is going to hang on a wall, so no need for the double layer- plus, that was Beth's request.

Whenever I am working with a lot of applique I have to free motion quilt from one side to the other, I work my way to the applique, stitch around it and then fill all around.  You can see that if you look carefully at the picture above.

Beth requested that I do a similar fill that I had done on a previous quilt of hers, you can see that here. I definitely added more detail and feathers in this quilt and I think the end result is fantastic.

I used almost a full cone of 60wt Glide thread and over 13 Magna Glide Bobbins. 

I ended up needing my straight ruler for the diamond shapes and my purple disappearing marker for the diamonds as well, other than that - this quilting was all free-motion work on my A1 Elite Longarm.
 

It is so fun to look at the applique and I really love the quilting in the background. It makes the applique look like it was placed on top.  That is my ultimate goal when quilting with applique.

If you look at the applique, you see all the fussy cutting that went on.  Amazing!  Also, I had a lot of fun with some of the flies.  I made the quilting look like they were in motion. 

Fun close up. 

Here is another look at the flies in motion, I just love it!  I really had fun quilting this top.

I just love the texture of the quilt.  I hope you are enjoying it as well.  I can tell you that the pictures do not give this quilt justice.  It is so beautiful in person.

I look at this quilt with so much awe.  The designer, Sue Cody is amazing - the appliquer, Beth is equally amazing in her skill and then I had the chance to quilt it.  It takes 3 people to create a masterpiece and I am happy to be a part of it.

And, the back!  I couldn't share this finish without sharing the back of the quilt.  It looks amazing with all that texture.

Okay, so on to the next project!  I have lots of fun ideas for new patterns that will come out later this year.  So, stay tuned for my next quilting adventure!

Star Xing! The First Real Glimpse!

So, my book, Secondary Designs with Judi Madsen has been out since December and because life is crazy, I still have a couple of quilts that I have not shared from the book.  I am happy to introduce to you Star Xing!  This is a fabulous design that I am very proud of.  You will find the design on the CD that comes with my book.  The piecing as well as the quilting instructions are both on there.

This is the second quilt I have made of Star Xing, I go into detail on why I chose to make 2 quilt tops in the book, so you can read that there. Thelma was kind enough to save me from a timing bind and piece this quilt top as well as another design, which will be shared at a later date.  She is an excellent piecer and I was so grateful for her help.

The quilting was so much fun on this quilt.  I won't lie, it took a long time, but I think the end result was definitely worth it.

I had a lot of fun with the Secondary Designs on this quilt top.  The piecing and the quilting work magically together on this design.  I love everything about this quilt.

Isn't that texture just scrumptious?

I love the quilting design on this particular row on the quilt.

On-Point Square Cross-Hatch filled in?  Yes, please! I love the look of it!

It also looks pretty amazing on the back as well.

This is a great example of why I love solid backings on my quilts.

So, so pretty!

I hope you enjoyed getting to know Star Xing and I hope you want to make one of them yourself!  It sure is a lot of fun putting this quilt top together. The quilting is just icing on the cake!  However, if you aren't planning on quilting it quite like mine, this design can stand on it's own and would look beautiful in bright, bold fabrics with a not-so-solid background. 


If you haven't gotten my book yet, you can order a signed copy, here. 

Thanks everyone!  Stay tuned for my next client quilt - it's almost finished and it's a beauty!