Friday, September 23, 2011

Dragonfly is finished......

the never ending dragonfly quilting is done! Hurray! So - facts before I say anything else.......

Laura's quilt - she did an awesome job.
Quilt Pattern - Montana Feathered Star by Jackie Robinson of Animas Quilts.
Batting used - Wool Batting and 100% cotton batting.
Thread used - So Fine #'s 402,411, and 449 - yes, three thread changes, uggh!

Montana Feather Star Quilt

Okay - so this Montana Feathered Star is one gorgeous quilt! The piecing looks a little difficult - so beginners, maybe not the quilt for you - but WOW, isn't it gorgeous? Wish I could say I pieced the quilt, but Laura - she did a fabulous job piecing this beauty!



When I was figuring out what to do for this quilt, Laura (the owner of the quilt) asked me if I could do something with dragonflies because the black fabric used in this quilt has dragonflies in it. So - perfect. I had to draw up the dragonfly and make my own template and draw each dragonfly on with the disappearing purple marker. Everything else on the quilt is all free motion quilting.



I love looking at pictures of this quilt. I was ready to pull my hair out during the process because it took longer than I planned, but hey - that's how I work. The end result is always worth the work.



The feathers around two corners of the quilt were kind of a mistake. After I started quilting, I realized I could use up more space with a feather border. But, it was two late to go all the way around the quilt. So - opposite corners became the design, and I like it - a lot!



Straight stitching for the center star - I wanted that to be a focal point of the quilt and not take away from the design. I think it turned out great. The black fabric was simple swirls because you just don't see it because of the busy pattern of the fabric. The green star section is a mimic of the background in the cream background - except the dragonflies of course.



Feather love..........have I told you I love feathers?



Oh, some more - I could stare at this all day! The texture on this quilt was incredible too because of the two layers of batting. I ran my fingers over this quilt a million times.


A play with the contrast and you can see the quilting so much better. I love it!!


So, I had a thought - I have a lot of people approaching me for my templates and I thought maybe I would start offering them for a small fee. Here's the deal. I use cardstock for all of my templates. I don't bother with template plastic - it's just easier for me to use cardstock because I always have it on hand. So - what I have done is drawn out my template and put it available on my website as a PDF file. I am going to do this with all of my quilt templates from this point forward. So, as I come up with something - you can quilt it yourself. I also give tips and directions on how to quilt it. So - does $1.75 sound fair? What do you think? You purchase the PDF File here.



Um, my favorite corner of the quilt - seriously. I was really happy how this part of the quilting turned out. Me = totally happy. Plus, on to the next quilt - that's always a good feeling.

58 comments:

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

What a beautiful piece of art - the quilt and the quilting!

Miriam said...

Wow! Absolutely stunning quilting and piecing! I am in awe!!!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

This is so gorgeous! Wish it was my quilt, just stunning.

Tamie said...

Your quilting just takes my breath away.

Leeanne said...

Your work continues to wow me!
Do you often use 2 layers of batting? I have never thought to use 2 layers or been asked. Because of the amount of quilting and the 2 layers of batting, is the quilt stiff?
Oh nearly forgot about the stencils, great idea, I'm sure you will get plenty of people wanting them. That is just how I make mine!Cereal boxes are great too.

pcflamingo said...

LOVE love love the dragonflies! And the feathers! What a work of art! Oh - my word verification is "winglywr" - sounds like a noise a dragonfly would make.

♥Duff said...

leaves me breathless! I, too, love the corner of the quilt--it looks like it will take flight any minute. Once again, you've outdone yourself!

paulette said...

Absolutely STUNNING!! I think this is the most beautiful quilting that I have ever seen!! Breathtaking!! And yes I think the template idea is a great one!!
Wow!
P

МамаФиалка said...

What a beautiful

Laura lok said...

wow wow wow this is gorgeos

Denise said...

Simply Breathtaking Judi!

Linda said...

Not sure I have words to describe how amazing your quilting is. You turned this quilt into a work of art. I could almost feel the texture through the photos!! Amazing. You really have a gift. AND I think you deserve a couple of days off after quilting this. :-) You've earned it! Thank you so much for offering the templates. You rock!

The Nifty Stitcher said...

Judi , I could stare at this quilt all day too. It is simply stunning. Beautifully pieced and beautifully quilted !

jednoiglec said...

Stunning quilting! Dragonflies are so amazing!

Charlotte said...

wow! That is so beautiful!

rooee said...

when i grow up i want to quilt just like you!!!

Thearica said...

Simply gorgeous!

How do you make a determination of when to use 2 layers of batting and when not to?

Barb said...

I cannot say enough about your quilting, it is so inspiring and amazing. The opportunity for others to have your designs is awesome as well. One amazing quilt!

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

This has to go in a show so even more people can see it - it's stunning!!! I love it!! Great idea about the templates - I'll know where to come next time!

annieb said...

Simply stunning and beautiful!

Karen said...

This quilt is amazing. I love the dragonflies.

Janet said...

I love, love, love your quilting!!! It's so beautiful and truly a work of art. Wish I could quilt like that.

tpott said...

I think you've done the most beautiful quilting I've ever seen. The quilt is so wonderfully pieced. But your quilting is really over the top. You're SO creative!!!!! I LOVE the dragonflies. WOW!!!!!!

•stephanie• said...

honestly . . . i don't think there is a better machine quilter out there. your work is perfection. and your eye and creativity are unmatched. i'm always excited when you blog about a new finish. lucky, lucky, lucky laura!!

p.s. thanks so much for your lightning quick service and shipping. i can never believe how fast my fabric orders arrive.

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

I have quite a list of long armers that I keep at close hand. Some of them always make my jaw drop to the floor with what they can do. But you..........wow you even blow those others out of the water. If I had to give awards, you would take them all. I know where I am sending any quilt that I need that WOW factor to.

Kim said...

There are not words to express how beautiful your quilting is. I am just amazed every time I look at one of your quilts!

Vicki W said...

Simply spectacular!

Laura said...

Thank you all for your lovely comments, and YES this is my quilt! I too am amazed at that wonderful quilting Judi did on my quilt. I knew she would do something fantastic and that is why I sent her this huge King size quilt in March. It has certainly been worth the wait to see it done.
I sent her two bats, one wool for dimension and one cotton for stabilization behind the wool.
I am planning on putting this quilt in some shows with the first one being in Spokane, Washington this October. If any of you are in the area, stop by and see the quilt in person.

regan said...

This quilt, and all your amazing quilting, is absolutely gorgeous! She will be in love with it when she gets it back!

kutiequilter said...

Stunningly beautiful!

Sarah Craig said...

Judi, that is amazing! It's always a treat to look at what you're working on, and this one is no exception!!!

peggy said...

Though the quilt is beautiful it would not be the piece of art it is with your quilting. I know a lot of quilters and your work is far above what I know. You are a real artist.

Christina said...

Judi, this is absolutely amazing; you have truly perfected your craft!

Auntie Pami said...

Wow! Wow! & Wow! You just blow me away with your quilting. Really would like to see some of your work up close at the local shows. Please post any info so we can go. Again, beautiful! $1.75 is cheap! So, OK.

Bailey said...

The piecing and the quilting...absolutely stunning.

Karen said...

As always, thank you for sharing photos of your lovely work. And how awesome that we can now buy templates of your patterns! Thanks so much!

colleencl said...

I agree with someone that posted earlier that this is perhaps the most beautiful quilting I have ever seen. It must look better in person. I would be interested in know what kind of thread you used in top and bobbin. Lovely!!

colleencl said...

... ooops ... never mind about the thread. I just saw that it is So Fine. Amazing that it shows that well .. must be the two layers of batting ... wow!

Suzette said...

Your artistry continues to astound me. I love the effect of 2 layers of batting-all the better to show off your fabulous quilting.

Linda at Roscoe's Ma said...

It is beyond my comprehension how anyone could quilt like this. It is AMAZING!!!!!!!

Deb said...

The quilt alone is beautiful, but add the quilting and it's truly stunning! You do amazing work!

Vickie said...

I want to say something poignant and meaningful, because that is what the quilting on this quilt calls for, but I am too stunned to think of anything! I am so blown away by your work. Congratulations and thank you for sharing!! Hugs!

Erin @ MakeitSew said...

Absolutely AMAZING quilting on this one! I am seriously in awe, congratulations. It's so beautiful.

Pam - said...

Oh, my gracious; completely, utterly awesome! 2 layers of batting, too! Whew, that is some work of art!

mimi_62 said...

Unbelievable quilting. What a gift. So glad you are going to start selling your quilting templates. The price sound great.
Thanks for sharing.

Petit Design Co. said...

stunning a always Judi!

Jane S. said...

What amazing quilting -- I'm in awe!

Carla said...

you have a gift my dear. such talent!

Jeanne Turner McBrayer said...

Wow- stunning quilting! Great job!

Lisa said...

What Beautiful quilting! Absolutely stunning!!!

Rose M. said...

Wow! You do magnificent quilting! Really - and Laura did an awesome job piecing the quilt. I keep looking at each picture over and over and I can't believe that it is a quilt - it looks like a piece of art. You should both be so proud of yourselves!

Mary said...

Your creativity is beyond belief! You have been truly blessed with a gift. Thank you so much for sharing!!

Carrie P. said...

Stunning!

Isabel C said...

You are an artist!!! Bravo!!

I Quilt for Fun said...

Holy cow. This is incredible. Jan

Janine said...

This is beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I only recently found your blog, and have enjoyed reading and looking at your pictures. This is my 16th year as a longarm quilter, and I still love seeing what other people are doing. I found your dragonflies beautiful and unique, so they stuck with me....

Tonight my mother sent me some pictures from the Spokane (WA) quilt show. She knows that I tend to see the quilting, while she sees the quilts...so she sent just a few, and one she sent a full view, and also a close-up of the quilting. My first thought was, "I've seen this before!!!" Sure enough, it was this quilt!

I just wanted you to know that not only did I enjoy the quilting on this quilt, but my mother also seemed to know that I would, too, so she had to share it with me. :)It's lovely!

Belinda said...

There are no words to describe your talent. It's God given for sure. Amazing, beautiful quilt and quilting.