The colorwash top- sewn

     I used the webbing method from Wanda's class and sewed the columns that way and it is great. Everything stays put and is ready to sew the rows.

    And then, I finished the top and pressed it well. Ready for quilting, found a backing. I don't know whether to longarm it, Singer 301 it, or big stitch. I bought some Invisifil thread at Houston I am going to try.

Some I just can't stop thinking about

 At Festival, some quilts just make an impression that you keep thinking. Here are a couple that rang my bell. First, my favorite. I love Polish pottery and this quilt was made from crocheted pieces appliqued. 

From the International Miniature Quilt Exchange

Jane Sassman, of course

Closeup

Closeup

Reminded me of an oil painting, part of woman power exhibit

Technically Marvelous at Festival

      I will never be able to make anything like these quilts, but these artists can. My mouth was wide open so much, I had to chug water all week. I did not take pictures of nearly everything, some I wish I had. This gives you a flavor. I did not photo the bling bling top quilt as I think there enough photos of it out there.

Detail

The Blue Willow is special to me because I used to read the stories and help my students make interpretations of their own Blue Willow in clay. We would paint with underglases and I would fire them. To make one in fabric is phenomenal.

The book of Kells in fabric and thread, awesome.

Close up. Can you believe it?

A bit hard to see, but it is a large lace doily look. The lighting was not super at the show.

How do you describe it?

     It is overwhelming- the International Quilt Festival in Houston. My friend, Elizabeth, and I flew down and stayed for 4 days. I had been to the show 4 years ago, but I was suffering then from chronic migraines, which I am cured from now. This time I had a plan and pre-decided what to see when and how and not just wander up and down every aisle like Pac Man. The multiple quilt shows (about 25) in one area are just breathtaking. I took lots of photos, but am still processing them in my head. 
     Quilting is real work done by a huge variety of people. It is legitimate work, not a hobby. 
     Today, I will show ones I call FUN! Sometimes it just gets too serious and technically over the top at the show. Here are some for inspiration that will hopefully make you smile.

Thank you! Pieced not fused.

Unbelievable amount of work, ideas, and flawless execution

Hard to see, but look at the quilting. Too much fun.

My favorite by Timna Tarr- just marvelously pieced. She nailed the values, spot on.

Two finished tops

   I just returned from the International Quilt Festival in Houston on Sunday and the weekend before I attended our fall quilt retreat. I think I am untangling all my stuff from all of that. Normally I would not do so much, but they fell close together and I still think about the Feb. 7th heart attack and how close I was to going nowhere around here, so I went.
     At the retreat, I was able to finish the top, Basket Case. Although simple pieces, it was tricky to put together and I had to pay attention to the diagram for every block. I was going to make it a row longer, but there were only 40 strips in the jelly roll. The pinked edges of the strips drove me mad to keep consistent and a couple of them were not cut even. I dearly wanted the top done to bring home, so it is a square, not rectangle. It is 60 x 60. Maybe I can add a white 3" border all around yet so it is ok for a comfort quilt.
     The other quilt I have made before, Diagonal Variations. It has 2 strip sets sewn, one white-color-white and the other color-white-color. They are put right sides facing each other, sewn in a tube, then cut with a 45 degree triangle. Lots of squaring up before the blocks are sewn. I had all the blocks numbered in order and had to just sew the blocks together for the retreat. I also made seven flannel pillowcases (can't show them yet) for Christmas gifts.
     I can't resist multiple glamor shots while the weather was for one day sunny and dry.

All but the binding

     I managed to get some long arm quilting done. This is Pineapple Blossom, free pattern from Bonnie Hunter, that I started at a work shop with her last October in Rochester. I really liked making the quilt and want to make another, but bigger. I like the colors. The green border says meow with little balls of yarn, kind of funny. Just have to do a binding and I was thinking scrappy with all the pieces I save.
     When it gets bound, I will do a better picture and show the back.

Quick pics

     Last week was the Morningstar Quilt Guild show at the Erie County fairgrounds which was a new venue for them, but the Grange Building worked out quite well. I only had my phone with me, and some of the photos self deleted, but three quilts I really liked were these. I took a lot more, but are lost.

This one is Circle Game by Jen Kingwell, much nice than the original one on the pattern

Portion of a lattice quilt, the name of the pattern is lost.

Exciting quilt all made from men's shirts that she found at Amvets