Slow finishings

     Due to a sudden knee pain attack out of nowhere, I have slowed moving down to a crawl. Lots of ice. Finally have a doctor appointment tomorrow at 7 am. Sharp pain has hobbled my ability to concentrate and focus. 
     I finished my son in law's pillow, 18", made from fabric he picked out this summer when I bought all the flannel pillowcase fabrics for Christmas presents. I FMQ it with some Kona white backing and batting to give the cover dimension. I made an overlapped back so the cover could be washed. I used a pillowform from Joann's to stuff it. I decided to do the quilting by circling the words in a graffiti type stitch, not trying to make it all even. I like the way the quilting turned out. For his man cave.

      I was able to make and get the binding on the Disappearing Hourglass quilt. I used some leftover Marcia Derse fabric that I love.

Backing

A week of flippity FLOPS

     Due to all kinds of things, not least my son's addition (lifting the roof for a dormer) that has been frought with setbacks (so I am housing the grandkids, 6 and 8), I have tried to work on some quilts with little success. It took me way too long to get a quilt off the longarm, and when I did last night and laid it on the carpet- wonk!- I noticed a block was wrong from the get go. I have no idea how it happened as I trimmed them all, photographed it and put it on the blog before, but there it was mocking me. Grr. Can't change it now. 
     Have to pick a binding, but I could not even look at it today. I also used a ruler because most of the designs are diagonal and can't be quilted freehand on a longarm. Hate the way they came out. I just have a hard time hanging on to a ruler with one hand and move the machine with the other. All kinds of movement going on.

     Second flop. I bought a kit which I hardly ever do but I loved the fabric and it was cheaper than I could buy the yardage. The star pattern was written different than I had ever seen. I even made a freezer paper template for the pattern pieces. Finished all 8 points and, drumroll, the angle is wrong so they do not come all the way around to make a star. I just can't find out what I did wrong. I am sure it is a whopper error.

Eight points that do not make a star

     I have been sewing backings to fit some comfort quilts and keep checking every inch of the way, so I am hoping the week turns better with perseverance. And hope I figure out how to selvage those darn star points.

Summing up- quilting next!

     I was so fortunate to be a part of Wanda's Colorwash 360 class. I made a small colorwash a while back, but I know I needed to have better information and techniques. I have long admired Wanda's work in color and her colorwash quilts of all kinds. 
     Once enrolled in the class, we were given a very specific schedule for lessons, real time conversations, and a very well designed class page- the best I have ever seen. Every lesson had wonderful handouts- excellent layout and instructions for beginning, continuing and finishing. The were lots of videos, examples, and extra materials to make this a deep experience on colorwash. The videos were crisp, specific, information saturated, and so very helpful.  I knew exactly the time frame and how each lesson would unfold. 
     I also had bought some batik squares from Wanda to enrich what I had been collecting. There are more squares to make another one after Christmas. I need more cafeteria trays- they stack so well and the fabric does not slip on them. Here is my tall stack.

    Due to my son's addition (fraught with delays) that causes the grandkids to bunk and eat here, I have not been able to get the quilt basted and quilted. I did pick out and iron a batik for the backing (shown below under the quilt) and am trying Quilters Dream that I bought at Houston for the batting. I also bought Invisifil thread for the quilting there. I even bought basting thread and needles to baste. 

     So I can't thank Wanda and her daughter enough for all the time, details, professionalism, and feedback they poured into this class so that I could learn from the master. I have spent triple to take a class from national teachers plus lodging, travel, food, patterns and fabric and not learned nearly as much and been so thrilled with the quilt. I hope to make many more. Thank you, Wanda!

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.