Thread Tales From A Scrappy Quilter

"I Think I Need A Spa Day" won a judges choice award!   I almost did not even enter this small quilt.   It's invisible machine applique and piecing but nothing like traditional applique quilts and has no variety of techniques (small circles, flowers, leaves, vines etc).  But, I think visually it is interesting and wanted to display it and finally decided to judge it as well.    We did not have a modern quilt category so this was against any beautiful Baltimore album type quilts or more traditional applique quilts.  Again I never expected a ribbon, just thought it interesting and would look nice in the show.    I was so surprised to be awarded a Judges Choice ribbon for Design!!!   The judging sheet has "Excellent" marked everywhere... visual impact, piecing, applique, workmanship... and the only ding on this review was my corners were not perfectly square 90 degrees.    If I remember correctly... this one even worked out having a darn seam fall at one corner Ugh

This was a large category at one of the local guild shows and I never expected to win a thing with this one because it's a "cutesy" type quilt compared to a Baltimore album type applique quilt.  I am thrilled with the judges' report marking many areas as "excellent" and.... of the 4 quilts I entered for judging.... this one had NO DINGS for binding Woohoo!  I also got the notation that "back art adds interest".   This was a pleasant surprise to get this ribbon and the judge's comments make me happy.  I do love applique of all types.  This is the first time I have entered any applique as most of my quilts made are gifts and given away or were older than the time frame for this show.

You all know this one, it's on the banner of my blog.   Kricket is so cute playing with her feather while I spread it on the floor to photo.  Then stretches out over the quilt (wool batting - she LOVES wool batting) and both match the colors in the quilt so well. There were only 2 quilts in this category... so it wasn't over lots of other quilts but I'll take it LOL!  My first blue ribbon.  

I've posted about this one, the name even suggests my issues with this quilt.   I posted about how I named this quilt "Happy Medium" in this post .   I've copied for your convenience here:   " When I could not find that last fabric that I wanted, a light bulb went off in my head.  I've had to concede, change plans, make adjustments and compromises just to get this quilt made.  Like a marriage!  This pattern is based in part on a Wedding Ring quilt design and my process of getting this one quilt to completion has been very much like our marriage.   Lots of compromise, acceptance, adjustments, understanding, fifty-fifty, win-win, settlement, reconciling, middle of the road,  "HAPPY MEDIUM"!  Is it everything you always dreamed of?  Probably not... but we keep working on it, make adjustments, compromise and love each other just the way we are.   Once again....  Every quilt tells a story.  ".   I KNOW so much is wrong with this quilt but I placed i

As past VP and  steering committee organizer for the WAQG show, I have to say I am so glad it is over!  It is so much planning, many meetings reviewing what is done, what still needs to be done and finally finishes with an intense week for the finale.   Between my personal quilts and quilts I quilted for clients that were entered for judging, 9 out of ten won some type of award!    Gosh was I ever blown away.  I'm going to post awards for client's quilts today.  Congratulations to Carolyn, Kathy, Mary, Karen and Cindy for your awards and giving me the opportunity to quilt your award winning quilts! First off.... Carolyn's Glacier Star won 1st in its category and BOS !       Next, Kathy's Sedona Star won 1st in Kits/Boms - Large category and also Judges Choice for Best Machine Quilting !!!          Mary's Mill's Girls "Because of a Friend won 3rd place in Kits/Boms.       Karen's Peppermint Place

This one is so pretty!  But I also faced several issues.  Silk is usually fused with a lightweight interfacing so that it doesn't fray or ravel as you piece. Those intersections had too many fused fabrics coming together creating hard, bulky seams. A little extra fulness in the body as well.  Plus some silks reacted differently finishing almost like plastic! I could not quilt this like the owner wanted, instead having to do a loose allover design in the body,  working in fullness and avoiding thick intersections.   Only one thread shred!   Woohoo! I worked with Rainbow thread Desert Rose, looser tension than normal.  No washing this quilt also meant no marking so I went with feathered borders.  Still a pretty quilt!   Love the silks. 

One of my quilts I gave to my in laws.   About 15 years ago.  DSM grid type quilting.