Author Archives: Simple Bird Applique

Eat. Drink. Stitch!

Posted in Amy's Quilt, Uncategorized by

Is it just my imagination or is time whizzing by faster than normal?  I looked at the calendar this morning and realized (much to my surprise!) that September 1 is not that far away.

Amy and Bruce are getting married on September 1 and I still have a fair amount of quilting to do on their quilt.  Let’s be honest, there is a lot of quilting left to be done!  The bottom right hand block still needs to be done, as well as the the borders. And it will need a binding…and a label….yikes!

I love putting  hidden gems in my quilts.  I found a fabric that had little sayings printed on it.  I fussy cut  4 of the words and stitched them in to a flower on each border.

I used a Frixion marking pen to mark the quilting lines.  I was thrilled to be able to mark the quilt top and not have the marks disappear before my eyes while I  stitch.  Brilliant!

Speaking of brilliant….. Solar Iced Tea!

Fill a large pitcher with a 8 cups of water.  Toss in 6 tea bags and leave in the sun for 6-8 hours.  Easy Peasy!

Til next time…….

Kerry

I can always find time to stitch……

Posted in Quilt Labels, Uncategorized by

Even when I am on vacation, I can always find time to stitch.  My husband, Paul, and I are taking a much needed vacation in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Visiting Cape Breton, especially the Cabot Trail, should be on everyone’s Bucket List.  The scenery is nothing short of breathtaking!

Of course, I take my applique with me everywhere I go!

Whenever I travel, “being packed” means having my prepped block, my thread, my scissors, and my thimble….oh and some clean clothes!

Before we left for holidays, we finally hung my quilt, Reminiscence, a pattern by Lydia Quigley, in the front entrance.

Notice how some of the nine-patches in the sashing are a darker blue?  Most people think that was done on purpose!  But here is what really happened…but remember…mum’s the word! I carefully cut, stitched and counted the many, many, nine-patch units.  When it came time to put the quilt together, I was short 15 nine-patch units.  Of course, the fabric was discontinued and I could not get any more.  I decided to make the missing nine-patches out of navy blue fabric and then place them strategically in the sashing. I am sure one day I will find a baggie full of the missing nine-patches!

Here is a close up.  The machine quilting was expertly done by Rose at Elite Quilting.  Rose brings all my quilts to life!!

And here is the label.

Til next time…..

Kerry

Ran out of fabric…

Posted in Amy's Quilt, Feathered Star Quilt, Friends of Baltimore, Sue Garman Pattern by

I was progressing so nicely on my Feathered Star…then I ran out of the white background needed to make the borders.  It’s every quilters nightmare!  My local shop ordered in a bolt for me so I will pick it up today.  While I have been waiting for the fabric to arrive, I have been stitching away on Block 7 of Friends of Baltimore.  It is finally finished!!

There is a sashing of half-square triangles between each block so I am going to start making those soon.  Here is what I have done so far!! 

And, last but not least, I am slowly getting Amy’s wedding quilt hand-quilted.  Time is flying and the wedding is less than 2 months away!

Til next time…..

Kerry

It’s not finished until it has a label on it!!

Posted in Quilt Labels, Sunday Afternoon Applique Group, Uncategorized by

Lately, I have been on a mission!

My mission is to have a label on the back of every quilt.  I believe it is so important for future generations to know the history of the quilts that will likely be passed down to them.

Here are a few quilts  and the labels that go with them.  All of the quilts shown were machine quilted by Elite Quilting.

I made this quilt for my daughter, Kelly.  The pattern is a Piecemaker’s Calendar from 1999.  The quilt is hand-appliqued in blocks, then stitched together.

The little girl raking the leaves always reminded me of Kelly, so I made that block twice and included one on the back.

And here is the label.

Here is my version of  “Aunt Millie’s Garden”.  Every year my Sunday Afternoon Applique Group chooses a quilt pattern and everyone works on their own quilt.  This is the quilt we worked on last year.  It belongs to my daughter, Courtney.  When I told her I was going to give it to her, her only response was: “Gee….it’s bright”!

I was rather speechless when I saw the amazing  job that Rose (from Elite Quilting) did!!

The group is getting together  this Sunday.  Won’t they be surprised  when they see it actually has the binding AND a label on!!

This is “A Mermaid’s Garden”, which is based on the pattern, Simple Gifts, by Mary Sorenson.   We entered this quilt in the MQX show a couple of years ago, and Rose won a ribbon for the machine quilting.

Here is a close-up of the quilting Rose did.

And here is the label.

What information do you put on a label?  Include anything that is important to you!  If I make a quilt specifically for someone, I make sure the label states that.  Not that I think my family will be fighting over my quilts (!) but this just clears up any misunderstandings!!

Til next time….

Kerry

A Day Well Spent!

Posted in Uncategorized by

Today I  had every intention to go into my sewing room and working non-stop for a couple of hours.   But I am not the most organized of quilters and my room was in desperate need of some tidying!  I started to put stuff away and realized a few strange things about myself.

Here there are:

I seem to have a fear that one day they will stop making sewing needles.  Well…I am prepared for that day!

If you asked me how many pairs of scissors I own, I would  not have said 6!

I am more than ready for the day when they discontinue colour #610  Mettler 60 weight thread.

I seem to have made it my life’s work to find the perfect set of bias bars.  They all work perfectly!

I collect anything with a “chick” theme.

I even have some “chick” knitting needles.

I have held onto this Fossil Fern  colour chart for a really long time!  I would say it is one of my many prized possessions!  There is a small swatch of….get this……every colour of Fossil Fern ever made!  One day I will do something with it…just not today!

My sewing room is pretty tidy (for now!).  The hallway is another story!!  Yikes!!

Til next time….

Kerry

Not that I need another project!!

Posted in Civil War Bride Quilt, Friends of Baltimore, Hand-Applique Techniques, Sue Garman Pattern, Uncategorized by

Oh!!!  It finally arrived!! Talk about speedy delivery!!

A couple of years ago when I was at The Ellie Sienkiewicz Applique Academy, a student showed her stunning version of The Civil War Bride Quilt at Show and Tell.  You can imagine the ooohhs and aahhhs from the audience!  It has been on my radar ever since I saw it.  Thank goodness for the internet!  I happened upon the pattern on Threadbare’s website.  Needless to say, the check was in the mail and I have been (im)patiently waiting by the mailbox.

Now the fun begins!!  I am now auditioning fabrics and backgrounds!!  This is such a good way to spend an afternoon!

Of course, I am still stitching away on Friends of Baltimore.

It’s  amazes me how much I get done when I actually sit down and stitch.  Sometimes I can’t sit down because my chair is occupied!!

Til next time……..

Kerry

Possessed by a Feathered Star

Posted in Feathered Star Quilt, Uncategorized by

Every now and then I get “possessed” by a quilt!

Like most quilters, I have a few quilts on the go. (Just don’t ask me what my definition of “a few” is!)  And I flit from quilt to quilt like a butterfly.  The trouble is, I never land on a quilt long enough to accomplish much.  However, I have been possessed by my Feathered Star quilt.  I have been working almost non-stop on it, so it feels kind of good to be seeing some progress!  The flowers and stems and the wavy border have all been stitched in place, but not the leaves.  I still have to add the yellow circles to all the flowers.

I was a bit stressed because I needed to find the exact shade of green for the leaves and stem, and thought that going fabric shopping would not only distract me, but delay my progress. Then I had a novel thought… I thought maybe I would check my stash….and I found 3 meters of the perfect green!  Who knew??

I am  previewing 2 different fabrics for the binding!  Which one will I choose?

Til next time……..

Kerry

Steady progress….

Posted in Friends of Baltimore, Hand-Applique Techniques, Sue Garman Pattern, Uncategorized by

I have never considered myself a stalker!  Well, that is, until I discovered Sue Garman and her amazing, amazing quilts!

I had heard of Sue Garman, but  it was not until I saw an ad in a quilt magazine for her Block- of- the- Month, “Ladies of the Sea”, that  my jaw hit the floor!  I was awestruck.  I had to meet her!  I emailed her and asked her how she stays  motivated.  She gave me the best advice….only work on quilts that you absolutely love, not sort of love, not kind of love….just absolutely love!

I absolutely love Friends of Baltimore (another one of Sue’s BOMs)  so it is easy to stay motivated!

I was lucky enough to meet Sue Garman a couple of years later at Quilt Market.  I told her I was her biggest fan and she giggled!  I wonder if she knows how much of an inspiration she is?

The fuchsias on this block are actually dimensional which makes the block interesting.

Here is how you make them..

Make 2 circles using the 1 1/4″ Perfect Circle.  Use a light and dark fabric and make sure you use matching thread.

Fold one of the circles in towards you and pinch with your fingers.

Take the second circle and fold it around the first circle.

Take a few stitches to hold the petals in place.

Thread an embroidery needle with a couple strands of embroidery floss.  I used yellow.  Knot the thread and stitch through the back to the opening at the top of the flower.  The knots will be on the back of this unit.  Cut the thread an inch or two from the flower.  Repeat this step a couple of times.

I used the starch method on the calyxes, so that means the seam allowance is already turned over.

Now I can just glue it in place at the base.

Lift up the opening and tuck the flower under the calyx and glue in place.  Easy peasy!

Til next time…..

Kerry

Washing my block

Posted in Friends of Baltimore, Sue Garman Pattern, Uncategorized by

So once my block if completely finished, I figure it deserves a long, hot bubble bath….and so do I!!!

My blocks may not look dirty, but they do need to be cleaned up a bit.  I use starch, glue and marking pens on my blocks.  The blocks may, or may not, have cat hair on them.

I want all that stuff removed before the block is stitched into a quilt.  I do not have to worry about my fabrics running because I have pre-washed everything in hot water and Synthrapol.

This is what I do:

I fill the sink with hot water and add a squirt of liquid soap.  I use either dishwashing soap or whatever hand soap in nearby.

Then I dunk the block in the water.  Do not be nervous!

I usually let it sit for 20 minutes or so.  One time I went out for a couple of hours and forgot about the block soaking in the sink.  It survived.  I am always very surprised (and sometimes a little grossed out) at how grungy and grey the water is.

I let the water out of the sink and rinse the block under warm water until the bubbles are gone. Then I gently press the water out with my hands.  Do not twist the block…it is not a dishcloth!!

Next, I roll the block up in a thick towel and press out any excess water.

Then I lay the block out flat on a dry towel and let it air dry.  I like to put pins in the corners to keep the block flat when it is drying.

And finally, once the block is dry,  I like to turn the block over and give it a final pressing on a thick towel.

And now on to block 7!!  It’s a doozie!!  (See below!)

doo·zie

[doo-zee] verb, doo·zied, doo·zi·ing. Informal noun

Also, doo·zer  [doo-zer]  something that is extraordinary or outstanding of its kind: The storm was a doozie, with winds of fifty miles an hour.

I think I can…..I think I can!!

Posted in Feathered Star Quilt, Friends of Baltimore, Uncategorized by

I have worked non-stop on this block for the last couple of days and the end is finally in sight!  Just a few more grapes and 2 leaves to go.  Thank goodness I have lots of chocolate covered cranberries for motivation…stitch a bit, eat some chocolate…stitch a bit, eat some chocolate!!  It is amazing what you can get accomplished with the right motivation!

I must confess, it doesn’t take much to distract me.  I opened my closet to look for some green fabric I knew would be perfect for my Feathered Star and I noticed these quilts on the shelf.  They had slipped my mind (out of sight, out of mind!) and I thought I  would  share them.  All three wallhangings were made and entered in the Northcott Challenge, which is a yearly challenge sponsored by Northcott Fabrics. Only fabrics made by Northcott may be used and each wallhanging must measure a maximum of 40″ square.  I love challenges…both in quilting and in life!!

I hand appliqued and hand-quilted this wallhanging.  It is based on a Mary Sorenson pattern and I used it as a teaching sample for many years.

I love a Mariner’s Compass.  It is my favourite pieced design.  I added an appliqued wavy border and some dolphins for fun.  It is machine pieced and machine quilted.

This wallhanging is hand-appliqued and machine quilted.  I drew the background design and then added the loons from “A Day at the Lake” by Nancy Murty of Bee Creative Studios.

Til next time…