Labels for quilts

One should always make a label for the quilt. It should have the name of the quilt, the maker's name, and the date, for sure! Anything more than that may be added. They may be hand stitched, embroidered by machine, or hand painted. Whatever works for the quilt is fine. It should be hand blind stitched to the back of the quilt on the far right cortner. If running behind and it won't show, it may be sewn on by machine; however, this is not very satisfactory in most cases.
The background should be light enough for the writing to be quite evident.
Many people use a piece of the fabric that is on the front of the quilt, if it is light enough to read the writing.

PINWHEEL BLOCKS

Many of you wish to see pictures of my blocks. I am showing the center point, the finished block, and the back of the block so you can see how to do all of this pattern. It is truly a beautiful quilt when finished. I am using Amy Butler fabrics that are so vibrant in color and design. Backgrounds for pinwheels are all different shades of green. I'll put the finished project on the blog when I finish it. Be sure to be accurate when joining pieces and the center seam. That is most important. GOOD QUILTING! happy days!!! :)B

Antique quilt purse

This antique quilt purse is using the pinwheel pattern. Notice the very old patterns used in the scrappy pinwheels. Some of the fabrics are very worn, and the cotton batting is showing through the background fabric in many places. The lady who made this quilt had to use very coarse thread for the quilting, and didn't know how to hide the beginning knots on the inside of the quilt batting. They are very obvious in the picture. But, I bet that she is happy that her quilt is still being admired after all these years! I love it!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Hawaiian quilting is such fun!

Hawaiian quilting is accomplished by quilting "the distance of the width of your little finger" away from the applique. The Hawaiians will measure using the little finger to repeatedly quilt around the applique in what we quilters call "Shadow quilting." It is done like little children do with new crayolas. Just keep repeating the lines outside an object using the same distance between the lines.
Aloha! And, HAPPY NEW YEAR~!!!!!!!!!!

Feliz Navidad!

Merry Christmas to you, dear friends. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas Day. The reason for the season, is so wonderful. Thought you might enjoy seeing the Nativity scene made by young children from the San Blas islands in Central America.....Panama area.............I bought this at a Cruise Ship depot from the girls who had made this.....They start doing reverse applique at the age of about 4 or 6 so they told me. By the time they are 12 or 14, they are professional at this tedius task......Beautiful work. Hope you can see the tiny stitches!!!!!!!
Hope you have a fantastic Christmas and a healthy New Year..........most sincerely, BT. Quiltlady14@aol.com

Silver Bells Placemat

This is sooooooooooo pretty and you'll love making them. Have you always wanted to learn to quilt? Don't you think it is about time that you took time for yourself to do what you have always wanted to do? I've taught many lessons in this newspaper over the past 15 years or so and many of you have been so kind as to read my columns and think, "Maybe some day….;" that 'some day' could be today.
Something as simple as a quilted placemat can be your first "quilted" item. One placemat requires only two rectangles of fabric cut: 12" X 16;" and batting the same size. Layer these together: batting on bottom, one piece of fabric face up, and other fabric piece face down on top of all. This becomes the "quilt sandwich." Pin together about every 6" avoiding the outside edges, as that is where you will sew the pieces together.
Once you have the sandwich pinned, sew either by hand in tiny running stitches, or by machine about 1/4" away from the outside edge. Start midway of one side, and sew around the edges, stopping with back stitches leaving an opening of at least 3". Reach in and turn the pieces inside out leaving the batting on the inside of the placemat. Hand sew the opening together with more running stitches. The placemat can be quilted in a "cross hatch" manner (making a grid of horizontal lines and vertical lines across the piece.) Quilting is just a series of little running stitches using quilting thread that is a little thicker than ordinary thread.
Iron a fusible onto the back of the "silver lame" fabric that will be the bell. This gives it stability. Press the bell onto the placemat in the top right corner. Blanket stitch by hand or machine around the bell. (Search internet for directions for this stitch) Glue the holly leaves, berry and bell clapper onto the bell. A set 4 placemats will make a lovely Christmas present. See more on my blog: www.funstitchery.com
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maggie's Victorian Ice Skating Costume (fits 18" doll)

Such fun making doll clothes for an 18" doll. Here are two costumes that I have made. Pattern for Victorian Ice Skating costume very easy to make!