Wisteria Pillow Top construction

I'm putting step by step directions for making a 14" pillow top using the Wisteria pattern on this blog. Scroll down to see it and a picture of a wisteria up close! I had never taken the time to really look at a wisteria blossom! Amazing!
As you who blog all of the time, you know that you have to scroll down to the beginning of a project, and then scroll up to see the steps in order ......kinda weird, but it works that way:) Tomorrow I shall add how to finish the blossoms. They are so pretty when finished.
Silk ribbon is used for the tiny stems for each individual pod on the blossom. It is 4mm wide. I used a bright green. I stitched the ribbon and the long green stem on with invisible thread in the bobbin and on top, using a tiny zigzag stitch for the "applique" process. Easy as pie! I am using crayolas to make the pods and flowers to look more realistic. You know how I love to use crayolas! Be sure to buy the real CRAYOLAS, as they have more wax in them......:)

Wisteria pillow top

Wow, finally got my camera working! I am lost without it! I measured out 14" of a dark check.....turquoise and green very dark......for background of my pillow top.
I placed all of the fabrics that I shall use on top of the background fabric, choosing from light blue to med. purple at the bottom. I had several shades of lavender to choose from. The more the better.
I found a piece of hand dyed lime green fabric that goes from light to dark green for the stem. I used a quarter inch bias bar to make the stem. (see picture or check Jan 8th 2010 blog for directions for using bias bars. Tomorrow I'll start making the petals of the wisteria. Keep a check on my blog for further pictures.

Wisteria flower blossom for a pillow top

I think you'll love doing this pillow top. Start with a 12" block of any background fabric you wish. The lighter the fabric, the easier it is to see the pattern through it to trace the lines. If you have a light box (that they have at some fabric shops and also craft stores, you'll be able to see the lines nicely. Enlarge the pattern to fit inside the 12" block.
Trace the pattern using a light pencil or a washable pen.
Make a center stem using a bias bar and a pretty shade of green fabric. I shall make my at least 14". (Directions for using a bias bar are on my blog Jan. 8, 2010.)
Choose shades of lavender, pale blue, and light purple for the blossoms.
Next week I'll put pictures of my project, so you can watch me do this project. My camera is on the fritz or I would show you today! MERCY!
Just get all of your supplies ready, and we'll get this done very soon.

Signature Quilts

Yesterday, we gave our "Signature quilt" to our retiring President of the Quilt Guild here in Florida. She was overwhelmed by it all. It turned out so pretty once we got the machine quilting done on it. The squares were not all perfect, but, neither are we! The sentiments were written with Pigma pens, and that means it will last forever.
One bit of advice for anyone wishing to make one for a friend, be sure that you use the Pigma Pens that state: Archival ink, acid free. Otherwise, some inks will eat right through the fabric. The usual black pens that you pick up at the stores, usually ARE NOT filled with ARCHIVAL INK. Steer away from them!
Another very important thing is to have all of the squares measure exactly the same size. It is wise to give each person a pattern that has the 1/4" seam allowance added, and then request them to use only a 1/4" seam.
Ironing "freezer paper" to the back of the area that people are going to write their sentiments on, will also help the penmanship to be much more readable.
Using the pattern that I put in the newspaper or the one that is on this blog, the center piece, MUST BE the same size, or the points will not match up. Have someone cut out ALL OF THE CENTERS out of the same fabric and iron the freezer paper on them BEFORE giving them to the others to add the triangles to each side. This will certainly make a nicer square and a nicer quilt.
Time was of essence when we were making our signature quilt, and we didn't have time to get this last step done for them. I'll save you a lot of trouble when making yours by heeding my advice!

Seasonal Quilt- Easter Egg Basket

Easter is coming April 24th. This is such a beautiful time of the year. My Seasonal quilt will have many pretty things on it for Spring. Silk flowers pinned to the plain blocks, birthday pictures of those family members celebrating an April birthday. This Easter egg basket may be made out of paper or felt, and pinned to the plain block. Real plastic eggs may be inserted in it to give a 3D effect. If you wish to write grandchildren's names or children's names on the eggs first, this will be a surprise for them to see their egg on the quilt. Be sure to make the Scrappy bunny. It will be in the paper on April 6. I'll put it on the blog, too. It makes an adorable children's quilt. Just making one Scrappy Bunny for the Seasonal Quilt will be fun, too.
Happy Days!

Pattern for 12" Lover's Knot classic block

Lover's Knot construction

I put the patterns for this block in the newspaper. Here is the method of construction. The pattern is given above.