Saturday, January 1, 2011

Some Gifts

You may remember this as a top from a post a few months ago. It was recently quilted by Susan Atwell of the Fat Quarter Quilt Farm. This was a gift for new son-in-law Adam, the hockey player. After I made this top, Adam retired from playing, and is now on sports radio in Corpus Christi, Texas. These were the team's (Corpus Christi Rays) colors. They also happen to be the Chicago Black Hawks team colors, so it was a win-win! One of his former college teammates plays for them. This was his Christmas gift from me this year.
The border and binding used up many of my black strips.
Jessi asked after some of her quilts that she used to have in her bedroom. She asked if they could go home with her - they drove from Texas! - and I was happy that she asked, and happy that it freed up a bit of space in the quilt/linen closet.
This was maybe the fifth quilt or so that I ever made in the mid-90s. It was also the first quilt that I ever machine quilted. I remember going about it fearlessly, and really didn't encounter any problems. It was quilted with invisible thread which I still really like. I think that it gives a hand-quilted appearance because only the texture is noticeable. People don't seem to quilt with this type of thread much anymore, do they? Do any of you have experience with the invisible threads? I remember that this was nylon, but I know that Superior makes a polyester, too. Perhaps this is the new generation of these threads?
Just some simple, straight line quilting. Free motion still scares me silly!

This was Jessi's graduation gift. She went off to college in North Carolina, and became a marine biologist mainly because of her love of dolphins.

I also machine quilted this one, but used an invisible thread here, too, but with a bit of sparkle to look like light reflecting on the water. I used a walking foot, and had no problem with these narrow curves.
Another gifted quilt that I made recently was for my niece, Betsy. She and her husband, Richard, welcomed their first child, Fiona in October. They are both art majors, and seem to enjoy modern and 60's retro designs. This fabric had to be purchased for this quilt. I certainly don't have anything like this in my stash! Her is the back where I was able to use leftover strips, and one width of yardage.
This was inspired, and, frankly, copied from something that I saw online, but can't recall where. Susan quilted this one, too. It was fun to use fabrics that are completely different than what I normally use, but I am anxious to get into the sewing room, and work with some of the dark, and depressing that I so love!




15 comments:

Meredith said...

What nice gifts. The baby quilt is cute. I do not have any fabric in my stash like that either but I like the look of it. Nice and calm.

Cheryl said...

These are all wonderful quilts and very special gifts. My daughter would love the dolphin quilt!!

Nancy said...

A thoughtful and beautiful gift..the hockey quilt. And how nice your daughter wants these quilts with her. They are meaningful.

Lori said...

It's great to give quilts when the recipients appreciate them. These are beautiful!!

Ann Marie said...

I've used invisible thread many times for quilting. I've not had any issues with it. I don't use it in the bobbin though. And, I've heard you shouldn't use it for baby quilts, although I'm not sure why it would be different from regular thread except that it is harder to see.

I'm a straight-line quilter too. I've tried free motion, but I think to be as good at it as I would want to be I'd have to practice. A lot. That's probably not going to happen!

Karen said...

A pieced back can add interest to a quilt. The single strip of fabrics co-ordinates so well with the front of the quilt.

Barb said...

I so enjoyed seeing all of these quilts....

Quiltgal said...

I made the Dolphin Quilt a few years ago for my husband, mainly because he likes them. Yours is lovely.

Vivian said...

What a wonderful collection of gift quilts! What's great is that the recipients really treasure them.

I often use monofilament thread (both clear and smoke) and have used it in the top and in the bobbin. Often it's my choice for multicolored tops when I can't decide on one color for it, don't have the color I need handy when I am ready to quilt or don't want to have to change the colors for each area of the top. It's also great for really invisible machine-attached binding.

My understanding of the reason for not using it in baby quilts is that because the nylon thread doesn't give/break as easily as regular cotton thread, if a loop comes loose, a young finger or toe could get caught on it and the flesh would give before the thread would! Not a happy thought.

Quilt Doodles said...

I enjoyed seeing your quilts and you have given me an idea on how to finish (piece) the backing on a quilt I am working on right now. I like your pieced backing. Thanks for sharing.

Amy Cate said...

I don't think I ever had the chance to see Adam's quilt finished. It looks great!! :)
I still love the baby quilt for Fiona & Betsy. (Wanna make a bigger one? ;)) lol
The ones Jessi took -- I'd forgotten about them ... always loved the dolphin one just because it's so different. Not your normal thing but it came out looking fantastic and is totally her. Nice seeing all of these!

Miri said...

Great quilts-what lucky recipients!

You're right-no one uses invisible thread any more. I think that as machine quilting became more common-it became more "acceptable". Plus using non-cotton thread means that the thread is stronger than the fabric and if there's pressure then the fabric will tear and not the thread...not good. :)

Barb said...

Wow great eye candy today
Happy New Year!
I love the fresh modern baby quilt. Grate name too.
Hey Hey I'm a big Blackhawk fan too!

FatQuarterQuiltFarm said...

Nice to hear she wanted her quilts back!! Nothing like a bit of quilt making validation....and I'd say Murray approves too. Thanks for the mention, I enjoyed quilting both of those. Always fun to get up close and personal with your fabric choices!
Today is a perfect day for getting back to the "dark and depressing" fabric choices and projects.
Happy New year!

Mom said...

love the dolphins. Where did you get the pattern at?
margaret
msolomo1@maine.rr.com