Celebrate National Quilting Day !!
My Spinning Wheel quilt is back, and as usual, my friend and quilter~extraordinaire, Ronda, has added her magic. It's often said that the 'quilting makes the quilt', and I couldn't agree more. I thought I'd share some close-up photos of her work.
Together, we brainstorm ideas for the quilting designs. Sometimes, I know what I would like, and other times I defer to Ronda's expertise as we choose designs. For the background surrounding the center reel block, I knew I wanted what I call 'peacock feathers', i.e., ovals inside of ovals. Love that look! Leaving the applique untouched, this tight background fill makes the applique pop. L O V E!!
For the setting triangles around the center block, I chose a simple design, noting the "diamond" in the center of the quilt pattern replicated the shape in the middle of the reel.
The border decision was the most challenging. I wanted something that would not over-run the beautiful border fabric and I also wanted to avoid stitching over the border appliques. We had a heck of a time finding just the right color thread, and in the end, I decided that simple diagonal lines would off-set the other "swirling quilting" designs, and she would easily be able to quilt around the appliques.
I adore how it all turned out!
For photographic purposes, I must choose thread colors that match the fabrics 95% of the time. That means that all too often, Ronda's beautiful work isn't seen unless you're able to view the actual quilt. So, since I've been showing you pictures of the top, here's my chance to show off the back of the quilt where her stitches really show up. Pretty awesome, isn't it?!! (I can say that....I didn't do it!) Ronda quilts full time for her business, Simple Comforts Quilting, and if you'd like to contact her, you can do so at rondadranter@msn.com.
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Many years ago, I had the chance to meet Lynette Jensen (Thimbleberries), and hear her talk about her business, and lots of quilting related stories. One of the things she said was that our entire quilting industry, and every modern quilter today, owe much to our long-arm quilters. As much as I love spending time researching and "living" in the nineteenth century, if we had to hand quilt every quilt we made, we just wouldn't be making as many quilts as we do today. I know I wouldn't for sure! Times that by a few million quilters in America, and you can see how their talents effect the entire quilting world, from patterns, to fabric, and all parts in between! Her words really struck me, and so today, on this national day to celebrate quilting, I'd like to take this opportunity to praise and thank all of our long-arm quilters! Where would we be without you?
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And....what's a celebration without a give-away??
I have an extra copy of one of my favorite books, Great Little Quilts , and it needs a loving home. So, leave me a comment, telling me how long you've been quilting. Do you quilt your own quilts, and have you ever used the services of a long-arm quilter? In my humble opinion, hand quilting will always be the ultimate. While I've never learned this art, tell me if you have. Whatever quilting related comment you'd like to share will be fine. Comment by midnight, Monday, March 18th, and the random number thingy will choose a winner, which I'll post on Tuesday morning.
Wishing you all heartfelt stitches!
Pam