Geese at Julia and Fred's Wedding

This quilt is going home to North Carolina soon so it's time for a blog post. If you follow me on Instagram (if you don't, you really should!) you saw it coming together last year. 

Made for my daughter and her husband, Julia selected Judy Niemeyer's pattern Geese at My Wedding. Julia insisted on a double wedding ring and she loves flying geese, so this was a perfect fit. Oh, but the pattern was written for a table runner, so some recalculating had to be done to make it queen size. Only a crazy mother of the bride would turn this pattern into a queen size quilt!

Let's start at the beginning: fabric selection. (November 2016)

The first ring! (February 2017)

I really had to be organized with this one!

I managed to get two rows assembled for the bridal shower. (March 2017)

Aren't they the cutest? (April 2017)

The top was done at the end of July and machine quilting started in early August. This quilt has it all: walking foot in the ditch, free motion, and ruler work. 

Since this quilt was for my daughter, I went all out and learned how to add a double piping to the binding. I highly recommend tools and classes by Susan Cleveland. (September 2017)

I don't block every quilt, but I always block the important ones. The big ones almost completely cover the area rug in the living room.

Julia came home for the Ninigret Quilters' show to see her finished quilt! (October 2017)

Picked up a couple more ribbons at the Narragansett Bay show. (April 2017)

And now for the detailed beauty shots!

A secret parachute was stitched into one corner for my airborne son-in-law!

Their names and the date are quilted in.

Their puppy had to check it out before it goes home with them!

Geese at Julia and Fred's Wedding

88" X 88"

Started November 2016

Completed September 2017

Total working time: 235 hours

Pieced and Quilted by Tina Craig

Mark & Heidi's Wedding Ring

 It's time for the big reveal...

Last June, I invited my nephew Mark and his fiancee Heidi to a quilt design consultation party. We looked at patterns and took a field trip to the LQS. We didn't find the focus fabric we were looking for, so we jumped online and found Kate Spain's Sunnyside line. Heidi wanted blues, and Mark wanted a bit of orange (note the Syracuse hat). I happened to have a mini charm pack of Sunnyside in my stash, and we decided on the main print from that 2.5" square!

Quite a few of the other prints in the quilt are from Sunnyside, but I needed to add in more blues for the gradation. I think I traveled to five or six quilt shops until I was happy with the fabrics.

If you've visited my blog before, you know I love paper piecing. Judy Neimeyer's patterns just make me happy! I love her methodical process and perfect patterns. This was my third time making a wedding ring star and I just love it. 

It's hard for me to complete a pattern without making some modifications. This time, I designed a border to echo the curve of the rings and added some simple applique. It took some time and consultation with my friend Maria to figure out a process for adding the scalloped border with bias edging. (I love Maria! We speak the same quilting language.)

The backing fabric was Plan B. My first purchase was a white on white that was just boring. I love this more modern option. (If I find the receipt, I'll add a link to the shop.) Oh, the binding! I cut up a whole yard of fabric into 2.25" strips. Overkill. I have extra, so you'll be seeing it again! I spent a few nights on the couch watching listening to TV while I hand stitched.

I'll step back and let the machine quilting by Pat Harrison speak for itself...

The queen size bed in Pete's room is dwarfed by this massive quilt.

My brother put me in this photo for scale! The portable quilt rack is just barely big enough. We had to bring it out on the deck for photos because our ceilings aren't high enough.

Mark & Heidi's Wedding Ring

Started June 2014

Completed April 2015

Working Time: 140 hours

Size: 112" square

Machine pieced and hand appliqued by Tina Craig, Seaside Stitches

Professionally machine quilted by Pat Harrison, Ocean Waves Quilting Co.

Bali Wedding Star Pattern by Judy Neimeyer, Quiltworx

Original border design by Tina Craig

Process blog posts:

Fabric selection

Block 1 and mockup

Piecing Arcs

Progress

Melons

Piecing done

Border applique

Top done

Binding

Awards:
Ninigret Quilters, October 2015:
Best Large Pieced Quilt
NQA Certified Judges Ribbon
Vendor Choice-Bob's Featherweights

Narragansett Bay Quilters Association, April 2016:
Best of Show
1st Place Exemplary Machine Quilting- Track
1st Place Exemplary Use of Color
2nd Place Exemplary Piecing

Friday Catch Up

Has it really been two weeks since I've posted? It's easy to fall off the blogging grid when Instagram is so quick and easy. My apologies to those of you who follow along here, but not there.

I've been quite busy, stitching up a storm! I'll give you a sneaky peak of the two quilts that will be gifted tomorrow. Many more pics coming soon!

The wedding ring star for my nephew and his wife is done and it is massive!

The same couple is having a baby in July, and their baby quilt is done, too! Stay tuned for more, including a tutorial for free motion embroidery on a Featherweight.

I always like to do something extra for baby showers. This time, I made burp cloths using this tutorial on Made. I've been wanting to try them for a while, but couldn't find terry cloth that I liked. One day strolling through JoAnn's, the baby terry caught my eye. The gray chevron flannel matches the sheets on the baby registry. I strongly recommend pre-washing both fabrics as the flannel shrinks like crazy. They are super soft and cuddly. It's a good day when I remember to add my labels!

This week, I've been working on the center medallion for a guild raffle quilt. Since it was my bright idea to put a mariner's compass in the center, it was only fair that I should piece it. 

Julia was home last weekend to attend the ROTC military ball with boyfriend, Fred. She lucked out and found the dress for $19 at Marshall's. It took longer to find the shoes ($59). Not my best hemming job (somehow the lining was 1" too short) but it works. Her best friends did her hair, makeup and nails while I was at a quilt class. (FTW) They are a great couple and so happy together!

Yes, I did take that job. I will be training as a dental assistant, working two days a week. I spent way too much money at the uniform shop, but I love my fancy new scrubs. I'm going to try sneakers for a while. I'm not ready for Dansko clogs just yet. Yes, I'll probably start making my own scrub tops soon!

OK! That's all for now. It's time to get ready for a fun family weekend packed with a concert, baby shower, and first communion. Can we squeeze in a quick birding hike?

Sew Random Thursday

 Hello, Friends! I'm still here, sewing away the days. So many projects, not enough time to blog.

Let's start with the finishes. My sister texted me a few weeks ago and asked for a drawstring bag for her granddaughter's magnetic letters. Why use a plastic baggie when you can have something so much cuter! I had to use the scrabble print that I bought for "Sis" a few years ago. I used Jeni Baker's tutorial for a lined drawstring bag, and it was just perfect.

 I was able to finish another charity quilt last week, despite thread breakage issues. I have been in contact with Superior's thread techs. I'll let you know what we figure out. And I'll show you more of this quilt soon.

These three quilts are ready to be delivered to a Habitat for Humanity home dedication this Saturday. The one in the middle is my Bears in the Suburbs. The other two were pieced by other guild members. It just worked out that I quilted this whole batch.

Last week, I delivered this t-shirt quilt to a friend and Girl Scout leader. Julia and I helped her troop make this traveling quilt. They are seniors in high school, and plan to pass the quilt to each other when they go off to college in the Fall. We used up most of my remaining Girl Scout fabric stash. My friend was able to acquire donated backing and batting which brought their cost down to zero. The girls sewed the sashing around their shirts and tied the quilt. It is super cozy and fun!

There are lots of projects in progress...

The wedding quilt came home from the quilter on Monday. The binding was made on Tuesday, attached yesterday, and is being hand stitched while I watch TV at night. I was able to get one full side of this king-sized monster done last night. Stay tuned for the big reveal!

There's a baby on the way, so a quilt must be made! I'll be using Lorna's Elephant Parade pattern, but have modified it so I can add this fun print as a border. It needs to be done for the family party/shower at the end of April.

I started a stacked squares quilt for a cousin who is battling cancer. I'll get back to this one as soon as possible.

 When I'm not binding at night, I'm working on these Patchwork of the Crosses blocks. They make me happy!

Oh, and I have to hem a gown for Julia to wear to the ROTC military ball. It will be a challenge. The dress is lined and has a slit up the back. Wish me luck!

Lastly, I was offered a part-time job in a field I never imagined myself working in. I'll be making a decision next Monday, after a few hours of shadowing. It's exciting and scary and just plain weird all at the same time.

I'm off to piece some elephants. Have a great day!

WIP Wednesday

 The wedding quilt top is done! Today I'll be preparing it for the machine quilter- pressing, trimming threads, squaring up- and piecing the back. This puppy is massive! I could only get a picture of a quarter of it!

This strip is part of a super secret project. Shhh.

There won't be any more sewing going on around here until mid-December. Pete will be home for Thanksgiving (yay!). After he heads back to Camp Lejeune, my brother and sister-in-law arrive to house sit while Bill and I are in Tanzania with Julia. I can't wait to hug my kids!

Time to link up!