12/25/11

Design Wall Monday--December 26, 2011

My sewing machine was in the shop for almost two weeks, and so I didn't get a lot of sewing done.  Still, I had plenty of time to finish the embroidery on the 4th block of the Day in the Life of Mr. Bear quilt.  There's a lot of stitching in this one, believe me!


It's probably just as well that I had so much time on my hands.  It took forever to stitch her little plaid clothes and the baby carriage.  I'm loving this quilt, and I find myself excited to get on to the next stitchery.  This block still needs to have its pieced sashing added on, but I can trace out the next stitchery and get started on that now.  That makes four of nine blocks finished on this one.  It's coming right along.

Then, when my sewing machine came back, I was ready to do some traditional piecing, having worked on fusible applique and embroidery all week.  My sewing machine purrs like a cat now that it's been adjusted, cleaned, and lubricated.  So I finished up this quilt top for my Quilts for Quilters Swap on the Quilting Board.  I'm calling this quilt "Flying Colors," which I'll admit isn't a name I thought up myself. 


This quilt was made exclusively from fabrics out of my stash, some used before, others used for the first time.  I'm very happy with the way it went together.  I found this pattern, Claire de Lune, for free at Clothwork Textiles.  The rules for this swap specify that the quilt must be at least 45-60 inches wide and 60 inches long.  I needed to add an extra five inches in both directions, and so I added the middle polka dot border.  I'll use the same dark purple fabric for the binding, and I'm going to use this fabric (also from my stash) for the back.


Also, I'm planning to free motion quilt it using this variegated thread, which matches the back fabric almost perfectly.  I want to try just doing a kind of a meander using daisies and loops.  (I think that's within my skill level.)

So that's it from me this week.  I'll be linking up to:




For more design wall inspiration, visit:

Patchwork Times

5 comments:

Lynda Halliger Otvos (Lynda M O) said...

Ok, really liking this one--the colors enchant, the shapes delight. I love your work, Barbara, and the more I see, the more I like it. Happy Holidays.

Kate said...

Beautiful quilt! I love the butterflies. It's a nice reminder of spring in the middle of winter.

Denise :) said...

Love your redwork -- that was very stitch intensive, wasn't it?! Have a great Monday! :)

Needled Mom said...

What a darling stitchery and I love the butterflies. Nice work!

Sue Daurio said...

Your stitching is incredible. Her plaid clothes are just adorable!! Great job.