Longarm Quilting Archives - Page 2 of 3

June 1, 2015September 18, 2015

Rainbow Mini Swap

I have to admit I’ve gotten caught up in the mini quilt mania that is going around, and also gotten caught up in a few swaps. It’s not like I really have extra time to be devoting to swaps, which is why I’m probably not going to participate in any more big swaps (until the next amazing opportunity comes up that I can’t say no to), but I really enjoy that they push me out of my comfort zone and challenge me to come up with new designs and color palettes that I wouldn’t necessarily come up with on my own.

The latest swap was the Rainbow Mini Swap. Rainbow is a big trend right now that I am embracing, albeit as a late adopter. I made this mini quilt for @SGThings (Instagram).

At my recent Carolina Longarm Association meeting, one of the newer members was surprised that I put small things on my longarm. I think she felt like it wasn’t worth the effort to load or didn’t make very many small items. I put everything on the longarm, big or small!

I used a light yellow thread throughout the quilt to blend with all the colors, but it may have blended a little too well because you can’t see some of the custom quilting I did at all! The text on the white background has ribbon candy in it.

My partner mention that Anna Maria Horner was one of her favorites, so I tried to incorporate several of her fabrics. I made a coordinating zipper pouch as well, using the tutorial from The Busy Bean.

This is the mini that I received from @SewGiddy. I love this block, but it’s on my never-ending list of blocks that I haven’t gotten to making yet. At least I have it look at in the meantime! My daughter is going to have a field day with those fabric markers when I let her loose with them.

Linking up to some of the following: Fabric Tuesday @ Quilt Story, Sew Cute Tuesday @ Blossom Heart Quilts, Scraptastic Tuesday @ She Can Quilt, Linky Tuesday @ Freemotion by the River, Let’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuilts, Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation, Finish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts, Whoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt Addict, TGIFF, Fabric Frenzy Friday @ Ft. Worth Fabric, Show off Saturday at Sew Can She

May 28, 2015September 18, 2015

Bamboo Quilt

I recently finished this quilt for Heather at A Reformed Heath’n. She had created this Bamboo quilt from her month in the Stash Bee in 2014. She has a tutorial to make these blocks here.

We talked about how she wanted it quilted, and decided to go with this leafy panto that would bring out the bamboo look.

I enjoyed giving Heather sneak peeks of her quilt all day on Instagram while it was on the frame.

This is a pretty dense design, but it adds a lot of motion to the quilt, and evokes that leafy bamboo jungle feeling.

Here’s the completed quilt! I am happy to report that it arrived safely back to Heather a few weeks ago, I just haven’t posted it yet. She’s better than me, and has the quilt completed and entered into the Blogger’s Quilt Festival!

If you would like to finish up one of your UFOs, let me know! I am full prior to the move, but once I am set back up there will be no wait. We are supposed to get into our house on July 1st, so I’m hoping to be back at work mid-July. I’ll let you know as it gets closer!

– Heather

May 16, 2015September 18, 2015

Baby Square Dance

I’ve shown some pictures of this quilt in progress, and as just a top (between Instagram – QA Creations and the blog), but it’s finished! This is the 10″ block version of my Square Dance Quilt pattern (available on Craftsy).

This quilt is my entry for the Spring 2015 Blogger’s Quilt Festival – Small Quilt group. This quilt is about 40″ by 40″.

Many of the blocks in this quilt were made by members of my Quilting Circle – a wonderful group that I was a member of here in North Carolina. I did a paper piecing demo for the group, and then we all started work on these blocks.

I had brought the fabric pre-cut so that the group could concentrate on learning paper piecing. This was all fabric from my stash that was begging to turn into something cute and useful.

I was very impressed by how good these blocks turned out considering many of the ladies had never paper pieced before. I took the blocks we made together, and added a few more so that I would have enough to create the top.

I quilted the Bauhaus panto all over using blue thread. I love this pattern for masculine quilts.

I was a little rushed finishing this quilt! Sunday is my last meeting with the Tarheel quilt guild, so I was under a deadline to finish it and turn it in. I may be stitching the label on during the meeting… we’ll see if I get it on in the next 18 hours or so.

This quilt is going to the Fayetteville Tarheel Quilt Guild and will be donated to the NICU at the hospital. I hope that a family really cherishes this quilt, and that it brings them comfort during their stay with the NICU.

– Heather

Also sharing at Sew Cute Tuesday @ Blossom Heart Quilts, Scraptastic Tuesday @ She Can Quilt, Let’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuilts, Finish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts, Whoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt Addict, TGIFF, Fabric Frenzy Friday @ Ft. Worth Fabric, Show off Saturday at Sew Can She

May 4, 2015September 25, 2015

Square Dance Quilt Pattern

Paper pieced pattern includes photographic instructions and offers three block sizes and six quilt sizes for maximum value!

I have been working on this quilt pattern for over a year, and I’m really excited to be able to share it with you today! The Square Dance Quilt Pattern is now available in my Craftsy store.

This is a paper pieced version of a traditional block – one of the traditional names for this block is Square Dance, and I thought it was the most appropriate name for the quilt once you see the overall movement created by the blocks.

I experimented with many different sizes of blocks, and the result of that work is that this pattern includes 6″, 8″ and 10″ versions. I also tried a 4″ version, but it’s not practical for a quilt of any size! The instructions include fabric requirements to make 6 quilt sizes (Baby/Crib, Lap, Twin, Double, Queen, and King) from all three block sizes.

This paper pieced block is a great introduction to paper piecing! I used this pattern to teach a group to paper piece and was very impressed by their results in a couple of short hours. A full color photo tutorial on how to paper piece is included with this pattern, so if you are new to paper piecing this is a great way to get started.

The cover quilt uses the 8″ version of the block.

I had help making some of the blocks from my bee last year – the 2014 Stash Bee Hive 12. For this version, I custom quilted it and entered it in the North Carolina State Fair, where it earned 2nd place in the competitive Group category.

Sharon of ShaShaLaRue Quilts also made a Frolic Square Dance Quilt. She can also be found on Facebook or on Instagram @ShaShaLaRueQuilts. Her playful version demonstrates the versatility of this block because this is perfect for a crib or baby’s playroom!

The 6″ version is also great for Sampler Quilts or bee blocks because if you make 4 of them, it results in a 12.5″ unfinished block, which is what so many samplers or bees ask for!

I made the block above to add to my “real world red & white” quilt.

My guild, the Tarheel Quilter’s Guild in Fayetteville, NC makes quilts for the NICU. Our local hospital likes the quilts to be approximately 40″ square, so I used 16 of the 10″ blocks and made the little boy version of the quilt below. This quilt is made up of blocks made by my Quilting Circle – most of whom had never paper pieced before!

In order to create variation like the cover quilt, a variety of fabric should be used. This quilt would also look amazing in just two colors, or invert the color scheme. Use any combination you can dream for your own look!

You can make any of the block sizes or quilt sizes using fat quarters, half yards or full yards so this quilt is stash friendly!

The pattern is available in my Craftsy store – Quilts Actually Patterns. It is on sale through Mother’s Day (May 10th, 2015) for $7.50.

If you make this quilt, please share it with the hashtag #squaredancequilt or by tagging me @QACreations. You can also email me pictures or a link to your blog post at quilts actually(at)gmail.com. I would love to see what you make!

– Heather

Linking up to some of the following: Fabric Tuesday @ Quilt Story, Sew Cute Tuesday @ Blossom Heart Quilts, Scraptastic Tuesday @ She Can Quilt, Let’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuilts, Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation, Finish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts, Whoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt Addict, TGIFF, Fabric Frenzy Friday @ Ft. Worth Fabric, and Show off Saturday at Sew Can She.

May 1, 2015September 25, 2015

Squared Away Placemats

Modern and colorful, the Squared Away Placemat set was published in the May 2015 Make Modern issue.

I’ve had a secret project in the works for a few months now, and I’m really excited to share the good news!

My first pattern was published in Make Modern‘s May issue! If you would like to purchase the issue, it is available here. My project is in home section, and is called the Squared Away Placemats.

I made these placemats based off a design I first came up with for the Schnitzel & Boo Mini Swap last summer. It was one of my early attempts at a more modern look, and I was so grateful for signing up for that swap because it pushed me out of my comfort zone. I would not have come up with this design without that push, and I still really like how it turned out!

You can see the inspiration from the mini quilt in the finished placemats. One or two of the fabrics have even made an appearance in both items.

If you follow me on instagram (@QACreations) or Facebook (Quilts Actually), you’ve seen a preview of the quilting on these. I love the wave panto for a modern look.

These are a simple, quick project that is great for using up some of those precious scraps you’ve been hoarding of your favorite fabrics… I know you have those tiny scraps saved! It is also perfect for that mini charm pack you picked up at the store because they are cute, and then you get home and realize, what am I ever going to use this for?

We’ve all been there, it’s ok! Use those bits to make a placemat so that you can see those beautiful little bits everyday. My daughter loves this rainbow version because she gets to point out all the colors.

If you make set of these placemats, please let me know! I would love to see what you do with my pattern. Send me a picture, direct me to a blog post, or share on instagram with #squaredawaytable.

Also, these smaller quilted items are great to practice quilting on your machine, but if you just don’t have time or want to make a bunch as gifts you can always send them to me to be quilted. Use one continuous length of fabric for the back, and send me the placemats to use as the top. It’s an even better deal if you have another quilt – make the backing extra long and I can quilt those extra smaller pieces on the end of the backing below the quilt. Contact me if you are interested!

– Heather

April 13, 2015September 18, 2015

Heart Quilting

Here is a beautiful quilt that I finished while ago, but forgot to share. If you follow me on instagram (@QACreations) or Facebook, you may have already seen some pictures of this quilt.

This cheerful quilt had hearts at the center of log cabins. The borders were fabric made to look like chocolate. This was literally a sweet quilt!

I kept the sweet + heart theme going and used light pink thread to quilt a heart panto all the quilt.

My daughter even decided to “help” out with the quilting… by re-arranging thread!

I hope its future owner loves it!

– Heather

Linking to: Linky Tuesday @ Freemotion by the River, Let’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuilts, Whoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt Addict

November 11, 2014September 18, 2015

Stash Bee Square Dance Quilt

This year I participated in the Stash Bee, an online bee made up quilters all over the world. I was in Hive 12, and my month was May. I asked the members of my hive to make me blocks from my Square Dance quilt block tutorial using the paper piecing pattern that I created for this project (now available on Craftsy).

Here she is – in all her glory! The members of my hive did such an amazing job with their blocks. The variety that they added to this quilt is what really makes it shine! I will really enjoy sitting on the couch cozying up with this quilt this winter knowing that so many people helped make this quilt happen.

A huge thank you to Heather, Cheryl, Jennifer, Michele, Kristel, Laura, Toni, Genevieve, Francis and Willa!

Above are some pictures of the quilting in progress. To see more pictures, please see my Quilts Actually blog post about the quilting of this Square Dance quilt.

This quilt was a little rushed because I was working to complete it before the fair. The binding and I spent some late nights, a lot of time in front of the TV, and an all day guild meeting together in order for it to get done.

It was worth all the work though… I finished it in time to enter it in the North Carolina State Fair, where we earned 2nd place in the Group quilt category! I’m going to say we were robbed… just kidding… I didn’t actually see the 1st place quilt, so the possibility does exist that it was better.

Once I was able to pick up the quilt after the fair, it seemed like everyday was sunny or rainy so it I had to wait quite awhile for a nice overcast day to take proper photos. Luckily, our fall colors were at their peak, making a nice backdrop.

The back of the quilt really shows the quilting in detail. I also added a few extra blocks in a strip along the bottom. I love that little pop at the bottom! I was also quite proud of myself for adding the hanging sleeve right away (granted…it was forced because I wanted to enter it in the fair), but usually I wait forever and don’t have any backing fabric leftover to use. The sleeve looks so much nicer in matching fabric!

Note to self: make the hanging sleeve when you first finish the quilt from now on.

This is my Stash Bee Square Dance with my miniature quilt Square Dance. These two quilts have earned a few second place finishes – North Carolina State Fair, Quilting in the Pines Quilt Show, and Floral Fantasy Quilt Show.

Finally, a photoshoot out-take… My daughter was “helping” to arrange the quilts just like mom. Maybe I have a future quilter on my hands! Or a photographer…

Thanks for stopping by!

-Heather

Linking up to whoever has the link up post this week of the following:

Anything Goes Monday, Fabric Tuesday @ Quilt Story, Sew Cute Tuesday @ Blossom Heart Quilts, Let’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuilts, Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation, Finish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts, Whoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt Addict, TGIFF, Fabric Frenzy Friday @ Ft. Worth Fabric, Show off Saturday at Sew Can She, Sewing Saturday at Simple Simon & Co, Stash Bee Link Up

September 15, 2014September 18, 2015

Schnitzel & Boo Mini Quilt Swap

Round 2 of the Schnitzel & Boo Mini Quilt Swap finished up awhile ago, but I never shared my project until now. I was checking the draft section and realized this post never got published, so here’s to catching up!

My partner likes bright rainbow colors and the simplicity of Alissa Haight Carlton, the colors of AMH and Allison Glass, and Tula Pink’s quilt designs. I hope this lives up to all of that!

I was very inspired by “Every Color” by Alissa Haight Carlton.

I also included a little pouch made from the Open Wide Zippered Pouch Tutorial by Noodlehead and some bits of True Colors by Anna Maria Horner.

From my “stalking” I discovered my partner’s favorite colors are aqua and pink, so I included that on the back. I also tried printing on fabric for the first time for the label, and it was so easy! I used this tutorial for printing on fabric using an inkjet printer. I am not sure how this works for labels that need to be washed, but for a mini that will hang on a wall, I think this method works great!

I hope you liked this partner!

In return, I received this sweet heart mini with some treats from Pure Joy Creative. That aqua fabric was used up with a week or two, so never fear that it is sitting unloved in a stash somewhere! Thanks for the wonderful mini quilt swap!

-Heather

Linking to: Fabric Tuesday @ Quilt Story, Sew Cute Tuesday @ Blossom Heart Quilts, Let’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuilts, Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation, Whoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt Addict, Fabric Frenzy Friday @ Ft. Worth Fabric, and Sewjo Saturday at My Go-Go Life.

January 10, 2014September 18, 2015

Spinnaker Quilt for my dad

Now that Christmas is over, I can share the Spinnaker Quilt that I made for my dad.

This summer I went to visit my parents and Grandmother in Wisconsin. While I was there, my dad described a skirt he had seen and asked if I could recreate a quilt like it. He wanted a quilt made up of rectangles about 2 inches by 8 inches in yellow, red, and green with some white in there to calm it down a bit. His major descriptor was that he wanted it to be bright and cheerful. Later, the request was modified somewhat as he said it reminded him of the colorful spinnaker sails at a sailboat regatta.

I had already pulled some nautical fabrics before the spinnaker theme was requested, so I knew I was going in the right direction. My dad grew up around boats, and had a boat most of his life. Some of my fondest memories growing up are from sailing down the Columbia River at dusk.

Each of the 238 rectangles in this quilt measure 2.5 inches by 8 inches prior to sewing.

My trimmings turned out quite pretty, at least more so than usual.

The layout is 34 rectangles vertically and 7 rectangles wide. The top photo is prior to being sewn together – it was a risk to use the design floor with baby and dog around.

The back is pieced – I didn’t have enough of the one main fabric, so I pieced in the linen and anchor fabric as a design choice. Plus, I think pieced backs are kind of fun.

I chose to quilt it with a new panto – rounded rectangles. I wanted something masculine, yet the rounded edges helped to soften the design. I think a sharp quilting design would have been too much for this quilt.

I debated about the binding, but after getting some confirmation from instagram friends, I went with the gray binding. It fit the nautical theme much better.

And now for the stream of finished pictures… The quilt had been finished for several days before I finally had a sunny day to take them!

I had trouble taking pictures of the back thanks to my helpers – my two girls. First, the dog wanted to see what was going on outside.

After I closed the window, the daughter walked over trying to figure out why she couldn’t see outside.

It’s a very large throw, which made it a little difficult to get a photo of the entire thing inside my dry house. I don’t risk quilts outside when it is wet.

Lastly, the roll shows the binding color the best.

My dad loved it! Below is my dad’s view of the quilt being shown off Christmas morning. So much so that he said it was too nice to use and that he wanted to just hang it up. Luckily, my mom (who crochets, and therefore understands that things are made to be used) told him it was too nice not to use and that he has to use it. A successful Christmas quilt!

Linking up to: Quilt Story, You Flew Tuesdays at Feather’s Flights , Finish it Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts, Friday Favs Party at Nap Time Crafters , Anything Goes Mondays at Stitch by Stitch , and while not quite a work in progress (because I couldn’t share it during the progress) Work in Progress Wednesday at Freshly Pieced .

October 30, 2013September 18, 2015

Blogger’s Quilt Festival: Daisy Chain Finished!

I am pleased to welcome you to my baby quilt entry for the Blogger’s Quilt Festival! This quilt is another oldie but goody… I started it in Afghanistan in March 2011 or so, and was pieced using my Featherweight (you can see it in the bottom right corner in the photo below). This design is “Daisy Chain” from “Jelly Roll Quilts” by Pam & Nicky Lintott. This is the throw size, sans border. I think the fabric was Lily and Will – the pink version.

I longarm quilted it this summer. You too can have me finish up long overdue WiPs as part of Quilts Actually.

The binding and backing is by now looking familiar if you see my work. When I started quilting I bought this brown fabric as backing formy first quilt. I bought way too much and it has been used in two quilt backs, and three bindings so far. I say so far because there is more fabric left. Luckily it works with a wide variety of my quilts! The back is mostly flannel – the pink houndstooth you see below.

This was once again finished during camper quilting. My featherweight and I can do great things together while my husband watches the baby. It is quilted with a light pink thread in a heart panto design.

The colors are most accurate in this rolled up shot – it is such a sweet baby quilt.

Linked to: Blogger’s Quilt Festival Fall 2013 and Finish it up Friday!