Black, White and Teal

This is Vivian's Black and White quilt and I love the pop of teal she added to the design.  The name of the pattern is Radiant by Cozy Quilt Designs and she changed up the colour placement on her version. She asked for a simple panto design so I chose Bora Bora.

The thread is white So Fine and the batting is a Pellon Cotton.

Moda Love

This is Lynn's Moda Love quilt and you can find the pattern for free here.  The pattern has three sizes using different precuts ( Layer Cakes, Charm packs and Mini Charm packs).  Lynn used a Grunge Charm pack so the final quilt is 42" x 42".  When we were discussing quilting options the first idea was to custom quilt.   But then she mentioned it is a baby gift and wants the little boy to be able to use the quilt as he grows and also brought a beautiful brown Minkie for the backing and Dream Puff batting. So based on that information I knew it had to be a panto.  The purpose of the quilt really does dictate how it should be quilted.  I don't like custom quilting with Minkie and to keep it soft and cuddly a lighter design is best.   So Lynn picked the Lounge Lizards panto to make it fun for a little boy.  Great choice!

Diamond Dazzler

This is Lori's Diamond Dazzler quilt and it is a pattern by Glad Creations. Lori used beautiful bright coloured batiks and a tone on tone white background. She asked for custom quilting and I used a variety of feathers, swirls, loops and CC's. I stitched in the ditch around each block and triangles.

I used two different thread on top.  White So Fine in the background and green #456 So Fine in the bright batiks.  I've mentioned this magic green thread colour before as it works so well on multicolored quilts as it blends in well with all the colours.   I also used Quilters Dream Blend batting.

I cross hatched the square in the outer border and added tall loops in the piano key inner border. I stitched in the ditch between the two borders as well as along the top of the piano keys against the white background.  I didn't stitch between each key as the spacing of the loops provided enough quilting for that area.

I quilted a larger feather motif in the setting triangles.

It was snowing while I was taking the outdoor pictures but I just had to get for a few photos as I knew it would look so pretty against the snow!

Plus Quilt

This weekend I make a few more Plus block for Laila's Low Volume Plus Sew Along and made a baby quilt with them.  I added a 2 1/2" strip of background between each block and offset the rows.  

I quilted it with free hand wavy lines, used beige So Fine thread and Quilters Dream Blend batting.

On Friday I received my new Blog book in the mail.  I like to print my blog into book form every year using the website Blog2Print.   This is my seventh book so that means I have just started my 8th year blogging!    They have a sale on right now and if you use the promo code FORKEEPS before Jan 19th you'll get 30% off.  But don't worry, if you sign up on their site they constantly send you promo codes,  this is just the highest percentage I have seen them offer.

Rockin' Rail Fence Quilt

This is Yvonne's Rockin' Rail Fence quilt which is a pattern by A Quilters Dream ( not the batting company).   I have watched Yvonne work on this quilt since our first retreat at Fabriculous in 2014, it was a lot of work and it turned out beautiful!  She used the Little Black Dress fabric collection and a a Stonehenge backing.

We picked the Curlz panto for the quilting and gold So Fine thread.  The batting is Quilters Dream Wool.

I was questioning my sanity when I was out taking these pictures this morning in -39'c windchill. 

Saw Blades Quilt

This is Iris's Saw Blades quilt and you can find this traditional block pattern at a great online site called Quilters Cache.   This website is an amazing resource if your looking for any block patterns.   Iris used beautiful bright colours for her quilt and a orange Minkie for the back!

I suggested she use Black Poly batting for this quilt and so we used Black Quilters Dream Poly.   With this being a queen size quilt and having Minkie on the back it is a very heavy quilt so added a poly batting keeps it from getting too heavy. Also the extra loft of poly helps reduce the Minkie fibres from bearding to the top which they like to do! Using black batting made sense as the background fabric is black and the thread  I used was black So Fine thread on top and backing. Using black thread on the back looks fine as it blends well into the Minkie fibres.

 I used the Plush panto as it looks like little saw blades too!  It is also a light density design and I prefer using those with Minkie backings.

You can see it was snowing lightly as I was taking these pictures ( in a -33'c windchill!)

Carry On Quilt

This is Valery's Carry On quilt and she found this pattern as a free download on the Benartex website. I did go look for it to add a link but couldn't find it so it might not be available anymore. *edited - thanks Bev for finding the pattern, download available here.*

  This is a very cute pattern and I love the fun fabrics Valery used in the suitcases.

I used one of my new pantos called Modernish as it reminded me of a map, just like the print in outer border fabric!

I used white So Fine thread, white Bottom Line thread on the back and Quilters Dream Blend batting.

Valery even pieced a few suitcase blocks to use on the back!

Warm Wishes Quilt

This is Gail's Warm Wishes quilt and it will be a gift for a new grandchild arriving in February!  The pattern is from Quiltmaker and you can find the free download here.  

She sent bamboo batting which is so soft and a purple flannel backing.  Perfect combination for a cozy quilt.  I used the Hearts in Bloom panto and white So Fine thread on top and purple Bottom Line on the back.

I won't mention how cold it was when I was taking these pictures, needless to say it was a very quick photo shot!

Quarter Sections #5

This is Myrna's Quarter Sections quilt and she used a beautiful fat quarter bundle she won at our guild xmas party last year. The fabric is a Holly Taylor design by Moda but not sure of the collection name.  Myrna didn't want it quilted with a xmas design as she wants to use this quilt on her couch all year round as these are the colour of her living-room.

I used the panto called Greenery and green So Fine thread on top and green Bottom Line thread on the back.  The batting is Quilters Dream Blend and the backing she used a the same red Grunge she used on her outer border. That Grunge fabric line is so nice!  It is amazing the colour difference in the next two picture that were taken indoors.  Lighten really makes a difference and the sun is so low on the horizon right now that the outdoor pictures don't always show the true colours.