Big Wedding

 Kathy Doughty's book Adding Layers has a huge wedding ring quilt pattern that looked like fun. I have never made a full double wedding ring quilt, although I contributed a few blocks to a wedding quilt.

In order to construct this quilt, you sew the arcs by machine, then applique the entire ring on a background fabric.

Making the arcs was my favorite part of the construction.

I didn't have too much trouble finding different fabrics that all went nicely together. Thank you Free Spirit!

Tula Pink Freefall was perfect for a background. It has dots that work for making sure the ring is square, but it also has a silky finish. It is fabric intended for backing quilts, but works for the front, too.

Navajo Star

 When I saw the book Trade Winds by Amy Butler's husband, I was impressed by the Navajo quilt on the cover. I decided to make it with a coarse weave called osnaburg. If texture is what you're after, osnaburg delivers. 

Since Paul served his mission in Phoenix and on the Navajo reservation, he loves all things with dramatic lines.

I wouldn't recommend the pattern because it requires you to applique the center two squares on top. It was nearly impossible to make those exactly square with the quilt and with each other.

I entered this in Sisters and it sold there. When I find a similar kind of pattern, I will try again.

Here's the back.

Marnie Sings

 We enjoyed watching Marnie sing a special number at the end of the year concert. I should have recorded the entire song, but I was sitting in the front with my camera over my head. It was so rewarding to see every child perform on this stage. Each of them has grown into a beautiful young adult.

Hanging out with Jim

 We love to have Jim come over to visit. He's not very fast, so I can outrun him. And there really isn't a place to go where the stinging nettle won't stop him.

Sugar Rush

 Online this quilt pattern is simply called X plus and there are plenty of blogs to give instruction. I loved it because I enjoy different scale within the quilt. The big blocks are 24" squares. That means it takes 4 of the 12" blocks to fill that space. Everyone I did here was improv. 

A design wall is essential for this kind of work. This is a monster 90" x 90" quilt. I switched these blocked around many times before I liked the setting. You might notice that the above picture and the below picture are turned 90 degrees. Does it matter? No.

Due to the nature of piecing and cutting away (especially with the 24" blocks) a lot of leftover pieces are created. So I made another quilt. No pattern was needed. Everything was a 3" half-square triangle.

Again, a design wall is essential.

Two for one!

Luminary

 The Luminary quilt pattern by Alison Glass was a challenge for me to do in silk. I decided to buy some Radiance fabric to dye. It is made of 55% cotton and 45% silk so no interfacing is needed to stabilize it. But it still shimmers like crazy.

The fabric took the dye colors quite well if they were blended enough. I did have some powdery dots on some portions that I had to avoid.

The difference quilting makes is huge with silk.

I rolled this up with a wrinkle, but it ironed out before I shipped it out to the buyer. I love the idea of hanging this in any direction. There is no right or wrong way.

Here it is in my home before it sold.

Teaching in Anacortes

 I was asked to teach Vintage Spin for the La Conner Quilt Guild. Why I don't come up here more often, I can't tell you. It is delightful.

After class, Paul and I wandered around Washington Park. Then I returned to give a trunk show. I'm really lucky to have his sherpa help. He is very patient.

My wonderful students each created fabulous blocks!

Having a tri-fold presentation board in the house meant I could make a visual for the class.