QUILT OF VALOR BY JOAN SMYTH

 

Yesterday, I had the privilege of working on a Quilt of Valor for Joan, a new customer. The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. If you have never heard of QOV, you can find out more about the organization here.

After an unforeseen circumstance kept Joan's regular long arm quilter from completing her quilt by her deadline, she contacted Roberts Sewing Center for the names of other quilters in the area, and found me.

 

Joan brought me the quilt top, backing, and batting on Wednesday evening, and I finished quilting it the next afternoon, in time for her to bind it and present it to the veteran to take with him on an Honor Flight this Saturday. You can read about Honor Flights here, and see how they honor our veterans. 

 

 
Here are a few photos of Joan's quilt. I used the digital quilting pattern called "Nouveau Feathers", which I bought from Urban Elementz, which, when used with patriotic quilts, gives the feeling of blowing wind. The thread I used was YLI White cotton. 

 

 

 

I was so happy that I was able to assist Joan in honoring her veteran.  She was happy, too, and brought me another quilt top when she picked up the QOV.  Thanks, Joan!

   

FRAMED SUN BONNET SUE BLOCK BY REBECCA LATHAM

I quilt other people's quilt tops. I create quilts from start to finish for non-quilter customers (and sometimes for a quilter that needs a quilt faster than she can make it herself), but I recently got to do something for a customer that I had not done before.

 

I was contacted by an elderly gentleman who brought me some Sunbonnet Sue quilt blocks that his late wife had made in the 1980s, and he wanted me to make a quilt out of them for a new great grandchild that was due to be born in the next few days. The blocks were all the same, but one of the blocks was very much more detailed, down to ribbon and button embellishments, and did not match the others. I made a quilt out of the plainer ones for him, which you can see by clicking here, but suggested that he have the more detailed one matted and framed to give as a gift to a child, grandchild or great grandchild.

 

The block, even though it was just a single block, had been quilted with diagonal lines, but was not bound. I took it to Chris in the framing department at JoAnn Fabric and Craft Store, and we picked out mats, frame, and museum glass. Twelve days later, I picked up the finished product, and was so impressed! And so was my customer.

 

I had a 50% off coupon, and the total cost for the framing was $153. This beautiful framed quilt block will last forever and be handed down through the generations.

 

Do you have a block that has been handed down to you, and it is just sitting in a box somewhere? If you bring it to me, I can quilt it and make it frame-ready for you to take in for framing. If you prefer, I can take it in for you and work with Chris to design the perfect work of art!

 

Another option is to take an old, handed-down quilt that it worn out and unable to be used, and use a part of it as a framed treasure.

 

Please call me at 815.735.0997 if you would like me to help you create a family heirloom that will stand the test of time!

KID QUILT #11 - SAND IN MY SHOES BY REBECCA LATHAM

 

For this quilt, I used a collection of beachy prints, called "Sand in My Shoes" from Keepsake Quilting. There were 42 strips, with three of each of fourteen different fabrics. Each strip measured 2.5" x 42".

 

The blocks are made with 10.5" x 2.5" pieces, with five pieces in each block. 

 

The backing is a bright, mottled purple flannel and was purchased from JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts Store.  I also bought the fabric for the border and binding there. 

 

The finished size of the quilt is 53" x 72.5".

 

 

 

  

 

 

I used Warm and White batting, also purchased from JoAnn. The digital quilting design is called "Sea Foam" and I purchased it from Urban Elementz, where I get most of my designs. The thread I used was YLI Pastels cotton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some photos of the quilt in progress. 

 

 

 

Here is a short video of the quilt being digitally quilted with my Tin Lizzie Ansley 26 quilting machine and Butler Perfect Stitch computerized system. Maximize the screen to maximize your viewing pleasure!

 

 

If you are a quilter looking for affordable rates for your latest project, give me a call! Don't quilt, but looking for a great gift for a special person in your life? Or maybe you want something special for yourself. I would love to design and create a quilt especially for you! Contact me for details at 815.735.0997.

 

KID QUILT #10 - PINKING OF YOU BY REBECCA LATHAM

For this quilt, I used a collection of pinks (and one purple) from Wilmington Prints.  There were forty strips, with two of each color.  Each strip measured 2.5" x 42".

I found the idea for the design of this quilt from a photo I saw on Pinterest, but I do not know what it is called.  I used all the strips, plus some Kona White.  The backing is a really fun pink plaid flannel and was purchased from JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts Store.  I also bought the fabric for the binding there.  

The finished size of the quilt is 54" x 73".

 

   

The name of this fabric collection is "Pinking of You".

I found the idea for the design of this quilt from a photo I saw on Pinterest, but I do not know what it is called.  I used all the strips, plus some Kona white.  The backing is a really fun pink plaid flannel and was purchased from JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts Store.  I also bought the fabric for the binding there.

 

 

The batting is Warm and White, also purchased from JoAnn.  The quilting pattern is called "Sea Foam" and I purchased that digital design from Urban Elementz, where I get most of my designs.  I purchased this design recently, and this is the first time I have used it.  I really, really like it!  The thread I used was YLI white cotton.

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a short video of the quilt being digitally quilted with my Tin Lizzie Ansley 26 quilting machine and Butler Perfect Stitch computerized system. Maximize the screen to maximize your viewing pleasure!

 

 

If you are a quilter looking for affordable rates for your latest project, give me a call! Don't quilt, but looking for a great gift for a special person in your life?  Or maybe you want something special for yourself. I would love to design and create a quilt especially for you! Contact me for details at 815.735.0997.

SUN BONNET SUE BY REBECCA LATHAM

 FROM CONCEPT

TO COMPLETION

From time to time, I have the pleasure of taking a customer's blocks that were made years ago, and designing and creating a quilt out of them.  

A couple of weeks ago, I received 12 hand-appliqued "Sun Bonnet Sue" blocks from a customer of Roberts Sewing Center (many thanks to Jane for the referral!) that had been sewn by the customer's wife before she died a few years ago. After meeting with Don and discussing his desires for the twin size quilt, I designed the quilt using my quilting software, shopped for the fabric at Roberts, assembled the quilt, and quilted it on my Tin Lizzie Ansley 26 long arm quilting machine. Attaching the binding and a custom label completed the project, and Don will be picking it up soon to present to his new great granddaughter, Maya.

Roberts Sewing Center has an extensive selection of 1930s prints, and I had a lot of fun choosing the coordinating prints for the quilt.

Here are a few of the photos I took during the making of this precious quilt: 

This is the quilt top, partially assembled, on the design wall in my home studio.

 

 

 

I learned a new technique, which was designing the sashing and inner border to include the points of the setting stars. I love the way it turned out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a closeup of the bottom right corner of the quilt top before it was quilted, to show the detail in the double border with setting stars.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The digital quilting design is called "Pansies" that has flowers, leaves, and little swirls. It goes really nicly with the old-fashined theme of the quilt. I purchased the design from Urban Elementz.

 

 

Here is a short video of the quilt being digitally quilted with my Tin Lizzie Ansley 26 quilting machine and Butler Perfect Stitch computerized system. Maximize the screen to maximize your viewing pleasure!  I used a digital quilting pattern called "Pansies" that has flowers, leaves, and little swirls.

 

Don chose to use premium quilting fabric for this quilt, and the final cost of the project was $395.  If a customer wants to use regular fabric rather than premium fabric, it would reduce the cost of a similar project.

Do you have a collection of blocks that were given to you by your mother, grandmother, or great grandmother that you would love seeing made into a quilt to treasure for generations?  Contact me at 815.735.0997 to discuss your ideas.  I would love to work with you!

KID QUILT #9 - SPRING-A-LING BY REBECCA LATHAM

 

For this quilt, I used this collection called "Spring-a-Ling" by Moda. There were forty strips, with only a few repeats. Each strip measured 2.5" x 42". I also used some Kona White.

The pattern for this quilt is called "Stack and Flip" and you can find the tutorial on the Missouri StarQuilting Company youtube channel. The backing is a bright green flannel and was purchased from JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts Store. Since I only used 33 strips for the quilt top, I used the other 7 strips for the binding, along with some more of the Kona white. 

The finished size of the quilt is 52" x 72".

 

I used Warm and White batting, also purchased from JoAnn. The quilting pattern is called "G Daisies" and it came with my new Quilt Magician. The design is casual and perky, which I think goes with the general feeling of the quilt. The thread I used was YLI white cotton. Here are some photos of the quilt in process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first step was to sew 33 of the strips together, side to side, and then trim the edges so they were even.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the sides are trimmed, the top is sliced into 3 pieces, the middle piece is flipped, and sewn back together with white strips in between. Then, a thin white border is added. 

Here are a few photos of the quilt in progress.

Here is a short video of the quilt being digitally quilted with my Tin Lizzie Ansley 26 quilting machine and Butler Perfect Stitch computerized system. Maximize the screen to maximize your viewing pleasure!

 

If you are a quilter looking for affordable rates for your latest project, give me a call! Don't quilt, but looking for a great gift for a special person in your life? Or maybe you want something special for yourself. I would love to design and create a quilt especially for you! Contact me for details at 815.735.0997.

KID QUILT #8 - MAPLE ISLAND BY REBECCA LATHAM

For this quilt, I used this collection of Fall prints, called "Maple Island" by Moda. There were forty-two strips, with only a few repeats. Each strip measured 2.5" x 42".

 

This Jelly Roll friendly Log Cabin quilt was made using the pattern found at the Jordan Fabric Youtube channel. The log cabin blocks were made from 35 of the strips in the set. If I had thought of it sooner, I could have used the leftover strips for the binding!  Oh, well!  More fabric for my ever-growing stash!

 

The backing is a pale, mottled beige flannel and was purchased from JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts Store.  I also bought the fabric for the border and binding there. 

 

The finished size of the quilt is 53" x 73".

 

 

 

 

I used Warm and White batting, also purchased from JoAnn. The digital quilting design is called "Pumpkin Vines" and can be purchased from Anne Bright Designs. The thread I used was YLI Light Brown cotton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some photos of the quilt in progress. 

 

Here is a short video of the quilt being digitally quilted with my Tin Lizzie Ansley 26 quilting machine and Butler Perfect Stitch computerized system. Maximize the screen to maximize your viewing pleasure!

 

 

If you are a quilter looking for affordable rates for your latest project, give me a call! Don't quilt, but looking for a great gift for a special person in your life? Or maybe you want something special for yourself. I would love to design and create a quilt especially for you! Contact me for details at 815.735.0997.