Eagle Quilts

I have many eagle designs in my library of quilt books and patterns.  I did not realize how many until I decided to join in with a group in creating an eagle quilt in the coming year.  I decided to start with Barbara Brackman's eagle design.

You can see a better picture of the design here.  The blocks are large.  Thirty-six inches and that makes a lot to hold while doing needle turn applique.  But I love the design.  Here are some fabrics I am auditioning.

Also, I am participating with Lori of Humble Quilts in a sew-along using Jan Patek's flag quilt in the book "Flags of the American Revolution".

I do not want to peel the freezer paper off the eagle I have cut out but you can see the fabric in the arc laying above the eagle's head.

I also would like to make a Lori Smith pattern that features an eagle in the center.  It is a beauty!  And I can dream!

Here is a link to Lori's pattern if you are interested.  I can't find Barbara Brackman's pattern online anywhere for sale.

I love a quilt with an eagle.
Karen

Bible Quilt

I finished sewing all the sashings to the blocks and put everything together.  Borders on too.  So the quilt top is done.  I will have to think about the quilting a bit before doing anything about it.  The blocks were not the easiest to create.  There are no layouts.  You have to look at the block picture and try to get the same look and find enough space for all plus the words to be embroidered.  The two small sun blocks were paper pieced and then stitched done by hand applique.  I used needle turn applique for the rest of the designs.

I have admired the pictures I have seen of the antique Bible quilt made by Harriet Powers.  The style of this quilt reminds me of the style of Mrs. Powers' quilt.  You can see a picture of her quilt here.  The pattern set for the quilt I made was done by Jan Patek.  I see that Cotton Patch has it as a block of the month.  Jan Patek  is selling the pattern set on her website.  Colonial Crafts has some of the patterns available but looks like not all.  I didn't find it availabe anywhere else.  But watch E-Bay.  I do see them come up for bid on there now and then.

Thank you for stopping by for a visit.
Karen

Today's Project

Today's project is squaring up the Bible blocks, adding sashing, and sewing everything together.

The pattern for the quilt is by Jan Patek.  I looked back in my blog to see how long it has been since I finished the applique and embroidery on the blocks.  Shame, shame.  I finished them in June of 2012.  Just doesn't seem that long ago.  I don't know why I set the blocks aside instead of putting everything together.

You can see all the blocks in these posts here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here  .

I am heading back to the sewing room to finish up.
Karen

New Spring Quilt Top

Just finished.  A new quilt top for spring.

I started the quilt in the spring and did most of the applique and then set the project aside.  I have moved the blocks and pattern pages several times.  It was time to do something before losing something I would need.  The pattern I used is by Joined At the Hip called "Patchwork Journal" and this is the one for April.  The patterns are designed to have a base quilt and then you would make patches for each month of the year to be buttoned onto loops.  I don't have a good place to hang a quilt this size to be able to change out the various parts.  The long tulip block, the basket of eggs, the bunny, and the word block (April) at the top would be changed out.   I chose to make all the blocks as part of the quilt so no changing.   I don't know that I would ever make a quilt for each month from the set of patterns.  You can view all the different patterns here.

I hope you have had some time to do a little stitching today.
Karen

Beach Party

I just finished a quilt top from a pattern called "Beach Party".  It is by Country Threads and in their book "At the Lake".  I think it is still available.

The instructions were good.  I did change the way of piecing the hull of the sailboat.  Rather than use the template shapes for the water and boat, I cut a half square triangle of the fabric selected for the boats.  Then I cut a connector corner square of the water fabric.  It was easier for me though some find the connector square method wastes fabric.  I pass on the cut off triangles of fabric to other quilt makers that like to use the small pieces.  So in the end the fabric I cut away gets used.

I used wool applique for the shapes on the sand pails and the watermelon seeds.  The other applique parts are done needle turn style.  I don't have the book here in front of me but I think the quilt top measures about 40 inches by 50 inches.

I cut up a thrift store shirt for the medium blue check setting triangles.  It was a very large man's all cotton shirt.  A bit heavier cotton but still worked fine.  I even had fabric left over after setting all the blocks.

Thanks for visiting!
Karen

My Country Seasons Update

An update on the quilt I started several months ago called,"My Country Seasons".  This is from a Cheri pattern.  I finally took time to finish the spring block.  The block is titled "Summer Parade" and a good one for Independence Day.

I put together the main section of the quilt.

I thought I had the section that goes below this ready to put together but have discovered I have not even cut out any of the applique shapes.  I plan on working on that today.  The top section that still needs done has some crows that need to be stitched.

There was a lot of interest in the pattern when I first showed the winter block on my blog.  At that time the pattern was no longer available.  But since, Cheri has added it back to her website.  And it is $10.00 which is a lot of pattern for the money.

Enjoy your day.
Karen

Pond Racing

Another Sarah Sporer monthly design done.  This time it is "Pond Racing".  A sailboat for July in red, white, and blue..

And the next to last block for "Loch Lomond".  One block left and then the border and I am not looking forward to it.  I think because it is a lot of the same curvy shapes taken from elements in the blocks.

Audrey from "Quilty Folk" is inspired to make an eagle quilt and has asked if others are interested.  I am jumping on the band wagon.  I am surprised at how many eagle patterns I have in my library of books and individual patterns.  Both reproduction style and prim.  Hard to choose just one so I may have to do two or three!

I am working on finishing a summer block today for a Cheri four season quilt pattern.  Back to stitching.

Karen

Patriotic String Star

A late Happy 4th of July!  I have been working on a 8  pointed string star in red, white, blue and gold and finally have one complete.  I would have had two but I forgot to tighten my stitches before stitching the strips to paper.  When I pulled the paper off my seams were coming apart and the bias edges stretching.  I decided just to start again from scratch.

The block is 16 inches.  I don't know how many I am going to make.  Maybe nine.  Maybe more.  Maybe less.  It just depends on how well they go together and if my patience doesn't fail me.

Enjoy your holiday weekend!
Karen