Picture finished 2014 - Part 1

Hi everyone,

Happy New Year!  My apologies for the late wish but better now than never.  Before I start blogging for 2015, there are two quilts that I have finished in 2014 that I haven't had the time to blog about... although I hardly ever blog but I do like putting a body of work in a blog that I have achieved throughout the year albeit slow.

This quilt design is from Material Obsession 1 by Sarah Fielke.  I made this quilt back in 2012 which you can read about it here.  I was commissioned to make this quilt by a friend as a gift for her niece.

Quilt Facts:

Quilt design: Candy Shop by Sarah Fielke

Finished size: 52" x 52"

Fabric: As Sweet As Honey by Bonnie Christine for Art Gallery Fabric

Quilting finish: Hand quilted with Perle Cotton 8

I have hand stitched the motifs of flowers, sunshine, bee, butterfly, bees and honeycomb and etc. referencing to the fabric bundle I have used for this quilt.

It is a lovely pattern for a baby quilt though it does take a while to hand stitch the motifs.  However, the end result is worth it.  The objects, animals and plants can be used as a picture tool for stories and identification as the baby grows up and start taking in things surrounding its environment. 

I know that my niece who is 3 years old still loves conjuring up stories with the motifs on her quilt and it has been a source of learning for her when she began to identify objects around her.

Thank you for stopping by and happy quilting

Jacqueline

Hand Quilting

I found a great tutorial on hand quilting by Sarah Fielke whom was a co-author of my favourite quilt book titled Material Obsession.  As mentioned, this book has inspired me on many levels with my love for quilting, hand quilting being one of it.  I had hand quilted a few quilts, of which consisted of 2x baby, 1x lap and 2x queen sizes (one queen being work in progress).  I have only started machine quilting recently and I have to agree with Sarah that the 'look' and 'feel' of a hand quilted quilt feels more personal and warm in comparison to one that was machine quilted.  However, having said that, I have also found some simple machine quilted quilts that have worked wonders to the look of a quilt for example quilts by Rita at Red Pepper Quilts.

As a beginner to the quilting world, I think it is inspirational to have examples of different quilting methods/techniques so that we can experiment with it.  I feel this helps me in the process of finding my own rhythm and style, and to understand what enhances the design of the quilt.

Hand quilted quilts:

Sabela's Quilt

Olivia's Quilt

Lan's Quilt

Saskia's Quilt

Summer Loving Quilt (work in progress)

Hand quilting tutorial:

Sarah Fielke

A Book Review on "Material Obsession: Contemporary Quilt Desings"

Material Obsession by Kathy Doughty & Sarah Fielke

This is the very first quilting book that I purchased in 2010.  It deserves a mentioned as it has been and still is a source of inspiration to my quilting journey.  The quilt designs and amazing array of colors in each project dances across the eyes through the author's skillful and inhibition in combining and contrasting fabrics.  This book has beginners to advance projects with good description and simple hand drawn piecing instructions, and templates for projects that requires applique.  Majority of the projects uses hand quilting which I personally feel adds a special touch to the finishing quilt.

Till today, as I flip through the pages of this book, the beautiful quilts and designs still inspires me.  It also gives me the confidence to try new color contrast and combination which I would never dream of or even dare to do.  Here is an example of a quilt that I have made from this book which I have blogged about in Simple Things in Life.  This book is a gem and one to add to your collection of quilting books.

Happy Quilting!

Simple things in Life

Olivia's quilt

This quilt was made for cute little Olivia on December 2011

This quilt design came from one of favorite quilt book titled Material Obsession by Kathy Doughty.  To know more about this amazing quilter, you can check her out on her website http://www.materialobsession.com.au and her blog http://www.materialobsession.typepad.com/

This is a simple quilt that has lovely hand stitched detailing of cute little symbols such as a daisy, cherries, rainbow, hearts and so forth.  It reminds me of the simple things in life that we often take for granted as adults.  We often seek to add more to what we already have, on a quest to fulfill a void that never seemed to be satisfied, and to constantly search for that 'big thing' to make us happier.

 

"It is the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary." Paulo Coelho

Quilt design: Candy Shop
By: Sarah Fielke of Material Obsession: Contemporary Quilt Designs
Size: 52" x 52" (approx.)
Fabric: Cape Ann charm pack
Quilting:  Hand quilted using DMC Perle 8 in pink and red