Post #6 Additional photos of Joyce's Birthday Bouquet

     I have located some more photos of Joyce's Birthday Bouquet (see Post #2), which show a little more detail, so I thought I would post them here now. Here is the quilt as I was still developing the flowers. Some of the flower centers are stuffed with batting.

These next photos show more detail of the applique and texture of the quilting design:      
     I am one of those people who does not like to pre-wash my quilting fabric before starting on a project. I do this mainly for two reasons:
1) I am lazy and simply don't wish to be bothered with all that extra washing and ironing. I know there are quilters out there who don't agree with that, and that is fine, for anyone can make their own projects any way they wish. I take pride in taking the lazy route sometimes.
2) I really like the stitch definition that shows up when a quilt made from unwashed fabric and batting is then machine washed and sometimes even machine dried after it is completed. The front and back fabric do not necessarily shrink up at the same rate as the batting and it can be quite unpredictable. I like all of the bumpy texture that shows off the quilting design. It lends a lot of character to the quilt.

 

 

 

 

 

Another detail that I like to add to a quilt project is a personalized label. This can be as simple as a signature written with a permanent marker, or something more elaborate, like the one I made on my embroidery machine and then hand-sewed to the back of this quilt:

 

 

I started working on this quilt while living in Tampa in early 2004, but later that year we moved to Tennessee (We only stayed a couple of years...missed Florida too much). Getting a project like this done within 2 years is a huge accomplishment for me, especially when you consider I made an out-of-state move during that time. I'm actually sitting here on the couch with my laptop, and if I look to my right, I can see another quilt, already pieced, layered and pin-basted with batting and backing, waiting to be quilted...and I finished the piecing on that one back in 2003. Procrastinators of the world, take heart...there's really no pressure...just do what seems best...do what makes you happy. There are no rules.

 

 

Peace in creativity,

 

Meryl

Post #2: Joyce's Birthday Bouquet, an original quilt

     I made this quilt for a friend's birthday gift around 8 or 9 years ago. It is completely machine pieced and appliquéd and was machine quilted by Cathy Kessler of Tampa on her long arm quilting machine. The fantasy flowers are double-sided and sewn on in a way that leaves parts of them free from the quilt, providing a bit of dimension.
     I have spent most of my artistic life making things in a very left-brained way, piecing according to a set pattern, drawing within the lines, etc. It is challenging for me to work free-form and this was one of my first attempts to break out of strict rules. I was pleased with the overall results. I like quilts that make me feel happy. What do you think?

Peace in creativity,

Meryl