Tula Nova

It seems like this is a timely post, given the news about Free Spirit closing down. Tula and all the other amazing designers will hopefully pop up with other fabric houses, and will continue to give us amazing, unique, and timely designs.

My friend GB  had two hand pieced tops. She loves using Kaffe, Tula, and such.  Look how well these prints play with Grunge dot!

The background was quilted with a swirl based feather, and I added in pebbles (on the larger size).
I wanted to give the background some texture without being too dense.

Ruler work was the primary method used for the Center.  It has been hand pieced and lots of fussy cutting had been done.

Faces always give me jitters.  I don't like to stitch through them.  I just don't.  No idea why I'm like this.  A few lines this way and that solved the problem on this piece.

I really like how the movement of the background design plays on the straight lines of the center.

The fussy cutting was wonderful. GB's piecing is so good, it's always a pleasure to quilt for her.

A stellar selection of prints and colors.

The stripes were fun in this design, and the faces of Elisabeth certainly add to the overall appeal of this pattern.

Gotta love a good back, and I like to show both sides.

It's a fun mix of straight lines, feathers, swirls and circles.  All mixed up to add texture to a wonderful quilt top.

I hope quilters don't hang on to these wonderful fabrics due to the recent news.  Use them up, make fabulous quilts that get gifted and used.  That's what these fabrics were produced for.  Don't let them languish in your bins and drawers.  You bought the fabric because you loved it, so use your top shelf prints and enjoy the end result!

Keep stitching,
Sharon

Civil War Eagle Sampler

I had the pleasure of quilting this fantastic Barbara Brackman Civil War Sampler pattern stitched up by SL of Seattle, WA. The workmanship on this top is outstanding, and the applique stitches are so tiny that I could barely see them. In fact, I had to look at the back to see how the stitching was done on the eagle in the center.

The corner blocks are very large, so I brought down the size by stitching straight lines in the corners.  That gave me a reasonable space for wreath motifs.

Here is the back of the same corner.  Oh how the sun gave me some great photos on this day.

Samplers give the opportunity for block by block quilting motifs, and I took advantage of that on this top.

The fabrics and block designs on this top are quite lovely.

another shot of the back.  This floral was so pretty.  A great choice for the back.

Some ruler work, free motion feathers, I got to mix it up on this one!

Here is a full shot of the quilt.  I love the punch of chrome yellow  in the different blocks.  It really bounces off the navy prints.

And the touches of red make this shine.  Such great prints and fabrics were used.

Lots of techniques were also used on this piece. 

I don't know if this pattern is available, you would have to check with Barbara Brackman.  Link at top of this  post.
What I used - Wool batting,  Sew Fine by Superior Thread.  Straight rulers, circle templates  and free hand feathers.  Border was quilted 'piano key' style, using Lisa Calle's Pro Line ruler.

I have a weekend of sewing coming up, I can't wait!  I hope you get to stitch this weekend.

Sharon