AHHHH....I'M BACK AT MY MACHINE!!

There's nothing like learning one of your quilts has sold to get one running back to the sewing machine!!  It's such a validation of one's work.

So as I say goodbye to this piece that had been on display at Woolworth Walk in downtown Asheville....I'm pulling out my Japanese style fabrics to create another of the same theme which has proved popular to shoppers.

First comes finding compatible large scale prints that lend themselves to graphic 12" blocks.

Next comes making two slices in each block and inserting black strips and squares at alternating positions.  As you can see, I'm working these one block at a time.....there were days gone by when I could actually remember various steps more than 5 mins., but as long as I can still remember to thread my sewing machine, I'll still be making quilts!!

Check back.....I should be done with this sometime before the next year.... 

TOUR JAPAN

My PTA (Professional Textile Artists) retreat quilt is complete! It's quilted quite simply to allow the featured blocks to remain very visible.  My loft style studio suits me fine except when it comes to photographing quilts....unfortunately this is the best I can do given the setting. Trust me, it's not nearly as dark, & is far more vibrant !

I still have piles of asian style fabrics to inspire me to create new interesting settings to highlight the designs.  So I better get to cutting!

TOUR JAPAN   60" X 60"

AVAILABLE HERE

Cotton fabric, machine stitched.

Visit these websites to see what other artists have been working on this week:  Nna-Marie's Off The Wall Friday, Sarahs's Whoop Whoop Friday, Crazy Mom Quilts.

MY RETREAT ORIENTAL STYLE QUILT PROJECT

The Professional Textile Artists (PTA), a group of 14 quilters, just celebrated our 10th annual 3 day retreat.  It's a time we all eagerly look forward to each year. With all the chatting, ogling everyone's projects, eating, and beverage consumption....it's a wonder we get anything done!

I learned early on to come with my project planned out AND cut out....with copious notes.

 Given that I still have a huge stash of Japanese style fabrics I dug some out and selected 25 prints and cut 8" squares.  They were arranged and rows labeled on my home design wall.

 All the setting patches were cut at home as well.  This made for fairly carefree sewing at retreat....I'm NOT a fast sewer so this view on a member's portable design walls was after day 2!!

Despite ALL my planning.....somehow I was short on the red strips, so I came home with it pieced with the exception of the top and bottom outside rows.  I had brought extra fabric.....but given how poor my math was....it wasn't enough.

So, now at home it's all pieced and ready to be sandwiched.  It's 60" sq....and due to the size, not one I'm looking forward to quilting.  I've now made quite a few similar quilts....each time trying out a new setting designs.  It's become apparent that simple straight line quilting (vertical/horizontal/or diagonal) provides enough texture and interest without detracting from the beautiful feature blocks.

Do check back to see how that works out for this quilt!

In the meantime, visit these links to see what other quilters have been working on this week:  Nina-Marie's Off The Wall Friday, Sarah's Whoop Whoop Friday, and Crazy Mom Quilts.

ORIENTAL STYLE ART QUILT FOR SALE

What could be better than a nice warm spring day and finishing this garden blossomed wall art quilt?!?

 ORIENTAL GARDENS IN BLOOM    39" X 34"

Available Here

Cotton fabrics, machine pieced and quilted.

Detail

Despite the sunny day, my studio is so difficult to get good photos of my work. Hopefully with a different light pattern later in the day I'll be more successful. In the meantime...please enjoy this latest piece from my large Japanese fabric stash!