Science Friday Quilt

"Science Friday" quilt is sampler

of edge to edge free-style machine quilting I offer.

As a portrait and still life painter for many years, 

I call upon drawing skills to illustrate quilts.

An ample queen size quilt.  

Colorful fabrics of yellow, lime green, black, gray, and ivory

Displayed on Sleigh Bed

in the East Bedroom

at our old Victorian

Don't ya love sleigh beds?

If you come stay at the old Victorian

you'll sleep under some fabulous quilts!

I make lots and lots of fancy pillow cases

and sell them at shows.

The border work--

I call this design green beans and cherry tomatoes

Ruler work to divide and conquer,

free-style quilting to make it shout.

What goes on in a person's mind

when they are so wrapped up in the moment

of free style quilting?

Ah.....

For me, it's like driving a car to a familiar place,

and suddenly realizing I arrived,

but don't remember all the details of getting there.

I know, I am deeply relaxed when free style quilting,

so I honestly cannot tell you how some of these

images form.  They just happen.

Ruler work of course requires more planning,

less zen trance like state of mind.

With ruler work - I like repeating images.

Finishing the free style work,

and rolling the quilt off of the frame.

I bought the yellow fabric without pause,

inspired by the architecture symbols.

Combination of ruler work and free style

Adding a repeating design of three leaves,

interrupted by small meander

Curved Ruler Work

During the process of quilting, I stopped to take photos.

It took a full week--long days in the studio

to free style quilt "Science Friday"

While I quilt, I make reference marks

with long stem pins indicating where I left off

stitching in the ditch around blocks, sashing, border.

Below:

The black print fabric features slices of 

lime green peace symbols.

I've used this same black fabric many times

in large totes and purses.

I will be very sad when I've used up the last bit

of this black and green fabric.  

Originally, I bought two bolts of it.

Hmmmmm, how many totes

can I make out of two full bolts of fabric????

Answer: Lots, and lots, and lots.

They always sell out fast at shows.

****

Ok, ok, getting back to the Science Friday quilt . . . 

Photo of first day--quilting on Science Friday quilt.

Below--gives you an idea how I pieced dozens of blocks

to create the quilt.

The blocks were created using a

special triangle ruler called, 

STRIP TUBE RULER

To see how this amazing ruler works,

and how you can make these blocks too!

Sewing blocks together

Science Friday Quilt - A Modern, Queen/King

Price: $325

See you at Strawberry Fest

downtown Waupaca, WI

Saturday, June 21

Laptop Totes and Soft Luggage

FEATURING FABRIC COVERED BUTTONS

I use a vintage industrial button press and dies

 to make matching buttons for soft luggage, totes, and purses. 

There is a slim pocket for a pen, and 4 exterior drop and go pockets.

Free motion quilted cotton duct lining makes for a very strong bag.

Detail of Fancy Zipper Pull

Above photo you can see a pocket hidden inside another pocket!

A zipper pull with metal wristlet connector, split ring, and fancy black suede fringe charm adds flair.

 The free motion quilted interior is padded,

protecting your valuables, and giving this bag strength and durability.

Two rows of divided and undivided interior pockets

Side panels allow bag to "grow in size" to accommodate

all your travel items.  

COST: $45.00

BRING ON THE BLING!

I guarantee you'll love the feel of these hand-sewn slick glass and metal beads.

Soft Navy Blue Chenille Exterior

Two-toned Blue Zebra Striped Cotton Interior

Free motion quilted gives makes this bag padded softness

This piece of luggage was sheer joy to create,

 allowing me the freedom to quilt randomly.

Quilted front pocket

then

hand-sewn bead work added

Before Bead Work

After Bead Work

$70

Elegante Nubby Black & Tan Upholstery Fabric, 22" Sports Zipper, polyester quilt batting, handmade tan and black Polymer Clay Beads, store bought Glass Feather Beads, Dragon Fly Brass Charm from my vintage jewelry stash with Black Cord

    The zipper pull is made of handmade tan and black polymer clay beads, that I paired with some glass feather beads and a large coin charm featuring a dragon fly strung on a black cord. Grabbing a handful of beads to zip and unzip this bag adds function, feels nice, and gives the bag a totally feminine look.

MATCHING PURSE

Handmade Polymer Beads for a fun Zipper Pull

These zipper pulls are my signature design element

on all of my soft luggage, totes, and purses.

"Tribal Seal" decorates the front pocket.  Machine embroidered here in my studio, 

it is a design I purchased from designer Derrick Castle.

Sturdy upholstery fabric makes a great laptop tote

and matching Kindle bag in Navy with orange accents.

Nothing thrills me more than to add decorative features.

The orange diamonds parade around the side panel of the tote.

Ample Front Pocket

Double Zipper Heads meet at the center to open and close

Padded Construction

protects your labtop device and equipment

  

Double Zipper Heads meet at the center to open and close

You can use the matching Kindle tote

as a purse.    

The straps are attached

to the top of the bag, making.  

IDEAL to carry around your neck.

Padded construction also on the Kindle Tote

Although not seen in this photograph, 

there are 3 pockets!

ULTRA SOFT GREY CHENILLE

MEN'S OR WOMEN'S 

LUGGAGE

Butter soft interior fabric is grey microsuede 

If you are not a bead person,

simply unclip the bead strand leaving the leather strap.

SIDE PANEL CONSTRUCTION

allows the luggage to EXPAND

as needed.  

BLACK LINEN laptop tote

quilted/padded interior of uber soft black microsuede

This was a custom and monogrammed bag for

 a client in London England, a barrister no less!!

Strand of handmade polymer beads for zipper pull

Detail of polymer beads and jewelry I design and sell

ANOTHER SLEEK TOTE

SOFT SOFT CHENILLE

Olive and Navy

 For laptop or soft luggage for travel

Free motion quilted microseude padded interior 

Luxury Tote with Big Front Pocket

Detail  of handmade beads, 

made to match the tote.

Thanks for visiting my site.  Become a follower

and you'll see the summer blossom with all kind of

pretty purses, handmade beads, QUILTS too!