Quilting Companions

 I wanted to show you the quilt I did last week with Sid's help, but it is a Christmas present for a client's adult daughter.  I don't think she'd see it here, but I would hate to ruin a surprise for anyone.  I'll post photos after the holidays of this really cool t-shirt quilt.  I have Sid working for me again this weekend.  We have begun another silk tie memory quilt.  This one is going to be in a windmill pattern.  For some reason, I like doing traditional patterns with these beautiful silks. Sid and I have created many wonderful quilts together both traditional and non-traditional styles.  The quilt pictured here really captures both of our talents. 

            We are very proud of this quilt named "Kundalini".  It was made several years ago as a commissioned piece by someone who liked our seed of life quilts.  This client used the word Kundalini when describing what they wanted.  I did a touch of research and discovered that fire and snakes were associated with Kundalini energy.  The client thought it was wonderful and so we created the quilt you see here.
All of the fabrics were dyed by Sid and I did everything else.  I am fond of saying that my quilts are a series of mistakes.  I learn incredible things when I allow myself to make mistakes.
The lesson this quilt taught me was about bias tape.  I had made my own and used bias tape for years.  Then we got this brilliant idea to dye the snake fabric on the bias and cut it 2 1/2" wide.  This looked great! What I learned is that bias tape over a certain width will not lay flat in curves!  After an hour of freaking out,  I decided to methodically pleat the inner curves and sew them down.  This solved the main problem and gave the snakes such LIFE!  It really looks like the snakes are moving and writhing around in the knot work.  You can view other quilts we've made using the Seed of Life pattern at our website, www.mountainjoyquilts.com.
Well, it's truffle time.  I must dip and package many of these chocolaty delights to send to all my loved ones.  Sometimes, I think it's a cop-out to send truffles every year.  I know they are looked forward too though with great anticipation and I might even get in trouble if I don't send them.
We all need a yearly overdose of chocolate, don't we?  Happy quilting and creating!

Snake Seed of Life

This quilt was inspired by the word "Kundalini". My client used that one powerful word and this quilt was created. The Seed has black bias tape sewn down to give more of a stained glass look. The fire fabrics my husband dyed were great. Each of my quilts are a learning experience. It was after this quilt we decided to do mitered corners with this type of border in order to look really good. Also, I learned bias tape wider than 1 1/2" will not lay smooth. The snake fabric was dyed and then I prepared 2" wide bias strips. While fabric gluing in place, I discovered it would not lie flat on the inner side of the curves. My solution was to incorporate several small pleats on the inner part. This added fabulous texture and made the snakes look more realistic. I learn so much from my mistakes! The quilt was so bright, we made it reversible. The backing had a blue Seed of Life with only a touch of red/orange to tie into the front.

Celtic Block of the Month Quilt Pattern

Mountainjoy Quilts just released it's new Block of the Month quilt pattern. I have worked on it for quite a while and taught to several local students.

I have now released the first block pattern

IT ALL STARTS IN THE HEART on my web store over at http://www.mountainjoyquiltndye.etsy.com/.

I will be releasing a new one each month for the next twelve months. Just think, you could start that next holiday gift already. Each block is really quick and fairly easy. I include full instructions and templates. They will all be a 13" square with a celtic knot in stained glass style.

Have fun picking out your own color scheme, it is practically endless with today's fabric lines. You could also use a different color bias tape. You lose the stained glass effect, but one of my students did an amazing piece using copper metallic bias tape and fall colored fabrics. You also get to choose how many you feel like doing. Quilted in single blocks, they are cute table pieces. Three or four quilted together make a great wall piece. All twelve, when put together with sashing strips and borders, will give you a queen-sized quilt. It's the perfect time to start a new project. How else are we quilters to keep warm in the winter?