Handmade Quilt Art

Spring Fabric Giveaway Winner!

Michelle Jibson — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:18:00 GMT

Congratulations to ChrisTolz, the winner of our spring-inspired fabric giveaway! To claim your fabric, simply email your mailing address to mjibson@interweave.com.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this giveaway, and happy First Day of Spring!

In Honor of Spring: A Fabric Giveaway!

Michelle Jibson — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:46:00 GMT

The official start of spring is just a week away, and I can hardly contain my excitement! It's time to say goodbye to snow, coats, and winter heating bills and say hello to flowers, short-sleeves, and sunshine. What's not to love?

So in honor of spring, we're having another fabric giveaway! And while this "Shades of Black" fabric collection from Moda may not scream "spring," it is filled with fun floral patterns that are guaranteed to bring new life to your quilts.

Don't miss your chance to win this beautiful fabric! Leave a comment telling me your favorite thing about the approaching season, and you'll automatically be entered to win. I'll announce the winner on the first day of spring--Wednesday, March 20th.

Good luck!

Valentine's Day Fabric Giveaway Winner!

Michelle Jibson — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 06:14:00 GMT

Congratulations to Carol Winkler, the winner of our Valentines-inspired giveaway! To claim your fabric, email your mailing address to mjibson@interweave.com.

To everyone else, thank you for participating! And don't forget to check back for more fabric giveaways happening soon.

The Number 14 (and a Fabric Giveaway!)

Michelle Jibson — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 06:14:00 GMT

I've decided that the number 14 is very romantic. Well, it's at least romantic to me. And no, it's not because February 14th is Valentine's Day (though that is what got me thinking about it in the first place). It's romantic for many more reasons than that!

First of all, my wedding anniversary is on April 14th. That alone makes the number 14 romantic and special. Second, through some strange coincidence--which I'm sure my husband appreciates because it makes important dates so much easier to remember--my birthday is on July 14th. (Okay, I realize that isn't actually romantic so much as it is kind of cool, but I'll take it.) Then, of course, there are 14 lines in a sonnet, that poetic form so often dedicated to the subject of love and romance ("Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"). And while we're speaking of the arts, let's not forget Beethoven's Piano Sonata no. 14, more commonly known as "Moonlight Sonata." I mean, really, what is more romantic than moonlight?

All right, I'll spare you some of my more questionable examples (e.g., "Fourteen days is equal to two weeks, and Two Weeks Notice is the name of a romantic comedy!) and instead get to the point. It's time for a Valentine's Day fabric giveaway! And really, what would you love more than this Moda fabric designed by Mary Jane Butters?

All you have to do is tell me about a number that is particularly significant to you, and you'll have a chance to win! With this being a Valentine's Day giveaway, I'll announce the winner on the day itself: Thursday, February 14th. Don't forget to check back to see if you won!

Happy (early) Valentine's Day!

Sandy Quilting Update

Michelle Jibson — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:05:00 GMT

Though Hurricane Sandy wreaked its havoc nearly three months ago, those most affected by the storm are still working to put their homes--and their lives--back together. The rest of the country has moved on, but relief efforts still continue in parts of New York and New Jersey, where the damage was most devastating.

Along with those who are laboring to clean up and rebuild damaged homes are the volunteers who have donated their time and talents to make beautiful handmade quilts for the hurricane victims. One such volunteer is quilter Kim Story. After winning Quilting Daily's fabric giveaway in November, Kim quickly labored to make a quilt with her collection of fat quarters from Dear Stella.

"What a fun collection of prints and stripes!" Kim said of the fabric. "I'm going to take a day or two to ponder, then dive in and get started. I'm thinking about what I can do with the stripes to really show them off."

Kim eventually decided to make the Double Slice Layer Cake pattern by Missouri Star Quilting Company, saving the fabrics with stripes and dots for sashing. After working up some possible quilt designs and asking the readers of her blog to vote, Kim created a quilt she named Sandy Britches. It was finished on Christmas Eve, just in time for Kim's 17-year-old daughter to take it with her to New Jersey the day after Christmas.

So Sandy Britches took an 18-hour road trip to New Jersey, where Kim's daughter and her church group spent their Christmas vacation gutting houses for Sandy victims. There Kim's homemade quilt was given to someone who needed it, which was exactly what she wanted. After all, she knows from personal experience what these people are going through.

"Our family was affected by the 2011 spring tornadoes, which tore across Alabama," Kim told me when she received the fabric. "We found a rental house while ours was being repaired. During those five months, we all learned a lot about needs and luxury, thankfulness, trusting God's promises, and having a sense of humor. I hope my daughter can share her journey with others who are facing this now."

Thanks to Kim and her daughter for their service to someone in need, and thanks to all of you who have made your own donations!

Sandy quit relief efforts are still in progress; it's not too late to join the cause and make the most of your time and talents. To see how you can help, visit eQuilter.com's Quilt Relief page. To see the extent of their efforts, check out the photos on their Flickr page. Here's a sneak peek:

Life Mimics Art Quilts?

Kristine Lundblad — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 22:45:00 GMT

Have you ever dressed to match your quilt? Accidentally or on purpose?


My quilt and I match!

Here at Interweave, the teams of Quilting Arts, Stitch, and Cloth Paper Scissors magazines take a few moments out each week to gather together for Show and Tell. We show projects we've finished or started, we reveal the results of challenges we've held amongst ourselves, and we even show off other accomplishments and milestones like a completed kitchen reno or a new pet. (Photos substitute for the real things, of course.)

At this week's Show and Tell, I revealed a cute little baby quilt I created for our spring edition of Modern Patchwork magazine (which will be coming out around April). I used fabrics designed by Lotta Jansdotter, whose aesthetic I adore. Her fabrics appeal to my Scandinavian heart and her colors are fresh and fun.


	Don't you love the orange shoes?

So I'm standing there, holding my quilt in front of me and talking about it. My coworkers are smiling, some are giggling a little. "Hmm," I say to myself. "Is my fly down? Do I have spinach in my teeth?"

And then someone says, "Look, you're wearing the same colors that are in your quilt!"

Well, what do you know, I was! My teal sweater and orange shoes matched pretty darn close to the teal and orange in my quilt. And, although I used white fabric in the quilt, my khaki pants were pretty close in the neutral department. I had to laugh!

It's funny how you're sometimes drawn to the same colors over and over again. I love a pop of orange in my wardrobe as well as my quilts. I guess you work with what you love, right?

Kristine

A Quick and Easy Handmade Gift Idea

Kristine Lundblad — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:18:00 GMT

OK, it's not quilting but sometimes you just need a quick and easy handmade gift, right? If you have some fabric and pillow forms or stuffing, you can make a pair of pillows in about an hour. How's that for a quick hostess gift or spiffy home décor spruce-up for holiday guests?!


The finished pillows!

My daughter recently moved across the country and set up house. She put many household items on her gift wish list, including a pair of pillows she found online. When I clicked to view them (I was thinking of a quick purchased gift, at that point), I discovered they were made with outdoor fabric, which is not what she wanted. She said they were just a suggestion (not a specific want) and that I was free to pick anything that might look good on her new red couch.

Hmm, I thought. I have just the fabric is my stash! Some time ago, I bought 2 yds. of Marimekko fabric at a close-out. These bold flowers would be just the thing for her red couch. Plus, I had pillow forms on hand.

Here's how I made 2 pillows in 1 hour.

Materials
2 18" pillow forms or polyester stuffing
1 1/2 yds. fabric (I fussy cut the flowers so I needed a little extra fabric. You will use less fabric if you're not fussy cutting.)


	This is what I started with. I love this bold Marimekko fabric!

Directions

1. Cut 4 18" squares of fabric.

Note: I like pillows to be well stuffed. If you like a looser fit, cut your fabric squares 19"-20".

2. Place one fabric square on top of a second square, right sides together. Sew around 3 sides using a 1/4" seam allowance. Clip the sewn corners.

3. Turn the pillow cover right side out. Gently push out the sewn corners. Fold in the raw edges of the opening by 1/4" and press lightly.

4. Push the pillow form into the cover. Close the opening by whip stitching by hand or carefully machine stitching close to the folded edge.

5. Repeat with the other pair of squares.

You now have 2 pillows to share or keep! Happy holidays!

Kristine

Hold Everything! Coin purses make easy handmade gifts

Vivika DeNegre — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 10:20:00 GMT

With only a week or so until Christmas, I am feeling the crunch. It is always a challenge to balance everything that is expected this time of year. My kids have parties and concerts for school, there are presents to wrap, cookies to bake, and trees to trim. Oh yes, and the usual juggle of work, home, and studio time continues. There just aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done.

Easy handmade gifts like this cute coin
purse are fun to create.

Despite the long list of reasons why I shouldn't make stitched or quilted gifts for my family and friends (see above), I just can't resist the siren call of new fabric and inspiring ideas. Last year I decided to put my homemade gift ideas on the back burner and focus on my new job. But I really missed the joy and excitement of passing something I had made to people I care about. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing someone open a gift that was made just for them.

So on my way home from work a few weeks ago I stopped at my local fabric store and bought some coin purse frames. I had seen a gorgeous display of frames at Quilt Market in October. They were from Japan and had that distinctly Asian aesthetic. I could imagine all of the beautiful purses I was going to make, if I only had the time. But I got distracted and forgot to go back to the booth to see where I could buy them.

So when I got these little beauties home, I realized that I had no idea how to use them. They didn't come with patterns, and I knew I'd have to do some investigating. After a few minutes on the Internet, I learned that I had to take things into my own hands and make my own pattern to fit the size and shape of the frames I had bought. But guess what? It was simpler than I thought.

Here's the shortened version of how to make a mini coin purse:

1. Make a pattern: Place the frame on a piece of paper and trace the top profile, noting the center (where the clasp comes together) and the bottom of the frame. Continue drawing the exterior of the purse. Add a ¼" seam around the entire exterior of the pattern.

2. Cut out 2 pieces of fabric for the coin purse and 2 pieces for the lining using the pattern you just made. Be sure to transfer the marks from the pattern onto the fabric.

3. Place the outside fabric piece right sides together and sew around the bottom of the purse, from the points where the metal frame ends. Clip the curves and turn the piece right side out.

4. Place the lining fabric pieces right sides together. Mark a 2" opening at the bottom of the pieces. This will remain unsewn so you can turn the purse right side out. Sew from the 2" opening to the point where the metal frame ends on both sides of the lining. Clip the corners.

5. Pin the outside of the purse inside the lining, matching the top edges. Sew all the way around the top of the piece. Clip the corners.

6. Turn the piece right side out and push the lining inside the coin purse. Topstitch 1/8" from the edge around the seam you just made.

7. Slip the finished top of the purse inside the frame (it should fit perfectly!) and stitch or glue it in place. There you have it: an easy handmade gift.

That's what I am making this weekend for my sister. What's on your handmade holiday gift list? Leave your answer in the comments section below.

Happy Holidays!

Q&A with Art Quilter Kit Robinson

Michelle Jibson — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 15:32:00 GMT

Kit Robinson is a passionate quilter whose work reflects her love of color and nature. Though many of the quilts she creates reflect the beauty of the landscapes near her Colorado home, she also has a number of thought-provoking pieces that express her political views. Kit was kind enough to take the time to discuss with us these two diverse subject matters, her creative process, and more.

What inspires you to create?

I have always loved everything about fabric—the colors, the textures, and even just the feel of it. I enjoy painting my own fabric, and the serendipity in the colors created in one or more of these pieces can inspire me more than anything else. I love combining my painted fabric with commercial prints and hand dyes and seeing where that will take me. "City & Gas" was composed primarily of my own hand painted fabrics, along with a few batiks, sliced into strips and cut into random circles. To finish, I added the small rectangles for a focal point. Critics have found deep meaning in this piece, but I actually thought of the name when the finished quilt looked to me like a city floating in space with a gas station nearby.

Many of your quilts depict beautiful landscapes and nature scenes. What draws you to those themes?

Landscapes are my favorite quilts to create. Living in Colorado, I am blessed with beautiful surroundings on a daily basis. I also love making quilts about places I have never seen. I am not a terrific photographer, but luckily some of my friends are. Aaron Angert, a young friend of my son, currently lives in Denmark and also travels around the world. His avocation is photography, and he has given me permission to use several of his photographs. One of them resulted in "Monasterio de Catalina," a depiction of a vibrantly colored former monastery in Arequipa, Peru.

The fabric itself can also suggest more abstract imaginary scenes, such as in "Making a Stand," which I made for a friend who was making her own stand against cancer, and "Sisters," which was inspired by two groups of random fabric pieces that my sisters had independently sent me from different parts of the country.

A few of your quilts, such as "Bear Witness" and "It's Getting a Little Hot Down Here," evoke a very different feeling than your other quilts. What is the story behind these?

Sometimes my art expresses my feelings about what is going on in the world. In "Bear Witness," I tried to show how the flash and terrible beauty of weapons themselves seem to be aggrandized in the news reports of war, while the suffering of the myriad people affected is only marginally shown.

My son Alex is a climate scientist living in Spain, and my family has been hearing from him for years about the studies showing how serious climate change is becoming for our planet. "It's Getting a Little Hot Down Here," which used several leftover pieces from "Bear Witness," is my take on what may be coming for future generations.

What is your design process typically like?

I'm afraid I don't have a typical design process! It completely depends on the project at hand. Sometimes my composition is meticulously designed for a certain piece, such as a landscape from a photograph; other times I start throwing various fabrics up on my design wall and see what grabs my attention. I have frequently been told that I should work in a series, but I can't seem to stop myself from moving on to the next thing that interests me.

What is your favorite part of creating a quilt? What is your least favorite part?

Choosing the fabric to use in the quilt is definitely my favorite part of the process. Finishing the quilt with a binding or an artist finish is my least favorite. I am also not very fond of burying the threads if the piece is going to a quilt show and the back has to be perfect, but I understand why it has to be done.

Please describe your studio space.

I have taken over various portions of our house—the largest spare bedroom downstairs for sewing, designing, and some fabric storage, plus a good-size storage room next to it, where there are stacked wire baskets of more fabric, and half and quarter yards of hand painted fabric hanging on the available walls so that all of the colors in each piece can be seen at a glance. A cabinet in the garage holds my painting supplies, and tables hang on the garage walls in readiness for a sunny day of painting fabric to come along. My Handi Quilter^® Avanté now fills an indoor tiled porch on the main level. This porch has wonderful lighting and will be a perfect place to quilt if I ever get the time!

What is the one thing you couldn't create without?

I really couldn't create without the support of my family. They think everything I make is wonderful (It is so great to have an unbiased cheerleading team!), especially my granddaughter Cosette, who at age six is designing her own little quilts now and wants to spend all of her time at my house in the sewing room.

Finally, do you have a favorite quilting tip, trick, or technique you could share with us?

Most of my art quilts are created with a piece of interfacing as the base. This keeps them flat and square, and I don't ever need to be concerned about blocking. (If I did have to block my quilts, that would be my least favorite task!)

To see more of Kit's beautiful quilts, visit her website: kitsquilts.norova.com.

Featured quilts (from top to bottom): "City & Gas," "Monasterio de Catalina," "Making a Stand," "It's Getting a Little Hot Down Here," and "Bear Witness."

Sandy Fabric Winners

Michelle Jibson — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:41:00 GMT

Thank you all so much for your heartfelt comments about the victims of Hurricane Sandy! I wish we could send fabric to all of you.

But we can only have two winners today, so congratulations to msbe and SeeingStars! Please email your respective street addresses to mjibson@interweave.com so we can send your fabrics to you.

To everyone else, thank you so much for your generosity! I am touched by how many of you donate so much of your time and talents to help those in need. We hope you will still try making a quilt for those affected by Sandy. For information on where you can send completed quilts, check out eQuilter or Bumble Beans, Inc.

Quilts for Sandy Fabric Giveaway!

Michelle Jibson — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 20:48:00 GMT

Since my last post encouraged you all to make quilts for the victims of Hurricane Sandy, I thought it only right to offer you some fabric to quilt with! So if you've been putting off making a quilt because you don't have the fabric you need, this is your chance to join the relief effort. One of these two beautiful fabric selections could be yours to make a warm, comforting quilt for someone in need.

For a chance to win one of these fabric collections, leave a comment describing the quilt you would make if you won. I'll announce the winners on Monday, November 19th, so don't forget to check back then! For an added bonus, I'll even do a follow-up post showcasing the winners' finished quilts.

Good luck!

Quilts for Hurricane Sandy Victims

Michelle Jibson — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 18:47:00 GMT

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, many are asking themselves, "What can I do to help?" While volunteer efforts and cleanup projects abound, not all of us can pack up the car and head to the affected areas to offer our manual labor. Still, there are other ways to provide relief for those most affected by the storm. How about, for instance, making a few quilts to keep people warm as winter approaches?

I know from personal experience just how comforting such a quilt can be. In 2010, my family lost our home in the Witch Creek Fire that devastated much of Southern California. Among many other donations, we received handmade quilts from all over the country. And while the quilts did keep us warm, their greater purpose was one of comfort. It was reassuring to know that people were thinking of us. It was encouraging to feel that we were being taken care of in some small way. To this day, every time I bundle up with my quilt from Mesa, Arizona, I'm reminded of the generosity, support, and sense of community my family experienced during such a difficult time.

If you're looking to donate a quilt or two to the victims of Sandy, eQuilter (in partnership with Timeless Treasures Fabrics) has made a goal to collect 5,000 quilts. Over the next three months, they will collect quilts in various sizes to send to the areas that were hit hardest by the storm--Rockaways, Long Island, New Jersey, and Staten Island. Don't know what to quilt? Don't worry; the eQuilter and Timeless Treasures websites provide several free patterns for you to choose from. For all of the details you need to get involved and start quilting, visit the project's information page.

In addition, Bumble Beans, Inc. and Basic Housing, Inc. are collecting homemade and store-bought quilts and blankets in any size. They have already donated 100 quilts, and they still need more! For more information about how you can help, visit their website. Here's a sneak peek of their efforts so far:

It doesn't matter whether you make a large quilt or a small one, an intricate quilt or a simple one. What does matter is that you make one! Trust me, your efforts in doing so will truly touch the lives of those affected by Hurricane Sandy. So get quilting, and thank you in advance for your help!

P.S. -- Be sure to check the blog in a few weeks for an update on these relief efforts, complete with more photos! Who knows? You might even see your own donated quilt on here.

Don't Sew During Hurricanes

Kristine Lundblad — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 18:36:00 GMT

Hurricane Sandy caused a lot of anxiety and damage in the Northeast this week. At our office, most people worked from home on the stormiest day. My noble house, a 100+-year-old Victorian, withstood the driving rain and wind gusts but inside I was unsettled nonetheless. I worked at my kitchen table and looked up from my computer about 1,000 times to make sure the windows and doors were OK and the portable air conditioners I neglected to remove before the storm had not been ripped from their perches. Luckily, in the end, I have no damage to speak of and I didn't lose power. It wasn't my most productive work day, I will admit, because I was distracted by the storm and not able to fully concentrate on my tasks.


Fabric from the "Bella" collection by Lotta Jansdotter for Windham Fabrics.

In the evening, after the major part of the storm had passed and "only" rain continued, I shifted gears and started working on a project for our next issue of Modern Patchwork. I'm working with fabrics from the "Bella" collection by Lotta Jansdotter for Windham Fabrics. They are cheery, fresh, and crisp, and I was looking forward to sewing with them. I have an idea for a modern quilt that I think will showcase the fabrics nicely and be a good fit for the magazine.

Apparently, I was more affected by the storm than I thought. I made cutting errors, couldn't find the thread I bought especially for the project, and had trouble with my math. I put the whole project away so as not to make more mistakes and went to bed. Unfortunately, I woke up at 3:45 a.m. and worried over it for about an hour, too.

Here's the lesson I learned and maybe it can help you: I need to approach any new project with a clear head and well-thought-out plan, complete with diagrams, sketches, and careful calculations. I was too anxious to sew that night but I ignored my nerves, thinking sewing would make me feel better. The truth was, I couldn't concentrate as much as I needed to.

The project is not a total loss, however, but I might need a little more fabric to complete it. Thinking of a trip to the quilt shop is already helping me feel better!

What do you do to regroup and refocus when you have "issues" with a project?

Kristine

Quilt and Crafting Contests and Giveaways - Hurry to Enter

Vivika_Blog — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 09:10:00 GMT

Several quilting and sewing contests and giveaway opportunities have crossed my desktop, and I don't want you to miss out. Check the deadlines: they're coming up fast!

Stop by the Quilting Arts booth at IQF for a
chance to win this tote full of goodies.

Do you have a quilt, wall hanging, or garment you're especially proud of? Enter it into the 2012 Martha Pullen Sewing Awards competition presented by Sew Beautiful magazine. The grand prize winner received an all-espenses-paid trip to the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion, and the winner in each category will receive recognition in the magazine and a $200 gift certificate to the Martha Pullen store. DEADLINE to enter is November 15, 2012.

The Makerie Creative Retreat and The Old Glory Antiques Fair are offering a scholarship to the 2013 retreat. All you have to do is send in a brief application and a creative quilt block design. The postmark DEADLINE is Nov. 5, 2012, so get the details now if you want to enter.

Are you at the International Quilt Festival this week, or do you know someone who is going? Make sure you (or they) stop by the Quilting Arts Magazine exhibit, exhibit, Booth #209. At our booth you can test drive our interactive eMags, check out our digital issues, sign up for or renew a subscription, see some lovely quilts, and more. We will host a free raffle for a bag full of Interweave products, including Quilting Arts books, DVDs, and magazines. This prize is worth more than $500! (The winner will be notified by email.)

Speaking of IQF and the Quilt Scene, Candy Glendenning is giving away an extra copy of Quilt Scene magazine, featuring her reversible headband pattern, plus some of her yummy hand-dyed Candied Fabrics. Candy is picking a winner Thursday, November 1, so visit her blog and leave a comment to be eligible.

Have fun and good luck!

Fall Art Quilts

Michelle Jibson — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMT

I just love the Fall. If I had my way, it would always be Fall. Perhaps I'm so enamored because I grew up in San Diego, where Fall is more a designation of time than an actual season, and now the beauty of the New England Fall has enchanted me. Maybe it's because I love the feel of the cool, crisp air on my face or the sound of crunching leaves beneath my feet as I walk. Honestly, it could be as simple as the fact that my favorite colors are orange and red.

Whatever the reason, Fall inspires me. It signals that the year is drawing to a close, and in response I instinctively find myself reflecting on the past. Though we here at Quilting Arts are always looking to the future for the newest techniques and the most talented up-and-coming art quilters, I thought it would be a fun ode to Fall to take another look at some of the autumn-inspired art quilts from past Fall issues of Quilting Arts Magazine. So put on a light sweater, grab some hot chocolate, and enjoy!

Let's start with the appropriately named "Septober," Nancy Simonelli's piece from the October/November 2010 issue. I love the Fall leaves!

Nancy actually pounded maple, oak, and birch leaves into PFD fabric and used cloth markers and free-motion quilting to enhance their effect. She then attached silk leaves and three-dimensional fabric leaves, many of which she hand beaded to add a little sparkle.

This next image comes from the August/September 2007 issue. Entitled "A Fruitful Harvest," this work by Kirsten Chursinoff makes me think of Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday.

To create this scene, Kirsten used cutout cardstock stencils that she traced onto different fabrics using a fabric-marking pen. She then appliquéd the shapes onto her backing fabric and free-motion stitched contrasting colors for the leaves' veins and other details. Lastly, she used free-motion machine embroidery on water-soluble materials to create "skeletal leaves."

This quilt, "Leelanua Autumn," is a much more subtle tribute to Fall. Artist Desiree Vaughn created this work as part of a collaboration with fellow quilters Kathie Briggs and Peg Keeney. The article in the Fall 2006 issue of Quilting Arts, in which this piece is featured, describes how these three artists shared space and tools, offered suggestions and feedback, and inspired each other to branch out. This particular quilt is an example of Desiree's minimalist approach and use of bold graphics.

Finally, we have Linda Turner's "Rivanna Memories" from the August/September 2009 issue. Though it is more an ode to a particular place, I can't help but get an autumn vibe from this piece. After printing sepia-tone photos onto batik fabric, Linda pieced the photo images with colored fabric scraps and free-motion stitched the entire thing. She then used fabric paints and permanent pens to blur the boundaries and added the finishing touches—yarn for grass, three-dimensional flowers and leaves, and pebble beads.

I hope you enjoyed this homage to Fall. Now it's your turn! Tell me your favorite thing about Fall, or share your ideas for a seasonally appropriate quilting project. Ready, go!