CHRISTMAS SAMPLER

CHRISTMAS SAMPLER: The blocks were made by the quilt guild I was a member of in Montana. I put the blocks together into the top in 1992-94 while living in Montana. It was machine quilted by BE in early 1996. I gave it to my daughter for Christmas 1996 in Indiana. Finished size is 54" x 82". (#174)

SCRAP TRIANGLES

SCRAP TRIANGLES: I pieced this top in 1990 at Rantoul AFB, IL. It was machine quilted by MG in Oct. 2001. The finished size is 98" x 120". It was a Christmas gift for my in-laws in 2001. Cotton scraps and poly batting. This was a great pattern to use alot of random scraps. (#307)

VETERAN QUILTS

VETERAN QUILTS: By this point, the veterans quilts are becoming a team effort with some other stitchers and I. The supplies and time are all still donated. They are made assembly line style with each person doing a portion of the process - I still end up teaching and supervising, but it is a wonderful project and one I feel so privilaged to be part of. Our soldiers deserve to know they are cared about. These were donated thru the local guild on 3/10/2009 to Quilts for Wounded Soldiers program and the guild was kind enough to pay the shipping. Those of us who are working on these quilts now (as our crazy schedules allow) all wish we could do more for our wounded heroes, but this is the job we can do so we continue. For sewing groups or quilting groups out there, please don't be shy about getting involved in this worthy project - our troops deserve our love and respect. They are not looking for works of art, but for well made, comfy quilts to snuggle in as they recover from their injuries. The quilts are given to them as they arrive at Andrews AFB, and the quilts are theirs to take thru recovery and beyond - a reminder that they are cared about by we - the people of America.

GRANDMOTHER'S FLOWER GARDEN

GRANDMOTHER'S FLOWER GARDEN: I bought this top at an antique show in Billings, MT during the mid 1990's. The fabrics make me believe it was pieced in the 1930's or 1940's. I added the borders (the very outside small print border is from feedsack fabric that my grandma gave me) and bound it. It was machine quilted in May 1996 by BE. The size is 88" x 102". Some of the fabrics are starting to rip or shred now, but the quilt is cheerful, soft, and comfortable. (#165)

TRIANGLES

TRIANGLES: This queen size quilt was made for my in-laws for their 2006 Christmas gift. It is made of many, many small triangles. Machine quilted by RLM. Our daughter says she has seen it at the family cabin in Montana - glad to know it is still used and loved. (#445)

QUILTS FOR WOUNDED SOLDIERS

QUILTS FOR WOUNDED SOLDIERS: These 5 lap size quilts were made from donated supplies and time, and were donated to the Quilts for Wounded Soldiers in Maryland (they were handed out to wounded returning soldiers at Andrews AFB who would need months of medical care and rehab). These were done and sent in early 2009. Freedom is not free.

MAINE OCEAN WAVES

MAINE OCEAN WAVES:

 I pieced this in 1990 at Loring AFB, ME. This is a planned scrap quilt with the colors being purple, green, blue and gray because that is what the ocean off the beautiful Maine coast looks like to me.

 It is made from cotton and poly/cotton scraps, and a poly batting. Finished size is 76" x 96".


This quilt still gets alot of comments when it is seen.

Machine quilted by BE in Montana, but not sure when. I do know it took first place at the local fair in 1997.


The below photo was taken in 2011 and it still looks beautiful.

Update 03/28/2020:

Better photos.  I love taking photos of quilts outside.  For more info: https://indianaquilter40.com/personal-quilt-show-road-trip/

DESERT STORM

DESERT STORM: This quilt was the brain child of a group of us that got together to quilt at Loring AFB, ME. Some of the women had guys over there, and it was just a great project to keep us busy and thinking positive. Each of us did a part - I did all the machine applique of the stars and eagle. The finished size is approx. 40" x 55". Cotton fabrics. The pictures are of us presenting the quilt on April 12, 1991 to the base commander at a ceremony for the first returning soldiers to the base. We are in an airplane hanger on the flightline. The stipulation of giving the base commander the quilt was that when the base closed in 1993-94, the quilt would be given to the local library (since this area was so wonderfully supportive of the base all the years it was in use). On 9/17/12, CL and I were up sewing with SB and decided to make a drive over to the Limestone library to actually see the quilt. We ask the first library employee who approached us and she knew exactly where it was. It is faded from hanging in a sunny spot for 20+ years, but brought back wonderful memories for CL and myself. Many thanks to the library for taking care of it. Top photo: SB, SS, CB, base commander, 2 honor guards, RH, myself, and CL. The second photo: RH, CL, and myself. The bottom photo was taken on 9/17/12 at Limestone.

On a personal level, this project was the basis for my making quilts for the wounded soldiers in coming years. There is something about a quilt that touches lives on a very personal basis because it says "home" and "safety".

FRIENDSHIP STAR

FRIENDSHIP STAR: I pieced this one in 1988 in Germany. It was machine quilted by BE in Montana in 1992. I gave it to my grandma in Pennsylvania for Christmas that year. Size: 42" square. When Grandma died in 1996, I did not want it returned to me so one of my aunts has it now.

GRANDMOTHER'S FLOWER GARDEN

GRANDMOTHER'S FLOWER GARDEN: The midwife for my child's home birth in 1992 had started piecing this quilt and just ran out of steam. The top is all double knit and the back a sheet. In exchange for part of my bill with the midwife, I finished piecing it, tied it and bound it. She had it on her bed in Dec. 1992. I'm sure it is very warm, but it was hard for me to work on - really don't like double knit. Finished size: Queen (#111)

RAIL FENCE

RAIL FENCE: Pieced 1991-1992 in Maine and Montana. Machine quilted by BE during Feb. 1993 in Montana. Christmas gift for a male relative in 1993. Finished size was twin. This pattern goes together quick and easy, but it is a pattern I really do not like to make. (#114)

MAPLE LEAF (Handquilted)

MAPLE LEAF: I pieced this one during 1992 in Montana. I hand quilted it Nov. 1992 - Jan. 1993. I gave this one to my mom-in-law for Christmas of 1992 in a box with a note that I would finish it as quick as possible and give it back. Finished size is 24" x 50". Cotton fabrics with poly batting. Hand quilted. (#113)

WISHING I WAS FISHING

WISHING I WAS FISHING: I made this double bed size quilt in 1993 out of pre-printed fish blocks and a very small blue print. The border is a fishing print. It was machine quilted by BE in 1993. I gave it to my (step)dad for Christmas of 1993 because he was an avid fisherman. There was some discussion between my mom and I when he died if this quilt should be buried with him (which I approved of), but I have no idea if it was or if she still has it. It took 3rd place in the state fair in 1994. (#125)

WISH I WERE GOLFING

WISH I WERE GOLFING: I pieced this one in 1993 as a Christmas gift for my in-laws in Montana. It was machine quilted by BE in Dec. 1993. I used pre-printed golf blocks because they were golfers and I wanted the quilt to be very personal. It is queen sized. (#130)

CHARMING TUMBLERS

CHARMING TUMBLERS: I pieced this during March - December 1994 in Montana. This was a fun project because the fabric for the tumblers was traded among many people - in all the trading with folks from all across the US, I only had one repeat fabric. I used 383 of the fabrics for the tumblers. BE machine quilted this in April 1995 (for the very reasonable charge of $23) and I bound it soon after. In the fall of 1997, I traded this quilt to DB in Indiana for the woodstove we use as our main winter heat source. (#146). Finished size: Double bed. Fabric was cotton and cotton poly with poly batting.

GUILD BLOCK SAMPLER QUILT

GUILD BLOCK SAMPLER QUILT:

Various members of the Montana quilt guild I belonged to before moving to Indiana made these blocks and a name was drawn to receive them - I was so excited it was me ! Some of the blocks were fan, friendship star, spools, maple leaf, nine patch, and shoo fly. I squared up the blocks, added a couple more so there would be enough, added borders and sashing.  Yeah.....the top was complete in 1992.

Then I folded it and forgot about it.........until 1995 when I came across it again.  BE machine quilted it in 1995. I bound it and made a tag for it. It looked great on the double bed and I loved the different blocks.

My sister does not quilt, but really likes quilts.  Sometimes I pass on quilts to her and she received this on in 2000 (maybe because I got a queen bed?). We get together and camp for a long weekend each year and this year she brought along this quilt for her bed in the cabin.  It was nice to see it again, and yes, it still looks pretty good after all these years.

Sampler quilts can be fun to do.  It is a great way to make various blocks to try out directions, colors, and skill level of  blocks. Tip: If the blocks are being done by a group of people you will want to decide if there are color preferences, a specific size block or a theme before the blocks are started.

July 8. 2019

July 8, 2019

July 8, 2019

The top is cotton, the batting is poly, and the backing was a flat sheet.

 Finished size is 80" x 100".

AMISH BARS (Handquilted)

AMISH BARS: I pieced this is Sept 1995 in Montana. It was handquilted in Sept 1995 at a quilting bee by beginner to expert quilters (GB, MK, GS, JG, and myself). I bound it soon after that. In Oct. 2003 I donated it to a local charity. Finished size is 46" x 56". Cotton fabric and poly batting. (#150) I guess I should note that I take very good care of my quilts - keep them out of direct sunlight, wash them only when dirty, rotate them on and off the walls or beds so that they look bright colored and new. The quilts are used, but I have enough of them that they do not get used hard so they do last for a long time.

SCRAP TRIANGLES 1 (Handquilted)

SCRAP TRIANGLES 1: Pattern from Quilter's Newsletter Magazine. I pieced this one from cotton fabric scraps in 1989 while in Germany. I hand quilted it in 1990 while at Rantoul AFB and put the binding on it later in 1990 at Loring AFB. It hung in my living room for several years, but has since disappeared - hopefully to a good home. Size: 40" square. (#61)