The Redesigned Studio

I have been working in different mediums in my wonderful studio over the past couple of years. For each, I have changed things around. During each change, my sewing machine stayed in a small dark corner. Not so, now. Quilting has taken over. Everything is easily reached. I have my big cutting mat, that my wonderful sister-in-law got for me, on my big table. I moved my sewing machine to the small table where I can simple turn in my chair and stitch. I have my stash in my bedroom just waiting for a shelving unit for the studio. In the meantime, I am having a great time in my redesigned studio.

I have started working on a preemie quilt for my quilt guild's charity project. The group, Cedar River Quilters, makes and donates 250+ preemie quilts to the NICU at a local hospital. I am excited to be making my first one. You can see the progress in the photo above. I am going to focus and star blocks this year, and this is my first one. One of my goals is to create a star sampler quilt. I have loads to learn, but am really enjoying it all.

Christmas Quilt Gifts

This Christmas, I made four quilts as gifts for some people in my family. The on on the quilt frame is the one I made for my sister and her husband. It was the first quilt I quilted on my new frame. I selected the colors based on my sister's favorites, and I quilted with an all over wave pattern because they live on the water,






Our youngest son is a chef. I decided to create a lap quilt for him made of fabric with realistic foods. There are figs, peaches, potato chips, olives, raspberries, and many more tantalizing food fabrics included in this quilt.

I made a third quilt for the oldest son and his wife. He is a glass artist and she designs jewelry. They both like contrasting colors in the blue and orange families. I found a perfect layer cake by Moda to make their quilt. It is also a lap quilt.



I made one more quilt for my daughter and her husband. I don't have a photo of it yet, but will post it when I do. It is also made from and Moda layer cake, but has a very different look.

My current project is a preemie quilt. I will post photos as I make more progress.

My New Quilt Frame and Sewing Machine

My wonderful husband gave me a new Little Grace quilt frame and a new Juki quilting machine for a combined birthday and Christmas present. I got it set up in time to finish the quilt I made for my sister and her husband for Christmas. I really like it and can't wait to get the next quilt on the frame.
I have joined the Cedar River Quilt Guild and look forward to participating in their charity projects. This group makes preemie quilts for a local hospical NICU. I just finished washing the fabric for my first preemie quilt. There is a group within the guild that also participates in the Hero quilt project making quilts to donate to wounded soldiers. When I got the quilt frame and machine, I was determined to participate in making quilts for charities. There are a number of opportunities to create quilts for a cause out there. For now, I am going to start with these. I am looking forward to being part of this guild.
I intend to use this space to share the quilts I make, tips I pick up along the way, and anything else about fabric and quilting that I find interesting. As time goes on, I hope to become a very active member of the online quilting community.