Carli The Quilter

Just so you all know, that anything that comes into my comments section that is listed as 'Anonymous" I delete it right away. So if you like my quilting and want to comment, then please set up your information in reality.   Spammers are just not appreciated on my blog.   Take a look at what you are likely going to miss if you are not a registered user online. I'm working on a whole list of new patterns for release in fall of 2013 around my whimsical style of Canadian Ice Fishers.     More tutorials using my fast Fat Quarter Friendly switch and flip.       Happy Holidays!      

I'm a member of a wonderful ladies organization called Women's Institute. Our Quick WI branch has been pretty active, with new members joining all the time. Recently, like many of us, one of our members has to begin cancer treatment.We thought of our dearest friend going through this process. We knew immediately what we had to do, make her a "friendship quilt" to snuggle under when at the hospital.  We all work outside the home or in the home studio and its so close to Christmas, but what the heck, we're on for two Sundays. We laid out the sandwiched 12.5 inch blocks, ready for quilting. We placed a random sewing machine drawing of a 'heart' in each block, then stippled inside the heart on each of the 42 blocks. As we went, we planned and talked, a real quilting bee!  This event was held at Nola's house and we used her husband's pool table to lay it all out on, thanks Ed! Nola was up and down the stairs, keeping us in...

I started this quilt in 2001, worked in the method of 'quilt as you go', I completed each block independently with an intact sandwiched block. Hand embroidery in my opinion is the only method for a 'real crazy quilt' and this was no exception. What made this quilt so special, its like I was stepped back in time. Everything except the outer binding was 100% reclaimed silk linings from jackets and coats. Batting was worn toweling, green outer  border was from a fall mid weight dress. Labels are taken from reclaimed clothing. This quilt is 42x42 and it won first prize in 'Most Innovative' category at the IPM Quilt Show in Southern Ontario, Canada in 2004.

 We started here on Wed Morning August 24th. We had to sweep and vacuum the whole booth. Unloaded and moved around several times as cleaned. We really like the booth we had this year and will secure it for next year. On Tuesday night, I was inspired to make "Mr. Rooster" and determined that the back of the Bulkley Valley Fall Fair Guide Book was just right for me to start.  I began with free hand drawing the chicken's head parts on the paper side of fusible interfacing. I had turned it over from the side you iron it on with.  As I began cutting, the shapes of his comb and wattles took shape. This photo was really a hen, but I went with gusto into a larger, more prociding kind of demeanor, he who rules the kitchen  house wins, kind of thinking to really get into the head becoming transformed onto the background. This comb and wattles shape on the red fabric "Nature" collection from Cloud 9 Fabrics . He's coming along nicely.

 My friend, who wishes to remain anonymous has a collection of her families antique quilts and I caught a rare viewing for a family gathering. These date back to the mid 1880's when her Great Grand Parents began farming in New Brunswich, Canada. The hand embroidery of the one above is a Redwork done by various men and women of the family. I think they are done on 6 inch blocks of white cotton.  The Wedding Ring quilt is my favorite and is just divine, tiny little hand quilted stitches patiently walk you across the surface like a dream into the past. Beautiful work, patient timeless talent is raw and so welcoming.  Dresden Plate Fan quilt is so special, I would love to have wrapped myself up in it.  Hand applique and hand quilted. The quilt I think she called the "Bells of the Ball" is also hand appliqued and hand quilted. So lovely, with such minute detail in the hand embroidery is stunning!

A baby girl was born recently and the parents want a custom hand made baby quilt. Its such an honour to make custom quilts for folks who value a local product, hand made, original.   Little pieces, colors custom picked from my studio stash. This quilt retails for $325, custom orders are made with the person who is receiving the quilt in mind. The answer to the colors chosen, Purple! Under a pear tree sits the purple quilt and I. Here is the alternate colors for this quilt.   And the  back of this little baby quilt was a print of cartoon like kid stuff.