FINDING MY VOICE, FOUR

And we continue with Finding My Voice quilts. . .

Is It Modern?

68" x 89"

Original Design

Quilted by Jo McCluney

The new technique was the Dresden plate blocks started for a traditional quilt.  Two years later, I decided to try a modern traditionalism layout with asymmetry and expansive negative space.  Does it work???

And One Fell Off

52" x 58.5"

Original Design

Quilted by Sandi Suggs

Finally, a jump into modern quilt design.  A few de-structured blocks, some bold color, and expansive negative space created a design I love!  Yes, my quilts are talking!!  And, of course, you must have a sense of humor!

Opening the Door

36.5" x 36.5"

Design by Jacquie Gering and Katie Pedersen

Quilted by Sandi Suggs

Slice and Insert with improv piecing was leading me more into letting go of the rigidity of look-alike blocks.  Using a printed fabric for background made the batik units shine.  This wall hanging makes me smile!  Opening a door to many possibilities!

Lawn Chair Quilt

63.5" x 71"

Pattern by Moda Bake Shop

Quilted by Sandi Suggs

Welcome grey to my quilting palette.  I love how it sets off the print fabrics.

Roy G. Biv

24" x 35"

Original Design

This quilt was a "sketch" piece using the rainbow colors in an asymmetric setting with expansive negative space.  The organic straight line quilting adds another design element.

Just a Streak of Blue

25" x 20"

Original Design

Using quarter-square triangles and some improv design created this fun little "sketch" piece.  Love the organic straight-line quilting.

Springtime Gardens

44.5" x 39.5"

Inspired by Bonnie Hunter

My Grandmother's Flower Garden of hexagons turned into Springtime Gardens using bright colors.  It took three years to hand piece the table topper.  Another traditional pattern singing my tune!

My Texas Two Step

32 inches square

Design by Jean Ann Wright

This is a modern version of Courthouse Steps block using narrow and wide opposing strips.  The experiment in this quilt was using Kona solids in bright colors.

Still a few more quilts to come . . .

-sandi

SHARING IS FUN

It has been a while since I entered a blog.  It is a very busy time for me.  The second year of AQS QuiltWeek Chattanooga is coming next week and I have been very involved with this QuiltWeek.  More posts to follow with those activities.

I kicked off this busy week by travelling to Smyrna, TN to do a Lecture and Trunk Show on the Modern Aesthetic for the Friendship Quilters Guild.  What a super bunch of ladies (and one gentleman)!

We met in the library of the neighborhood school and the ladies had lots of questions and discussions about the characteristics of a modern quilt.

Sharing and talking with quilters is so much fun!  






                                                     -sandi

BRIGHT AND CHEERY

The last few days have been rainy and dreary.  I am not a big fan of dreary Tennessee winter weather.  It was so nice to be working on something that was bright and fun.

Texas Two Step is the modern version of Courthouse Steps.  This is done in Kona Solids and I used my fun Serpentine style quilting on my domestic sewing machine.  Love my Bernina!!

I started this project at the Girlfriend Retreat that I blogged about on December 21, 2014.  It has been sitting waiting for me to quilt it for a while.

Texas Two Step is designed by Jean Ann Wright for Cut Loose Press.  It uses Creative Grids Curvy Log Cabin Tool for the blocks.

The pattern includes a border.  I have chosen to omit the border.
I am making lots of pieces in this size (40ish by 36ish) to display over my mantle.

Since I have been quilting for many years, it is rare that I need to make a large bed-size quilt anymore.  I still want to try different patterns and making them small like this serves both purposes.

Sorry this picture is a little blurry.

This one is still blurry, but it does show the quilting a little more.

Maybe it is time for a new camera???


                                             -sandi

GIRLFRIEND RETREAT

A couple friends and I gathered for a few days to hang out and quilt and laugh and eat and visit.  One of the gals lives in the woods on a little stream with an awesome waterfall.  It is a beautiful setting for relaxation and sewing.

One project was to learn to use the Curvy Log Cabin Trim Tool designed by Jean Ann Wright for Creative Grids.

Finished the quilt top.

Another project was to make these little Triangle Bags.  These are also called Humbug Bags.

I also worked on this paper piecing project.  This comes from a design by Carolyn Friedlander.

It was indeed a great three days with super friends.  I will post more about these projects as I finish them.


                                    -sandi