The Quilted Moose – Chopin – A Passionate Quilter From Texas

The Quilting world has changed so much in the 12 years I have been quilting. It is amazing how the colors were in the early 2000’s and now some of those colors are coming back. Reproductions were around, but not near as much as they are now. Batiks were just beginning to catch on and very popular. Needle turn applique was popular and many Quilters loved it. I began to quilt in 2002 and learned the popular Designers and their line of fabrics and patterns. I began to buy books and fabric. In 2004 I attended the Houston Quilt Show and was hooked! I progressed to making quilts to enter into Quilt Shows because it provided me a challenge and deadlines to meet. I enjoyed showing my quilts and it was so much fun to make friends with the Vendors and visit with other Quilters and see their work.

In 2004, the Artisans found the quilting world and things began to change. “Contemporary” quilting was becoming the “thing” and “Traditional” was getting shoved to the back of the room. For some reason, I always wanted to stick with the Traditional because I wanted to learn everything I could about quilting. Yes, I tried shortcuts, rulers, gimmicks, and all the things they sell to catch a Quilter’s eye. I continued to build up my stash and slowly added a heavy stash of batiks, along with Moda Marbles, Fossil Ferns, Thimbleberries, etc.

What makes this year so exciting to me is I realize I have found a whole new world of quilting which has been opened up to me through Australian Designer Di Ford and the Australian Quilters and their beautiful quilts by other Quilters. Their work is absolutely beautiful and Designers such as Di Ford provide one heck of a challenge to a Quilter who loves traditional quilting and the Reproduction Era quilts. I have also found Barbara Brackman’s Blog. What an exciting time for me. I have discovered Quiltmania magazine and Primarily Quilts (by Di Ford). I have also realized that I was missing out on so much. I was becoming board with the regular magazines and the Quilters who continued to make the same quilts. My original goal was to make a Hunter Star quilt, Feathered Stars, Log Cabins, etc as they are quilts that I have never made, but always wanted to.

I have a friend who has taken the Best of Show for the last 2 or 3 years at the local Quilt Shows. Last week I realized why! She loves the Reproduction Era and only stays with those quilts and fabrics. She does absolutely beautiful work too! What an eye opener! Another friend is also moving more toward the Australian Designer and Quilters. She and I are so excited and are making the same quilts, in fact all three of us will be working on a Di Ford or Quiltmania project this year.

So here I go – I have cancelled all of my magazines and will only subscribe to Quiltmania. It is an expensive magazine, but oh so beautiful and so challenging. I have purchased more of Jo Morton fabrics, Barbara Brackman’s Ladies Album, and one purchase that I will probably never do again is 2 yards of DenHaan & Wagenmaker’s BeHur border fabric called Island Marken Border Cream. I will use it for the Broderie Perse in Di Ford’s 2014 Mystery Quilt. Until last Friday I had never desired to try Broiderie Perse applique.

I have also discovered new quilt stores through Rosemary and Jan – Happiness Is Quilting, in McKinney, Texas, Reproduction Fabrics in Montana and The Quilted Moose. What a find! Also, my friend Jaydee who provides such wonderful insight to things.

This week was productive but expensive (LOL). It has been fun and now it is time to get serious and start quilting! Here are some pictures of my new fabrics and my first shot at Lucy Boston Patchwork of the Crosses (POTC). I have decided to use Jinny Beyer fabrics for this project. She has some beautiful border fabrics and for some reason while in Sierra Vista, AZ this winter I purchased quite a few of her fabrics.

LUCY BOSTON QUILT

Lind Franz Lucy Boston Book. I will be using English Paper Piecing for the quilt. Check out Linda’s Blog.

Lucy Boston Fabrics — Jinny Beyer fabrics. I pulled these for consideration for Block 1.

Lucy Boston Block 1 — This is the first block for Lucy Boston. I wanted to see if I could get the effect I wanted from Jinny Beyer fabric line. I rather like the colors….

PRAIRIE ROSE QUILT

Jo Morton - Prairie Rose — Jo Morton Prairie Rose Fabrics

JO MORTON LIGHTS

DI FORD 2014 MYSTERY QUILT FABRIC

Di Ford - Mystery Quilt — Fabrics for Di Ford 2014 Mystery Quilt. They are Amelia by Jo Morton.

Hope you have enjoyed the walk down memory lane and my graduating to the “Big Girls Quilting World”! And thanks to all who have opened the door and invited me in!