quilt evolution 1

This is my 2nd wedding quilt. I need to go back and photograph my first one-gosh it's hard to get in that habit! I'm trying to get all my quilts up here to show how they have changed over time-and how they are the same too. This is machine pieced and quilted-the machine quilting is using my mom's gammel-I am so lucky to have access to one whenever I want because my mom, being an incredible talented quilter, has given her work what it deserves-namely kick-ass studio, complete with a HUGE commercial gammel quilting machine. The quilting pattern is a loose wood grain pattern which I drew in the top of the pieced quilt using a washable marker. I wanted an organic pattern on all these squares-also the couple love wood, and I thought they would like a wood grain pattern.
The solid orange is a color shot from kaffe fassett line, and it was a bit on the thin side-in later quilts I have dyed my own solid colors to get what I want in the right weight. I didn't photograph the back (why?) but there is a really cool olive green pattern on the back-which matches the binding.

detail shot. I didn't wash any of the fabric first, and then washed when it was all together and quilted. I love the puckered look. It's a pretty thin "warm n' natural" batting in there-all cotton.

here is my very first small framed quilt.It's about 8" x 6". Machine pieced and hand quilted and appliqued. I put the whole thing together and just quilted and embellished through all the layers, through the batting and a back-so the back is a total mess, but because it's framed-it doesn't matter. Again, there is another small quilt I need to photograph-the rest you can see on kingpod. this one I did about 5 years ago for a friend who has a very bad dog. I liked it so much I didn't actually give it  away for 2 years-bad, bad friend. The recipient finally asked for it formally, after dropping many hints-so I had to frame it up and send it away. I learned my lesson, I never hang the small quilts on kingpod up around the house, or I can't sell them. They are like family!

What I notice most about these pieces after looking at them now is how dark I was working. Such rich heavy colors, my newer stuff in a lot lighter. More soon on the quilt evolution-which my not be in perfect chronicle order. . .

Comments

[hillary]

Amy! It's so exciting to get to see your quilts. The orange one is so beautiful. I love the woodgrain quilting - such a great idea! And the little patchworks floating on the sea of orange. I love LOVE it!!

And your first small quilt - how is your first one so good?! My first anything is always awful. It's hilarious how that little dog looks bad. you can tell even without the "bad -->" that he's trouble ;)

[laura r.]

that is a beautiful wedding quilt!!!!

[Grammie]

The great thing about your blog -- OK one of the great things -- is the record you can create of your process. The orange wedding quilt I had forgotten! And that was quilted before we moved the Gammill. And Bad Dog was really fun to see again. Mothers of children -- and of works of art and craft -- have to let go gently. But it's so nice to see them come back home for a visit.

[kelly]

Absolutely love your quilts! They are such an inspiration to me. Thanks for the blog!

[erinay]

we love our wedding quilt, too.... we wrap our little bell in it every night when it is time to go to sleep. She has been interested in it since she was so small, feeling the textures and pointing at the different patterns and colors.... It's an heirloom that will be passed down for generations. we treasure it. erinay (or e-dog, you choose).