Stitch Pattern, Flowers

This is a stitch pattern I use in my long-arm quilting

Miss L’s Quilt is Finished

| Cindy Anderson

I’m very happy to report that Miss L’s quilt has finally come to completion. Many, many hours, loads of stitches and lots of love went into the quilts creation. If you are curious about the journey it took from start to finish you may read about it here, here and here.

With the quilt finally finished it was time to decide when and how she would receive it. I tossed around various options; then ultimately decided to give it to her before setting out for my Creating Free-Form Quilts retreat.

Plans were made with her mother to meet at a park. The “aledged” purpose was to enlist the assistance of my grandchildren to photograph what they thought were quilts meant for other people.

When I arrived at the park they were actively playing on the playground equipment. Once they discovered I was there they came running over to greet me.

The quilts were safely packed inside plastic bags secured with a fabric bow. Each quilt was carefully removed from its bag and stretched out on a bed sheet that had been placed on the grass. The sheet would protect the quilts from getting dirty.

My grandchildren, at this point, still had no idea they were the lucky recipients. As I snapped photo after photo I turned over one of the corners revealing a quilt label. The expression on their faces, as reality began to sink in, was priceless.

Of course each one of them was very excited to receive a quilt. There was one child that overwhelmingly expressed her satisfaction, and that was Miss L. I know this because her mother shared with me the comment she made as they drove away. Miss L said,

I always hoped that Nana would make me a quilt. She makes such nice quilts. :o)

How special to hear those sweet words!

Pictured below are photos of Miss L’s quilt along with a pillow that I made from leftover fabric.

Miss L Quilt Delivered

All Smiles!

Miss L Quilt Overview

Miss L’s Quilt

Miss L Quilt Swirls Swirls on Miss L’s Quilt

Miss L Quilt PaisleyPaisley’s on Miss L’s Quilt

Miss L Quilt FlowerA Flower for Miss L

Miss L Pillow

Sweet Dreams!

Cindy Anderson

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Orange and Raspberry Sherbet

| Cindy Anderson

Another New Customer –

I had the awesome privilege of meeting yet another wonderful customer by the name of Pamela R. I made her acquaintance late in the summer of 2015. Pam was fairly new to the area. She had moved here after returning to the United States.

Small World –

When Pamela came for a visit she brought with her several very lovely wall hangings. The wall hangings were created using a method I was very familiar with. She followed the teachings of Carol Ann Waugh through her class called Stupendous Stitching.

I loved every single specimen she shared. There wasn’t a one that I wouldn’t mind hanging in my very own home. As Pamela shared her beautiful items I also had the opportunity to share projects that I had made by the same instructor through her class called Stitch & Slash. Sharing this common thread initiated a unique bond between the two of us.

We Continued On –

Pamela also brought with several quilts. One by one we removed them from her bag and examined their qualities. There was one quilt, in particular, that I instantly fell in love with. It’s the quilt I have named Orange & Raspberry Sherbet (more about the origin of the name later).

When Pamela unfolded and revealed its structure as well as the fabric’s colors I just couldn’t turn away. I found myself surveying every square inch, absorbing all of the patterns and details. There was nothing about the quilt that I did not like.

Which One –

While conversing with Pamela about the quilt I was secretly hoping this would be the one she would hire me to work with. However, Pamela had a different quilt in mind. The quilt was meant for a friend living outside the U.S. If we could coordinate its completion, with a possible opportunity for private transportation to the foreign country, she wanted that quilt to receive priority.

Pamela left that day with all of her belongings. Plans were made to receive the intended quilt sometime later.

Too Late –

The next time I talked with Pamela the window for transportation of the planned quilt to its foreign destination had closed. With that opportunity gone Pamela made the decision to let me work on the Orange & Raspberry Sherbet quilt instead. What a wonderful change of events.

Plans Were Made –

When next we got together we discussed the customary questions involved in planning a long arm quilting job. Pamela indicated that she had no preference toward the stitch patterns to be used. She did however, select a variegated King Tut thread to be used while quilting.

The Origin of the Name? –

The thread is the reason why I have nicknamed the quilt Orange & Raspberry Sherbet. Once I began stitching designs on Pamela’s quilt the thread instantly reminded of eating rainbow sherbet as a child. The pinks, oranges & yellows coordinated so perfectly that it was as if I had intentionally purchased this cone for her quilt.

A Blast! –

I had a blast working on Pamela’s project. The combination of the stitches, the yummy colors woven throughout the thread, along with the fabric all worked in unison to create a spectacular outcome.

It’s All Good! –

When Pamela and I met again she fell in love with her quilt all over again. Everything about the finished product was exactly as she would have wanted. Her overwhelming approval will hopefully serve as a launching pad for additional quilts to come my way.

Let’s See –

Let me introduce you to Pamela R’s Orange & Sherbet Quilt.

Vital Statistics:

  1. Quilt size = 65″ wide x 81″ Long
  2. Hours spent quilting = 9 hours and 49 minutes
  3. # of stitches applied = 276,322
  4. Thread color chosen = King Tut # 403 Harem
  5. Stitch patterns used = paisley, swirls, bubbles

Cindy Anderson of In A Stitch Quilting

Christmas Trees By Elisabeth B

| Cindy Anderson

Figgy Pudding- A few years back Elisabeth B made a quilt top designed by Basic Grey called Figgy Pudding. Like many quilters the progress on her quilt stopped there. Rather than continue on she carefully packed it away, awaiting a date sometime in the future.

Time To Pause –Why she chose to stop there I do not no. Perhaps it was because the thought of hand or machine quilting her project seemed overwhelming, or maybe she just didn’t have the resources to hire a long arm quilter. Whatever the reason the timing just wasn’t right.

She Chose Me – What prompted her to retrieve the quilt top from storage and finally have it completed is a mystery. All I know is that she chose me to finish it and of that I was extremely grateful.

We Met Online – I was first introduced to Elisabeth via the Internet. She sent me an inquiring asking about my services. After exchanging a few follow-up messages we set a date to meet.

Our Face to Face Visit – When Elisabeth came to my home it was the first time we met in person. Obviously brought with her was her quilt. Together we gathered at my table as she carefully unfolded it.

Beautiful Beyond Imagination – At my request, Elisabeth had shared a photo of her quilt top in one of her emails so this wasn’t the first time I was seeing it. The quilt, when viewed in person, was much more striking. I was in awe of the fabrics used and the design. All I could think to myself was that this was going to be an awesome project to work with.

Plans Were Made – Elisabeth had no preferences when it came to selecting the stitch pattern or thread. Her only requirement was that the trees were to remain un-quilted. The quilt’s design leaves the sides of the trees unattached. Elisabeth wanted them to remain that way. After recording her requests and indicating a proposed time of completion we parted company.

The Work Began – Elisabeth’s quilt eventually made it to the top of my to-do list. Keeping her wishes in mind I carefully stitched a combination of Paisleys, swirls, and flowers while successfully avoiding the trees. I did, however, raise up the edges of the trees to apply stitches on the fabric beneath.

Hours and Hours – By the time I finished I had almost 11 hours invested. That didn’t include the time I spent pressing, loading and unloading the quilt. When I finished removing the quilt from my machine and had the opportunity to see it in it’s entirety I was so thrilled with the outcome. My hope was that Elisabeth would be as well.

Time to Take Photos – Now that the quilting was finished it was time to document my work through photographs. Taking pictures of the entire quilt is difficult to do on my own. To assist me I enlisted the help of two family members. I called upon their strength to hold the quilt upright. While they stood hidden behind the quilt, with only the fingers of their hands exposed, I carefully aimed and snapped as many photos as their arms would allow. I then dismissed my assistants and relocated the quilt to a flat surface. There I proceeded with my routine documentation. Once I was satisfied with the photos I sent a message to Elisabeth notifying her that her quilt was finally ready to be picked up.

Delighted – When Elisabeth arrived and saw her quilt, for the very first time, she was overwhelmed with delight. She remarked that she could never have done what I had accomplished with her quilt. She was so thrilled with the outcome.

Music to My Ears – Her reaction was music to my ears. Nothing makes my job more rewarding than the reactions I observe when my customers see their quilts. Elisabeth left my home with her quilt in hand and a smile on her face. Whether we will once again work together remains to be seen. I only hope that her extreme satisfaction is an indicator of that potential.

An Honor – Thank You Elisabeth B for trusting me, a total stranger, with your project! It was truly an honor. I welcome the opportunity to work with you again!

Take A Look – Elisabeth gave me permission to photograph her quilt and share the images with you. Here they are.

Elisabeth B’s Quilt

Vital Statistics –

  1. Quilt Size – 66 1/2″ x 82″
  2. Time Spent Quilting – 10 hours 50 minutes
  3. # of Stitches Applied – 285,894
  4. Thread Color Used – Perma Core Brown # 32634 and Perma Core Eggshell # 32674
  5. Stitch Patterns Used – Paisley, Swirls, Flowers

Thank You – To all my readers for sharing your time with me.

Cindy Anderson of In A Stitch Quilting