Thanks PNW! I don't know 2 of the kids so I hope they like them. I think the boy that the full size picture is for, is the same age as my granddaughter that lives with me. She just turned 16. Thanks Sjoerd! It was getting down to the wire with these quilts. So between going to my son's class and the quilts it was crazy! It's nice to be back, though. I'm thinking of taking my son's metaphysics class next semester. I love that I can just audit and there's no pressure to get a grade....or even come to each class, but I did go. I think I only missed one because I was sick.
Quilting by our Gardenstew members is quite an art. I enjoy the pics of how these are designed and sewn together. Like putting a complicated puzzle together. It always amazes me how beautiful Willows and Daniels many beautiful quilts turn out to be such an amazing work of art.
Here is the veteran's quilt that I started in September. It's about 65" wide by 75" long. I'm pretty happy with this one.
Daniel absolutely gorgeous. You’re a man of many talents. So much time and work go into quilts. All your efforts are well admired for donations to the vets, a good cause.
I made some blocks for an Irish Chain / Star quilt. Not sure how will it will go together, but it's a start. The blue and white are for the Irish chain, and the red and white are for the star points. Also made some stars for another veteran quilt. It has a large preprinted panel for the center, so the peicerwork is mostly for what surrounds that. The Quilts of Valor group seems to like the panels. This one isn't my taste, but it's not about me and I want to help. These are the stars. This is the panel. I already sewed on the inner borders. Next comes the outer, which will have stars at the corners and some more decorative elements on the sides. I've been procrastinating this one a bit. I thought I would use a pattern, which I would not have to think about so much. But the dimensions were wrong and that eagle looks like he wants to eat me for breakfast. It's taken a lot more thinking than I hoped. My favorite of the veteran quilts so far was the most recent star quilt that I posted. I made that without a pattern, and it looks more peaceful.
Gorgeous and my favorite quilt too. Which is a hard choice since all your quilts are beautifully made and designed with detail magical management . Anyone would be proud to have any of your pieces.
Here's the completed "Eagle" quilt top. the Quilts of Valor coordinator seemed happy with it. It will go to a long-arm quilter to quilt it, then I will bind it. Hopefully a veteran will enjoy it. My next will be a more "soothing" pattern. I'm having a little trouble with accuracy, and ordered a specialty ruler I hope will smooth the process a bit.
Daniel— that is a remarkable pattern. The colours are nice but my Bride wants to know how you made that eagle design. It all looks very patriotic.
Sjoerd, thank you. The eagle image is printed on the fabric. It's called a panel. My part is what goes around it, starting with the "frame" around the eagle image. The veterans quilt folks like using those panels sometimes. My next one will be stars of various sizes.
Cheers for the explanation Re the panel. Well, it looks pretty fancy. Can’t wait to see the next one with all the stars. Do most of the vets like the quilts with lots of national symbols or … patterns such as your usual ones? You make some top drawer quilts, mate. I treasure the two that I have. BTW — let me know how you like the Metaphysics class.
Good question Sjoerd. I don't know the answer! The Quilts of Valor Foundation says that patriotic colors are the most popular. I haven't seen anything about the themes. I figure star themes are good because stars are popular motifs in quilting anyway, with centuries of quilting tradition. That's why I like featuring them. Also, it's a challenge coming up with good patterns. I suspect that flowery motifs wouldn't be very popular, for example. Stars are also pretty neutral as far as potentially political implications, and they are cheerful. They feel like awards, too. As a veteran myself, I qualify for one if I wanted it. I don't think I could look at that big eagle every day. I would be happy with the previous star theme in muted colors. They asked if I want to be honored with a quilt. I gracefully declined. It's a nice thought, but I think others might appreciate them more. My own time is passed for that. It's nice being able to make quilts and give them away. Better than doom scrolling or looking at news. Keeps my mind active but also at peace. We have too many quilts, so I was glad to find the veteran program. What metaphysics class?
Daniel— oh dear me. I apologise— it was Willow that was going to audit a class with her son. What am I like! Interesting about those quilts. Those vets are lucky to have such a programme. I bet there are some really nice ones.
