Jillily Studio

Ok folks,
Here's more from our family quilting retreat.  We always have a trunk show the first night to show the things we have worked on or finished during the year.  This year there were several examples of the quilt that we pieced at the last retreat, now coming back all done and quilted.  The project we did had several different pieced blocks and then we focused on wool applique.   Here are a few of my nieces with their finished projects:

 April's colors are always so striking, with a generous amount of black to set it off.  The quilting really stands out on this one, and it is great!

 McKelle was having a hard time holding hers up with that cute baby in her arms.  Funny thing was, we all just sat there and laughed until finally Maika got up to help her.  This quilt is also very striking, don't you think?

Maika's version is in a totally different colorway.  Isn't it beautiful?  I love seeing all the variety.  I would surely get bored if I only had my stuff to look at!  

Next is my daughter-in-law, Caitie.  Can you believe this is her FIRST quilt?!  

She came to retreat last year for the first time, and she had never sewn before.  We did a little work on it at home after retreat, and then Maika quilted it for her.  It turned out so fabulous!  I am very proud of her.  She still needs to bind it, but it will be all finished soon.  

You may have noticed that all of the center blocks were a little different.  Everyone adjusted the applique pattern to their liking.  Most of us used wool, but Caitie did traditional cotton applique.  She wanted to use the quilt as a lap quilt, and it will wash up best that way.  She learned and did all that hand applique--what a good job!

My project from last year was quite different.  I was in a time crunch as usual, and I needed to do a project for my upcoming book, so I used the general idea--wool applique in a center block set on point-- and made a new pattern for the book.

This one is called Overture.  I was really happy with how it turned out.  You will see it and all the other projects in my new book at the end of summer.  Watch for 

Home Sweet Quilt 

from Martingale.  I will be sure to tell you more about it later.  I have been editing the final pages and they look GREAT!  I can't wait to share it with you.

Have a great day--we'll talk again soon.