Client Quilts • 2020

What a crazy time. I hope each of you are healthy and well!! Maybe you’re taking this time to do a little more sewing. I hope to! I have been meaning to do this blog post for awhile, sorry for the delay! These are some of the client quilts that I’ve worked on in the past couple months.

A quick reminder, I am having a sale right now on my Circle2™ machine quilting circle rulers and all of the digital quilting designs in my shop. $20 off my Circle2™ rulers using code 20SPRING20, and 20% off of all digital quilting designs using code LEAPYEAR at checkout. I appreciate your support, like many other small business do, especially right now!! Thank you!!

If you follow me over on Instagram…. @leishakaye then you may have seen me post about this first quilt made by Sherry! It’s called Happy Together by Sew Kind of Wonderful.

Sherry loved the lines quilted in the one Jenny from Sew Kind of Wonderful quilted, and I loved the quilting she did around each person…so I did that too, with some freehand background filler.

I used one of my Circle2™ rulers to quilt the curves that outline each person, and I should have written it down…I can’t remember which one. Remember they are $20 off right now, using code 20SPRING20 at checkout. I also used Linda from The Quilted Pineapple’s Edge rulers to quilt the straight lines.

I used an Omni grey thread for the background, and a cream A&E thread for the quilting in the people.

I used my favorite 8020 cotton poly blend batting from Winline. This was such a fun quilt to quilt!!

Next up, this fun wall handing that Laurie made…. she actually won the blocks from her guild, and then sewed them together. The pattern is by Vanessa from Lella Boutique, and is called By the Chimney mini.

How fun!!! I used a cream A&E Perma Core thread and winline’s 8020 cotton poly blend batting.

She wanted something Christmasy, so I decided on Patricia Ritter and my Merriment©️ design, which is available at Urban Elementz. It’s such a fun universal Christmas design.

It’s never too early to get your Christmas quilts quilted!!

Next up, this beautiful quilt that Liz’s sisters help her make.

This quilt pattern is by Sandy Gervais called Rubies and Diamonds.

If you look super close, there are heart fabrics in this quilt…which I don’t know the name of, so she wanted a heart quilting design. I showed her Patricia Ritter and my Cupid©️ design, and she loved it. I think it looks so beautiful!!

I used 8020 cotton poly blend batting and cream A&E Perma Core thread.

That swirly heart texture is my favorite!!!

Next up…this incredible quilt made by Denise.

The pattern is called Heritage Square by Whirligig Designs.

Seriously incredible quilt!!!

Denise wanted my Squared©️ quilting design on this one. Which is great with all the blocks being on point.

I used a king size 8020 cotton poly blend batting and cream A&E Perma Core thread.

This next one, is one I’ve wanted to make for awhile…someday! Also made by Denise.

This is called Vintage Lace by Lo & Behold Stitchery. This is also king size, and I couldn’t quite get the whole quilt in one picture, so head to the link above on Lo & Behold Stitchery’s website, to see the full quilt.

I used cream A&E Perma Core thread and winline’s king size 8020 cotton poly blend batting.

To go with the Vintage Lace theme of the quilt, we decided on Taka by Keryn Emmerson which is available at Urban Elementz.

This quilt is backed with a fluffy Minky, which adds a puffiness to the quilting texture.

Also made by Denise, this fun tree wall hanging is called The Giving Tree and is in the book by Sew Kind of Wonderful called Mini Wonderful Curves.

She wanted wood grain quilting, which I did freehand. Then I used my 4” Circle2™ ruler to quilt the star.

This texture is so fun!!

I used Linda’s Edge ruler to quilt the echoed v’s on the trunk.

I used cream A&E Perma Core thread and Winline’s 8020 cotton poly blend batting.

Next up, this beautiful Charcoal and Cream block of the month quilt, made by Barbara. Pattern by Fig Tree and Co. This was a block of the month that ran last year. So, you’ll have to read the details in the link above for more information on if it’s still available.

Sorry these pictures aren’t the best…even with editing the pictures, it’s just hard to get good pictures in the gloomy winter days we’ve had in January and February.

I decided to quilt Patricia Ritter and my Sweet Indigo©️ design, which is available at Urban Elementz. Which I think was a perfect choice for the vintage look to this quilt.

I used cream A&E Perma Core thread and Winline’s 8020 batting.

My favorite swirly flower design that we’ve created.

Next, this super fun Lella Boutique quilt called Butterfly Patch, made by Chris.

The fabrics on this quilt are fun and bright, sorry the pictures just don’t do it justice.

Chris chose Patricia Ritter and my Capri©️ design for the quilting. It is such a fun design for this quilt. It is available at Urban Elementz.

I used a cream A&E Perma Core thread, and Winline’s 8020 cotton poly blend batting.

A close up on that quilty texture and some of the fun fabrics that Chris used.

Next, this adorable panda quilt that Chris made for her granddaughter.

It’s called Cursive Panda Quilt by Vintagedoor. Chris added flowers, changed a few things on the pandas face…and it turned out so sweet.

I used one of Linda’s Edge rulers to quilt the lines, and then everything else was done freehand.

I used black thread on the back and white on everything else. I also used Winline’s 8020 cotton poly blend batting.

Love what simple lines or squares can add to the quilting texture on a quilt. Adding a variety of quilting designs, that harmonize together, creates fun textures and makes different parts of the quilt stand out more.

I love that “hello”! To see some of these designs and others quilted on video, head on over to my YouTube channel and check out those videos.

Last one for today…this sweet quilt was made by Sherry for a dear momma who is dying from cancer, to give to her daughter. Sherry’s sister made some more quilts for this momma’s other children. She wanted to leave her kids with a reminder of how much she loves them. When I have the opportunity to quilt a quilt for someone like this, it makes my job mean sooo much more. It adds a greater purpose to fabrics, threads, batting, and quilting designs.

The pattern is called Merry-Go-Round designed by Regina Girard and is in The Big Book of Strip Quilts by Karen M. Burns.

This quilt is jelly roll friendly…I have a jelly roll that would be perfect for it!!

I love these fun happy fabrics and colors.

With the hexagon fabrics, I decided to use Hexies by Patricia Ritter to quilt it. It’s available at Urban Elementz. I just love this quilting texture!

I used a white 30 tex A&E Perma Core thread and Winline’s 8020 cotton poly blend batting. I hope this little girl feels extra love from her momma each time she is wrapped up in this quilt.

Patricia Ritter and I have a new design called Scottish Plaid - Hexies and it’s available at Urban Elementz. It is not part of the 20% off sale that I’m currently having in my shop.

Another reminder about my Circle2™ machine quilting circle ruler set that is $20 off right now using code 20SPRING20 at checkout. Quilting designs are 20% off using code LEAPYEAR at checkout. Thanks again for supporting my small business. Appreciate you all so much!!

Thanks for being here!! Take care and I hope you each stay healthy.
- Leisha

Quilting Galore!

Between working and life, I haven’t blogged the amazing quilts and fun runners that I’ve had the privilege of quilting…for awhile. I hope you enjoy the variety of custom and edge to edge quilting, that I’m going to share with you.

First up, this amazing quilt made by my friend and neighbor Karen. She’s made several quilts, and has never had one custom quilted. It was so fun to quilt this for her, especially knowing she was going to keep it and enjoy the quilting. This pattern is by Carrie Nelson. It is from Miss Rosie’s Farmhouse Favorites book and is called Stella Blue.

I just love softening the hard lines in a quilt pattern, with curves in the quilting. That was my plan with this quilt. I love the end result.

I used Winline’s 8020 cotton poly batting, and Dyed Natural 30 tex A&E Perma Core thread.

A close up on the two main blocks.

I used four of my Circle2™ (Circle Squared) rulers to quilt these lovely curves. I used the 3”, 4”, 6”, and 9”. It’s so great to have such a versatile set, ranging in size from 2”-13” circles. These rulers are made from 1/4” thick, high quality acrylic. They are available in clear or green in my shop. For more details go here: Circle2™ . My machine quilting circle rulers can be used on a domestic machine with the correct quilting foot and on a longarm machine with a ruler foot. To check them out in action, go to my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/QuiltingIt

The above picture shows the 3” and the 9” circles. Each ruler has two sizes of circles. The reason being, you get 12 different sizes of circles and you only need 6 rulers. Saves space in your quilting studio and saves you money…because you’re not buying 6 more rulers. (Green set is pictured below)

The quilting in each block is so cohesive and pairs nicely together, while enhancing the quilt blocks. I used the 6” circle ruler to quilt the large orange peel on the corners of the star block.

That beautiful arc diamond design is so fun to quilt, and is my favorite part of quilting on this quilt. I use the 9” circle ruler on that design.

For all the orange peel designs inside the star blocks I used the 3” circle. As pictured above and below.

I used the 4” circle ruler to quilt these petals in these flying geese. I also used an Edge ruler from Linda at The Quilted Pineapple, to quilt all the lines.

All those different sizes of curves just fit so nicely together.

A few pictures of the back. Love it!!

Next, some cute table runners…made by Barbara!

How sweet are these popsicles?!?!?!! The pattern is by Ribbon Candy Quilt Company and is one of their Sizzlin’ Summer Skinnies. Click on their name above, and it will take you right to their website.

I used a white 30 tex A&E Perma Core thread, and Winline’s 8020 batting. I mixed the quilting up, by adding a lot of different shapes and textures. Ribbon candy borders, overlapping circles in the background, and a variety of different designs in the popsicle stripes.

Next up, Barbara made this flag runner, using the FREE Wave Your Flag table runner pattern by Fat Quarter Shop.

I used Good Vibrations from Patricia Ritter at Urban Elementz to quilt it. I spaced the wavy lines 3/4ths of an inch apart. I love the texture from these simple wavy lines. I used Antique Cream 30 tex A&E Perma Core thread and more of my favorite 8020 cotton poly Winline batting.

I love the dimension that comes from offsetting the flag stripes. I love all things 4th of July. I was born after the fireworks, on the morning of the 5th.

Okay, this watermelon runner…also made by Barbara, is just so fun!! The pattern is by Primrose Cottage Quilts and is called Summertime.

I may be a little biased, but that Sweet Orange Peel quilting design, is a perfect fit for this!! It reminds me of the shape of watermelon seeds. Sweet Orange Peel©️ is available in my shop at www.quiltingit.com/shop and is one of my best sellers!

I used a white 30 tex A&E Perma Core thread and Winline’s 8020 cotton poly blend batting.

Now, a few fun projects made by Sherry.

This cute pillow front is from My Girlfriends Quilt Shoppe, here in Logan Utah. It’s part of their pillow of the month club. You’ll have to contact them for a pattern.

I used Good Vibrations from Patricia Ritter at Urban Elementz again to quilt this. I spaced the wavy lines 1/2 of an inch apart. Because it’s a pillow, it works being that tightly quilted. Sherry brought a cotton poly scrap of batting, and I used a white 30 tex A&E Perma Core thread to quilt it.

Next up, these lovely runners made by Sherry. Designed By Heather Peterson from Anka's Treasures. This runner is in the Trendy Table 2 book.

Once again I used my Sweet Orange Peel©️ design to quilt it.

I used a Antique Cream 30 tex A&E Perma Core thread and Winline’s 8020 batting.

Sherry made two, so I quilted them onto the same quilting back. I quilt on a Gammill 22” machine. So I set the boundary when doing Edge to Edge quilting, as if it were all one quilt. Saves on time. I quilted the first one, rolled it to the next one and easy peasy, done!!

Loranne is a master at making her own patterns from things that inspire her. This lovely quilt was made for her friends new granddaughter.

Loranne requested a double batt, which adds some beautiful texture to the quilt/quilting. I did a bottom layer of the 8020 cotton poly blend batting that I love from Winline, and a top layer of Hobbs Wool. Love the combination of the two. I’ve done the same thing with some of my own quilts.

Pictures really don’t do this quilt justice.

I used the -20- curve ruler for the petals, and some of the Edge rulers for all the straight lines, both are from Linda at The Quilted Pineapple.

Because this quilt has lot of borders, I wanted to make each of them stand out with different yet cohesive quilting designs. I especially love how these corners turned out. I also share a few more pictures to show the border details. The pinstripe border below is done with a 1/4” line and then a inch section.

Airen’s amazing Double Wedding Ring quilt is up next!! It was such a gem to quilt, knowing it is going to be a family heirloom. Airen used Double Wedding Ring Templates by Sharlene Jorgenson which are available here.

I used white 30 tex A&E Perma Core thread and winline’s 8020 cotton poly blend batting.

I wanted to keep the quilting classic, yet show off all the amazing piecing that Airen did.

I used 3 of my Circle2 machine quilting circle rulers (the 4”, 5”, 13”) and Linda’s -15- curve ruler from The Quilted Pineapple.

The quilting inside where the rings overlap, is dainty. A double curved line at a 1/4” spacing, with tiny pebbles, enhances the curves of the rings and the negative space. I quilted swirls with a hook, inside the rings. Checkout the backging pictured below to see the hooks better.

I used this 4” Circle2™ ruler for one of the sets of petals inside the double arcs of the wedding rings.

I used this 5” Circle2™ ruler for the other set of petals in the double arc.

I used the 13” Circle2™ ruler to quilt the 1/4” lines inside where the rings overlap.

I also used the -15- curve ruler from Linda, to quilt the 1/2” arched curves inside the center of the rings. (As pictured below) I hope that makes sense. The reason I share which ruler I used where, is so you can see the benefits of having a great selection of circle rulers and curve rulers. I lay out my circle rulers to see which curve fits in the best spot. No two quilts are the same. It’s such a great asset to have a great set of rulers.

Front/back!! Love it! You can also see the hook on the swirls in the bottom picture. I love the look of the diamonds in each corner.

I wish each of you could see this beautiful quilt!!

Lovely sunlight highlighting all that quilting texture.

These sweet butterflies were made by Lori for her granddaughter. The pattern is by Nadra Ridgeway from Ellis & Higgs and is called Butterfly Dance.

This is such a sweet sweet quilt!!

Lori chose Flower Child by Apricot Moon Designs, and it’s available at Urban Elementz. This is such a fun design to quilt. It looks like the flowers are dancing along with the butterflies.

I used a 30 tex Silver Omni thread from Superior Threads, and 8020 cotton poly blend batting from Winline.

I hope you have fun snuggling your new granddaughter soon, Lori!!! She’s lucky to receive such a beautiful quilt.

I love this bright fun runner, made by Laurie. The pattern is Mini Popsicles Table Runner and is available at Annie’s Catalog.

Made with the Crayola Fat Quarter Box from Riley Blake Designs.

I custom quilted this with overlapping swirls in the background, and a variety of fun textures in the popsicles.

Such a fun summery runner. I used Antique Cream 30 tex A&E Perma Core thread and Laurie brought a cotton poly batting scrap.

This house quilt is just so fun, it was made by Kara Jo. The bold reds, pinks, and oranges…next to the black and white low volume prints…make this quilt pop!! I’m guessing these red/pink/orange fabrics are by Kaffe.

I used a Antique Cream 30 tex A&E Perma Core thread and Winline’s 8020 cotton poly batting.

Look at the combination of these bold prints, even next to some of the bold low volume prints. Such a fun combo.

I’m not sure who this pattern is by, if I find out I will edit this post. There are a fun variety of house quilts.

I suggested Malachite as a design for this quilt, and Kara Jo agreed. It’s by Patricia Ritter and is available at Urban Elementz. I love it with the variety and style of these fabrics. It’s such a versatile design.

That quilty texture is just so so good.

Lastly…this absolutely cute quilt, made by Sherry. It’s called Ghost Quilt by Then Came June. She has some pretty fun quilt patterns.

I’m not a huge Halloween fan, but this quilt just might change my mind. I love the different colors of ghost eyes and mouth. Light grey to black.

I stewed and stewed on how to quilt this. I saw a couple quilted that I liked, but one was custom and I knew I wanted to do something edge to edge. So I took a look at Sarah Ann Myers designs at Urban Elementz, because some of my favorites are hers, and I found Gale. The movement in this design, is just my favorite!!! It quilted beautifully!!

I used a white 30 tex A&E Perma Core thread and Winline’s 8020 cotton poly blend batting.

I think the point in the Gale quilting design, goes so well with the point on the ghost. That’s why I love them together.

I can’t believe it’s that time of year, when Halloween quilts are starting to get quilted. Anyone else feel like this year has flown right by.

The ghosts seem to be glowing in the picture below.

What have you been sewing this summer??? I’ve been making great progress on my Hexie Flower quilt, that I’ve been sewing together by hand…for the last 4 years. I shared a picture of a couple of the rows, a few posts ago. Right now, all the rows are sewn, and I’m starting to sew them together. That definitely takes more time, but it’s finally starting to look like a quilt. It’s been such a fun project. (Previous picture, so you don’t have to go looking for it)

Also, my Modern Vintage quilt is finally getting quilted!!!! Yay! It’s a pattern by Bonnie and Camille, and is in Bonnie’s Cotton Way Classics book. I used several different charm packs from several different Bonnie and Camille lines of fabric, to make this quilt. I’m so excited!! I’m going to quilt my Sweet Orange Peel©️ design on it, and it has a layer of Hobbs wool inside. This quilt was started almost two years ago. Yes, I’m slow at sewing. I prefer it that way. Take my time and enjoy the process.

Thanks for sticking around. I know that is a whole lot of pictures and quilts. But I love seeing a variety of ideas • for quilts and quilting. I hope you enjoy it, too. Happy sewing! • Leisha

Barbara’s stunning wool quilt!!!

This stunning quilt is beautifully made by Barbara.  The pattern is Farmhouse Wool 2 block of the month by Fig Tree & Co.  Thanks for stopping by, I’m so excited to tell you about this quilt.  One of my favorites for sure!!  Yes, there are lots of pictures...I want you to see as much of this amazing quilt as you can.  

I love the look of the colors of the wool popping off the cream background.  After I started quilting, I sent a picture to Barbara, and we both felt it would be best to leave all of the wool unquilted.

I used Antique Cream 30 tex A&E Perma Core thread, and Hobbs wool batting for this one.  Wool batting is perfect for those quilts that you want to add a little more pop to everything.  

I don’t want to overload you with a close up on all 16 blocks, so I will share them in groups of 4, and then close up of the 4 different designs I did throughout the quilt.  Doing 4 different background fillers, can be a lot, however because they are each used 4 times it works.  They are also similar in style, and are very complimentary of one another.   

To also keep the quilting complimentary, I did the same quilting in each 9 patch...which I used my favorite 8” edge ruler from Linda at thequiltedpineapple.com, I also used my 7” Circle2™ ruler to do the same curve throughout, and the alternating circles and swirls in the 1” square borders around each block.  Here is a video of me quilting the swirls and circles:

I love what something as simple as swirls and circles can add to a quilt.   

Here are the next two sets of four...isn’t this just so lovely?!?!!!!  

The next four pictures show the four different background filler designs that I quilted.  I did each background 4 times, so it worked out perfectly.  I also alternated each design, so that each design was on each row and each column.  That way I don’t have too many of one design all bunch together on the quilt.  Plus, when you’re adding a variety to anything...whether it’s quilting or design, it’s best to mix things up and so your eye travels throughout, and it’s more harmonious to look at.  More pleasing to the eye.  If you’re reading this on your phone, you may be able to scroll in on the full pictures of the quilt, and see what I’m talking about. 

This block (pictured below) is my favorite!!  Everything about it.  The color and shape of the flower petals.  And, that background overlapping circle design is just so much fun to quilt, and the result is stunning.  If you haven’t checked out my YouTube video on the overlapping circles, click here:  https://youtu.be/x0UNyEJdm9Y

Echo circles, swirls, and pebbles are so great to quilt behind something, because you can get super close and it helps the appliqué pop.  For a video on this freehand design, check out tis video on my channel: https://youtu.be/-NNbKsFFYPg

Next up the grassy design.  This always adds fun texture, no matter what it’s quilted on.  Here is a video of this design:   https://youtu.be/eMDOzouOzXA

Lastly the arc echo.  I don’t have a video of this one just yet, but it’s also a great background filler.  I’ve also quilted this tons of times, at a larger scale, as the main design on a quilt.   

Like I mentioned above, I used my 7” Circle2™ machine quilting circle ruler to quilt this fabulous sashing!!  I used to hate quilting sashing.  I just never knew what to quilt in it.  Now it’s one of my favorite parts, because designs like this dress up the quilting a lot.  Plus, it’s a bonus frame around each block.   

My Circle2™ (circle squared) rulers are available in a set of 6, on my website.   https://www.quiltingit.com/shop?category=Rulers  They come in clear or green 1/4” high quality acrylic.  I designed these so you have 2 circles in each ruler, only needing 6 rulers, instead of 12.  2” to 13” sized circles.  They have excellent lines and measurements.  They are 2.5” wide, so that you can hold them easily.  They are also designed with the hopping foot in mind.   The hopping foot adds a 1/2” to circles.  With these rulers you’ll get full size, instead of half sized circles.  I’m starting to hear how much quilters are loving them!!  Which makes my quilty heart happy.  I struggled with the circle rulers I got years ago.  The problem, they weren’t designed by a quilter.  No helpful lines, and not the right size.  My hope with these rulers, is that you’ll enhance your quilting but enjoy using them as well.

As pictured below, I used the halfway mark on each of those 1” squares to know where to anchor the points on the curves.   

Look how beautiful those curves frame those blocks.  Seriously, my favorite thing!!!

I hope you enjoyed hearing more, and mostly seeing all these pictures of the loveliest quilt.  

Happy quilting, happy weekend, and hopefully soon to be happy spring... to those of us who’ve been in winter for awhile.  

Take care, Leisha  

My Ombré Gems quilt!!!

This is one of two quilts that I started and finished last year.  I quilted tons of quilts, however I don’t sew a ton of quilts, because I sew so slow.  I try and enjoy the process.  I’m thrilled to share with you my Ombré Gems quilt!!!  You have no idea how excited I am about this quilt.  I loved this pattern the first time I saw it from Emily Dennis...  go here to get the pattern: https://quiltyloveshop.com/collections/featured-products/products/ombre-gems-pdf-quilt-pattern

I got all the fabrics from https://www.sistersandquilters.com/ my favorite online fabric store!!!  Or they have an etsy... https://www.etsy.com/shop/sistersandquilters 

So, beginning of last year Emily said she was going to do another Ombré Gems sew along, and I totally jumped right in, even though I had a ton of work stuff going on at that moment and didn’t know how I was going to fit it in.  I started and loved it sooo much!  One thing that really helped is to have the blocks precut and clipped together, with the color name written on paper.  Once you cut off the selvages, it’s hard to know what some of those colors are.  It was the first time I had used Vanessa Christensen’s Ombré fabrics, so I was wondering how I was going to get that great fade from light to dark in my blocks.  No worries, Emily shows you exactly what to do to cut the right piece in the right spot, so you can have awesome blocks, too.  Like I mentioned above, the fabrics are by Vanessa Christensen from V and Co by Moda Fabrics.

The little red clips I’m using are called Wonder Clips, they are a life saver in so many ways.  The bottoms are flat so it’s easy to sew until you get to the clip, then of course you can’t sew over it like a pin.  They are great for binding, English paper piecing, sewing bags or zipper pouches and trying to keep all those layers together, and of course for keeping all your pieces together.  The best price I’ve found is amazon, and yes...you’ll want the 50 pack.  click here: https://www.amazon.com/Clover-Wonder-Clips-Red-50-Pack-x/dp/B004ZKPX8A/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1546708234&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=wonder+clips&dpPl=1&dpID=51fJgM4kdRL&ref=plSrch

I finished this quilt in May, and thought I knew what I wanted to quilt on it.  In the mean time, I had client quilts to quilt.  Come December, when I was about done quilting for clients, I counted how many quilts I had quilted for the year and I was a few short from doing the same amount last year.  So I looked in my closet and my beautiful Ombré Gems was sitting there.  The dilemma, I had no idea what I should quilt on it.  Seriously went back and forth soooo many times.  I even did an Instagram poll in my stories with three options.  The funny thing, I was totally going to quilt a triangle design on it.  I actually started to and it was too big, so I unpicked it.  Thankfully I only had two triangles quilted.  I decided to do and poll and sleep on it.  The triangles were a definite no...haha!  Actually there were some who voted for all three designs.  I know that any one of them would have looked great.  But since I LOVED this quilt, I wanted to LOVE the quilting too, and not just quilt it to quilt it and then regret what I did later on.  So, I eliminated the triangle design as an option.  Which left me with my Squared©️ Or Beaded Clam©️ design.  Squared won the poll hands down, and I was sooo close to quilting it.  I even spent a few hours thinking out loud, just trying to decide.  My mom was listening...haha!  I actually decided to do Squared, and then changed my mind.  Let me tell you a few reasons why.  I wanted to first and foremost soften up the quilt.  This quilt is beautiful and has a lot of hard lines, and I knew my Beaded Clam design would be great at softening it up.  Second, I have two other quilts that I really want to do, and they both need to have Squared quilted on them.  I love my Squared design, but I want to use a variety of my designs on my quilts, instead of using the same one over and over.  I also, quilted Beaded Clam on a client quilt back in August, right after I released it, and I really wanted it on one of my own quilts.  Now, I just hoped I was going to LOVE it as much as I LOVE the quilt.  And, I do!!  So much!!!  You may be wondering why I went into great detail telling you about my thought process.  The funny thing, most times I can look at a quilt and know exactly what to quilt on it.  Especially if it’s an edge to edge design.  I usually draw inspiration from the fabrics or the quilt pattern.  The hard thing about this particular quilt, it’s all solid fabric...well except for the backing fabric.  (Look for it below)  Which is another reason I chose this design.  I quilted this design at a height of 3”, and that is a perfect size.

Here is a look at my Beaded Clam©️ design, not to be confused with my Beaded Clam Take Two.  Beaded Clamb is available only in my shop at: https://www.quiltingit.com/shop/beaded-clam-1

Urban Elementz picked up my Beaded Clam Take Two design, and it’s available in paper and several different digital formats...if you’re a paper pantograph quilter check that out.  https://www.urbanelementz.com/beaded-clam.html  

These aqua, pink, magenta, greens, and red...are my favorite combination of color on this quilt!!

Look at all that awesome quilty texture!!!  Love love love it!!  To create this texture I actually used two layers of batting.  I’ve done that before on a few of my custom quilts and on a client quilt...but never on a quilt I was going to just do an edge to edge quilting design on.  The base layer is my favorite 8020 cotton poly blend batting from Winline out of Ogden Utah.  Then on top of that I used a layer of Hobbs wool.  I tell you, this combo is heavenly!!!  I haven’t had any problems with the batting bunching or anything weird, but as I roll I check to make sure everything is still flat and straight.  Especially when quilting a quilt that is pieced on the bias.  Sometimes batting likes to bunch on me, with blocks sewn on point...I don’t know why, when I’m advancing the quilt on the machine.  The reasoning behind using two layers of batting, is to add extra loft and help the quilting POP!  I actually rubbed my hand on this quilt dozens of times to feel the texture.  Haha!  I used a white 30 tex poly wrapped poly Perma Core A&E thread.

I’ve been sleeping with this on top of my bedspread, and it’s been so cozy and warm in the freezing northern Utah winter we are having.  

See...here is the backing fabric!!  Does it make a little more sense why I wanted to quilt this design on this quilt???  The dots have a rounded top and bottom mimicing the scallop in the quilting.  I think they pair nicely together.  This quilting may not be your favorite, that’s okay.  I also love this grayish bias pinstripe for the binding.  It’s a Bonnie and Camille basic by Moda.  The backing fabric is from one of Vanessa Christensen’s old fabric lines, Color Me Happy by Moda.    

This is also my first quilt that I was able to put my custom made label on!!  I love these!!  Of course I went for Navy/Aqua, with white...they are my favorite color combo!  So many of my quilts have navy and aqua in them, so I thought it would complement them nicely.  I also love the clean simple look and the cute font they did my name in.  

Custom Labels 4 U, did them for me.  They are awesome to work with, and I got a ton of labels for a great price!!  Here is their website...  https://www.customlabels4u.com/mobile/custom-woven-labels.htm

If any of you are wanting more specifics about my labels...size, fonts, colors... comment below, and I can dig up the emails with all the details.  I had these made awhile ago, so I can’t remember everything off the top of my head.   

Thanks for following along and reading my story!!  When I was teaching my longarm quilting classes, deciding on which patterns to quilt, was something they all wanted to learn more about.  So, I hope you learned a little something about the process I use.  I definitely want to include the “why I chose this design” in my posts, in hopes that can help those of you who are new to quilting.  

Hope you’re having a great day!!   Happy quilting!!

- Leisha  

Sherry’s Greenhouse quilt

I love love this quilt!  Sherry made this quilt using Elizabeth Hartman’s “Greenhouse” quilt pattern.  I love her fabric choices, the combinations of color and pattern.  

Sherry requested Modern Loops for the quilting, which I think is a great combination with the fabrics and quilt pattern.  Modern Loops is a design that came on my Statler Gammill machine.  This quilt is quilted use my Statler computer.

I used a 30 tex A&E Perma Core white thread and a 8020 cotton/poly blend batting.  Because it’s hard to get the full quilt pictured, I decided to share this picture of the left side of the quilt (above), and the right side (below).  Aren’t the jewel tones amazing?!?!

A close up/different angle.  Now...who wants to make one of these???  

thanks for stopping by!

-Leisha  

Chris’ beautiful makes!

All of these beautiful makes were done by Chris, except for this first quilt, her husband made his Frits quilt.  I think it’s fun that he wanted to see what the quilting process is all about.  Chris brought over 7 things for me to quilt.  I know that there are tons of pictures, but this is the perfect place for them.  Let me know if you have any questions.

When I saw the fabrics on her husband’s quilt, I suggested Patricia Ritter and my Cedar©️ design, which I haven’t quilted out yet.  I was so excited when he gave me the go ahead.  Cedar is available in a paper and digital formats at UrbanElementz.com or click here: https://www.urbanelementz.com/cedar.html  He requested navy thread.  All the batting and thread used on all of these projects is 30 Tex A&E Perma Core poly wrapped poly thread...except for the Kaffe quilt, and 8020 cotton poly batting.  

I love the movement and texture of this design, it couldn’t be a better fit with the fabrics.

Here is a view of the back...isn’t that awesome!

Chris made this beautiful log cabin quilt to add some fun color to their trailer to enjoy when they go camping.  She used Kaffe Fassett fabrics. 

She requested Patricia Ritter and my Chantilly©️ quilting design.  It’s also available at UrbanElementz.com or click here: https://www.urbanelementz.com/chantilly.html

I did use a variegated thread on this quilt by A&E it’s one of their Signature threads that is 100% cotton and 40 Tex.  It’s always fun to try and match variegated thread on such colorful quilts.

Next up are these three cute bench pillow fronts, patterns by Kimberbell Designs.  I’ve quilted many of these before.  My clients use muslin or a cream or white cotton fabric for the backing because they’ll attach the backing fabric and stuff their bench pillow inside.  Each of these pillows come with additional dimensional pieces to add more texture.  They are added after quilting is done, so that is why they aren’t pictured here.  Check Kimberbell’s website for pictures on those details.  https://www.kimberbelldesigns.com/  These pillows started out as traditional appliqué, now Kim has them also in machine embroidery patterns as well. You’ll have to check on her website for all the details.  Each of these pieces was made using the embroidery patterns.

I do love to use one piece of backing fabric, if I can, especially when the pieces being quilted are so small.  So, I baste one on...quilt it...roll the backing on the quilt frame...baste another one on...and so on until I have everything added on and quilted.  I have even done this with 3 throws that have a minky backing.  There is some great space in the throat of the longarm, which allows this.  

First up...the flower pots...Chris made them to match the pots that she has on her front porch, which I think is clever.  

All the quilting done on the rest of these projects is free motion, meaning it’s hand guided.  No computer.  I used my favorite 8” edge ruler from Linda at TheQuiltedPineapple.com to quilt the flower pots in a variety of different line designs.  I did an all over swirly feather in the background of the pots and ribbon candy border design.

Next up, is the Welcome Spring pillow front.  I love the rain boots!  I did wavy lines to add texture to the boots.  I decided on pebbles and swirls to mimick bubbles and ripples in puddles, for the background.

There will be flowers on the stems coming out of the boots.  I love that cute little umbrella.  I used a 5” circle ruler to quilt the curved lines inside.  

Land that I love is the last of the three quilted onto the same backing fabric.  I added some stars inside some of the circles, with the addition of swirls, it’s some fun textures for the background.   

Along the sides, in the patchwork squares, I quilted a four pointed star in the squares down the center and then added some alternating diamonds down each of the sides, I love the design it created.   I never know quite what things will look like as I’m quilting them, until it’s done.  That’s one of my favorite parts is seeing all of the designs together.  I used Linda’s 8” edge ruler for this one too.  I did freehand pebbles in the inner light blue border, then I used a circle ruler (I can’t remember the size) to quilt the curves inside the navy inner border.

Here is a close up of the different lines I quilted in the bunting flags.

Next up is a birthday banner!  This is also a Kimberbell pattern, Chris is making it into a banner instead of a pillow, so she brought a fabric like the borders down the sides, for the backing.  

I used Linda from theQuiltedPineapple.com 12” edge ruler for these lines because the 8” isn’t long enough.  I started with diagonal lines every inch, starting on the bottom left and working to the top right, then I can use the lines on the ruler for spacing as I’m quilting.  If I quilted the opposite direction, I would be ahead of the lines I’m quilting, and wouldn’t have a line to use to line up to the lines on the ruler.  So, if your new to quilting or ruler work, always quilt in a direction where you can use the lines you already quilted.  Most of the time you won’t need to mark anything.  After doing the inch diagonal lines, I do vertical inch lines.  It creates the cross hatch angled diamond look.

I stippled the background to make the banner universal for everyone’s birthday.  The red rope is there to attach letters to for whomever’s birthday it is.   

Here is a close up on the birthday cake.  Lines lines lines are always a fun texture to add with the stipple or pebble background filler designs.  I used Linda’s 8” ruler again for these lines.   

Last, but certainly not least is this sweet log cabin table runner.  Kits are available on ShabbyFabrics.com ...however, be mindful if you want to have your runner machine quilted, they don’t provide enough backing for pinning to the machine canvas’. 

Chris wanted it quilted like the ones that are pictured on shappyfabrics.com.  Feathers in the log cabin blocks and wavy lines along the thinner outside border.   

Thank you stopping by!  I know that was a long post, and tons of pictures.  Happy sewing and happy weekend! 

-Leisha  

Whimsical Garden quilt, made by Beth.

Beth made this absolutely stunning needle turn quilt, pattern is Whimsical Garden by Sue Daley.  She requested dense custom quilting and on point cross hatch.  To say that was excited was an understatement!!  Beth asked how much I like doing double batts, and I love the combo of 8020 cotton/poly on the bottom with a wool layer on top of that.  The loft and texture it creates with the quilting is just perfect!

This is when it was fresh off the longarm.  It’s so fun to sit and look at quilts when they are done, and see how everything looks all together.

I was talking with a friend about combining different textures when I quilt...the hard lines...the scallops...and then the free random fillers.  They work together so well.  Different scales are important,  especially with lines, weither the lines are curved or straight.  I did 1/2” lines in the outside border, and 1” squares on the inner grey border.  For both sets of lines I used Linda from The Quilted Pineapple edge rulers.  I used the 8” for the outside border, it’s shorter, and the 12” for the inner border because it’s longer for the cross hatching. 

When deciding on the size of scallops to do along the edge of the borders, I measured the width and length, and the lowest divisible number was 3”.  So I measured every 3” and marked it, and then I used a 3” circle ruler to quilt from mark to mark.  I used a 4” circle ruler to quilt the quarter inch echoed line outside the scallop.  I could have left the original scallops and not echoed, however I think the scallops would have been a little lost next to all the free hand filler in the white fabrics.  I love to enchanted things just a touch more.  I did a 4” scallop on the center piece, using a 4” and 5” circle ruler.

I used like I mentioned above, a base layer of 8020 batting and topped it with a wool layer to get that fabulous texture.  I also used a 30 tex cream Perma Core A&E thread and a light grey thread for the center grey border.

A couple of close ups...I freehand quilted everything else in the cream backgrounds.

Beth did an absolutely beautiful job with all the hand appliqué.

Can you see why I LOVE my job.!?!?...

thanks for stopping by, have a great weekend! 

- Leisha