The wild sunflowers are still blooming like crazy so I think today I will feature another sunflower pattern!

I love combining piecing and applique together, I think it only enhances both techniques. Here I have used a simple log cabin type block set on point for the background of the appliqued sunflowers. The starting square of the log cabins is the brown center for the sunflowers, so all you have to applique is the simple shapes of the petals and the leaves! And to make it even better you do the applique on the pieced log cabin strips before they are sewn together so you are not working on the bulk of the whole top. I do try to make things easy for you!

INNOVATIONS 01327 Log Cabin Sunflowers
approximately 77 x 96″ $8.00 Click on Patterns in the side bar to order.

The sample quilt featured in the cover photo and pictured above is also for sale. It is heavily free motion machine quilted using a variety of threads including some metallic. The backing is a nice plaid that repeats the colors on the front.
$2400.00 Contact me to purchase.

This year, probably because of all the rain, the wild sunflowers have been extra lovely. In the roadsides and in the fields, they are a delightful vision to brighten our days and remind us fall is just around the corner.

So in light of that and the fact that on my recent trip to the Kansas City Guild, my Sunflower Patch pattern was one of my best sellers,  I decided that today it should be my featured pattern for Focus Friday.

SUNFLOWER PATCH

Approximately 70 x 85 ”      $8.50       Click on Patterns in the side bar to order

A bright and sunny pieced quilt, quickly made from only twenty pieced 15″ original design blocks.  I used two different black and white prints to effectively set off the scrappy yellow and brown flowers – but imagine it with a scrappy blue or cream background instead!

SUNFLOWER PATCH sample quilt
Machine pieced and free motion machine quilted  The backing is also scrappy, created from a variety of green and gold and sunflower printed fabrics.  $1500.00. To purchase, email me.

My trip to the Greater Kansas City Quilt Guild was perfect!  It was supposed to rain, but it didn’t, so that was good. The equipment worked and the audience was appreciative and very supportive.  I even got to touch base with some friends I hadn’t seen in a while. I know I am going to miss those aspects of traveling to do presentations and workshops for guilds, but the hardships of travel and the extensive prep time has won out and I am officially retired! It feels good.

Everyone asks “What are you going to do now?” Well for sure, I am going to sew and continue to make quilts for sale and competition. I hope to do more traveling just for the fun of it. Maybe there will be enough time to keep things neater around here and in the garden. I’m quite sure I will be plenty busy!

Now that I am not traveling to do trunk shows, I do not need all of the sample quilts, especially now that I am winding down the pattern business. My plan is to sell out the inventory I have, but not to design new ones or reprint the existing ones. And since I no longer need all of those samples I will be offering them for sale at reasonable prices.

Maybe I will even do a better job of keeping up this blog!

With that in mind I think I will institute “Focus Friday” where I will feature an INNOVATIONS pattern and it’s sample. Today is Sept 11, so I am focusing on “From The Ashes”, my tribute to 9/11.

FROM THE ASHES

approximately 38 x 39″  pattern: $8.00.   To purchase, click on “Patterns” in the sidebar.

From the ashes of the World Trade Center, America will rise, stronger than ever.  Lady Liberty stands proud in the harbor as she has done since 1886, with her message of freedom.

Pieced Tumbling Blocks done in shades of gray represent the destruction, but they morph into golden stars of hope as America will recover. Add hand or machine applique and a message – either the one included in the pattern – or your own sentiment or memorial.

Sample quilt approximately  37 x 38 , $200.00.  To purchase, email me.

Machine pieced, machine appliqued and free motion machine quilted with cotton and metallic threads.