Look at that - it’s the 50th edition of my longarm quilting service series! Since I write these updates less than once per month, that means I have been at this longarm quilting gig for more than 50 months. I am actually surprised to realize that it’s been so long! The year do fly by.

I am really so glad that I took the plunge back in 2017 and bought a fancy Gammill Statler longarm machine. My aim was to offer a quilting service that would complement my other quilty endeavors, and that’s exactly what’s come to pass. Although it is always difficult to find a place big enough for my machine, each time I need to move house, the machine itself has treated me well and delivered the expected results. Plus, I love sharing customer quilts with you here on the blog!

I Spy by Hester R.

When I think “I Spy” quilt, I tend to imagine bright and saturated projects. It was a lovely surprise to encounter Hester’s version of I Spy, where sweet circles frame the found objects. Teaming with low volume shades and framed with a pretty applique floral border, Hester’s I Spy quilt has a soft, timeless charm.

She suggested Bubble quilting for the center of the quilt, which creates a very soft, cuddly texture. Of course those circles play nicely with Hester’s exquisite circular applique.

An over-all quilting treatment would have been okay for this quilt, but quilting something different on the borders is even nicer. We opted for a delicate dot and swirl motif on the thin border and Irish Swirl for the wide outer border.

Irish Swirl has become a go-to quilting pattern for applique quilts. See what comes next!

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Applilque MEdallion by JoLene Stratton

It was a pleasure to finish Jolene’s medallion-style quilt with a simple custom quilting treatment. My goal was to beautify the different areas of the quilt, while avoiding dense quilting that would make the work less soft and cozy. I often choose a simple geometric treatment over applique, such as the Orange Peel over the central appliqué block or the Irish Swirl on the wide applique borders. The thinner borders were fun opportunities to go a little fancy.

Jolene’s quilt is so large and so heavy, that I could not photograph the complete work. But here you get the idea. It is generally a symmetrical work, with lovely variety in the applique blocks.

I am sure that wherever it makes its forever home, this quilt will be treasured!

Tilda Embroidery Flower by Carly Potter

I fell in love with this quilt at first sight. Did you? It’s the Embroidery Flower quilt by Tilda, a pixelated flower design that just knocks my socks off. This is the quilt that inspired me to sew with Tilda Peacock solid as a background to begin with. It was perfectly delightful to get to see it in person, sewn by the hands of Carly Potter!

I enthusiastically agree with Carly’s choice of all-over quilting with the showy Graffiti Grow motif. Because this quilt is sewn from solids, it can carry the added interest and complexity that this quilting pattern lends.

Choosing a thread color was more challenging. Too light and the thread color would stand out too much on the dark blue background; too dark and the thread would mar the gorgeous pixelated blooms. I used a medium gray thread, which blends as much as possible with all color extremes. I love how it came out!

I’d be happy to finish your projects with a beautiful quilting texture too. My services are available to those who live throughout the European region. Please be in touch if you have any questions or start the process off by placing your order. I can’t wait to collaborate on YOUR quilt!