September 15, 2009
Hibiscus Flower
Hibiscus Flower features a new block of mine called the Dresden Flower block. It has 3D corners that are rolled during quilting. I have a big quilt using this block in the quilting stage so watch for it in the future. A couple of the fabrics in this piece were picked up during my recent visit to Hawaii.
For more info on the Twilts: Twitter quilts…….Twilts or see all my Twilts : Flickr Twilts Page.
July 21, 2009
Twilight Flight
A beautiful dragonfly wings his way through the twilight. The blocks in this Twilt, “Twilight Flight” use the block from my pattern Mandalesque (Pictured below). The blocks feature two 3D triangles in a four patch. When grid quilted the rolled folds form the lovely scallops.
I picked the dragonfly from my bead and button collection. 
It’s one of Susan Clarke’s pieces. To see more of Susan’s work visit her site at www.susanclarkeoriginals.com.
For more info on the Twilts: Twitter quilts…….Twilts or see all my Twilts : Flickr Twilts Page.
I had a wonderful time at the Southern California Quilt Run. If you missed it I hope you will participate next year.
You can see more of my patterns on the pattern page of this blog and on my website pattern page.
July 14, 2009
Cathedral Star Celebration
For this Twilt Tuesday I have recreated a block from my second book, “Machine Stitched Cathedral Stars” in a much smaller version, “Cathedral Star Celebration”. The background pieces are 1″ and 2″ cut squares as opposed to 2″ and 4″ cut squares. The fabrics are batiks except for the outer border.
Last week end I worked the Southern California Quilt Run. It continues this next weekend, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If you are in Southern California try not to miss it. I will be doing demos at Georgia’s Quilting Obsession so if you go, stop by and say Hi!
For more info: Twitter quilts…….Twilts or see all my Twilts : Flickr Twilts Page.
July 6, 2009
Cool Cat Cathedral Window Quilt
In December of 1999 my first book “Machine Stitched Cathedral Windows” was published. Every once in a while I get pictures of a quilt made using the book.
Lori Lusk created this beautiful quilt in 2007 just in time for Christmas. She used the technique from my book for the central part of the quilt. Using bright colors for the window frames. the panes use the cat fabric shown below and the cat paw print was used for the foundation. The fussy cut cats were used again in the border along with more of the bright solids. Lori had this to say:
“I entered the quilt in our quilt guild’s challenge and won the viewer’s choice, best use of color and best expressed theme (It’s a novel-tee). It was a Christmas gift for my great-niece who was three at the time. The back of the quilt is the cat paw print and had a matching pillowcase to put it in.”
This is a wonderful example that uses my technique with original design choices for the color placement and borders to make a Cathedral Window Quilt. What a great job, Lori!
June 16, 2009
Tuesday’s Twilt … Wisteria
Having crashed for a few days after my latest road trip I am refreshed and ready to get to work.
Todays Twilt is “Wisteria”, silk ribbon embroidery on crinkled fabric with machine stitching and couched glittery threads. The frame of this piece has Cathedral Window corners. I have some ideas for more complex Cathedral Window corners coming up in future twilts.
The silk ribbon I used is from my collection of ribbons that I painted and dyed a while back. I have really enjoyed revisiting the silk ribbon work that I enjoyed so much in the past. Expect to keep seeing more.
For more info: Twitter quilts…….Twilts or see all my Twilts : Flickr Twilts Page.
June 9, 2009
Checking in From the Road
I was up at the Central Coast Shop Tour this weekend and ran into lots of friends and made some new ones. I got to meet a couple of Tweeps (friends from Twitter) even. A student and friend, Judy Hines, brought in a small piece that she made in one of my classes in September of 2005. Its called “Stars for Rick” in memory of her son. It’s a Cathedral Window with a 9Patch layout. The high contrast used with the frame fabrics makes the nine frames stand out and the grid and scallop finish makes the frames look like stars.
Judy has taken lots of classes with me and I was so thrilled to get this picture and show everyone her quilt. Thank you, Judy.
I know it’s Twilt Tuesday and my Twilt isn’t finished since I have been on the road for a week and will be in San Diego for the next couple of days but I will post it on Friday if I can, so check back then.
June 2, 2009
Twilted Trees for Twilt Tuesday
The colors in this Twilt are just fabulous. I couldn’t have been happier. They just seem to glow. I plan on making a larger version of this pattern in the future.
I have wanted to try this design for a while and a Twilt is the perfect way to test it. Two different sizes of 3D triangles were used to create “Trees” .
I am reminded of the mountains and forests in the late summer or even fall.
The picture below shows what the piece looked like before I rolled the bias folds of the triangles. 3D triangles can be used without rolling the folds because they are already finished bias edges.
I often pause at the construction stage because most of my designs could be used with out the rolling. Still, the curves add another dimension and so I go ahead and roll and stitch.
As you read this I am on the central coast of California for the Central Coast Quilt Shop Tour. I will be demoing my technique at The Quilt Attic after nursing my adult daughter after she has her tonsils removed. Ouch!
For more info: Twitter quilts…….Twilts or see all my Twilts on my Flickr Twilts Page.
May 26, 2009
Red White and Blue Twilt Tuesday
Yesterday was Memorial Day here in the US and I was inspired to dig out my red, white and blue fabrics and work on a patriotic Twilt. As you can see I have collected quite a few batiks in those colors. “Stars & Stripes” went together pretty quickly. Twelve 3D triangles point to a single 3D square offset from the center. I had rejected the muted strip with stars but when I laid it out I changed my mind. 
The 3D square and triangles are grid quilted and then the folds are rolled. Straight lines of quilting echo the stripes of the star stripe fabric. What have you been working on? I love to hear. Have you started your own Twilt project. If not, you should give it a try. I am enjoying myself immensely.
For more info: Twitter quilts…….Twilts or see all my Twilts on my Flickr Twilts Page.
May 12, 2009
Starlit Night for Twilt Tuesday
I went back to the early days of my process to create “Starlit Night”. The larger star in this piece is a Floating Star block from my second book, “Machine Stitched Cathedral Stars“. I shrunk the block and used a grid of 1” background squares. The smaller stars are miniature versions of Star Puzzle. I love the strong constrast created with gold prints and dark star prints. Machine quilted stars and a few Hot Stick crystals on the background add to the celestial feel.
The border print is an older Batik from the early 90’s, I think. I enjoy digging through my fabric collection and finding the older pieces. Twilts are the perfect place to finally use these fabrics. I am considering offering patterns for some of the Twilts so if there’s one you really like let me know.
For more information on Twilts: Twitter Quilts…….Twilts
May 11, 2009
Nice Start to the Week
I had a quiet Mother’s day, heard from all my kids and got flowers which I will probably enjoy for quite a few more days.
I did get out and walk this morning. It feels a little like the mountains here in the foothills of Banning. 
My class for the Piecmakers quilt group went quite well and I really appreciate Dianne Thayer setting it all up. I introduced a new project, The Cathedral Window Sampler. The ladies did very well! So, it’s time to get to work on tomorrow’s Twilt!
Snips and Bits from Shelley's Studio 