lollypop trees applique

Melissa, from Alaska, created this stunning quilt out of Javanese batiks - very different from the Bali batiks we're familiar with.

 

 

She worked on this quilt for 14 months while living in Jakarta, Indonesia. 

She belonged to a sewing group known as the Needle Nomads - I love sewing groups! 

The pattern is, "Lollypop Trees" by Kim McLean.

You can find it here.

 

 

I bought the pattern - I need one applique quilt in my lifetime and this is the one! 

I fell in love with it after seeing Melissa's.

I quilted straight line "x's" in each square and rectangle for her sashing & borders.

 

 

Then I quilted on top of some of the larger applique pieces.

It gave them some character yet still allowed them

to stand out. 

 

 

In the background I quilted a micro stipple. 

I didn't want to detract from the beautiful prints.

 

 

Melissa used the lightweight interfacing technique for her applique then hand stitched them in place.

 

 

She will be hanging this beauty in her entryway on a custom made hanger out of recycled teak wood and iron. 

It will have carved batik motifs throughout the wood. 

I would love to see this work of art! 

 

 

 

The outer border has all these little individual lollypops scattered throughout.

 

 

 

It's as if these little ones are just waiting to grow up into big trees!

 

 

 The lollypop friends....just hanging out.

 

 

Thank you, Melissa, for trusting me with this stunning quilt.

You've inspired me!

 

pretty - pretty - pretty....Allyn's quilt

 

Allyn, from Massachusetts, sent this absolutely gorgeous appliqued quilt top.

She had already quilted the applique blocks by hand

and wanted me to quilt the setting, side, and corner triangles along with the outer borders. 

 

 

 

I must admit - I was a lot bit intimidated by its beauty and her hand work.

Her applique is near perfection and the hand quilting matches it.

I did not want to detract from its beauty.

I suggested a pretty "fleur" design to compliment and frame the quilt. 

 

 

 

It was delightful to quilt....

(I love the petals on these daisy flowers) 

 

 

 

Allyn travels/lives on a boat most of the time, so during her travels she worked on the applique blocks.

 

 

As she finished each block she documented the date and city/state she was traveling through.

 

 

 

 

 The back is this pretty tone-on-tone floral - perfect.

 

 

She chose a pretty red fabric for the binding - Allyn will do the handwork.

 

 

 

I wish you could see these gorgeous blocks up close - my photography does NOT do it justice.

 

 

Thank you, Allyn, for letting me see, touch, and work on this beauty.

Safe travels this year!

(I wonder what she's working on now.....stay tuned!)

Woody's wedding quilt....by Des

Des, from Idaho, is one of my longest, bestest friends. 

We've been quilting together for what seems like forever - that's a long time!

Her son, Woody, is getting married this month.

Des made this beautiful "Serendipity" quilt - so much applique!

 

 

She wanted it to be snuggly so I put wool batting in it and she put this soft, pillowy, swirly minky on the back.

  Can I say, "love it"?

 

 

When I get a quilt with a lot of applique I usually don't quilt on top of the applique pieces, but these needed a little touch of quilting here and there.

 

 

I quilted some swirls and outlined the applique pieces.

 

 

I love the variety of prints she used and that pieced background - mmmm!

 

 

This is the center of the quilt.

Happy sunshine yellows.

 

 

Her borders were a scrappy piano key.

 

 

A little vine swirl in the red inner border.

 

 

I trimmed the edges so it would look nicer in the photos - this is what you get when you trim minky....it sheds like crazy! 

But, it's completely worth it!

 

 

Woody and his new bride will love it!

 

 

Thank you, Des, for letting me add to this beautiful gift.