Quilt as Desired: My Favorite Flower Basket

Basket top c. 1940, Quilter: Karen McTavish, Two Harbors, Minnesota.  I love the rope motif that fills the sashing between the blocks.  

Learn more about Karen on her website McTavish Quilting Studio.

Please check out Mary Kerr's site to see the schedule of when and where these quilts will be throughout the year.  My photographs do not do them justice.

Quilt as Desired: Claudia's Garden

Embroidery spread top c. 1940, Quilter: Claudia Pfeil, Krefeld, Germany.  You can see more of Claudia's work on her site: http://claudiapfeil.de/

The feathers on this quilt are just beautiful!

The detail on the appliques is wonderful.

Please check out Mary Kerr's site to see the schedule of when and where these quilts will be throughout the year.  My photographs do not do them justice.

Quilt as Desired: All Dressed Up

Bow-tie top c. 1940, Quilter:  Sue Papalia, Warren, Pennsylvania,www.zanykreations.com.  Each little flower is different and has its own personality. 

I love the fancy feathers on this.  They become these fanciful wreaths in each quartet of blocks.  So different from some other feathers.  The rest of it just makes me think I need to practice my ruler-work some more.  

Please check out Mary Kerr's site to see the schedule of when and where these quilts will be throughout the year.  My photographs do not do them justice.

Quilt as Desired: Blue Wedding

Double Wedding Ring top c. 1940, Quilter: Sue Pappilla, Warren, Pennsylvania.  Learn more about Page on her website http://www.zanykreations.com/.  

I love the feather motifs in the open spaces of this quilt.  The double wedding ring is like my arch-nemesis quilt pattern.  I want make one, but I am worried it just won't turn out that spectacular.  Maybe I should try a modern take on this traditional pattern.  Something different and perhaps not so intimidating.

Please check out Mary Kerr's site to see the schedule of when and where these quilts will be throughout the year.  My photographs do not do them justice.

Quilt as Desired: Pretty Pink Flowers

Applique Flower top c. 1935, Quilter: Page Ginny Rippe, Manassas, Virginia.    

Please check out Mary Kerr's site to see the schedule of when and where these quilts will be throughout the year.  My photographs do not do them justice.

Quilt as Desired: Dolly Madison Workbox

Economy top c. 1900, Quilter: Page Johnson, Eagan, Minnesota.  Learn more about Page on her website The Quilting Page.  

The feathers on this quilt reallly turn what is a simple design into something so much more.  I must admit that I spent some time on Page's website looking at things, clicking things and watching a video.  There is so much about quilting I still need to learn.

Please check out Mary Kerr's site to see the schedule of when and where these quilts will be throughout the year.  My photographs do not do them justice.

Quilt as Desired: Laissez Les Bon Tempes Rouler

G-mother's Flower Garden top c. 1930, Quilter: Sue Patten, Simcoe, Ontario, Canada.  I was not able to confirm the web address so I have not included it here.  

I know it isn't easy to see in these photos, but the use of two different color threads creates another layer on the surface of this quilt.  I like the improvisational look (even if the planning was very precise) of the different designs.  I know that trying to decide what to quilt is never easy.  Sometimes I have to listen very carefully to a quilt.  Maybe I should play with some different thread colors.

Please check out Mary Kerr's site to see the schedule of when and where these quilts will be throughout the year.  My photographs do not do them justice.

Quilt as Desired: Fancy Plates

Fan top c. 1930, Quilter: Barbara Dann, Bellefonte, PA.  The web address on the card is incorrect.  You can find more information at Alleycat Quiltworks.    

I love all the different quilting designs that are included on this wonderful top.  Feathers, and curls, and pebbles, and just loads of beautiful quilting.  Look at that binding!  This makes me want to try Dresden plates and just about anything with a white background.  I think I have some Moda around here that is reproduction prints.  I should find it and make something.

Please check out Mary Kerr's site to see the schedule of when and where these quilts will be throughout the year.  My photographs do not do them justice.

Quilt as Desired: Pansy Pride

Applique top c. 1940, Quilter: Wilma Cogliantry, Berlin, CT.  I was not able to confirm the web address so I have not included it here.  

The feathers quilted on this quilt are just beautiful!  I should have gotten better pictures of the quilting.  I would love to be able to stitch feathers like this.  I've got some practicing to do, though.

Please check out Mary Kerr's site to see the schedule of when and where these quilts will be throughout the year.  My photographs do not do them justice.

Quilt as Desired: Bountiful Baskets

Nancy Page basket top c. 1935, Quilter:  Sue Papalia, Warren, Pennsylvania, www.zanykreations.com.  Each little flower is different and has its own personality. 

The quilting on this quilt really uses the negative space beautifully.  Different motifs in the setting squares and borders.  The simple parallel lines is my favorite outer border quilting design.  I'm not sure why, but I think it works well on modern and more classic quilts.

Please check out Mary Kerr's site to see the schedule of when and where these quilts will be throughout the year.  My photographs do not do them justice.

Quilt as Desired: Celebrating Cinda

While I was at the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo, I got to wander around and see all the amazing quilts that are part of the Quilt as Desired collection put together by Mary Kerr. 

I will share pictures of each of them and my thoughts.  Please check out Mary Kerr's site to see the schedule of when and where these quilts will be throughout the year.  My photographs do not do them justice.

Celebrating Cinda, applique top, c. 1940, Quilter: Pam Clarke, Spokane, Washington, www.homestitches.com. 

It never ceases to amaze me how beautiful long arm quilting can be.  I have merely scratched the surface of what is possible.  I love how the large area of the background has been filled with beautiful stitching that makes this simple quilt really shine.  I love all the different designs and the lines placed in the negative space to showcase that quilting.