Quilting a 9-Patch QOV w/Updates

Another really neat Quilt of Valor has come up in my quilting queue via Clairellen of those Quirky Quilters in Michigan, and the piecing is exquisite:

Cynthia's 9-patch Quilt of Valor - gorgeous!

While commenting to Clairellen what a joy this quilt was to SID, she replied back to me that this quilt's creator, Cynthia, is a phenomenal quilter, and her applique quilting is award winning.  A picture was worth a million words - Oh My!  To say this quilter is a Phenomenal Applique Quilt Artist, would certainly be an understatement.  If I can get permission to share a pic of one of her award winning quilts, I will - the one I saw was jaw-dropping!

Course, I gulped a bit, now knowing who I was quilting for.  I always try to do my very best but, now I know I definitely need to stay on top of my quilting game for this quilter ;-)

So glad I chose to take a break from my traditional quilting and do some focus work w/templates - it's perfect for this quilt and complements ALL the precision piecing so nicely: 

Creating 'orange peel' quilting design in each corner square w/HQ circle template

After ALL the SID work was completed, time to begin the FUN quilting:

First 2 corners quilted prior to quilting remainder of the star

I got the idea of how to quilt this neat 9-patch from Professional Quilt Artist, Deloa Jones, watching one of her many youtube.com videos late one night:

I thought this was an ingenious method for quilting a 9-patch, and how appropriate for a Quilt of Valor since the secondary design is a star!  After spending a bit of time gathering just the right templates to give me those perfect stitching lines, I was on my way!

Tweaked the center motif to create a secondary star motif using HQ half circle template

Isn't that neat?

Using a Pro-Echo Large template from Stonehouse Quilting to create the continuous star angles/points

An outside star w/center star motif - love it!

I'm adding X's in each red cornerstone square, which should complement nicely the double zig-zag pattern that will be added to each white sashing strip.  I'm saving the red borders for last - they'll be a nice surprise I think, that should give that extra pizzazz to this really great quilt.

UPDATE 3/5/2014 - finally able to add the additional photos of this finished quilt:

Getting ready for white sashing quilting

Corner 9-patch block w/border & sashing quilting

All finished and ready to be packed and shipped!

This Quilt of Valor quilt was a true pleasure and honor to quilt - got some great practicing in on my template quilting - Thank YOU!

According to tracking information, this quilt has arrived safe and sound, ready to be bound and labeled...


Alrighty then, like I always say...time to get back to it!
~Deb

Quilting a 3-D Quilt of Valor w/Updates...

This amazing Quilt of Valor, created by 'Irene', comes to me, once again as a special request from a previous QOV Team Partner, Clairellen and the Quirky Quilters Guild from Michigan: 

Irene's 3-D Quilt of Valor quilt top - ready to be quilted

And FINALLY I am able to post quilting pics of this really inspiring quilt:

SOAR Eagle circular element

McTavishing and swirls around the 3-D Stars

Eagle w/McTavishing and swirls in backgrounds

Using my laser w/Soar Elements made this quilting challenge so much more FUN!

Using laser w/SOAR element on Pattern port from Bayside Quilting

Stitching the quilting design w/laser and SOAR eagle pattern element

Different SOAR Eagle Elements w/McTavishing

The 3 exterior borders are also utilizing the SOAR Grande pantograph.  Once I finish those up and take pics, I'll update this post prior to shipping.

3-D Quilt of Valor Stats:

• 37.75+ quilting hours
• 22 'me-wound' bobbins w/Maxi-lock gold thread
• SID/McTavishing/Background Fills/©Terry Twist by Sally Terry /Panto and Element quilting - Superior's LAVA Diamond Head
• Pantograph and Quilting Design Elements - SOAR from UrbanElementz.com

UPDATE 2/19/2014:  It's FINISHED!!!  I can hardly believe I am FINALLY able to write those words.  This QOV has been camped out at my quilting studio FOREVER!  Between ALL the MidWest winter storms we keep having, fuel rationing for heating as a result of said storms, snow/ice covered steps to said studio, this frame quilting nut didn't think she was EVER going to be able to finish but...Finished it is!

Here are a few quick pics I snapped prior to getting this gorgeous hunk of quilt ready for shipping - enjoy!:

Red 3-D star w/McTavishing

Center SOAR Eagle Medallion

Flannel Backing - no skipped stitches, I'm happy to say!

SOAR Eagle Motif

3-D Quilt of Valor coming off frame

It has been a true honor and pleasure for me to quilt this awesome Quilt of Valor.  I was more than happy to see it arrive, and even happier to see it finished and ready to leave ;-).

UPDATE 2/24/2014:  Just got word from the creator, Irene, of this amazing QOV - it has arrived safe & sound, ALL ready for binding and it's Quilt of Valor label!  Thank YOU, Irene - 'we' did a good thing ;-)

For now, time to get back to the FUN...
~Deb

Snow Anyone?...w/Golden Bears ;-)

Once again - or are we on our 5th blizzard/snow/ice storm this winter?  I don't know, I've lost track!  Especially since I'm so busy scooping this white stuff, not too much time to count how many times it keeps coming down our way.  Maybe my golden bears/retrievers remember, let's see:

Golden bears/retrievers waiting for me to 'scoop' to the top of the stairs - it'll be awhile, there's 37...

Hey you guys - how many times have 'we' scooped these stairs to the quilting studio this winter...anybody?

Waiting for their treat after ALL their hard work...;-)

Baxter posing - who knew he was such a ham?!

And just look what was waiting for me when 'we' finally finished scooping - 2 wonderful Quilts of Valor just arrived in the mail today!

Gorgeous Log Cabin QOV - I'm thinking eagle feathers for this one, what do you think?

Can anyone say NICE?  Perfectly pieced, too!

Apparently those incredible Quirky Quilters of Clairellen's in Michigan, (got it right this time ;-), have been quite busy.  Looks like I better get busy doing the same myself...

Later,

~Deb