Thursday 31 May 2012

Gilbertson Guest House Quilts

There was a time in my past that I made a small business sewing kids clothes and bridesmaid dresses and doing alterations, but that time has come and gone. The time and financial pressure became unapealing by taking away the enjoyment that I got out of sewing. Now a days, I do not typically take on commissioned projects, but how could I resist my mom's request.

Recently my parents opened a B&B, Gilbertson Guest House, and asked me to make a quilt for each of the beds. Over the course of a year I sewed 4 quilts and free motion quilted each. My mom & I went to the local quilt store several times and picked out fabrics that would suit each room. It was an opportunity for me to try out new patterns and colour combinations. The Bargello quilt was the most challenging at first, but the most satisfying in the end.

Turning 20 & Power of 3
I wanted the busy pattern of power of 3 to be offset with the simplicity of turning 20.

Bargello
Loved how the colours flowed on this one.

Nana's Quilt
I made this one a duvet cover. The fabric is very French Provincial and brightens the room.

Saturday 26 May 2012

Perhaps it is social pressure, perhaps it is intrigue, but mostly it is inspiration from "The Modern Quilting Bee Block Party" that I feel compelled to share my quilting creations and stories. Where does one start? At the beginning I suppose.
About 8 years ago, my friend and neighbor, Sarah, decided that she wanted to learn how to quilt and since I was a Home Economics teacher at the time, I was willing to learn with her and teach her the basics of sewing. Little did I know, that I would love the creative art and I would look forward to our evenings quilting. Laughing, swearing, comparing irons, clearing floor space, re-threading, swearing, and laughing.


Here is my first project, a crib quilt  30"X44". I cannot remember how many weeks it took me to finish, but I remember being quite pleased.



Here is what I am currently working on, a lap quilt 60"X60"