Red Raffle Quilt Value

This quilt was in a Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild raffle October 2017.

Red Raffle Quilt Value

Raffling off a quilt is a favorite way to raise funds where I live. In part because quilting is still a part of some people's crafting, handmade quilts are often suggested as a donation for fundraisers. We get the requests on a weekly basis!

This red and white handmade quilt was raffled at the local quilt guild show. Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild holds a show every other year and proceeds from the raffle support their activities.

The detailed quilting on this handmade quilt was varied and filled up the white spots.

One of the questions I periodically get is how much is a quilt worth. If it's a first quilt, I say it's priceless because that handmade quilt is a one of a kind in terms of the quilter's experience. 

Trying to place a monetary value on a handmade quilt is part science, part art. One of the things to take into consideration is the detailed quilting, which this red and white quilt has in ample spades.

Look at the back of the quilt to more clearly see all of the quilting.

Among other elements that add value, how well the fabric pieces and sewn together as well as the age and condition of the quilt.

Then there are favorite fabric combinations, and red and white quilts like a red and white bargello quilt are often sought and requested.

This red raffle handmade quilt is a brand new work so I was curious about what value the guild had on the quilt.

Care to guess?

Center block of this red and white handmade quilt raffled by Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild.

According to the lady selling the raffle tickets, this handmade quilt was valued at $14,000, yet another reason to call these pieces truly works of art.

Charlotte

Turtle Time Handmade Quilt Throw

Aren't these turtles having a good time? Love the colors, too!

Turtle Time Handmade Quilt Throw

Several turtles were crossing Bluebird Lane this weekend, reminding me of this charming new Turtle Time Handmade Quilt Throw and Quilted Wall Hanging.

This brand new, imported handmade quilt has nice applique turtles and embroidered details in each one of the quilt blocks, each one telling a unique story.

Happy applique turtle in one of the many blocks in Turtle Time Handmade Quilt Throw.

During the 1980s, turtles were on Missouri Department of Conservation's advisory list, which brought public attention to their plight as they crossed roads and highways. Today it's a more common sight to see people stopping to help a turtle across the road, although these applique turtles seem to be taking care of themselves pretty well.

Snail goes for a ride on the back of the turtle shell in another wonderful detailed quilt block.

These are whimsical turtle scenes bound to bring a smile to anyone who loves turtles. As one of those people, I know I would enjoy getting this turtle quilt as a gift.

"Winning" turtle with a first place ribbon in one of the blocks of this handmade quilt throw.

And one of my favorite details include the small applique turtles in tennis shoes running around the dark grey solid cotton border, so cute!

Tiny turtles in tennies run around the border of this handmade quilt throw, love the shoes!

This sweet turtle quilt will also make a nice quilted wall hanging!

Charlotte

Charming Zoo Baby Crib Quilt Gift Set

Applique and embroidery combine in this charming zoo baby crib quilt.

Charming Zoo Baby Crib Quilt Gift Set

Wonderful - and a much easier way - to bring a zoo vibe into a baby nursery. Charming Zoo Baby Crib Quilt Gift Set has a nice combination of applique and embroidery details.

Each of the applique animals are featured in their only little space in this 36x48-inch standard baby crib quilt. There is a white rectangle under each of the animals where custom embroidery can be added if you want to customize this brand new, imported baby quilt.

Isn't this lion magnificent? Look at those whiskers and the ears in the fabric mane.

Sometimes applique work in baby quilts don't include the kinds of details that this baby crib quilt has, from the number of pieces in each of the applique designs to the embroidery details.

The embroidery helps to make each one of the baby crib quilt animals unique and quite interesting on their own.

Cute zebra has a very detailed tail with embroidery details.

In addition to the applique and embroidery, each of the baby crib quilt animals are made out of multi-patterned fabrics that help add dimension to the overall quilt design.

Take a look at the hippo, a simple design but the combination of multi-patterned pink fabric with a solid green one is a nice combination.

This applique hippo has green details that help it stand out in the overall design.

Last but not least, one of my favorite zoo animals, the panda, so cute rendered in pocka dotted fabric.

Since I like to add a toy or book to each baby crib quilt to deliver good wishes, I was delighted to find this panda toy that matches the applique panda on the baby crib quilt.

This is an all-cotton baby crib quilt finished with handquilting.

Delighted to find a panda that matches the applique panda on the baby crib quilt.

For best care, wash in cold water, dry in a cool setting.

Charlotte

Birds in Flowers Handmade Quilt

Birds in Flowers handmade quilt has two of my all-time favorite garden elements.

Birds in Flowers Handmade Quilt

People fall in love with handmade quilts for a lot of reasons. I have always been particularly fond of applique ones, especially floral ones. When I came across this handmade quilt with both flowers and birds in applique, it was a winning combination.

When looking at possible handmade quilts, I can often find handmade quilts with applique flowers or applique birds but infrequently the two of them together.

This brand new, imported Birds in Flowers Handmade Quilt has a sweet combination of applique and embroidery that suggests a summer day in my garden.

This Birds in Flowers Handmade Quilt block reminds me of chickadees on morning glories.

In between blocks with applique birds, there are blocks with applique flowers with the same detailed handiwork.

I also like the pop of color with the multi-colored cotton fabrics in applique flower designs.

A pop of yellow brightens Birds in Flowers Handmade Quilt in between blocks with birds.

The green ribbons that separate the handmade quilt blocks also help frame each of the quilt blocks without making it too rigid.

Red trumpet vines welcome a bluebird in this Birds in Flowers Handmade Quilt block.

Birds in Flowers Handmade quilt has polyfill so this has a nice summer weight to it. Such a pretty way to bring a garden into any bedroom!

Charlotte

Vintage Grandma's Flower Garden Quilt Secret

Isn't this a pretty version of the traditional Grandma's Flower Garden quilt?

Vintage Grandma's Flower Garden Quilt Secret

I suppose it's no surprise to anyone who knows me that flower quilts are one of my favorite patterns. No, I have to confess, flower quilts ARE my favorite patterns and grandma's flower garden is one of the all-timers.

Of all of the handmade quilts I have made over the years, I still have a Grandma's Flower Garden quilt I started when I was 15 years old. Took me about 35 years before I finished it but it is done, each block from a favorite fabric that was some clothing my mother made me, or fabric that was incorporated into something else in the household. If those fabric blocks could talk!

One of the traditions in quilting is that no quilt is perfect and this vintage grandma's flower garden quilt is no exception. It is beautifully made, don't get me wrong but the quilter made sure the tradition of the handmade quilt not being exactly perfect was maintained.

Do you see it?

The secret of this vintage grandma's flower garden quilt is in the tradition it keeps.

In one of the flower garden patchwork blocks. one of the flower pink flower petals is darker than the rest. It's the only one on the whole quilt, and a definite nod to the tradition that the quilt is not perfectly made so as not to be arrogant enough to assume that one could even make a perfect quilt.

I love the colors in this quilt so as far as I am concerned, it's perfect. Shsssss. That's our secret, too!

Charlotte

Baby Quilt Gift Set Surprise

This personalized handmade baby quilt gift set included a fun surprise!

Baby Quilt Gift Set Surprise

One of the things I enjoy doing when we finish making a handmade baby quilt is matching it to a gift toy or item to make it into a gift set. So many of our customers like to order and ship directly to a different address that having the gift sets featured and ready to ship makes it easier for customers to see exactly what they are ordering, and what their gift recipient will get on the other end.

The match also includes the actual handmade baby quilt that they are buying. Since many of our handmade baby quilts are custom, no two are exactly alike so we like our customers to see the exact handmade baby quilt they are purchasing.

Since so many of our thank you notes involve comments about the delight over the free toys, I take the matchmaking process quite seriously.

When matching up the handmade baby quilt with the free toy that delivers the gift tag, I try to take my cue from the fabrics in the baby quilt. There is a pink rag baby quilt with ducks so the gift toy I matched to the baby quilt is a cute baby toy duck, for example.

For this pink baby quilt gift set, in the original photo I had a purple bunny that complimented the baby quilt. When the handmade baby quilt was purchased, however, I remembered seeing another purple bunny that would be an even better match. Can you see why?

The toy bunny had wings to match the purple dragonflies on the handmade baby quilt!

When matched with the pink rag baby quilt with the purple and blue dragonflies, they looked like they were made for each other. They all looked perfect bundled together in the gift box, I smiled the whole way down to the post office.

It really is the simple things in life.

Charlotte

Birds Want to Have Fun Quilt

These birds are definitely dressed for fun, look at those tail feathers!

Birds Want to Have Fun Quilt

There are handmade quilts and then there are quilts that grab you with their colors, their charm and their whimsy-maybe all three!

Birds Want to Have Fun Handmade Quilt was among the quilts featured at the Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild Biannual show in 2015 and I have to confess, may be one of my personal favorites. Without knowing the quilt story, I first fell in love with the birds and their wonderful whimsical tail feathers.

Maybe it was Dr. Seuss who corrupted my impression of what bird tail feathers should be but these applique birds certainly come closer to the kinds of birds I imagine should be flying around.

Then there is the charming story. This handmade quilt by Kathy Stack was made for a 2-year old's birthday from fabrics from her baby room. What a wonderful way to repurpose fabrics and capture memories those fabrics represent:

Birds Want to Have Fun Quilt includes fabric from her baby room, what a great way to recycle!

Last but not least, the quilting. Often I am surprised with how much the quilting changes the personality of a handmade quilt.

Birds Want to Have Fun handmade quilt is no different, the machine quilting adds a wonderful three-dimension to the various blocks and designs. This handmade quilt could have easily been quilted with an overall pattern but Kathy chose to outline quilt many of the designs including the birds and that gives this handmade quilt an additional charming dimension.

The machine quilting gives this charming handmade quilt a wonderful texture.

This delightful handmade quilt reminds me that Mother Goose is not the only bird around nurseries these days!

Charlotte

The Word Quilt

This custom handmade quilt combined floral prints with patchwork blocks and special words.

The Word Quilt

Do you know the expression "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me?" 

I thought about that little saying when I first saw this custom handmade quilt on display at the Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild annual show in Rolla, Missouri. Not that I believe those words because words can hurt. Just think about all of the bullying we see around us today.

Words can also heal. And elevate. And affirm....such power from 26 letters in the alphabet!

As someone who learned to speak English as my fourth language, and struggled with it - still do some days - every word was a new discovery. So I could relate to the description that accompanied this handmade quilt by Kathi Crawford:

Love the story behind every custom handmade quilt almost as much as the quilt itself.

As I was perusing the blocks for the first word Kathi had featured, I smiled. Who would have thought this word was worth a block all by itself, but it "did."

Such a simple word "did" but it also reminded me of all of those unfinished project piles....

Another very special word in this custom handmade quilt, and one that is precious when one truly finds one. I can remember my mother saying in life one is lucky to have a handful of people one can truly call "friend."

A word that means so much, and we have so few of them really in our lives, a "friend."

What other words would you include in your custom quilt?

Charlotte

Embroidered Baskets Quilt

Love the different embroidered baskets in this custom handmade quilt at a local quilt show.

Embroidered Baskets Handmade Quilt

One of the wonderful reasons to go to a quilt show is to get inspired. Even the quilt shows that feature a variety of handmade quilts in one theme, it is hard to find two quilts exactly the same.

This embroidered baskets handmade quilt at Piece and Plenty's Quilt Guild Show a couple of years ago is one of those custom quilts. This brand new quilt combines the vibe of the old-fashioned quilt with the embroidered baskets framed by patchwork blocks that stand out through Terri Merrot's lovely detailed machine quilting.

Most of the basket quilts I have seen are made out of patchwork, so it was fun to see the patchwork blocks featuring the embroidery work in the center of the quilt blocks.

Take a look at the delicate embroidery in the baskets, each one different and unique:

Sweet embroidered basket with embroidered roses, pansies and greenery.

We grew up learning how to embroidery and to this day, even though I am very slow at it now, I still have an embroidery project sitting next to my sofa for those evenings when I want to watch TV and have something to do with my hands.

So I could relate to the story behind this embroidered baskets custom quilt:

Each handmade quilt has it's own story, this is Embroidered Baskets Handmade quilt story.

Here is another  pretty embroidered basket close up, so pretty each by themselves.

I can imagine these patterns on kitchen towels and pillow cases.

Another embroidered basket quilt block featuring green fabrics in the quilt block.

Look closely also at each of the quilt blocks, the fabrics are all in the same color but they are different patterns. That diversity of fabrics also adds a lovely depth to this quilt, as does the detailed quilting.

So charming!

Charlotte

Spring Yellow Double Wedding Ring Quilt

Spring yellows inspired this combination of fabrics for this handmade double wedding ring quilt.

Spring Yellow Double Wedding Ring Quilt

The bright, sunny spring yellows inspired the colors of this handmade double wedding ring quilt. Since spring is the mark of new beginnings, that inspiration seemed appropriate for one of the most popular wedding gifts our customers order, the double wedding ring patchwork patterned quilts.

To make sure this quilt will be more than just pretty to look at, we made it larger than the standard 50x60 throws. This made in Missouri quilt is 65x77 inches, making this yellow double wedding ring quilt perfect for two people to curl up under. 

When not in use, yellow double wedding ring quilt throw can easily be folded over the back of a sofa or placed at the foot of a bed.

To add to the nod to new beginnings, we added a rose design inside each one of the rings.

We also added a little tribute to spring in the machine quilting. Each yellow double wedding ring quilt block has a flower design in the center.

Yellow double wedding ring quilt would make a charming spring wedding gift or a nice gift for a golden anniversary. Or just for that special person who likes yellow, like my niece!

Charlotte

Variations of French Wrens Handmade Quilt

Aren't these color combinations wonderful? A touch of spring with a dash of spice!

Variations of French Wrens Handmade Quilt

There are color combinations and then there are color combinations. Some quilts, like our Happy Garden throw, has colors that combine orange fabrics to brighten a room as does this Variations of French Wrens Handmade Quilt, with fabrics that suggest a touch of spring with a dash of spice.

My garden has been inspiration for color combinations so I wondered where I would find these particular colors. The mint green against the pastel peach is definitely a spring combination and then the spicy brick red is a mystery to find but it certainly makes everything pop.

Gana Harris, the quilter, explains in the quilt description what prompted her to make this handmade quilt that was on display during the 2015 Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild show in Rolla, Missouri:

Love the stories behind handmade quilts, each unique as well.

And how can I pass up commenting on the title. Who doesn't love French Wrens??

Charlotte

Red and White Spring Handmade Quilt

Cynthia Felts made this design for what she called a red and white spring handmade quilt.

Red and White Spring Handmade Quilt

When I think of spring garden   sampler colors, pastels usually come to mind - soft pink, baby blue, spring yellow, iris purples. In other words, red and white is not one of the usual spring color combinations. As I was going through the quilted wall hanging section of this quilt show, this Red and White Spring Handmade Quilt caught my attention for that reason, at first.

I also liked the different applique baskets around the border, each one of them a different fabric. Some baskets even have a handle gone askew, which is more like some of my typical flower baskets.

This is one of a number of handmade quilts that were featured at the 2015 Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild show in Rolla, Missouri. 

Here is the story about how this handmade quilt turned quilted wall hanging was designed from the quilt designer herself, Cynthia Felts:

This handmade quilt was also quilted on a home machine.

In addition to the unique design and color combination, this charming quilt was also quilted on a home machine. Look at the lovely swirls in the background that give this quilt its rich design.

It may not be a traditional spring color but now red and white is one of my favorite spring colors!

Charlotte

Chickens Handmade Quilt

Chickens Handmade Quilt

Our local farmer's market is back, a wonderful Saturday tradition for far too many years to remember when I started to go. 

I am sure that growing up in Brazil, where we went to the local markets every week for fresh produce, influenced my support of this market. So do the wonderful fresh eggs, which have not only a much brighter yellow color but better flavor than anything I can buy in a grocery store.

Earlier this winter, I was thinking about those wonderful eggs when I saw this chickens handmade quilt hanging on a wall in a quilt and fabric store at Lake of the Ozarks. It's not a common theme for a quilt so the design was eye-catching, regardless, starting with the chicken wire background fabric.

The applique chickens are also unique, from the very tall skinny ones to the different scenes in each of the quilt blocks. Here are some of my favorites:

These applique chicks stand out against the cotton fabric that looks like - well, chicken wire.

The prancing rooster also had an elegance to his stance, I loved his elegant tail.

Prancing applique rooster against the chicken wire fabric background.

And my favorite quilt block in the chickens handmade quilt was this hen sitting on her egg, the egg taking 

The applique green hen is sitting on a bright white egg on a bed of applique hay.

This chickens handmade quilt would make a charming quilt wallhanging in a farm kitchen, don't you think?

Charlotte

Flower Quilt Blocks

This bright flower quilt block reminded me of spring in my garden.

Flower Quilt Blocks

Spring is one of my favorite seasons to spend in my garden, it reminds me of all of the wonderful colors I liked to add to some of the custom quilts and throws we have made over the years. I was reminded of my spring garden when I saw this bright daisy quilt block, the colors one of the favorite combinations I have.

This applique daisy was the first flower quilt block that caught my eye at the store.

Picking quilt colors can be a challenge. Whenever I was not sure, all I had to do was look out of my window or take a walk through my flowers, and there nature would suggest a color combination and often offer an obvious solution.

As I was wandering through the stacks of fabric as I would my garden, the orange and yellow applique daisy at the fabric store was the first floral quilt block to catch my eye. A friend and I had stopped on our way home, one of those leisurely days of stopping whenever we felt like it and a fabric and quilt store was definitely on our must do list.

Applique daisy flower on a white cotton background quilt block.

Then I noticed several other floral quilt blocks hanging next to it, all different flowers. I felt quite at home, my garden is a giant cottage garden, each flower bed a collection of native and rescued flowers that are welcome to stay if they are happily settled in where I have placed them.

Except for the strawberries. I keep having to bring the strawberries back up the hill every couple of years but not before I lecture them about leaving the comfort and safety of my property. I mean, there are mean turtles out there who will eat the whole plants, at least in my garden they will just take the fruit.

The strawberry-colored flower on the left reminded me this was the year I need to check on my errant strawberry plants.

Two more floral quilt blocks add bright colors to the possible quilt design.

One of the more traditional floral quilts was an album quilt, featuring a different quilt block with no two blocks the same. I used to love to look at those quilts, marveling at the time it took to make each one of those different individual blocks.

There is some marvel associated with these blocks, too. None of these two blocks are the same, either. Each one of these floral blocks have a unique finish, as well as fabric combination.

Two of my favorite flower shapes, the daisy, on a more traditional, the other more modern.

So here's the fun part, once you were ready to put the blocks together, would you use the pink with a yellow center; a floral border, the floral vine or just the tiny flowers in the corner?

Flower quilt blocks now pulled together almost as a quilt. Almost, but not quite!

I would be tempted to use the flower vine to tie all of the blocks together but then I try not to add anything that competes with the flowers in the blocks themselves.

What do you think, or should the sashing be a simple white with the floral vine on the outside?

Charlotte

Green Cats Quilt

Charming applique cats quilt blocks with a definite St. Patrick's Day green theme.

Green Cats Quilt

It's St. Patrick's week in Rolla, Missouri, home of Missouri University of Science and Technology and the traditional St. Patrick's Day-related celebrations tied to the Patron Saint of Engineers.

The week-long revelry is much milder than when I first moved here, a good thing from my perspective but much-missed by some alumni who forget the rougher days of youth partying through the lens of nostalgia. The community gets ready for the festivities months ahead, and I was thinking about some of those crazy, fun details when I spotted these green cats quilt blocks - the town gets it's green on - and there's definitely a green theme to this cat quilt.

This applique cat block caught my eye first, maybe only I saw it but it appears to be a tribute to one of my favorite vegetables, broccoli:

This little cat reminds me so much of a head of broccoli, which I also love!

The front paws and tail look like the broccoli florets I cut to steam!

This next applique cat is a wonderful nod to texture. Besides the thick black eyelashes, the embroidery gives a three-dimensional feel to the tail and the muzzle:

Love the detail in this applique cats, especially the white muzzle and fluffy tail.

Making every quilt block different does take more time but it's fun to have every block unique. And last but not least, the little green cat wearing his little green tux:

This little green cat makes me smile, wearing a little green tux so happy and welcoming.

So maybe he's not wearing a tux but he has the attitude of one that is wearing one and his face is so happy and welcoming, like a little cat doorman.

From our green town to yours, Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Charlotte

Hummingbirds Handmade Quilt

Beautiful hummingbird against a fuchsia on a detailed quilted white background.

Hummingbirds Handmade Quilt

It's almost hummer time in Missouri, time when hummingbirds return from their winter grounds in south and central America to spend summer in north America.

They will be back 3 weeks early this year, along with the other signs in nature that are much earlier than historic trends. Rapidly changing climate is turning all of our historic patterns around, from when our springs start to how long our falls will last. The return of the hummingbirds was on my mind when I saw this lovely hummingbirds handmade quilt hanging from a wall in a quilt and fabric shop at Lake of the Ozarks.

Each of the hummingbird panels are beautifully detailed, from the birds to the flowers and quilted backing. The elements are pretty by themselves but there is something almost magical when they are all together in the final blocks.

Purple hummingbird on a pink flower against a detailed quilted white background.

The detailed quilting helps to give the handmade quilt an extra overall dimension, apparent both in each of the bird panels and in the quilt overall.

The quilter also used a floral panel to bind the hummingbirds panels together:

Some of the hummingbird panels together with a strip of floral fabrics in between.

I would probably have used a strip of white so that it didn't compete with the delicate hummingbirds but that's what makes each handmade quilt unique. Fabric choices reflect the personality of the maker almost as much as the quilting patterns do.

One more close up of a hummingbird quilt panel, this one of a grey hummingbird against an orange flower.

One more hummingbird on an orange flower against a quilted white cotton background.

In a few more weeks, we will have the real birds flying around our gardens and taking a drink out of our hummingbird feeders. Another sure sign of spring!

Charlotte

Box of Chocolates Handmade Quilt

Love the name of this handmade quilt, perfect for Valentine's Day eye candy!

Box of Chocolates Handmade Quilt

One of my favorite things to do at quilt shows is to take pictures so I can be reminded later of the beauty of these textile works of art.

This is another handmade quilt from the Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild's 2015 show in Rolla, Missouri. The handmade quilts are beautiful and, what I enjoy even more, are the stories that accompany each of the show entries. 

Each quilt is unique not only because of how it is made but also because of those stories.

Story behind handmade quilt called Box of Chocolates from Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild Show.

I am not sure I would have recognized this as a box of chocolates at first. It does remind me of one of my favorite floral sampler quilts, each block different  but made out of complimentary fabrics. Clever to name the handmade quilt inspired by the Moda fabric line.

Now that I see the name, the quilt blocks do remind me of a sampler box of chocolates, as if each quilt block represents a favorite chocolate sample.

This quilt block reminds me of a chocolate-covered nut, a personal favorite.

Close up of a quilt block from the handmade quilt named "Box of Chocolates."

What do you think, what kind of chocolate is this quilt block to you?

Charlotte

Australia Continent Art Quilt

Part of our quilting work at the Grimm Museum in 2014 in Amsterdam, Sweden.

Australia Art Quilt

I haven't been to Amsterdam but the artist who collaborated on the wall mural told me when the installation was up and where. The final collaborative work was installed at the Grimm Museum June 5, 2014 to August 9, 2014. It took me longer to make the piece were were commissioned to make that it was on display.

The quilted mural covered one wall, a depiction of the world made out of white quilted t-shirts against a quilted, navy blue fabric background. That was the part of the installation we were involved making. We were also asked to piece and quilt the continent of Australia out of 35 white stained t-shirts bordered by one-inch red satin. To most accurately reflect the land contours, I rouched by hand on both sides of the one inch red satin border. In the photo, our work was the piece to the far right.

As with most art quilt projects, it started simply enough. After quilting the navy blue background fabric by machine, the white t-shirts were also sewn together to form the Australian continent. It was then my job to finish it by sewing the red satin - yes, red satin - along the land contour by hand.

I started sewing the red satin on a straight stretch of the land contour on both sides.

If you have ever worked with satin, you know how hard it is to keep it in one place. It's almost impossible to sew straight with most sewing machines, and even tougher to keep straight and even sewing by hand because it moves so much.

To make sure the red silk fabric was tacked down evenly and correctly, both sides had to be stitched at relatively the same time by hand. If one edge was out of line, then it could be easily corrected before moving on. I had to redo a number of the sections to keep the width the same. It was a slow, tedious process.

When I reached curves, I would rouche the red satin on both sides, working one inch at a time, then sew the rouched area by hand, and move to adjust the other side before sewing that side down. Although the work was slow, it made all of the difference in terms of accurately defining the edge of the land contour.

Rouching curves was done an inch at a time, sometimes half an inch, to reflect the curves.

When the curve was especially tight, my decades of embroidery and hand-quilting, as well as the rouching technique, paid off nicely. This would not be possible sewing this satin on by machine.

Tight curves required work at half inch increments to make sure the fabric stayed in place.

To give you an idea of the scope of this section of the installation, here is the Australian continent section spread out on a double bed.

The finished Australian continent art quilt on a double bed to give you the scale of the quilt.

I can't do this kind of tiny, detailed stitching any more. I broke my wrist in 3 places September 2015. Although surgery implanted metal rods to mend the breaks, my years of embroidery dexterity are gone. 

I look at these pictures and frankly marvel at what I once was able to do. There were other quilts I worked on in the past that also ended up in museums but it never occurred to me to get photos. I assumed I would have the embroidery skill for most of my life, not counting on breaking my wrist.

Yet another reason why I tell people who ask me what their handmade quilts are worth. No two are exactly alike and no one knows when one won't be able to make another one. In my world, their work is priceless.

Charlotte

Heirloom Handmade Quilt Care

A friend's family heirloom crazy quilt, winner of the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair.

Heirloom Handmade Quilt Care

A friend recently shared this picture of a crazy quilt made by a relative which won first prize at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, a four year international exhibition showcasing the achievement of nations. Besides being a stunning piece of art, her post was a good reminder that fabric art like this lovely crazy quilt requires not only careful care but documentation as well.

1. Any quilt should be stored in cotton, never in plastic. It is tempting to think that quilts are better off in plastic but that's not true, storing quilts confined in plastic speeds up the deterioration of cotton fibers. All quilts should be stored in cotton such as pillow cases or wrapped in cotton sheets. Heirloom, antique and special quilts like this one should be stored in museum-quality cotton fabric draped over wooden rods to minimize folds.

2. Heirloom quilts should also be appraised by certified quilt appraisers who charge a fee, not a percentage, of the final appraisal.

3.  There is a difference between insurance value and appraised value, make sure you have the appraisal you need for the insurance coverage you need. If in doubt, ask the appraiser to make sure they can provide the appraisal service you need. If not, check with a local quilt guild for a referral.

4. If you have newspaper clippings, family letters, photographs showing the item in the photograph and other items that can show the quilt's provenance, collect the items and keep them with the quilt. The documentation showing this crazy quilt won the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair will add value to the quilt.

5. Is the quilt maker's name anywhere on it? Whether in embroidery anywhere on the quilt, having the quilt maker's name on the quilt also adds value. Remember that the next time you make a quilt or win a ribbon in a quilt contest. Even after the fact, add your name and date you made the quilt so your relatives getting the quilt will know who made the lovely family heirloom.

6. In addition to the detailed piecing, the lovely hand embroidery is part of what makes this crazy quilt unique. If there is any wear to the embroidery in a quilt, have it stabilized by professionals so that the embroidery does not further unravel. You don't want to do it yourself, any work you do to a quilt changes the age of a quilt so all you want done is to ensure that no further deterioration occurs.

7. Keep your heirloom quilts away from sun, smoke and pets. If you want to enjoy your special quilt, consult a museum on how it can be safely displayed so that it can be enjoyed in your home.

Charlotte

Ballerinas Lap Quilts Throws

Love to stop by and look at these toe shoes at Leach Theatre on S&T Campus, Rolla, Missouri.

Ballerinas Lap Quilts Throws

I don't have my pink toe shoes any more. I don't have some of my knees any more, either, a direct result of too many years trying to make my body do what it is not naturally designed to do as a ballet dancer.

Our teacher was a tall, lean Russian. She carried a walking stick and used it to make sure we understood where our legs were supposed to be for a plie, or a jete. Because I was the tallest in the class, I was always in back and periodically was given a jumping part.

The training served me well. I took to skiing without a fall and can still compensate for a lack of depth perception with the sense of balance ballet has given me. On the other hand, I have worn out my knee joints and will need to replace them at some point so I now happily settle for watching others wear out theirs.

I was looking for a fishing quilt for a summer camp one year when I came across these ballerina lap quilt throws. I didn't hesitate. They are so simple yet elegant, I could see them either on a bed or as a quilted wall hanging in a guest bedroom where someone else would be practicing their dance steps for ours on end.

Have to confess, I loved the fluffy tutus although pink was not my favorite color. I was partial to yellow although because of my brown hair, they usually gave me the pink one.

My years of ballet inspired me to carry these elegant Ballerinas Lap Quilts Throws.

These days I don't meet too many ballet dancers where I live, most young girls are tap dancers, hip hop artists or Irish dancers.

I did meet a young woman at the theatre last week. She was standing in front of the glass case with the toe shoes so I stopped next to her. We smiled at each other. I asked her if she was a ballet dancer and she said yes. I nodded and we looked at the old, worn out toe shoes again and smiled.

We don't tell anyone but yes, those toe shoes do hurt!

Charlotte