I learned how to make these fish from a class taught by Jean Wells at the Stitchin’ Post in Sisters, OR. It is a collage technique which uses Steam-a Seam on the back of the small pieces of fabric and then irons them over a template of a fish. My fish were brighter than most as I used mostly cottons and the other students used muted batiks.

The center of this quilt is 1 of 5 I picked up while preparing for the MPS auction. It looked like a space ship so went with that theme. I added three borders to increase the size to 42”square. The back fabric glows in the dark. I also used glow in the dark thread. In the last picture I tried to show the ‘glow’ when I turned out the lights.

Quilt 2 of 5. The center of this quilt was so precisely pieced by the quilter who donated it to MPS. Every point is perfectly sewn. I added the purple border and backing to complete it to 38X42” The three quilts I’m showing today have gone to Lullaby Quilts. I quilted it with swirls on my embroidery module.

Quilt 3 of 5. I’ll be completing the last two soon. The center and first red border were donated to the guild. I added the last 4 borders to get it to 42” square. The back is a fun retro print. I quilted it with a bubble design called pearls.

I found a small packet of these quilt pieces in my stash. I sewed them together but was three short to make the 5 x 5 rows. I have had the chrysanthemum fabric, for a long time too. I hated to cut it up to use in the blocks, so I used whole blocks of the fabric.

My Sea Star Sampler is one of those quilts that takes on a life of its own. Started as a BOM but I veered away after two blocks and chose other designs to finish the quilt. Many of the fabrics used are evocative of the sea: starfish, schools of fish, sea anemones, seaweed, water, waves . . . hence the name. Finished at 59″ square.

In using up scraps, I try to add interest with various animals for charity quilts for kids. There is a brown dog at the bottom of this quilt. That is why the cat is up on the wall.

I collect free art clips of animals. All the fabric except for the blue border was donated by our small group that meets Thursdays at Ace Sew and Vacuum. It is fun to dress up scraps with animals for kids charity quilts.

The cat is made with the backing material. Another color would have made it stand out more. I learn with each quilt I make.

I saw the design and knew it was meant for my sister. The edges are faced, which I hadn’t tried before – I’m a convert!

Made this with a friend who was visiting for the week. All the reds were from stash. Many weird ones selected but they blended well. Bought the backing at silent auction. Turned out to be designed by my first “fav” designer in the 70’s.

‘Merry, Merry’ is a gift to a niece who just got married. This Christmas quilt is an instant holiday decoration. 59 inches square – good couch size for the newly weds. After thinking about using Robin Long’s tools, it’s the fun selection of fabrics, ability to use scraps, turned edge appliqué for center circle, the inset circle to set the compass into the background and those perfect corners that bring me pleasure. Sheer joy!