and then had another idea so tried it directly on the quilt top using my plexiglass:  

 I quilted the grass as I advanced the quilt...once I got to the flowers, I went through and did all of the petals first.   I used my curved rulers to stitch in the ditch around each flower and echo lines. 

 Tip:  when doing the cross hatch - working from the bottom to the top or left to right (if possible)  is much easier for ruler registration lines....

 Aren't the rainbows so pretty!  They look like gemstones!  

 The backing fabric is a double gauze cotton.   Double gauze is a thinner and looser weave than regular quilting cotton. It is GORGEOUS stuff and makes super soft quilts. Because it is a looser weave, I learned that it is a bit finicky, and by the nature of gravity - will just 'give' and loosen on its own when on the frame.  So I had a nice flat top, and a backing that was sagging due to the nature of the fabric.  A few of my longarm buddies gave me a tip to spritz the backing from underneath and use a hairdryer from under the frame to shrink it back into place.  A steam iron doesn't work upside down..trust me.  the water spills out all over you and the auto off feature kicks in. LOL    I just had to spritz and walk away for awhile, and that worked too.   I then pinned the areas a lot to make sure everything was even, and then quilted the grass....

 I love how the waves lines of the grass show up on the backing! 

 The way the backing was pieced - I was able to centre it almost perfectly with the quilt top.   Pretty chuffed about that :-) 

 Details!

The Meadow Quilt - Lizzy House

Pieced by Erin F.

83'' x 95''

Superior Magnifico Thread on top,  Wonderfil Decobob thread in bobbin

Hobbs 100% heirloom wool

Hand guided quilting by me on my APQS machine

If you have any questions about this quilt or process always feel free to ask!   

Dianne asked me to quilt this incredible Butterfly Quilt.   The pattern is by Tula Pink and it is called The Butterfly Quilt.   The piecing and the fussy cutting is exquisite and I knew I had to step up and really emphasize her work....

The first thing I did was go on the internet and do a ton of image searches of butterflies.  In nature,  in art, and  in tattoos.  Yes Tattoos.  I wanted to find the right idea for the white background of this quilt -  something that will incorporate swirls and movements and motion.   I found many images and just took elements from different ones that I thought I could use on the quilt-  tendrils, swirls and over the top antennae.   The antennae that I have seen on other quilts were small.   We wanted something larger and showy....  

After many sketches and ideas, I simplified and settled on this design -  I drew it out on my plexiglass, and then transferred it to the fabric with fabric marker.   

I then marked out a few swirls and tendrils at the wings and base of the butterfly -  all freehand.  And then loaded up the quilt on the frame.

I started with basic wavy lines.... 

 and then started work on the antennae.   I used a pink/purple variegated thread on the antennae to pop a little more.  

Next came the beautiful piecing -  Dianne's fussy cut piecing was something I have never seen before.   The precision was very deliberate and therefore I knew I had to make my choice in quilting very deliberate.   I will let you scroll through the next photos, but be sure to click on them to enlarge and take a close look at the fussy cutting :-)  (details of thread, size, etc at bottom of post)

 Details -  Tula Pink The Butterfly Quilt

89'' x 94''

Hobbs 100% Heirloom Wool Batting

Magnifico thread top assorted colours

Aurifil Aurilux purple variegated thread top (antennae and purples)

Wonderfil Decobob bobbin thread

Machine guided quilting on my APQS machine 

Piecer:  Dianne A. of Calgary, Alberta

Dianne asked me to quilt this incredible Butterfly Quilt.   The pattern is by Tula Pink and it is called The Butterfly Quilt.   The piecing and the fussy cutting is exquisite and I knew I had to step up and really emphasize her work....

The first thing I did was go on the internet and do a ton of image searches of butterflies.  In nature,  in art, and  in tattoos.  Yes Tattoos.  I wanted to find the right idea for the white background of this quilt -  something that will incorporate swirls and movements and motion.   I found many images and just took elements from different ones that I thought I could use on the quilt-  tendrils, swirls and over the top antennae.   The antennae that I have seen on other quilts were small.   We wanted something larger and showy....  

After many sketches and ideas, I simplified and settled on this design -  I drew it out on my plexiglass, and then transferred it to the fabric with fabric marker.   

I then marked out a few swirls and tendrils at the wings and base of the butterfly -  all freehand.  And then loaded up the quilt on the frame.

I started with basic wavy lines.... 

 and then started work on the antennae.   I used a pink/purple variegated thread on the antennae to pop a little more.  

Next came the beautiful piecing -  Dianne's fussy cut piecing was something I have never seen before.   The precision was very deliberate and therefore I knew I had to make my choice in quilting very deliberate.   I will let you scroll through the next photos, but be sure to click on them to enlarge and take a close look at the fussy cutting :-)  (details of thread, size, etc at bottom of post)

 Details -  Tula Pink The Butterfly Quilt

89'' x 94''

Hobbs 100% Heirloom Wool Batting

Magnifico thread top assorted colours

Aurifil Aurilux purple variegated thread top (antennae and purples)

Wonderfil Decobob bobbin thread

Machine guided quilting on my APQS machine 

Piecer:  Dianne A. of Calgary, Alberta