Challenges

I have just finished a challenge.  I can remember back to my first challenge, many years ago.  I had just found out that there were quilt groups and joined the Tuesday Night Quilters.  Before then, I had just enjoyed quilting alone at home.  I was introduced to the world of challenges, round robins, classes and the Vermont Quilt Festival.  Who knew that quilting could be so much fun.

For the first challenge, we were given a piece of striped fabric and instructed to make something from that fabric.  We could add any other fabric that we wanted,

 

I made this little wall hanging.  It is hand quilted.  I only did hand quilting at that time.

 

There was fabric left, so I made a second wall hanging.  It is very simple, just half square triangles.  It does look as if I did a lot of piecing.  I like this one because it is simple, yet very striking with the hand quilting.

 

 

 

My last challenge was a paint chip challenge.  We were given the dark teal paint chip and drew two others out of a bag.  We could use only those colors.  No additions,  The piece had to be 18″ square.  We also could use only 10% or less of the dark fabric. 

I found a pattern for appliqued leaves and flowers.  Also a tutorial on framing squares.

When I applique, I draw the whole pattern on heavy stabilizer.      

Using a light box with this pattern underneath the fabric helps place the pieces in the right spot.

The center is machine cross hatched with a walking foot and then the border is free motion stipple quilted.  

 

 

I think that I like making the smaller pieces.  They, at least, get finished.

 

Have a great day and happy quilting