Q130 – Roo Royale – Quilt

Good Day,

It is with great announcement that Andy and I can introduce to you our 130th completed quilt…and of course this one goes to a very special wee lad, our Grandson, who most recently made his entrance into this world.

Roo Royale, JSAB 2015

The new quilt is Roo Royale.

Like his older brother’s quilt, Blue Chambray, the primary fabrics are “Ooh La La” by Bunny Hill Designs for Moda Fabrics. We created, inspired by a design by Derek R, a parallelogram pattern with a grey fabric base.

The completed and final size is 38” wide and 50” long.

Our design draft -

Some images -

Please feel free to email Andy and me at Quilts SB if you have any questions, comments, thoughts, ideas.

Enjoy,

Jim and Andy

Click here to continue reading...

My Quip – Test 40 - Progress

Good Day,

Progress on Test 40 continues.

Sewn, we decided that the each completed block size should approximate seven inches square. At present we are completed 120 blocks. The direction for each block will be dependent upon our overall and final design.

As Andy and I are always in a learning and discovery mode, we approach our designs from many different angles. Test 40 actually began with the thread... a new variegated thread from Aurifil. I extracted about 19 colors from the thread. After settling on seven colors, then then we discussed and examined possible styles of construction that may compliment the thread. The design of our quilt, Test 40 starts with color of the thread which will be used in the quilting.

I stumbled upon Maggie Ball's technique, published in her 2008 book Bargello Quilting with a Twist after we had decided that we would attempt a Bargello-style quilt, without restricting ourselves to a sine or cosine curve. I like the innovative way that Maggie Ball’s simple construction technique allows for the idea of design and in some way, kaleidoscopic assembly. I like the idea of optical illusions and so I have been able to create a design that may provide that effect.

As to the final quilting to highlight the thread, I am drafting a number of stylings that should compliment both the thread and the quilt design. Presently I am examining a combination of the use of flagging tape by artist Megan Geckler and the classic simplicity of the quilt work of quilt artist Yoshiko Jinzenji.

Stay tuned for our work in progress.

Enjoy,

Jim and Andy

Click here to continue reading...

My Quip - Test 40 - OP and Bargello

Good Day,

Our first design for Test 40, inspired by the work of Maggie Ball, is completed. We're both pleased. This new design has the essence of our previous OP Designs. OP is our reference to Optical Art. Test 40 combines the elements of OP (Optical Art) and Bargello.

This is the first block that will be a foundation for Test 40. This block contains and is a pieced construction of six of seven solid color fabrics. The colors are extracted from a new variegated thread by Aurifil, No. 40. All fabrics are from Robert Kaufman Fabrics designs and 100% Kona cotton.

When finished Test 40 will approximate a quilt; Width - 70" (178 cms) and Length - 84" (214 cms). Our guesstimate is a Queen Quilt.

As I mentioned our inspiration is of the work of Maggie Ball. Ms. Ball's book Bargello Quilts with a Twist was published by KP Craft Books, Cincinnati, Ohio, 2008.

Stay-tuned to the work in progress on Test 40 and our other quilts.

Enjoy,

Jim and Andy

Click here to continue reading...

Q104 – Blue Chambray – Quilt and Wall Hanging

Good Day,

Blue Chambray, celebrating the birth of my Grandson, has been completed.

The fabrics are “Ooh La La” by Bunny Hill Designs for Moda Fabrics on a coordinated light blue background fabric. The final dimensions of Blue Chambray are: Width – 37 ½ ” (95.25 cms); Length – 46 ½ ” (118.1 cms).

The quilting, in the light blue background, are bubbles. Bubbles may represent merriment, fun, and childhood joys. Blue Chambray was quilted on our Longarm Quilting Machine.

Here are more images of Blue Chambray.

The choice of the fabric is in keeping with the décor of the Grandson’s stunning bedroom, expertly created by his parents.

Names and dates have been masked out for the purposes of privacy.

Enjoy,

Jim and Andy

Click here to continue reading...

My Quip – Kedgeree and Blue Chambray

Good Day,

Supper recipe when I cook for the adventurous me… Not sure if others may dare. Kederee, originally a traditional British breakfast from the days of colonial India. Smoked herring, chopped onion, turmeric and curry powders, basmati rice, butter, yoghurt, hard-boiled eggs and chopped chives.

The embroidery of name and birthdate completed, and we’ve begun the quilting of Blue Chambray, bubbles and parallel diagonals.

The fabrics are “Ooh La La” by Bunny Hill Designs for Moda Fabrics on a coordinated light blue background fabric. The final dimensions of Blue Chambray will approximate, give or take: Width – 39” (99 cms); Length – 48” (122 cms).

You'll have to check back time and again to check up on our work and status.

If you are interested, and would like some more information of available quilts, regarding costs, shipping, and insurance, please check our Quilts SB Etsy shop.

Andy and I are moving at a steady pace with our quilt and fabric wall hanging work. Keep abreast of all updates. I have added a “Follow By Email” capability at the bottom right of each posting under The Grid. You can also become a Follower of Quilts SB. Click on the “Join this site” to follow Quilts SB. I’ve added another means to follow the images of our quilt creations via Pinterest.

Check out my new experimental format of my Blog, Quilts SB Test. Certainly would appreciate your feedback.

To see previously posted quilts, there is a visual Grid presentation at the bottom of the Quilts SB page. Move your cursor over any mini-picture found there and click to see an enlargement. Move your cursor to the "Q#" link to see the quilt's details. If the quilt’s title is highlighted in yellow or in red, it has found a home in a collection and is no longer available.

If you have any questions and/or comments please feel free to get in touch with me via email.

Enjoy,

Jim and Andy

Click here to continue reading...

My Quip – Flying Monkeys Meets Flying Monkeys II Meets Sock Monkey – And The Pack

Good day,

Sun was shining, but now it is raining, and the water’s abating, I think. Our sidewalk has now cleared of the liquid stuff but for the flotsam and jetsam.

As Debby moves eastward looks like the outer-bands of storms and winds seem to be decreasing. This is 4th named storm, and we haven’t even finished the 1st month of season. At this rate, there should be just about 20 more before the end of November. One gets used to having an extra pile of dry towels near the door, at this time of the year.

Flying Monkeys meet Flying Monkeys II meet Sock Monkey, meet The Pack…

Here are some images of a side-by-side arrangement of the two small quilts. Check out the subtle differences…

Enjoy,

Andy and Jim

Click here to continue reading...