The Star is Quilted

Yesterday I drove back to my quilt teacher's studio in Bowie to long-arm quilt my most recent quilt top, Painted Star No. 1. I very much enjoyed seeing it manifest into a more finished quilt. I will post a picture of the finished quilt as soon as the edge is bound.

I am thrilled to be learning this new skill, but its not nearly as easy "as it looks on television." To all who have tried long arm quilting and succeeded, I appreciate your skills to a much greater degree than I did before yesterday. To those of you that haven't tried yourself, all I can do is encourage you to try. The sense of accomplishment is tremendous.

If any of you in Maryland want to learn, get in touch with me and I'll hook you up with the contact info and you'll be on your way.

It looks like a nice weekend ahead. I might just have to get down to the beach for a while.

The Studio Needs a name

Sitting on the sofa while watching the evening news my mind always wanders. My quilt books are cluttering the coffee table. Among them is my sketch book with yesterday's notes and tomorrow's hopes.

I'm thinking, as I flip through the pages, that I will finally be done with school in December--a fine arts degree in Painting. I'm also thinking I rarely paint any more. Except to design something with color.

I need to start pursuing my art work as if it were more of a vocation than simply the preoccupation that it is . I already call the first floor in our house:"the studio". The kitchen sees as much paint and fabric dye as it sees food preparation. The quilt piecing overwhelms the dining room table. Upon it sits my sewing machine, for almost a year now. The living room wall is where I paint and piece together my quilts. Its hardly the typical suburban house.

Needless to say I am energized with the merging of my painting and my new found desire to stitch together colorful fabrics.

I'm sketching while the taking heads on TV sound like the adults in a Charlie Brown cartoon. Gay pride month is June and I am reminded that its time to put the flag out. I scribble and think about a quilted version of the flag. Quickly, I ink down a flag fluttering in the wind. Then water-color the stripes. The next step is to draw a life-size version on which I added acrylic colors. (The results are posted above.)

I'm not yet sure where this will all go. Maybe I should just follow the passion. I'll keep you posted.

Leaning in that direction, I bought the web site name Rainbow Quilt Studio. The website will manifest itself sometime in the future.

The Painted Star No. 1

Star No. 1

Yesterday I traveled to Bowie to take a long-arm quilting training class at Special Occasion Quilts (http://soquilts.com). Julia has a wonderful APQS Millennium. She makes her own fabulous quilts and rents out time on her machine for aspiring long-arm quilters. I've decided to stoke my quilting desire and will be going back for more.

So, while I am working on completing the project of the year, which I hope to be finished by the end of August, I will also be working on smaller pieces to practice my machine-quilting skills.

This (smaller than my preferred work) wall-hanging sized piece, Star No. 1 (36.5"x40.5"), is made from a light weight muslin. I need practice with my "traditional piecing" skills as well.

My intention here is to quilt this piece and then paint on its surface. I have previously pieced painted fabric, but this time I will be painting after the quilt is assembled. I'll show you my progress in two episodes: once, after it is quilted and then again after it is painted.

Half Way Point

Are you as excited as I am. I have reached my goal--the midway point.

Thought I'd Share This

Bow Tie Quilt
74"x86"
(date and maker unknown)

I found this while shopping. Its just the quilt top, but i thought it a bargain at $35. I can practice my stitching skills and get a lighter weight spring/fall quilt made much more quickly.

Next week I'm going to take a long arm class. Maybe I can get this one quilted before I get serious about how to quilt the Size Queen.

Visualize Quilted Peice

The eyes are coming into view now. Four more 12"x12" blocks to be made and the halfway point will be achieved. Yay! I'm Glad its pouring down rain today... gives me a reason to stay inside and get some work done. The Wednesday deadline is looming. Hope is in the air.

I Haven't Decided yet

But I do know who it won't be.

Size Queen Update

Little by little progress is being made. The quilt is now almost half way done. I am getting more and more excited. there is COLOR in the design now. I am truly biting my lip to get to the brilliant red lipstick!

My goal is to finish the last ten blocks of the first half before Wednesday next week. If i get the next row fished you will get to see the red lip stick...

I guess I'll have to move the furniture soon...

Quilt Block - Sophomoric Clock

Sophomoric Clock or Dic-Doc
(quilt block pattern)
© 2008 Mark Patro




Sophomoric Clock or Dic-Doc
(Blanket pattern)
© 2008 Mark Patro