My Fall Quilts

Fall is such a great time of year, even in Florida where we don't see much color change.  Of all my fireplace quilts, this might be my favorite.  It was the last one I made during my NYB series (8 in all).  I pulled in the clay/red color and made the golds a little stronger - love this one!  It almost glows at night.

My hand pieced and hand quilted apple core is always a favorite.  It's a good size and has so many wonderful memories attached to it.

This little fall wallhanging used to hang in my office in my ever changing series of  "Office Art", but now it gets to hang out in my living room, making me smile.  The applique is all by hand and it's hand quilted.  This is one of the quilts I've made using the "One of a Kind" method.  Love it!!

This last one is one I haven't shown before.  I made this quilt in 2003-2004.  We had just gotten this new couch and of course I had to make a quilt to match.

I'm not sure what this pattern is called, but it was fun and easy.  I carried this pillow around with me for weeks, making sure the fabrics would match.

It matches so well it almost doesn't show up!!  This was one of the last "utility" quilts I hand quilted before I started learning to machine quilt.  Now I pretty much save the hand quilting for 1st time baby quilts for the grands and the quilts I put in the quilt show.

It's not a really "wow" quilt, but was perfect for what I was trying to achieve.

Have a great day,

Karen

Almost Antique Apple Core Quilt

Isn't it funny that so many quilts have such specific memories attached to them? This quilt's story began in 1995 as our family was preparing to head out to Colorado to go skiing. I always take a hand project in the car, and driving from Florida to Colorado required a substantial project!!
I have been a charter member of this magazine, it's my very favorite!! When I saw this pattern, I was immediately drawn to the plaids. Back in 1994, I was knee deep in trying to collect homespun fabrics and build my stash. So when I got this issue, it was screaming my name!!

Notice this is only issue 8!! How awesome that 17 years later it's still going strong :). So in the weeks leading up to our departure, I cut little apple cores out by the scores! I was using only reds, blues and tans (my favorite color palette).

With my little bag of pieces, I hand stitched these little darlings into long rows mile after mile. I didn't know at the time that this quilt would not be finished and quilted until 1999, but it did get finished and is still one of my favorites.

I decided not to do the wavey edge, and just cut off the outer edge and added a checkerboard border. Of course back then, machine quilting was not even on my radar - everything was hand quilted. I try and pull this out every fall, I was a little late this year (can't imagine why *wink*).

Until next time,

-Karen

P.S. My DH is doing well, but PT is currently winning the battle :).