Yesterday I shared a little of this quilt's story. It is the very first quilt I started, in the Summer of 2010. I had BIG plans! Keeping with the flower theme of Anna Maria's Little Folks Collection, I started making yo-yo flowers to applique with lots of hand stitched details.
I enjoyed what I was doing and was thrilled with the reaction I received here when I first shared my work. I was motivated to keep going, but quickly the reality of working on a project that required so much handwork, right smack in the middle of our Summer took hold. And so, my first quilt was carefully tucked away in a basket that rested above my voiles. Until now!
I'm still happy with the work I did, but know I've learned SO much since I started this quilt. I am gaining confidence in my quilting each week and even though I clearly have more than enough projects going to keep me plenty busy, I think this one is in need of some love and attention, too. SO, when I had the idea to add a giant yo-yo flower just like the one above, in the very center of what I had so far -- I went for it!
And it was really fun! Like all yo-yo flower making is. Doesn't it look like a huge cupcake liner? In comparison to my other yo-yo's, it's big!
It took me a second to figure out how I was going to stitch it to the quilt top (too much hand stitching is out of the question for me right now) and once I did, it made me smile. Like all yo-yo flowers do!
I will be adding more yo-yo flowers, it is a Little Folks Garden Quilt after all, but for now I'm going to slowly add some floss stitches when I can.
If any of you are curious or interested in a tutorial on making and/or adding yo-yo's to projects like this, small or large, I'd be happy to add it to my list of future tutorials in the works, just let me know! If you love these fabrics, you can find some of the Little Folks Collection still available in the shop of my sponsor Pink Castle Fabrics.
** Friday's Giveaway Update ** Since Katy never came forward to claim her bundle, a new number was drawn by Mr. random this morning and comment #45, Judi was chosen! Congratulations!! I apologize to anyone this might upset and will make certain that the winner can be reached prior to me announcing it here from now on.
p.s. Tomorrow I'll be having a new fabric giveaway in celebration of my two year blog-iversary! Here's a peek. Be sure to stop back!!
this is turning into a very fun quilt! yo-yos are a nice addition!
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT!!! (Can't make it more clear) :-)
ReplyDeleteHow fun, it's going to be really pretty! Do you think it will be hard to actually use it once you're finished with all those flowers, or no?
ReplyDeleteI think we'll use it. I already have some soft, cozy flannel for the back. I think voile is light enough to handle all the applique, otherwise I don't think it would work?
DeleteMaureen this is so inspiring! it must feel so great to make progress on an old project. I really want to improve my handwork this year.
ReplyDeleteI love the big yo-yo in the center! I'm not usually a fan of yo-yos but using it for the center of a flower is the perfect thing - and I love that it's so huge. And thanks again for drawing my name for the fabric give-away :)
ReplyDeleteThis is super Mo!
ReplyDeleteSo Neat. What a happy quilt.
ReplyDeleteIt looks great, Maureen! I would love a tutorial. I've never made yo-yos before! And, of course, I'll take that quilt in my mailbox whenever you can get it to the post office! :)
ReplyDeleteSo pretty, just looking at it makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a happy quilt!
ReplyDeleteThis is really beautiful, Maureen. I can't believe all the details you are adding. I look at the very first quilt I made (2 years ago), and I wonder what I was thinking... That's why I've never blogged about it :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the 2 year mark that is great.
ReplyDeletehttp//richardquilts.blogspot.com
My most favorite quilt has flowers appliqued on it and it makes such a sunny difference! Yours is gorgeous and I'm wondering if the whole top is done in voile? I've shied away from voiles for quilts we would use only because I didn't know if it would be sturdy enough - if I've been wrong, silly me and let the games begin! Your thoughts?
ReplyDeleteWorking with voiles is definitely slippery due to how delicate and soft these fabrics are. When I began this quilt, I struggled with puckering at my seams, so I have used both spray starch and in some places very this interfacing to see if that changed things for me. Now that I am a better sewists and much more comfortable working with voile (making my scarves helps), I am having no problems at all. I think voile takes applique like this so well, because it is so lightweight. I am adding all these flowers and stitching and it still feels weightless and beautiful! I hope this helps!
DeleteI've never seem yoyo flowers before but I haven't really done much applique quilting, they look so much fun and pretty :)
ReplyDeleteI have had the urge to get on with the 3 quilting projects I have been working on for the past......years but first I have to clear off the cutting table and that is piled high with writing and photos which all need cataloguing before I can move them, oh well, I better get busy :)
Have a lovely day and congrats on your 2 year Blog - iversary, YAY!!! Great milestone :) T.
I would love a yo-yo tutorial! I remember my mother making them when I was a kid, but I don't remember how. And since she has passed away, I cannot ask her for help!
ReplyDeleteI would love the tutorial also Maureen....I think the quilt looks great! I've never made a yo-yo and now that I have the GoBaby! it will be fun..I received my Round Flower die today.....
ReplyDeleteYO YO so CUTE!
ReplyDeleteI just love the look of that giant yoyo flower in the middle!
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE a tutorial on how you've added your yoyo's. It just so happens that I'm in the midst of making a vintage hankie quilt and some of the hankies have been so "LOVED" that there are a few little holes that I will be covering with yoyo's I have made and ready to go.
ReplyDeleteI also have a question about using perle cotton stitching, which I intend to do with this quilt. I hand quilted my first quilt this summer using perle cotton. But my question is ... are people mostly handquilting with perle cotton or are they embellishing with perle cotton BEFORE machine or hand quilting? Maybe you don't know but I'm kind of swimming alone here except for the bloggers I follow so I have many questions.
I love your YO yos. Thank you for sharing your beautiful quilt work!
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful!l another giveaway! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteThat is so so beautiful!!!I love the middle of the flowers!Keep making xxxx
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful! I love the colors and the different textures with the yo-yo's and the stiching. The colors are wonderful! And I peeked at the giveaway for tomorrow and those are the exact colors combo I have been looking for and the patterns are perfect! Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful quilt and one you'll treasure once you do finish I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderful quilt. I would love to do something like this with my AMH voiles!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I love it!!
ReplyDeleteSo cool, love the yoyo flower centres
ReplyDeleteLove the yo-yo centers! A touch of whimsy and texture. So cute!
ReplyDeleteLovely:}
ReplyDeleteMaureen, I'm still amazed by your productivity. Those are very cute yo-yos! Yes, please add a tutorial to your list.
ReplyDeleteI love yo-yo's and your quilt is absolutely adorable! x J
ReplyDeleteI love this!
ReplyDeleteI would love a tutorial on how to add the yo-yos. I love the quilt! The favorite thing I have ever made was a simple block quilt for my mom. I have never quilted before and I guess you are supposed to start with a small quilt but I didn't know that so I did a full size quilt for her. I will definately be doing a smaller one next!
ReplyDeletedeanaspice@yahoo.ca
Wow, I have never seen a yo-yo on a quilt. This is beautiful. I am not a quilter. I make handmade cards and photo journals and use fabric all the time for great texture. I use yo-yo's on my cards, never this size.
ReplyDeleteyea! i love this quilt! can't wait to see it finished. the way your going you will end up with a bunch of finished quilts at once. :) love it!
ReplyDeletewow love the idea of using yoyo in a quilt! beautiful
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