Tuesday, September 3, 2013

A Butterfly Quilt : :

Last Thursday evening, before the busyness of a long holiday weekend and anticipated rain, we took my finished Butterfly Quilt to the church garden for a quick photo shoot. The assortment of red and pink blooms was the backdrop I had decided on before this quilt was even finished, it was so pretty!

A Butterfly Quilt

This Butterfly Quilt is a request from my 4 yr old niece, Molly, and is one of several I'm making for all my children, nieces, & nephews before the holidays. I'm pretty certain that Molly will appreciate this rainbow of color, as well, so I'm super excited!!

A Butterfly Quilt 
It was just about three weeks ago that I had sketch out my pattern and gathered up my stash of butterfly fabrics -- Valorie Well's Cocoon and Anna Maria Horner's Loulouthi & Field Study, along with a spectrum of Art Gallery Pure Element Solids. 

A Butterfly Quilt

It all came together pretty quickly with some fussy cutting of the butterfly prints, a little playing around with the mix of solids, and the excitement of appliqueing those soaring butterflies. After finishing up my Applique Art Quilt, I knew Molly's Butterfly Quilt would have to have more of those!

A Butterfly Quilt

I quilted with a dense wavy stitch, which is both fun and forgiving! This time rather then using an Aurifil variegated thread for all my quilting -- I tried something new, still keeping with that multicolored look and used an Aurifil dark gray 50wt from the Tula Pink collection for all the quilting at the bottom, an Aurifil bright, lemon yellow 50wt throughout the center, and finished with a bright white 50wt on the top portion of this quilt.

A Butterfly Quilt -- Wavy Quilting and Pink/Red Scrappy Binding

The binding, which I shared a peek of here, is made up of a variety of AGF Pure Elements from Crystal Pink to London Red. It's scrappy, pretty, & very pink! I think Molly will especially like the pink parts of her quilt!

A Butterfly Quilt -- Pink!

A Butterfly Quilt

The back is finished with one very large piece of Anna Maria Horner's Loulouthi Clippings print and I kept my bobbin a dark grey Aurifil to blend in nicely. Those beautiful roses definitely decided my binding choice!!

A Butterfly Quilt -- Backed in Loulouthi Clippings by AMH

I can't wait to see Molly with her Aunt Maureen-made Quilt!

A Butterfly Quilt

   Maureen

100 comments:

  1. Gosh- this is just too beautiful. A piece of art!

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  2. This is one of the prettiest quilts I've ever seen! Molly is one lucky girl :)

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  3. The artistry here is really amazing! In case no one else has told you I think you have found your calling in making these quilts Maureen! I hope these lucky children of yours know what they are getting. It's very special!!

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  4. She will love the butterflies. What a beautiful quilt!

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  5. ahhhh, every one of your quilts tops the previous one! I love how the Squares at the top are blank and the butterflies are flying away from them - so artistic. Seriously, you inspire me more all the time.

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    1. Yes, Janelle!! I'm so happy you see my exact idea -- I even fussy cut two of the butterflies to be coming out of the prints just as they are in the fabric design. I love having these opportunities that truly push me creatively. It's a wonderful thing!!

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  6. wonderful and awesome, simple words for something sew beautiful. just don't know what to say. ♥

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  7. It turned out really beautifully!

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  8. WOW! That's awesome! You are such an artist! It's GORGEOUS!!! So inspired!

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  9. That is a beautiful quilt, she is going to love it.
    I need to design a simple quilt with a nice touch of applique for my daughter, still trying to decide on a theme for her room. She is 28, so I want to make something fun but art inspired.

    Debbie

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  10. Maureen, you are an artist. Truly. Watching your progression over the past year...I can see you finding your voice more and more in the projects you make. It's a beautiful thing to see. This quilt is beyond incredible!

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  11. I absolutely love it!Do you want to be my aunt?:)))

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  12. Surely do like this quilt - and have butterflies rescued from my deceased sister's stash - would love to create this, but not exactly as yours if you will give me permission?

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    1. Of course! I would be thrilled to have you make something inspired by my projects!! Just be sure to share what you make with me -- I love to see!! :)

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  13. This is brilliant Maureen! Wow, honestly!

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  14. Oh this is absolutely gorgeous! I'm sure she will love it :)

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  15. Maureen, absolutely stunning! And the images are totally amazing. You really made my day. It is just so joyful. A pleasure to see in difficult times.
    Thank you for giving so much to all of us. Sondra XXXXXXX

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    1. Oh, thank you Sondra!! That means so much to me and I hope you are ok?! Creating is what makes me feel better, and I'm so, so lucky to have you and everyone else who stops by to share with!!

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    2. Hi Maureen,
      Thanks for asking, I am fine...I was referring to the state of the world. Hugs to you, always. Sondra

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    3. Yes, I completely understand! You have an open invite to turn off the news and visit me anytime, Sondra!! You're the best!

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  16. Absolutely stunning. I love how the butterflies almost seem to soar out of the top of the quilt. How lucky Molly is to have such a talented Aunt. I'm sure she will treasure this quilt.

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  17. This quilt is beautiful! Reminds me of when I lived in Pacific Grove California. There's a large eucalyptus grove there and Monarch Butterflies would hatch there ~ really was a sight to see!

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  18. Love it! And you used the AGF butterfly trend that I reported :)

    http://artgalleryfabrics.typepad.com/weblog/2013/06/trend-alert-take-flight.html

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    1. Well, I was definitely inspired by AGF's Pure Element Quilt Market booth -- my favorite display ever!!

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  19. Love your quilt--so happy! That back is a fantastic choice too! Kudos for your quilt "holder" too--they do good work!

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  20. This quilt is incredible! I love the colors and the back is lovely!

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    1. Thank you, Shannon! Yes, that AMH Clippings print works so beautifully as a quilt back, especially with this colorful, butterfly quilt. I should probably stash some more before I can't find it any longer!

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  21. This is so pretty!

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  22. Very pretty! I am sure your niece will love it, Maureen! Hope you don't mind if I share this, with a link back, on my facebook page at http://facebook.com/sewfreshquilts.

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  23. Oh, but it's GORGEOUS! I've loved seeing the bits in progress....

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  24. I love this! It's absolutely stunning!!! Very jealous...

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  25. So pretty - your niece will love it! Very clever placement of the butterfly prints within the various solids.

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  26. Absolutely outstanding quilt! Work of art!
    Have a great day.
    Always, Queenie

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  27. This is absolutely stunning! That is one very lucky 4 year old!!!

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  28. Absolutely stunning and gorgeous!
    You are an artist.

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  29. Beautiful! I adore those flying butterflies! Wish you were my aunt ;)

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  30. Oh wow! This is really beautiful and so creative!! I love the combination of the changing colors as well as the evolving butterflies from bottom to top. Well done.

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  31. Oh Maureen this is truly stunning. I absolutely love your idea of the boxed in butterflies and setting them free. I also love the colors ranging from dark at the bottom to lighter at the top. Incredible!

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  32. This is beautiful! I follow so many blogs and each and every one is wonderful and I appreciate them all! I have to say, and I really mean this, nobody awes and inspires me the way you do! Your work is just so darn amazing, every.single.time! I wish I could borrow you for a day to pick my fabrics for my quilts :)What stitch length do you use when quilting?
    Great job, again!

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    1. Thank you so much, Christine!! It's the sweet people like you who take the time to stop by and comment that are so encouraging and supportive. I really appreciate it!

      As for my quilt stitch length, I usually go to a 2.5 up to a 2.8, and I use the quilting stitch that's built into my Janome and I don't even need a walking foot. It's awesome!

      xx Maureen

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  33. Beautiful quilt and great pics! I enjoyed your post very much :-)

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  34. This quilt takes my breath away - it is so beautiful in every way. The artistry, from the fabrics, colors, fussy cutting, thread choice - wow.

    From the first time I visited your blog, I was blown away,and learned how to use my sewing machine because I was inspired by your work. Thanks for sharing!!

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    1. Wow, thank you!! Today was an emotional day for me for a few reasons and reading this comment made me so incredibly happy! Thank you so, so much!! -M

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  35. This is truly a work of art and a work of love!! The wavy quilting is just enough so it isn't competing with the butterflies. The butterflies are definitely the stars.

    I am also in love with the church and the gardens! There are old stone churches throughout PA and I think I am captivated by every one of them. The flowers in this one are spectacular.

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  36. Oh I absolutely love this, perfect combination of butterflies in the flock (is it a flock of butterflies?!) and the solids

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  37. What a great use of colour and dimension! This is fabulous (and I'm not a butterfly person). So gorgeous, Maureen.

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  38. You are so flippin artistic!! It's really so beautiful.

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  39. It's a gorgeous quilt!!! She'll love it now, she'll love it when she's 16 and still when she is 35. It's perfect!

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  40. Wow Maureen ... butterflies and bright lovely colours definitely = "Wow!"

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  41. what a fabulous quilt, Maureen. Lucky Molly - to have such a clever auntie and to be wrapped in colour, butterflies and love.

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  42. I wish I had an aunt to make this for me! Stunning!

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  43. This is so beautiful Maureen! I love the colors, the butterflies in the corner, and the back is as beautiful as the front. Lucky Molly!

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  44. Love the quilt and I love these pictures. You picked the perfect spot to take these. Way to go Maureen!

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  45. Oh gracious, Maureen. You are such an amazing talent. It is absolutely beautiful.

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  46. This is so incredibly beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing your talents and inspiring us :)

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  47. A great idea well done. I'm sure your niece will love it for many, many years to come.

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  48. I love this, the applique really makes it. And that's a total compliment from me because I have a phobia of butterflies and moths!

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  49. Phenomenal! Molly will love this. I am amazed at how beautiful the butterflies leaving the squares look. The largest one at the top even seems to tie all of the colors together. The back is gorgeous too. You are amazing.

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  50. This quilt is stunning, just amazing. It's so eye catching you almost don't notice it's surroundings. I had to look at the photos a second time to look at the church! Someone puts a lot of love and care into that garden. You've done beautiful work, as always.

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  51. What an amazingly beautiful quilt! I love how the applique butterflies "break free" from the fussy cut squares. The solids as background are perfect - and it is so cool to see the secondary cross pattern of the solids when you see the quilt from far away.

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  52. This is a incredibly beautiful piece of art. You make each one more beautiful than the previous one.

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  53. its Gorgeous MC.. I have been sitting on this fabric line for a year..... just ordered some A H fabric to punctuate the butterflies I hope mine comes out as pretty as yours.

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  54. Saw this over on Flickr. So FABULOUS! Love the riot of colour.

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  55. I am completely overwhelmed by the beauty of this quilt, Maureen! From inception to completion, it is amazing! Congratulations, and I am sure your niece will be thrilled with it.

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  56. So beautiful, full of lovely colour and movement! I hope I can be as good as you one day :)


    Penny

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  57. The butterfly quilt is very unique and beautiful. What a wonderful idea you had of taking all the photos of it in the church gardens. My Mother loves (used to collect) butterflies. I'll have to show this to her. I love frogs and collect them. Only a beginning quilter, but would love to make something unique like this with all the frog fabric I've been purchasing over the years.

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  58. What a stunning quilt! I'm so impressed with your creativity and original creations.

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  59. I just love how your butterfly quilt came out! I know she will love it and treasure it always :). Is this one of your own patterns? I love how it looks complicated yet simple at the same time. Thanks for inspiring :)

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  60. how beautiful! I love the rainbowness of it and the unexpected applique

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  61. It is a beautiful finish, and I bet Molly will treasure it! I love the mix of solids, and scrappy binding, especially. And the back is perfect!

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  62. This quilt is incredibly beautiful Maureen! It takes my breath away! Breathtaking!

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  63. I gasped out loud when I saw this quilt - you are such an artist and I love how your quilts don't necessarily "follow the rules". Just absolutely stunning.

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  64. I just love this design! You did an amazing job!

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  65. What a beautiful work of art. My seven year old daughter saw it on flickr, and she told me it was the most beautiful quilt she's ever seen. And believe me, she's seen alot of quilts :) Thanks for sharing your special work of art. Your niece will love it.

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  66. I'd love to know how you appliqued the fussy cuts. Do you use heat n bond, needle turn, or just a tight zig zag around the edges? Or do you leave the edges raw? Thanks! It really is a beautiful quilt, even my husband likes it.

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  67. I love this beautiful quilt. I love butterflies and I have a lot of fabric and dont know what to do. You have given me inspiration.

    Dana
    DivaDane
    www.thecraftdivas.com

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  68. Wow! saw the cover of the new magazine on their sight as well! Amazing project and I LOVE the photo shoot for this project!

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