"Housetop" is Finished!

"Housetop," 60" x 60"

I finished hand-quilting this just in time for picnic season!

The top was made in a class with Gwen Marston back in February.

It's called "Housetop" because its inspiration came from the  

Gee's Bend quilt designs that go by the same name.

I quilted it with Barb's big fan stencil and #12 perle cotton.

It includes an old linen napkin and a scrap of polka dots from a friend in New York.

A lovely floral dress,

An old skirt,

An apron from the 60's or 70's,

And two tablecloths from the same era. 

Both were round and had 4" white fringe.  

Remember those out on the patio table?  

This wonderful Jane Sassaman print was perfect for the back. 

I made a wide back to front binding, like the Gee's Bend gals do.

(If anyone wants a tutorial on this, let me know.)

And it's already been launched with the first picnic of summer!

Happy summer--or winter--to you!

Three Days with Gwen

"Housetop"  59" x 59"

I've just returned from a lovely three-day retreat on medallion quilts with Gwen Marston. 

While preparing for the retreat, I thought I'd take all my spare blocks 

and work them around this Gee's Bend inspired log cabin.

It might have worked, but I decided to expand on the original design instead.

One old dress, two tablecloths, an apron and a friend's scrap later, 

it began to take shape.  

The corners are one log cabin block that I quartered--

one of Gwen's many brilliant suggestions.

The retreat was in beautiful Port Gamble, Washington, 

offered by the Quilted Strait quit shop.  

This sewing room was right across the street from the quilt shop.

This is the view from my sewing table.  

It's a miracle anyone got anything done!

Some of us ate lunch outside and enjoyed the quiet surroundings.

I caught the sunset on the ferry ride home.

A perfect weekend!

A windy photo shoot.  Good thing Mr. Nifty can perform Photo Shop magic!