Monday 11 November 2013

DQ Sep-Oct'13 Challenge - Entries

The theme for the DQ Sep-Oct '13 Challenge was 'Flowers', a supposedly easy and not so exciting a theme for a challenge. It is with great pride that we present the 17 gorgeous entries with their truly inspiring and unconventional take on the theme.

Entry #1 - "Flowers of Hope"25"x13" mini quilt/wall hanging. EPP, FMQ, flannel batting. 
"Hope"
Cruel harsh winter
Ablaze with flowers of hope
Summer's in my heart...



Entry #2 - Poppies 16.5"x14.5". Hand Appliqué and Machine Quilting


Entry #3 -  Hexitote 17"x17"


Entry #4 - Stained glass flowers 17 " X 23"


Entry #5 - 'Garland of flowers' Wall hanging 29.5"x16 "


Entry #6 - Flowers, Pieced & Hand Appliqué Wall hanging 12"x43"


Entry #7 - Floral E-Reader Cover 5.5" x 10"


Entry #8 - hand-quilted mini wall hanging 10" x 7.5"


Entry #9 - Floral cushion cover on hand-dyed fabric. Pattern inspiration Waterlily landscape 2009 by Ann Fahl. 16.5" x16.5"


Entry #10 - EPP Flowers and hand quilted table topper 10.5"x12"


Entry #11 - Hand quilted suede clutch with dresden flower flap 9"x7"


Entry #12 - "View from my window" Wall Hanging, FMQ and Hand Quilted 34"x 23"


Entry #13 - Sunflower throw 26.5"x22"


Entry #14 -  table topper 12" x10"


Entry #15 -  Title : flowers by midnight she said
Size: 22"x20"

Entry #16 -  "Dahlia" table topper for the prayer corner, 15.5" diameter

Entry #17 - Valley of Flowers. flowers pieced and then machine tied to the quilt. Idea was to depict something using completely geometric shapes. 23" x17"

After a very close contest, the top three voted for entries (in no particular order) are:
Entry#11
Entry#13
Entry#16

We'll be back with the results. Watch this space.

Until then, happy quilting.

Monday 4 November 2013

First Quilts - DQ Smita Sinhal

(Guest post by Smita Sinhal, the 15th in our series of 'First Quilts')

I now feel blessed n lucky to have landed in a place where I had no work permit. I discovered a totally new me.

So I am in Charlotte NC with nothing to do and there is this show Simply Quilts, hosted by Alex Anderson. I was instantly fascinated by that show, how they cut with seam allowance, all those techniques to make bindings,  miter corners and so many more. Used to wait for that show to air and would religiously put TV on right on time.
One fine day decided to take a plunge. They just aired mariners compass, the block looked just beautiful beyond words and I knew THIS is the block I want to make, went to the nearest Wal-Mart, did not know any other place where I would get fabrics, so picked a sewing machine and few yards of colours. Started on the center block and by the time the block was done my fabrics also finished. Another trip to fetch a few more yards...  The center block turned out well with corners In place.. So made a few more small ones. Now I had fabric left so decided to make that border with them in squares... Joining squares was a piece of cake by now hehehe... And there was my first quilt mariners compass. Now was time to show off.... Showed it to my friends they all liked it. With this I started on a journey I love..Discovered a place Mary Joes in Gastonia NC. Most awesome place for a fabric lover. Made numerous trips to Mary Joes  and quilts after that...potrait quilt,  3 D flower quilt,  water color Quilt,  pineapple block quilt,  foundation piecing and many more.

I was blessed with a daughter with that started yet another journey of making dresses :-) . After my friends n family's encouragement I have started it professionally. I am glad I found my Love Of making Quilts, Dresses n shopping for beautiful fabrics.

Hope you like it.
Cheers!
Smita Sinhal
Www.facebook.com/smitacreationz