Today it is quiet in the quilting studio. My longarm machine is sitting idle without any projects to quilt this week. I’m glad that I do have a couple on the way; but, so far the “stay at home” order has translated to a slowdown for my longarm quilting service, which serves the EU. I understand - these days are so unsettling. I’m not going to let myself worry yet. Instead, I’ll share some of the quilts I’ve been blessed to quilt so far this year.

Flowering Snowball by Sabine Hofferer

It was all pleasure to quilt this beauty destined as a gift for a friend.

Elegant quilt draped. Stitched in Color.jpg

The flowering snowball is a classic quilt block, but Sabine made hers special with thoughtful use of solid fabrics. Her ovals gradually change from pinky red to a dark, cool purple. The solid color gradient lends elegance and unity to the multi-color prints that make up the rest of the quilt.

Elegant quilt on bed. Stitched in Color.jpg

I made two suggestions for quilting, and Sabine chose this one - an all-over quilting pattern called Trumpeting Vine. It’s the same pattern I used on my bed quilt, actually. Very elegant, while not exactly floral.

Playing With Triangles by Sabine L.

Now this is fun! Brigitte Heitland of Zen Chic led a quilt-along via the Bernina blog in 2018. Here’s a link to the first post, in case you want to use the pattern. Another Sabine (such a lovely name) asked me to quilt her Playing with Triangles quilt-top in the same style as Brigitte’s.

Lots of straight lines! This is custom quilting with the straight lines used to emphasize the patchwork. It’s simple, but effective. Credit to Zen Chic.

Straight line custom quilting. Stitched in Color.jpg

Here the negative space has minimal quilting, allowing the quilt to remain soft and light.

ColourChallenge by Kerstin Böttger

Kerstin (@Kerstin.Boettger) made this, her very first quilt, as part of another free online event. The pattern is called Contagious by Martina Latimer.

Quilting damask flower. Stitched in Color.jpg

Damask Flower quartet. Stitched in Color.jpg

I mean, wow, isn’t it stunning? To me, the quilt pattern and strong colors cried out for custom quilting. I suggested the Damask Flower pattern set over each quarter of the quilt, to add another dimension of loveliness to this work of art.

Custom quilting closeup. Stitched in Color.jpg

Love how it turned out!

Mighty Lucky by Muriël van der Ploeg

Muriël (@Muriel14) decided to have this quilt top longarm quilted as a birthday present to herself. When it arrived, I spent some time just enjoying its many facets. What an amazing modern sampler quilt!

It is quilted with an all-over quilting pattern called Prismatic. Muriël suggested the pattern be centered on the center diamond point of the quilt - a nice touch!