As a little break from quilting the String Star quilt, I decided to make a small quilt with some vintage plaid blocks I purchased last year from Oodles and Oodles. Each block was composed of just two triangles sewn together. I know the triangles were taken from a salesmen sample book because the plaids were all slightly different, the edges were pinked, and there was a tiny bit of glue residue on one side. Barbara had warned me that some of the pieces were thinner than quilting cotton, but that problem was solved with some iron-on sheer-weight interfacing, which I applied to the lighter weight triangles before I cut them out.
I knew I was going to have to use some additional solid fabric to make the quilt throw-sized, and that was actually just fine, because I’ve been wanting to use the perle cotton assortment I received for Christmas. The fronds are quilted in 10 different colors of perle, and the geese are quilted with vintage linen thread. The small triangles in the geese were cut from a stack of reproduction shirtings, so it’s an odd combination of 1950s and civil war, but I think it works.
As I’ve been quilting these fronds and the feathers on the String Star quilt, I am definitely rethinking my whole approach to setting scrappy quilts. I have always preferred busier designs, but now I’m remembering that solid spaces and alternate blocks are a great way to add more elaborate quilting, which is not only pretty, but so much easier to stitch since you’re not dealing with all those seams. And hey, if your fronds don’t quite fit the space, you can just randomly add a few extra leaves to some of them. That’s what I say.
Flying Geese Quilt
Martha Dellasega Gray, 2015
machine pieced, hand quilted
42″ x 54″
Martha you figured right! What a beautiful quilt and gorgeous quilting! I love plaids and they make some of the prettiest quilts, but the curves of the feathers make them even more striking.
Gorgeous! Your quilting is so stunning!
Oh this is right up my alley. Scraps with negative space, it doesn’t get better than that! Your quilting gets some well deserved attention too! Yummy!
awesome quilting!!!! I like how you changed the color for each feather section. I also like to have areas where my eyes can rest between all the color.
I always know that when fabric ends up in your hands, it’s in good hands. Just lovely! I can’t imagine a better use for those squares.
Martha, your quilt is breathtaking…what an inspiration you are and I can spend my time dreaming about this quilt for sure! Thank you for sharing your talent.
Martha, I love this quilt! I agree whole heartedly that leaving room for your eyes to rest can really balance a piece (I’m still working on implementing that). This piece is a perfect example! I love it and well done!!! 🙂
Hugs, Mickie
The fabric dates don’t always matter. They are just happy together, and happy to be in such a great quilt that will be used and enjoyed. Love the plaid, and the quilting, as always, is fantastic.
I love your flying geese quilt! The quilting is absolutely lovely!
Beautiful Martha! Your quilting is really awesome. I am glad you shared about the interfacing because I have some very pretty scraps that aren’t cotton. I have been wanting to use them, but wasn’t sure how to go about it. So now I know what to do.
Do you have any tips on quilting a Double Wedding Ring? I can’t seem to come up with a design. I have been looking at this top for a long time but nothing comes to mind. Anything will be very much appreciated.
Oh how pretty! I love your colorful quilting too!
As always….beautiful work!
Just beautiful!!
This quilt is so pretty, and the quilting is spectacular!
Lovely! Now I think I know what to do with all those men’s shirts I have collected from the thrift store. What size perle? I love your quilting.
So beautiful, both the patchwork and your hand quilting!
You do wonderful quilting!
Absolutely beautiful
I love your flying geese quilt, great fabrics and beautiful quilting! Martha, may I have your permission to add this to my plaid quilts board on Pinterest?
It certainly turned out a beautiful quilt!
Lovely piecing and fantastic quilting! I love how you used different colors for the quilting threads!
It is so hard to find hand made quilts for sale…
any suggestions?
Would you consider selling your quilts ever?
Or, is it just not done.
Please help.
PS…You do lovely work and I would be very proud to own 1 or 2 quilts
that were made by you.
Look forward to hearing back at your earliest convenience.
Karen Shields
Grand Rapids, MI