Necktie rug revisited...

I kept working with the smaller ends of the ties and wound up with a really cute rug!

I put two layers of batting where the hole in the middle was and then backed it with a really heavy muslin (also from the box of goodies!).  After I got it all pinned I stitched them along the tie lines and then made a big spiral out from the center to lock in all the ties.  

The centerpiece is made from a template technique.  The ties are broken down, fused with pellon and then sewn together. 

I haven't really gone any farther with the bigger version of this and it may have to go on the back burner for a while.

Speaking of back burner, I put my opt-art quilt on a solid backing today.  I'm thinking it's too big for a wall hanging so maybe I'll border it and turn it into a quilt.

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

-- Alison

Today's Design Wall

Happy Monday, everyone!

Last week I received two more boxes from my cousins full of fabric, clothes and other family items from my great aunt.  These boxes contained a very big surprise - 197 1970's wide polyester neck ties!  At first I thought "what the heck am I gonna do with a 197 funky neck ties!"  Ruby had an idea that they might make a nice bed...

I've been interested in making a floor quilt and I had heard about making rugs from these things so I trusted my fate to the googles and typed in "neck tie rugs" and found a lot of really fun ideas.  It seemed like the typical method was to connect them with a zig zag stitch.  I've been having lots of fun working on this!  Here are some picture of them coming together...

The center is now complete and I love it, I think I like it better all by itself than the center of the big rug.  What to do, what to do?

It's been fun to see these old styles again.  I feel like I'm lost in episodes of Kojak and Barney Miller!

Hope everyone is having a great day!

Until our corners meet again,

-- Alison

Coming up for air!!!

Hello everyone!

What a busy few weeks it's been!  I finally completed the quilt for The Quilter Magazine which will be in the August/Septemer issue, out in July.  I have secured two other magazine engagements and, in the meantime, was fortunate enough to have one more design selected for a new fabric line for P&B Textiles.  Whew!  I'm alwasy so glad for the time to just sit and work on designs!

I also have a good number of commissions that always keep me busy.  Here is a sorority tshirt quilt I just finished yesterday.

We've had days in the 80's this week which is pretty toasty for February.  Our winter veggies are about done and we have started putting in some spring goodies.  Here is the last of our cabbage.  Mmmmmmmm

Today I enjoyed getting out and doing a little shopping.  I found some nice fabric at The Quilt Haus in New Braunfels for the baby quilt a friend has commissioned.  She's on her way over to check it out.  I hope she likes it!

I hope everyone is enjoying their day.  It's almost Friday!

-- Alison

What's on my design wall today...

Today I'm playing with some cube ideas to incorporate into an original design.

Last week I received fabric for a original design of mine that will be featured in the August issue of The Quilter Magazine - fabric provided by P&B Textiles.

This quilt was designed in memory of a good friend.

I have received a commission for a few other quilts that I'm working on now, so I'm off to get more supplies so I can finish them up!

I hope everyone is enjoying President's Day!!!

Until our corners meet again,

-- Alison

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here is a Valentine's Day quilt I made a few years ago...

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

-- Alison

On My Design Wall...

I've been working on a design I found in the book "Opt-Art Quilts" by Marilyn Doheny.  

First I made the strata.  There are actually two strata - an A and a B.  They are essentially the same thing only the two colors are reversed in their order.

Once I had this done, I moved on to the next step which is counter cutting the two.  This is where each strata starts to differ.  One is cut to a certain size, the other a different size, which is what gives you the illusion when they are sewn together.

Next, I began piecing the two together.  The smallest strips finish at just 1/4 inch so you can see how important it is to have been meticulous in cutting, pressing and sewing the first strips.  

Just keep piecing the strips together according to the design.

 

Eventually I had the completed illusion below.

I'll keep working on finishing it out, but in the meantime I have received the fabric for one of my designs that has been booked for a magazine later this year.  Once I get a publication date, I'll post more information.  This is one of three I'm booked for and I'm really excited to see a few more of my designs make it out into the world!

I hope everyone has a great day!

Until our corners meet again,

-- Alison

Wednesday works...

Good morning!

Now that I have cleared my plate again I went looking for something fun to play with.  Lately I've been really fascinated with optical illusions so I purchased a book called "Opt-Art Quilts" by Marilyn Doheny.

I was so excited to see some really logical ways of creating these awesome illusions!  Another extra special bonus is that she gives you some very helpful tips for rotary cutting since these designs are absolutely hinged on how clean you cut.  I learned a new trick or two!

So that's what I'm working on now.  I found some fabric to play with and have gotten everything cut and one big chunk pieced together.  I'm planning to take these fundamentals and then turn it into something with my twist on it.  I can't wait to see this come together!

I have a few other things "in the works" that I hope to be able to share with you all soon!!  In the meantime, only Jodie knows... and she ain't talking. :0)

Shhhhhhhhh

Happy Wednesday, everyone!
Until our corners meet again,
-- Alison