Saturday, March 14, 2015

"Quilt as desired"

Do you dread those words as I do?
My mini version of Lisa Bongean's Burgoyne Surrounded is a flimsy. It has been on a design board in my sewing room for a couple of days.
 I find myself sitting in a chair across the sewing room from it--just staring, trying to decide how it should be quilted. This is small; the blocks finish at 3 3/4".


It is a miniaturization of Lisa Bongean's version of Burgoyne Surrounded from the APQ designer SAL last year. Her quilt swept me off my feet. It is shown in the lower corner of the photo to the left, and you can see the post about it here.

I used a pattern from issue #11 of the OOP Miniature Quilts Magazine, but followed Lisa's colorway, as the pattern is for a 2 color quilt.
If you are not already lucky enough to have the magazine, but want to get the pattern, you can usually find most of the issues on ebay.









My little Leprechaun Lamb quilt just needs the binding hand sewn. I've been toying with names and right now "Leaping Lulu" is the frontrunner (with apologies to the local Celtic band of the same name).
It will be hanging on the wall before St. Patrick's Day, which is a vast improvement over the Winter and Valentine's Day lambs.  Pattern (by Lisa Bongean) from which this is adapted can be found here.
The other 3 unfinished lamb quilts have all of the machine quilting completed and just need the big stitching around the wool applique before binding.

A couple of other minis have been getting some love. "No Big Diehl" (my miniaturization of Kim Diehl's "All in a Row" design), just needs stitch in the ditch around the outside of each churn dash. The rest of the quilting is finished. Can't wait to get this one bound.
 These blocks finish at 1 3/4"





This little quiltlet is made from the leftovers of "No Big Diehl". It needs a name, but I am drawing a blank. Any ideas? This little baby measures 5 3/4" x 6 3/4".  The blocks finish at 1/2". That is a pint jar behind it, for some perspective.
 It is all quilted, but the binding needs to be hand stitched down.




















Just wanted to share this handsome guy that was in the pasture beside our house. I took the photo from our second story kitchen window with the camera I got for Christmas. It has a great zoom!
That is all I have to show for the past two weeks. Hope you have had more sewing time than I.
Until next time,
Janet O.

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47 comments:

  1. CarolMarch 14, 2015 at 4:43 AM

    Oh Janet your Burgoyne is breathtaking...I am over the moon! And you little Kim Diehl...WOWSER! You are my hero❤️

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  2. julieQMarch 14, 2015 at 4:59 AM

    HI Janet, your miniature quilts amaze me!! I love them for their preciseness, and their size...just so fun!! I saw some tiny patchwork at the Dallas quilt show like this...I can see some in my future!!

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  3. MarjMarch 14, 2015 at 5:41 AM

    Love all your miniatures, but the Burgoyne is my favorite. The picture of the quail is really fun to look at, great close up, thanks for sharing.

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  4. Frog QuilterMarch 14, 2015 at 5:58 AM

    These minis are SO CUTE! You must have a lot of patience...

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  5. DebbieMarch 14, 2015 at 6:16 AM

    Precise sewing is your hallmark and your Burgoyne is a prime example. Just beautiful. Looks like she feathered hers.....? The sampler is quite a prize and maybe you could call the tiniest finish of leftovers ...."Diehl Breaker". A good play on words.

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  6. AnonymousMarch 14, 2015 at 6:16 AM

    ALL ABOUT THE BITS! for your mini. LOL! Excuse me, drooling here again. Your Burgoyne will speak when ready...let it be...don't force it. The idea how to quilt comes when you least suspect it.

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  7. MaryjoMarch 14, 2015 at 6:53 AM

    I love, love , love your minis!!! They are absolutely darling!! You are sooooooo precise!

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  8. KarenMarch 14, 2015 at 7:16 AM

    The Burgoyne piece is my kind of colors. I have admired this from the start of you making it.

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  9. Karen in Breezy PointMarch 14, 2015 at 7:43 AM

    Fabulous little quilts! Lisa's was my favorite version too--great idea to make a tiny one! I never know how to quilt miniature quilts. My Temecula Cake Stand top has been finished for ages, but I can't decide how to quilt it.

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  10. DebbieMarch 14, 2015 at 8:04 AM

    Love your minis. I like to make them also. It is hard to know how to quilt them. I still have my old miniature quilt magazines. I only have 25 of them but lo and behold I have issue 11 with that pattern.

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  11. KyleMarch 14, 2015 at 8:06 AM

    Your quilts continue be mind boggling and breathtaking. Your work is truly beautiful. Love the pic of your pheasant friend. I never realized how many different colors and patterns he so beautifully combines.

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  12. AimeeMarch 14, 2015 at 8:48 AM

    Magnificent Mama!
    Burgoyne has turned out beautiful of course and the Kim Diehl minis are so fun! I love their colors.
    Good use of your new close up camera :)

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  13. LoriMarch 14, 2015 at 8:56 AM

    Love the pheasant! Our males are very elusive around here.
    On the B .surround quilt I'm not sure with such a busy print the quilting will show a lot. I'm sure whatever you do will be lovely, as usual.

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  14. LesleyMarch 14, 2015 at 9:40 AM

    Janet, you blow me away with your miniatures! Burgoyne Surrounded is breath-taking. love everything you make! Gorgeous picture of your feathered friend too!

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  15. TerryMarch 14, 2015 at 9:56 AM

    As always, your minis are amazing! :0)

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  16. Carole in NebraskaMarch 14, 2015 at 10:19 AM

    Be still, my heart! Your Burgoyne Surrounded is to swoon for! Your border fabric is just the perfect setting for it. I've been checking your blog regularly anticipating the finish of this one and wow! my patience (I don't have any LOL) has been more than rewarded. And then to have the other little lovelies...what inspiration for first thing in the AM. You have to send Kim Diehl the photo of "No Big Diehl" at the sewing machine; a great show of the proportion. I think I remember you mentioning that she is quiet; well that pic will get her whooping for sure! I've gotten 2 blocks-worth of quilts done in the past 2 weeks (snuggle quilt size) ... on to the assembly line. And I've got the sore shoulder to show for it, too.

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  17. AmyMarch 14, 2015 at 10:22 AM

    Your Burgoyne Surrounded was so worth the wait! It is gorgeous! And No Big Diehl is wonderful. I would need a magnifying glass at the sewing machine to piece beauties like yours. We have a special place in our heart for St Pat's day - we got married on that day. Just love your leprechaun sheepie.

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  18. PatMarch 14, 2015 at 12:53 PM

    Fabulous miniature version! Your piecing is perfection!!

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  19. JuliaMarch 14, 2015 at 3:49 PM

    As always, gorgeous minis Janet.
    Yes, I hate that "Quilt as Desired" ....that's where I need a bit of help on what to quilt!
    Julia ♥

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  20. cityquilter graceMarch 14, 2015 at 4:41 PM

    oh janet such lovely little quilts....the burgoyne is simply beautiful....and your little lamb? how about paddy's pig not.....LOL....i do admire your little quilt piecing skills...

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  21. LeeanneMarch 14, 2015 at 4:45 PM

    always interesting to see what you do with all your 'little bits'..........lovely!

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  22. KristieMarch 14, 2015 at 5:49 PM

    Gosh those are soooo tiny! I am always just amazed by your work!
    Kristie

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  23. RobinMarch 14, 2015 at 6:08 PM

    Absolutely wonderful!! You continue to amaze me.

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  24. GayleMarch 14, 2015 at 7:27 PM

    Yum, yum, YUM! What great eye candy in this post Janet! The Burgoyne Surrounded quilt is beyond my abilities, but I'm thinking that churn dash might be added to my to-do list - love it! I like Debbie's name suggestion of Diehl Breaker - very clever. I know 4-patches are all the rage right now, so your right on trend with that little one. Glad you got your green quilt done in time for St. Patrick's Day - is there another one on the drawing board?

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  25. KrisMarch 14, 2015 at 7:55 PM

    Oh, wow!! Fabulous quilts!! Your version of Lisa's quilt is beyond wow!! I love the St Paddy's lamb and the Kim Deihl quilt!! Yiks!! I think you should call the leftovers quilt the "Itty Bitty Diehl" and it can sit right next to "No Big Diehl"

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  26. Teresa in Music CityMarch 14, 2015 at 8:48 PM

    Oh my! How I LOVE your Burgoyne Surrounded!!!! It was so fun to see the little blocks coming to life, but to see it all together is nothing short of amazing!!! It would definitely be a challenge to quilt for me, but I have no doubt that you are well up to that challenge my dear! I also love the sparkle of all the colorful fabrics in No Big Diehl - I think it is a Big Diehl indeed!

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  27. Vic in NHMarch 14, 2015 at 8:59 PM

    Sweet miniatures, each one a precious little treasure. And the photo of the pheasant is admirable, too. What a super gift that zooming camera is!

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  28. audreyMarch 15, 2015 at 1:09 AM

    Your mini's are fabulous! So much fun to see your true baby quilts.:) Good luck with your stitching!

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  29. Me and My StitchesMarch 15, 2015 at 7:06 AM

    So many minis! Nice...all of them! Love the pheasant - we used to see loads of them around my parents house, but they are few and far between now. So pretty!

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  30. moosecraftMarch 15, 2015 at 8:27 AM

    How about "Make-do Diehl"? lol! Simply because you used up and wore out your stash of those fabrics! ;-) The burgoyne Surrounded is stunning! Love it! I've been researching machines and the fact that you can piece those tiny pieces on the Pfaff has me looking at that brand a bit closer... Thanks for all the inspiration!

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  31. LuAnnMarch 15, 2015 at 8:55 AM

    Your miniature quilts are just wonderful. I couldn't pick a favorite if I had to. The comparison to the pint jar is amazing. Beautiful work as always Janet!

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  32. BarbMarch 15, 2015 at 9:28 AM

    What a fabulous post of miniature goodness! I love you BS quilt. I'll be interested to see how you solve the question of quilting it.
    Your march lamb is wonderful. What fun to see you other minis.
    The pheasant is stunning - I'd faint if I saw this in my yard - great bird photo!!

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  33. MaryMarch 15, 2015 at 11:15 PM

    YES!! Quilt as Desired is one of the hardest parts of quilting for me. Hence my BIG stack of Un-Quilted Tops.
    Those are some Teeny, Tiny pieces in your minis! You will read a bit tomorrow on DWM about what I've been up to...

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  34. Kathy ... aka NanaMarch 16, 2015 at 6:36 AM

    I love all your miniatures, but that Burgoyne really knocks my socks off. I just LOVE it.

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  35. RuthMarch 16, 2015 at 11:44 AM

    As always, your quilts are amazing! I especially love the churn dash - and the Burgoyne square! Wow!

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  36. RaewynMarch 18, 2015 at 3:29 AM

    Your Burgoyne is a real masterpiece, Janet - even before you get it quilted - I'm sure inspiration will hit soon. Actually, all of your minis are amazing! And I do love your Leprechaun lamb, I wonder what name it will end up with! I love having a good zoom too - your pheasant photo is great!

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  37. MichelleMarch 18, 2015 at 9:23 AM

    Wow...I just love those minis. You are so talented! So amazing!

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  38. Randy D.March 18, 2015 at 9:50 PM

    Of course everything is in miniature!! LOVELY!!! Hope you're feeling well these days, Janet

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  39. Denise :)March 22, 2015 at 10:40 AM

    "TinyDiehl" LOL! So which magazine was the pattern in? I like the quilting she did on her original -- would that be too hard to replicate? You're so talented!!! :)

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  40. Quilter KathyMarch 22, 2015 at 1:52 PM

    Cute cute cuteness! Love your minis! How about "MicroDiehl"?

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  41. Mrs. GoodneedleMarch 23, 2015 at 12:45 PM

    I dread those words... but then, come to think of it, I doubt that I would quilt "as instructed" either! Ha!! Your precious little quilts are perfect, all of them. That pheasant is absolutely stunning, what beautiful plumage; great photo!!

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  42. Rebecca in AKMarch 25, 2015 at 2:21 PM

    Absolutely amazing quilts! I love the fabric choices in each of them. These mini quilts take such skill and precision, you are amazing! I was think of Itty-Bitty Deal for your quiltlette or the abbreviation, NBD.

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  43. TarynMarch 26, 2015 at 1:10 PM

    So many great little quilts! I just love to look at them. Whenever I see "quilt as desired," I want to say, "oh, sure, that's your way of telling me you have no idea what to do either." It is also probably why I take my quilts to the professionals. Good for you doing your own.

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  44. DonieneMarch 27, 2015 at 6:37 AM

    Hello dear friend! I am totally amazed at your minis! They are truly that - not "small quilts" at all! I think my favorite is the churn dash! Just so cheerful. I see why you are ready to have it finished! I usually don't read comments - but made a peruse through - have you not been feeling well? I've been really hit and miss in blogland.

    Blessings and hugs

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  45. DawnApril 1, 2015 at 6:04 PM

    More fun small quilts! Imthinkmyou are wise to do straight lines when they are so visual with the fabric and layout! Great work!

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  46. ~Kris~April 11, 2015 at 12:54 PM

    So much to see in this post and all of it special. Love the Burgoyne, a pattern I haven't tried yet. I like that you showed your No Big Diehl by your machine for perspective. It is so cheerful. I have two names for you: My Diehl and Sweet Diehl. The pheasant photo is awesome. I would love to see one in my yard.

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  47. MARCIEApril 13, 2015 at 9:29 PM

    OMG You are killing me here! These are so wonderful I can't stand it! Now I feel like a slug.....LOL!

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