Quilt A Hankie!

Another quilted hankie! Can you tell I love this combination of a satin backing with a hankie on top? I made this one for a class sample for Melissa, aka, MK Quilts. It all starts with the satin backing as the "frame", with the hankie quilted right on top. I used a double batting of 80/20 Hobbs on the bottom and 100% wool on top.If I am using a hankie with LOTS of white space, I use Cindy Needham's Ultimate Stencils. Her square and circle grids make it a breeze to design almost anything. They come with an enormous e-book of possible designs that will help you through the process. I think I'll be ordering her ultimate background stencils soon, especially helpful if you are a domestic machine quilter.

So, pair the Ultimate Stencils with my favorite rulers, and you've got a great combination!

I've found the rounded end of the rulers make for a great scallop! I always look to repeat a shape or design, so I wanted to repeat the scalloped edge of the hankie on the background. The slim ruler is 1 1/2" wide, so it made the smaller scallop. Then, I used my Palm ruler for the larger scallop echo. The width on the Palm ruler is 2 1/2", so it was a perfect echo!

As if there weren't enough scallops, I also made them inside the scallop! I was going for an open and lacy look.

I like to sign my name when I can work it into a piece.

And viola! I just love these pieces. Fun and fasts to design and stitch. I usually design as it's on the frame. Each section tells me what to do with the next. They always speak to me!

I spent an evening with beads and the TV. I like a bit of sparkle where it can be added.

This little beauty flew off to Florida the next day, ready to share for show and tell at a few guilds. I will be speaking and teaching in the Tampa, Florida, area in November. My sit down, domestic machine workshops will be following this piece and I'll guide you in the process. It can be accomplished on the longarm or on your domestic machine. Hope to meet you somewhere in my travels!