Any quilters out there?

[Rosalie]

Hello all,
I am looking for some help and have posted here because I'm after an authentic Canadian quilt pattern.
My nephew David, recently married Mai, his beautiful Canadian partner of many years. David is a golf pro and travels Canada and America for six months of the year. They were married in Central Park NY but when they return to Australia in Nov we are going to have a big party to celebrate.
I haven't been quilting very long but wanted to give them a wedding quilt.
I have some lovely Australian floral prints and would like to incorporate them into a maple leaf design.
I have found on the internet several different maple leaf patterns, some quite complicated. As I said I want it to be authentic, not just in the block but in the overall design of the quilt.
Again, I am very new to this craft and only have a short time to complete the gift.
Can anyone help me?
Rosalie

[KimP]

What is it that you need help with?

Also, If I can suggest that you come on to our Canada IC board and there are people on our boards who might be able to help you.

Our website is:

www.canadaic.com/forum

Hope this helps,

Kim P

[MelissaJ]

Hi Rosalie. I'm not much of a quilter, but I am a Canadian. Have you tried maybe doing a searhc for something like "Canadian maple leaf quilting designs" or "Canadian quilting patterns" I'm sure they have lots of good stuff and you can always take a look at the flag as well.
Hope this helps,
Melissa

[Rosalie]

Thanks Kim, I have posted my enquiry on the ICN Canada forum. I need a quilt pattern as described.
I will also go to the site you recommended to look for help.
Thanks Rosalie

[KimP]

Hi Rosalie,

As an after thought... here's a Canadian Website of the Canadian Quilters Association. (just click on to the link) You can probably contact someone there via email and they may be able to point you in the right direction...

http://www.canadianquilter.com/

Hope this helps,

Kim

[Rosalie]

Oops, silly me. Just realized thats where I was. I answered straight of a hotmail message.

[KimP]

Glad to be of help... let us know how it works out.

Kim P

[Rosalie]

Thanks Kim,
I've had a reply from "canadian quilters' and they have given me some sites to work with.
Thanks again for for help.
Rosalie

[KimP]

Oh, no problem. Glad to be of help. Hope you have fun making the new quilt.

Kim P

[trytosmile]

Rosalie

Where you able to find something to work for you. I'm a quilter myself but have never seen anything like it. I have a million quilt sites on my internet favorites. I will go through them and see if I can find anything for you.

Good luck, your idea sounds wonderful !!!!

[Rosalie]

Thanks Jen
I have a maple leaf block pattern which is a fairly simple one -just what I need.
But I haven't been able to find an overall pattern incorporating the block. I think I'm supposed to design it myself.
Rosalie

[tigger_gal]

here is a blanket that I have been working on for my friend.. She probably thinks I forgot about it lol.... there is not a spot on it.. it is an orb... I had taken 6 different pictures in 2 different rooms, and I gave up running from it for a picture..... its not really all that good.. but at least I tried.. I made my grandma one with humming birds.. go to my link for photo bucket and you can see the picture better.
http://photobucket.com/albums/c67/tigger_gal01/th_HPIM1781.jpg

[Rosalie]

Well, I've finally started my Australian/Canadian wedding quilt. I have been procrastinating so long that thw newlyweds have already returned to Aus. Now I only have a few weeks to complete the project before they return to the US in the new year. I don't know why I always leave things to the last moment?
Anyway, hopefully I will finish the top piece today and get onto the machine quilting later in the week.

[trytosmile]

Your quilt sounds just wonderful. You MUST take pictures when finished. I'd love to see what you have come up with.

I've been on a roll these days. My sewing machine was at the doctors for a couple days so I pulled out all my unfinished projects and put them in some sort of order. OMG, I didn't realize I had so many. Must get them finished. All at different stages. Well the machine came home and I've been sewing up a storm. Just finished an advent wall hanging tonight and earlier this afternoon a really cute snowman wall hanging. I did a quilt for my other half that I have basted and ready to machine quilt. I was going to tie quilt it but changed my mind. My mom is using the quilt frames to do one so thought ah what the heck will machine quilt. That is on this weeks agenda.

Do you do any hand quilting ? I've my first pieced quilt that I have the top finished and I'd love to hand quilt but man that is alot of work and I don't think my back could take it.

Happy sewing !

[Rosalie]

Hey Jen, I can just picture you sewing like a crazy woman! Machine whirring away, threads flying all over the place and no one game to come near you lest they be incorporated into your latest masterpiece.. :biglaugh:

I am new to this craft and not very good at it. All my points on the maple leaves have been cut short so they are stubby little things :headbang: .
I know now where I went wrong. I didn't allow for the seam allowance on the finished block....silly old me!
But its the thought that counts? Isn't it?
I've never tried hand quilting. Its beautiful but I don't think I would have the patience. Curse of the Scorpios!

And I've only machine quilted one other piece after doing a workshop a few months ago. Should be interesting.
How about you put up pictures of your quilts? I think I've heard mention of them somewhere on the boards. Am I right?

[trytosmile]

Hi Rosalie:

Trying to figure out this website the gals have recommended for posting pictures. Not having any luck, but then I don't when it comes to computers.

I too just started to learn the art of quilting. I "thought" I knew the basics until I started taking a class and realized I knew nothing at all. Started last January and I go once a month (well that is what it started out as). During the year we where to complete to wall size hangings, with the options of making either or both into a queen size quilt. I am making both into a queen size quilt. The first one is finished except for the quilting and the second is on the way. Each month we would learn a new block and then put them together. I have learned so much from these classes and must admit that I am hooked. I've so many unfinished projects...aka, ufo's...it isn't funny. My goal for this winter is to finish everything and of course take a few more classes. I'm sure what I have will keep me going for a long time. Just started a large lap quilt this am. It is 144 - 4 1/2 squares all put together. Easy sewing really, can do it continuous. Before you know it all the strips are done and ready to together. Good projects on days when I have a headache. Not alot of thinking required.

[trytosmile]

test to see if I have this flickr working. Here is a picture of one of the wood crafts I just finished. HOpe it works.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33644959@N00/

[Rosalie]

Your pieces are wonderful, so cute. I especially like the table topper. Is it under or on top of the glass?
Did you make or buy Frostys hanger?

[trytosmile]

Oh goodie it worked. Will get one of my first pieced quilt on here.

Yes the table topper is on glass. Fits the table perfectly and yes I did buy the hanger at one of the local quilt stores.

[trytosmile]

Finally figured out how to do pictures online. Here are some of my projects I've done.

How is the quilt coming along ? I started to machine quilt one today too. Good think just stitch in the ditch cause with this headache I didn't need a challenge.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33644959@N00/

[Rosalie]

Jen, your work is inspiring. I must get off my bum and finish some of the stuff I have underway.
My daughter is enchanted with your cats (moggies Ha!)
Did you also make the teddies? This is something which I know I will not be attempting.
I make soft toys, knitted and some material but bears are a different kettle of fish as far as I'm concerned!

[trytosmile]

Yes I did make the bears and rabbits. I took a course a few years back to make them. I've sold a few over the years and was getting $125 per bear. Seems like alot but there would be $50-60 in materials to make them. Haven't done on in a while now, talking about it makes me want to get the tools and patterns out again. Oh my another project on the go.

How is the Canadian quilt coming ?

[Rosalie]

I have done most of the top piece and if other stuff hadn't intervened, I could have finished by now. We've had a few family gatherings lately which took up a lot of my spare time. And I've just about finished my daughters formal dress. The formal is next thursday, just as well Hillz has confidence in my sewing speed!
She has the jewellry, the shoes, the makeup and hair appointment, the after party sorted out and HALF a Dress! HaHa!

[MarthaB]

:) Rosalie, thank God, i'm all done with formals, Tim had his last wednesday, and he looked very handsome, but of course I would say that he's my boy haha, I will put up some photo's soon, don't forget to show us photo's of Hillary, I'm looking forward to that, I have not checked the boards a lot, I've been feeling like crap lately, gone back to the doctors to get some tramal, and he wants me to have an xray of my hip and back, just to be on the safe side, but I really don't think the pain comes from that, it's all bladderrelated I'm sure.
martha

[Rosalie]

I'll look forward to seeing those photos Martha, did they do the black tie thing or suits or casual? My son never went to a formal. At an all boys school they didn't organize one too often as the formals are put together by the students, same as at Hillz all girl school. The difference is that girls would never pass up an opportunity to outdo each other. They start organizing their formals at the beginning of the year!

I'm sorry that you aren't feeling too well. Have you had a injury to your back? I haven't heard of tramal, is it a pain killer?

[MarthaB]

:) hi Rosalie, Tim had the black suit, with a plum colour tie, and pocket hankie, I'm waiting for the photo's to come back, we done some ourself at the school, but we also had some done professionally.
I know what you mean about the girls never passing up an upportunity to outdo each other, we had the same going on at the before formal thing going on at the school, it's like ''look at moi, look at moi, haha, doing the kath and kym thing, but hey we are are girls so we know what they think, right?? and i'm sure there were quite a few *****y remarks among some of them as well, girls are soo good at that, LOL.
I'm feeling a bit better today, took too many tramal in the weekend and I am now fast running out, Tramal is a painkiller, also known as tramadol, or ultram, the generic name is zydol.the good thing is that as far as I know it's not addictive. The reason my Dr wants me to have a xray is that he wants to rule anything else out, I don't really have lower back pain, but i do have hip, thigh and leg pain, I told him that it's probleby related to the bladder, but he still wants me to have the x-ray done, better be safe than sorry I guess.
Did you have any result of your specialist visits yet?, if so I hope it was good news.
martha

[Rosalie]

Well, I've finally finished my quilt and the newlyweds seem very pleased with their gift.
I was very happy to be able to tell Mai that I had had contributions from her countrymen.
Thank you to those who gave me information that led to the execution of this project.
If you want to see the quilt you can at the address below.

http://community.webshots.com/user/gypsyrose52

[MarthaB]

:)Hi Rosalie, I think it's beautiful, you have done a great job, I'm sure they must be pleased with the quilt, thumbs up from me!!!
Martha :)