Saturday, August 7, 2010

Pets on Quilts

Today is the start of SewCalGal's Pets on Quilts Show. It runs until August 21st so you still have lots of time to post your entry into the show.

My entry is in the dog category even though technically the quilt has both cats and dogs. This is the quilt that I made as part of an exchange that we had in our small quilt group called "Quilter's Pets" this past year. The reason why we call ourselves "Quilters Pets" is because everyone has either cats and/or dogs. We drew a name of one of the members of our group of 8 and the common theme of all the quilts that were made was the stylized paper pieced cats and dogs. This was the group's way of getting an introduction into paper piecing since only a couple of the gals had done paper piecing and the rest of us were interested in learning. I had picked Kathi's name and she had a Bichon name Gillian who unfortunately had passed away the previous year.

After completing the basic cats and dogs, I was trying to figure out how to make this quilt special for Kathi given that Gilligan had recently passed away. I was looking on the internet when I happened to come across a paper piecing site called Silver Linings Originals http://silverliningsoriginals.com/index.html. Linda Hibbert creates some of the most amazing paper pieced patterns you will find anywhere and I found one of a Bichon. I really wanted to make this but initially was a bit intimidated because I had just started paper piecing and this pattern looked rather complex. I did buy the pattern and eventually over came the intimidation and actually made 3 Bichons for the quilt.


Here are some closeup pictures of the Bichons.




And here is a picture of the back of the quilt with some more doggy fabrics.

23 comments:

Needled Mom said...

Beautiful work and it will be a treasured piece.

SheilaC said...

That is a great quilt, and what a wonderful keepsake for your friend.

I love your header photo with your kitties :)


SheilaC

Dana Gaffney said...

What a wonderful, thoughtful gift.

Diane H said...

You did an amazing job! Wonderful quilt, I'm sure it is loved.

LuAnn Kessi said...

Nicely done!
It is amazing what can happen when we face our fears!
Aren't you glad you jumped right in and paper pieced those doggies!
Congrats to You!

LuAnn in Oregon
http://luannkessi.blogspot.com/

Angie said...

Very cool paper piecing with the dog theme!
Angie - www.craftedAngles.com

Sand and Sunshine said...

As always I like this quilt. The choice of colors, as well as the extra blocks really sets this quilt above.

QuiltSue said...

I love this quilt - especially the Bichons. We used to have one, but his heart gave out about a year ago. He was so friendly and affectionate. Thanks for sharing.

Lisa at Sun Naturals said...

Your quilt is beautiful and I love the header picture!

SewCalGal said...

Beautiful Vicki. Amazing piecing. Looks very difficult to me...but love it. Inspirational. You did a fantastic job.

Thanks for sharing via the Pets on Quilts Show too!

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Wacky Woman said...

Gorgeous work.

Nanbon44 said...

love the Bichons on the quilt

hetty said...

Hi Vicki. I love your quilt! Thanks for posting it and the link to CalGal's show. I decided to join in the fun! Talk to you later.

Yvette said...

Now that is a great quilt!

Melissa Brown said...

Absolutely beautiful quilt! Great piecing work!

A new quilter and dog lover,
Melissa

Nina Marie said...

I love these series of quilts - they were one of my show favorites - great job!

Becky said...

Great job! I've never seen this pattern.

Janet said...

So very sweet. Bichons are beautiful dogs!

Kim said...

Your bichon quilt is beautiful. It's an awesome gift. The recipient is so lucky.

Nancy Sue said...

I love the bichon block! And the first quilt! I have to laugh at your two kitties though. It looks as though the one on the left is watching the top thread, and the one on the right is watching the bobbin, making sure every thing is running smoothly with your machine!
You certainly have a lot of company!
nsue21702 at gmail dot com

Talin's Corner said...

Wow, your top quilt is wonderful.

The Vegetarian Hunter said...

Your quilt is adorable. You will have to make a similar one with your beautiful cats for yourself!

Vals Quilting said...

I LOVE your top picture of the cats layzing around on your sewing machine table, that's how my studio looks even though i only have one cat, she has to be right in the way or on top of my sewing machine. How lucky you are with all of that hairy support around you :)
Valerie
http://www.PastimesOnline.ca/Vals-Quilting