Monday, February 7, 2011

Ugly Fabric Row Quilts

One of the projects that has been the most fun lately is making Ugly Fabric Quilt tops. The first person chooses an ‘ugly fabric’ to be used in each row of an ugly fabric quilt. These fabrics are not really ‘ugly’ – they are just misunderstood. They are fabrics that have no purpose in your stash, but could be made into lovely 'ugly fabric' quilts.
Guess which fabric is the 'ugly' fabric?
Each person signs up to sew one row of the quilt using their own stash fabrics with the ‘ugly’ fabric. This project is passed from one person to another using a brown paper bag until the full quilt top is done. No one may see the quilt top until it is complete and revealed to the group.
This top has great variety. Each row is 36.5 inches wide and 6.5 inches high.

We revealed two quilt tops at our November, 2010 Sassy Quilter meeting and were surprised at their variety. Each row is different, yet the ‘ugly fabric’ draws the quilt top together in unity. We will add borders to these quilt tops and finish them for community-based projects, like VFW quilts and quilts to families who have lost their homes to fire. 
This ugly fabric quilt was a challenge with color variations.
We recommend this fun project for any quilting group. The Sassy Quilters have enjoyed it a great deal and plan to do more.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Creative, Energetic Maureen R.

What can you say about our January featured quilter, Maureen? She is creative, without a doubt. She is energetic as well with wonderful ideas. But, that would only start to describe this Sassy Quilter. Every one of Maureen's beautiful grandchildren own a gorgeous quilt made especially for them. She utilizes all techniques in creating these quilts: fabric piecing, applique and paper piecing.
Maureen finishes her quilts with either machine quilting, or hand quilting stitches, depending on the project. Even community children enjoy her work. Every year Maureen donates one child's quilt to her church for a raffle item. She alternates boys and girls quilts every other year. It is always fun to see what Maureen will come up with each year.
Beyond children's quilts, Maureen sews all types of patterns and fabrics. Recently, she created a quilt out of 1930's reproduction fabric (see photo below). Thirties fabric colors and prints were a style departure for Maureen. They are different in color combinations than Maureen was used to, but she likes to stretch her creative side every once in a while.
Quilt made with 30's Fabric
After piecing this beautiful 30's quilt, Maureen hand quilted it in a scallop formation. It was a labor of love. As Maureen said, "This is one quilt I am keeping for myself."

Other projects Maureen enjoys are creating table runners for each niece and nephew, as well as memory quilts for her extended family. So much caring and love go into each project.
Her color palate keeps expanding and her design eye is sharp. Each meeting, we Sassy Quilters wonder what Maureen will bring to show and tell this time.