Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Cats in the Garden Quilt

I finally finished my Cats in the Garden. The original quilt is called "Six cats in the garden," by Linda Brannock. As you can see, I have four. Each one is done to represent my furry babies that have passed on and the top one is Dora. I use the brown paisley to represent my Tortie, then my big white guy and black for my beloved Black. I used a darker thread on Dora so that her face shows more than the others. I think this quilt pattern makes a great piece to memorialize your kitties.

I added a few of my own items, that kitties love to chase. I also added grass, because I placed my kitties in the wrong place, so that was an idea for a good fix it;) The quilt is hand appliqued and then I used free motion to quilt the top. The background pieces are done with meandering stitches and free form designs, and the border was done in a vine with leaves pattern.

I found a great way to draw designs onto your quilt before quilting. This is great for those of you who like to do their own designs and have a guide as you stitch. It is called a chaco liner pen by Clover. It is a chalk pen that comes out as you move the tiny wheel across the fabric. It is refillable and affordable, my new best friend for quilting.



I love how Dora's face came out. I use free motion quilting and draw the faces on with the thread. I even made a few little designs while I was doing the meandering. You can't see it, but there is a duck and a mouse hidden in the quilt;) When I get a chance, I will add tabs and hang it from a stick that I found and hang it over my entryway.

7 comments:

Tolentreasures said...

That is so nice! I love it. I have one of those pens and it is amazing how many uses it has in crafting.

Cathy

TeresaM said...

Very very pretty!!!
Teresa

Karmen said...

That is amazing beautiful! I love how the cats represent real babies from your life. Thanks for the advice on the pen; I will give it a try. What other fabrics did you use besides quilter's type cotton?

WoolenSails said...

Fabrics that I buy are always cotton and my friend sends me lots of fabrics from her stash and she is a cotton user too. I use wool for embellishments and floss for hand stitching.

One thing I did find out with this one and using the fusible batting is that it is harder to iron it on when you have a lot of applique on the front.

Debbie

snippetgirl said...

So lovely and purrfect! And the photos of your cats are precious.
xoxo
Carrie the SnipPet Girl

primitivebettys said...

This is lovely Debbie! :) meow

Joanne said...

Debbie - love your Cats in the Garden Quilt - love the subjects of course and how special is that you made them to represent your furbabies! Another fabulous job!