Rainbow Crossing

This is the quilt I entered in the 1997 FWF Quilt Challenge. The challenge was to make a quilt using an antique/vintage machine, and a pattern and fabric appropriate to the date of the machine. This was sewn on a Special Badge Singer Model 15-88 treadle made to commemorate the Canadian National Exposition of 1939. "Rainbow Crossing" won the blue ribbon for "Most Authentic Quilt" both in the FWF Challenge and at the Quilt America Exhibit that year. The pattern is Triple Irish Chain. The quilt is 96" x 106". All work was done using 1930's technology for machine sewing· pieces were cut with scissors and no strip quilting was used, in order to insure complete random spread of colors. The total quilt involved over 2000 individual pieces and over 3000 seams, exclusive of quilting· Work took place over a two-and-a-half month period, and was completed in October 1997.

My First Quilt

This was the first quilt I made, a solid color log cabin. The log cabin remains my favorite pattern. This one was made on a Pfaff 1222. I liked making the quilt, but felt the experience simply wasn't right on that machine. I got a 1917 White Family Rotary treadle and made several quilts on that, finding the experience much more satisfying. I still go back and make a quilt on a White FR every now and then. It's a pleasure to sew on.

Large Log Cabin Quilt

I made this quilt for my foster son, Brent, when he was laid up with back surgery. It contains eight different fabric patterns, all depicting special intersts of his, Western history, wildlife, fishing, hunting, bicycling, woodworking, and fly tieing. Shown in the living room of our previous house, with Ann's harp.

"Smashing Pumpkins"

This quilt was done as a Mystery Quilt class. The original design was from AnniLee Quilts. I had 8 students in the class and the finished quilts were exhibited at church late in November. Each person selected their own fabrics and colors, but all were made to this pattern. I used another fall print I liked that was a bit too frivolous for the front as the back, treating it like a huge solid. It adds a lot to the quilt when it is bunched up or folded with parts of both sides visible. This quilt is presently on exhibit in a gallery in Seattle. The name occurred when I was challenged by a young lady in the class to give it a "with it" name· she was quite amazed that I knew who the Smashing Pumpkins were, and also at how apt a name it was for a pieced quilt covered with pumpkins, as well as other fall harvest foods.

Treadle Demonstration

This is a demo area I set up at the state's largest quilt show. All the quilts are made by me on treadle. The bright, sashed 16 patch in the foreground was made entirely in the 3 days of the show. I call the pattern (which is really traditional) "Captain Dick's Treasure", and it is the one I use to teach beginning classes and classes. It is also covered in my book, "Beginning Quilting... or.. Quilting... It's a Guy Thing".

"Oh, Sew Blue"

This is another variation of the basic quilt in my beginners quilting book. It's really just "Captain Dick's Treasure" done with a specifically organized block and colors. It's queen size and quite a lovely work.