Picked up Lulu from Erica, the awesome long arm quilt lady at A Needle and Thread, and couldn’t be happier! It was so fun to collaborate with her. Erica quilted an outline around the entire elephant image and custom quilted around the flowers, leaves, butterflies and other critters. I especially love the puffy textures she created with thread on the fishes. On the background yellow batik, Erica quilted an lovely all-over leaf design.
I’ve seen collage quilts quilted in tight vertical and horizontal grids. I know this ensures the fused fabric pieces will stay in place … but then I saw an alternative. Our collage quilt instructor, the awesome Jo Lynn, brought several completed collage quilts to class and they were stunning. On her quilts, the collaged image was custom quilted around the whole image as well as into the flowers, feathers, critters and such. I loved the look!
The amazing Sally embroidered the patch for the back of the quilt in hot pink thread. I had Sally place it on white fabric to remind me to “audition” background fabric on all future collage quilts. I almost had a huge “Oops.” I originally purchased plenty of white fabric for the elephant background while still taking the collage quilting class. I was obviously trying to hurry the process. Thank goodness I brought an unfinished Lulu for “show and tell” to the prayer quilt ministry I volunteer at on Wednesdays. The ladies stepped up and gently prepared me for an intervention. Yep … I would be making a huge mistake with the white! It was either Noreen or Cathy that suggested yellow and it really works on this quilt!
So what is next? I created a collage pattern and am busy working on a prototype collage quilt. Stay tuned! Future blog post in the making!
Wow that is amazing, congratulations on finishing it! I want to make a collage quilt someday!
Taking a class really brought it all together! š
Love it Dixie!!!
On Wed, May 16, 2018, 8:24 PM Life’s Loose Threads wrote:
> dfrantz1953 posted: ” Picked up Lulu from Erica, the awesome long arm > quilt lady at A Needle and Thread, and couldn’t be happier! It was so fun > to collaborate with her. Erica quilted an outline around the entire > elephant image and custom quilted around the flowers, leaves,” >
Thanks Tina! Now I know why you take classes! It is fun to learn something new! š
Love the Lulu elephant quilt. Is there a pattern or kit available?
Maureen
Hit send by accident. I wanted to know if there is a kit or pattern for Lulu.
The elephant is a Laura Heine pattern. It was my first introduction into collage quilting. She is a great pattern. I have three of my own patterns available for sale on Etsy … panda bear, longhorn and reindeer. I have a new one to release in a few weeks! Stay tuned.