Haunted House Quilt with Ghosts Galore!

All haunted houses need ghosts! This quilt has plenty of ghosts flying out and around. And you have plenty of time to create this quilt for a wall hanging, table topper or to use for cuddling for your favorite little goblin or goblins.

Haunted House Quilt with ghosts

This quilt is free September 15 – 30, 2015, by joining the Quilt Dash, a free online game where you dash through online quilt shops.

The quilt is 46″ x 62″ and is easy to adjust in both size and in how many ghosts you want flying around.  Its constructed by piecing 6 blocks and appliqué. Easy embellishment adds to the quilt with buttons for the door knobs and beads for the ghosts eyes to create a fun quilt to use for many future Halloweens!

I hope you join us in the Quilt Dash!

Happy Quilting!

Phyllis

Start School with a School Days Quilt!

School will be starting before too much longer, but you have time to make this School Days Quilt for a special student in your life!

School Days Quilt Pattern

This quilt is a great size for a child, 49 1/2″ x 59 1/2″ but is also easy to adjust the size for a larger or smaller quilt.  School Days is a pieced and appliqué quilt – the windows and radiator on the school bus are appliquéd.  Buttons for the headlights add embellishment.

This pattern is now available through Etsy for purchase and download.

Happy quilting!

Phyllis

Gorgeous Quilts from Spring Quilt Market Minneapolis

In part two of my photos from the Spring International Quilt Market held in Minneapolis, I want to show you some of the beautiful quilts displayed. Sometimes a picture doesn’t provide the detail that makes the quilt so spectacular so I took some close up detail photos that I’m showing with the quilt photo.

This quilt, “Happy” is by Robbi Joy Eklow of Third Lake, Illinois and used the technique of raw-edged fused appliqué and free motion quilting. In this quilt, she combined the purple, green, and orange rings with giant flowers from another quilt that she had not finished.

Robie Joy Eklow Happy Quilt

Wild horses inspired this quilt “One Fine Day” by Laurie Britt Piper of Bakersfield, CA.  The technique used was raw-edged appliquéd, fused and painted.  On a road trip through Utah, Colorado and Idaho, she had to stop in the middle of the highway to let a group of wild horses pass and turned that moment into inspiration for a quilt.

One Fine Day wild horses quilt

One Fine Day wild horse quilt detail

“Bentonville Square” was created by Karen Kielmeyer and the Van Go-Go Art Quilt Group of Bentonville, AK. They decided to do a slice quilt based on a postcard of an original painting by Jane Garrison Davidian of Fayetteville, AK. The techniques used were machine appliquéd and pieced.

Bentonville Square Quilt

Kathy York, of Austin, TX, created “Suburbs” used techniques of hand-dyed, batiked, discharged, over-dyed, fused appliqué, and machine quilted, and hand quilted. This quilt was inspired by the fires that ravaged Bastrop, TX in 2011. New houses were build with each unit individualized by color and pattern.

Suburbs Quilt

Suburbs quilt detail

“Bohemian III Rain” is third in a series “Rain” by Sandra Peterson of Muncie, IN.  The technique used were machine pieced, foundation pieced, hand appliquéd, and hand quilted. She wanted to create a three-dimensional design using the series’ original fractal wheels, and to develop a technique for curved foundation piecing. The motif design answer was umbrellas.

Bohemian III Rain quilt

Mary Ann Hildebrand of Comfort, TX, created the “Japanese Tea Garden” quilt and used the techniques of fused appliqué, free-motion quilted, threadpainted, painted and penciled. The Japanese Tea Garden, built in an abandoned stone quarry in San Antonia, TX around 1910, was the inspiration for this quilt.

Japanese Tea Garden Quilt

“Born Free” quilt is by Denise Sargo of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The techniques used were appliquéd, burned, hand-embroidered, inked, dyed, and machine quilted. The quilt is to portray the kind of animals, the proud, fierce-looking lion, that is vulnerable due to the loss and destruction of habitat.

Born Freen Lion Quilt

“Moody Beach, Maine, 1957” is the subject of this quilt by Margot McDonnell of Tempe, AZ.  The techniques were fused, machine appliquéd and quilted, and painted. This original design was inspired by a vintage non-professional black and white snapshot.

Moody Beach Main Quilt

“Sunflower Pilgrimage” by Susan Bianchi of Saratoga, CA, used the techniques of fused, couched, machine and hand-quilted. She was inspired by Annie Liebovitz’s photography technique of overlapping several photographs to make one imperfect but complete image.

Sunflower Pilgrimage quilt

“Rhythm & Roses” was created by Karen Echmeier of Kent CT, and used the techniques of topstitch-pieced, couched and hand-beaded. This quilt is from her book Layered Waves, and is part of a series of quilts with the theme of “Finding Center” to stay focused and maintain balance with the rhythm of life.

Rhythm and Roses quilt

 

rhythm and roses quilt detail

Marina Landi and Maria Lucia Azara of Sao Paulo, Brazil, used techniques of appliquéd and quilted to create “Summer Wind”.  A painting by Anna Bocek inspired them to dye silk and form the quilt with a great number of colors and shades and to reproduce the painting’s hair movement.

Summer Wind quilt

summer wind quilt detail

“Thunderstorm” by Brigette Morgenroth of Kassel, Germany, used the techniques of paper-pieced and hand quilted to represent the dark sky, pouring rain and the blue, green, orange and yellow umbrellas. The quilt is made with hand-dyed cotton and the elegant curves of the Twisted Log Cabin block.

Thunderstorm quilt

Thunderstorm quilt detail

“Prince Charming’s Shoe Sale” is by Pam Rubert of Springfield, MO and used the techniques of hand-dyed and stitched. This quilt is a contemporary version of Cinderella with her and her stepsisters as modern women who drove to the Charming Shoe Store in their own pumpkin cars.

Prince charming's shoe sale quilt

Prince charming shoe sale quilt detail

“Furrealizm…Dali Has Gone to the Dogs” is by Pauline Salzman of Treasure Island, FL. The techniques used were fused and appliquéd. The design was inspired by Salvador Dali’s “The Weaning of Furniture”.

Dali has gone to the Dogs quilt

Dali has gone to the Dogs quilt detail

Quilt Market is always more fun in a vibrant city such as Minneapolis with a dynamic downtown area. This city was home of the iconic Mary Tyler Moore show. This statue is at the spot where she tossed her hat in the air that was shown at the beginning of each show.  In researching, I discovered that this shot was ranked as the second greatest moment in 1970’s television.

Mary Tyler Moore iconic hat toss statue

I hope that you enjoyed seeing some of the beautiful quilts from market. I apologize for the quality of some of these photos – the overhead lighting of a convention center is not always conducive to good quality photographs and accurate color.

It’s always a joy and delight to walk among all the quilts displayed during this show and I am already looking forward to next one.

Phyllis

Spring International Quilt Market in Minneapolis

I recently attended the Spring International Quilt Market in Minneapolis. As most of you probably know, it’s the largest trade show for anything related to quilting – fabrics, patterns, notions, threads and more and is a kaleidoscope of colors. I took so many photos so am dividing my Quilt Market review into two posts – check back for all the beautiful quilts on display.

Quilt Market Minneapolis show floor

Quilt Market started off with gloomy, rainy and very cool weather, but it turned warm and sunny for two days before it turned ugly and stormy again. Minneapolis is a great location for Quilt Market when weather doesn’t cooperate as city has a system of skywalks going from building to building so that you don’t have to go outside.  The Minneapolis convention center is pretty and in looking at this photo, looks like the inside of a space ship with the large domes.

American Flag Quilt

I always enjoy seeing an American Flag Quilt and especially so at this show since Memorial Day was the following weekend.  This large quilt was displayed in a booth but I, unfortunately, did not get the name of the booth.

Gutterman A&E Thread booth Quilt Market

Gutterman Thread Quilt Market

I was in the A&E and Gutermann thread booth during the show.  I love, love their threads.

Colorful Gutermann Threads

With these beautiful threads and colors behind me, you can see why I enjoyed working in this booth. Yummy!!!

I also spent time in the Quilting Treasures Booth, the fabric company that my fabrics are with.

J Wecker Frisch Letter Stitch Fabrics

One of my amazing friends, J. Wecker Frish, has a new fabric collection “Letter Stitch”  with Quilting Treasures and were displayed beautifully in the booth.  Janet always adds such detail and antiques in her displays.

Quilting Treasures Owl in the family

I also loved the new fabrics “Owl in the Family” by Desiree’s Designs.

Quilting Treasures Minion fabric

And for kids, Quilting Treasures has the fabrics for the 1 in a Minion from “Despicable Me”. What kid wouldn’t want a quilt with this fabric!

Pink Sand Beach Downton Abbey

I’m a huge fan of Downton Abbey, and always get a smile with anything associated with the spunky Dowager Countess.  Pink Sand Beach has an exclusive for the Downton Abbey patterns and fabric kits.

June Tailor Quilt Market Booth

June Tailor is another favorite booth of mine – it’s always so beautiful, colorful and always has some wonderful new quilt tools and notions.

June Tailor booth Quilt Market

A new item by June Tailor is “Quilt As You Go Pre-Printed Batting”  that comes as a complete quilt and four block designs” that are a piece by number construction.

June Tailor Bobbin and Thread pegs

I also love the Thread Mate Spool and Bobbin Pegs from June Tailor, a really great item to let you keep your spool of thread and bobbin together.  No more searching for the right threaded bobbin as you get ready to sew.  It’s the little things like this that makes sewing and quilting easier.

Quilt Market pals

Quilt Market is not all walking the aisles.  There is always the time for fun with friends. Taking selfies by friends in the News Room for dinner –  Jackie Frisch McClenning, Janet Wecker Frisch, Loralie and Ann Regal.

Quilting Treasures group

And I enjoyed spending some time with the people from Quilting Treasures. That really tall paper mache in the back is Freida.

Minneapolis convention center dome ceiling

This is a different view of one of the domes over the convention center.  While looking at it from a distance, it might look like a space ship, but looking straight up, it looks like a quilt pattern, which made it perfect for Quilt Market.

Please check back, as I’ve already started writing another post about Quilt Market to show you some really amazing and gorgeous quilts that were displayed.

Happy Quilting,

Phyllis

Arbor Window Quilt Pattern with Views of Trees

I love trees and enjoy looking out my window at the woods and trees.  This quilt catches the spirit of viewing trees through window panes. This quilt pattern. Arbor Window, is free beginning April 15, 2015 for the next two weeks by joining the April Quilt Dash

Arbor Window Quilt Dash

Arbor Window, designed by Tammy Harrison for this months Quilt Dash, is made with a traditional and classy paper pieced quilt block designed with muted fabric colors.  The blocks with the trees are in random settings in window panes to make this quilt a modern beauty.

The Quilt Dash is free to join and you will be entered for a drawing from each participating quilt shop for a prize.

Have a beautiful day of quilting!

Phyllis

Quilt Colorful Dragonflies for Spring

Spring is almost here, I hope. With that arrival, we will see all kinds of flying things, from birds to butterflies and dragonflies. I love dragonflies and we have a lot of them buzzing around in our yard in the warm months. I thought dragonflies would make a great subject for a spring or summer quilt with this new pattern.

Dragonfly Flight Quilt Phyllis Dobbs

This Dragonfly Flight quilt is available for purchase here through Etsy WhimsyColor store.

Dragonfly Flight is a nice size for a throw, 44″ x 55 ¾”, but can be resized by adding blocks. Large green buttons are used for the dragonfly heads. Is a fun quilt that allows you to play with the direction of the blocks and dragonflies to give a totally different look to your quilt. You can make your dragonflies all one color or make them several different colors. I also chose bright color fabrics for this quilt as I’m really tired of the dreary winter months and am looking forward to the warm sunny days of spring while I watch the dragonflies flit around.

I wish you a wonderful spring and summer!

Happy Spring!

Phyllis

Show Love with this Valentine Love Quilt.

Love will be in the air shortly – Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching! Instead of giving a gift that contains calories (chocolate) or will wilt (flowers), give a gift of love with a quilt of hearts that will continue to express love for many years to come!

Valentine Love Quilt Pattern

This “Valentine Love” quilt pattern with hearts is available for purchase through Phyllis’ Etsy WhimsyColor store.

The finished quilt size is 45″ x 55″ and is made with pieced blocks and appliqué hearts in two sizes.  Three fabrics were used in this quilt. Although this pattern may look complicated, its easy enough for a beginner.

Happy Valentine’s Day and show your love with a quilt of hearts! Or create this quilt as a gift of a wedding quilt for newlyweds.

Phyllis

 

Say “Merry Christmas” with a Christmas Stockings Quilt.

One of the traditional and fun activities of Christmas is hanging the stockings to be filled by Santa. I have a collection of stockings that I have made over the years or received as gifts, all in a variety of techniques including sewing, quilting, applique, embellishment, embroidery, cross stitch and needlepoint.  With stockings on my mind, I designed this “Christmas Stockings” quilt pattern.

Christmas Stockings Quilt

This quilt pattern was created for the Quilt Dash, a fun way to visit online quilt shops.  It starts Monday, December 15, 2014  and runs through December 28. This fun Christmas quilt pattern is available for purchase through Phyllis’ Etsy WhimsyColor store.

This pieced patchwork quilt, sized 46 ¾” x 58″, with 12 blocks. It’s easy to adjust if you want to make it larger or smaller.  I designed it to be a scrappy quilt so that you can use a multitude of fabrics or the scraps you  have on hand.

I hope you join the Quilt Dash and use this pattern  to make your Christmas stockings by creating a heirloom quilt.

Merry Christmas and happy quilting!

Phyllis

Halloween Quilting with this Spooky Ghost Pattern!

It’s the time of year for little ghosts and goblins to ring our doorbell. I love to see all the cute little costumes, especially on toddlers. It’s also fun to decorate for Halloween and with that in mind, I designed this Halloween “Spooky Ghosts”  quilt that is easy to make and is a good size for a wall hanging.

Spooky Ghost Quilt by Phyllis Dobbs for Quilt Dash

This quilt pattern was designed for the Quilt Dash during the dash October 15 through 31, 2014. Its now available through the WhimsyColor online shop. Its also easy to dash through online quilt shops to obtain the pattern pieces and you will also find some great fabric and notions. If you have an online shop, there is still time to sign up to get lots of visitors to your stores.

This quilt is 41″ x 47″ and combines patchwork with appliqué. There are 8 ghost blocks and 1 pumpkin block.  A little embroidery is used to accent for the ghosts mouths and for the pumpkin lines.  Buttons add additional accents.  Tonal fabrics were used but you can easily substitute cute Halloween prints.

I hope you have a Happy Halloween and enjoy the little ghosts running through your neighborhood!

Phyllis

Create a Quilt for Music Lovers!

Does your heart hear the music when  you look at this quilt?  “Music of My Heart” is a free quilt pattern for dashing through this month’s Quilt Dash September 15 through 30, 2014.

Free pattern Music of my Heart quiltQuilt Dash is free to dash through online quilt shops to receive this pattern. This quilt, designed by Tammy K. Harrison, is perfect for music lovers and can be created with favorite fabrics.  The appliqué flowers are hearts joined together to form a flower like design and alternat blocks with music notes.

I hope to see you in the Quilt Dash!

Phyllis