Sunday, August 5, 2018

Esther's Garden

The first AQS show I ever attended was in Grand Rapids, Michigan several years ago. My friends and I enjoyed our day very much, such beautiful quilts and the vendors were pretty good too.

The vendor I liked the best was From My Heart to Your Hands which sold Lori Smith original designs. I bought two kits from her that day.


Since I've finished the applique projects I had been working on earlier this year, I pulled Esther's Garden kit as the next handwork project. I think the button flowers are so cute.


Before I left for Utah, I took the time to mark the embroidery on the flannel background fabric and took it along with me to work on when I had time. That embroidery was completed and looks like this.


The next step was to buttonhole embroider the wool baskets and leaves onto the background.


And the other way.


After the leaves and baskets were appliqued, I cut the blocks apart and added the flannel sashing.

Now I was ready for the quilting. The directions said to use a lightweight batting. I used flannel.

For quilting I used #12 weight cream Perle cotton thread for very simple long stitch quilting.


I had planned to take a picture before I attached the buttons but I forgot.
She measures 15-1/4" x 19-1/4". 

For the back I used this green toile that came in the fat quarter bundle of Dear Jane fabrics I bought from the resale table at a Jane Stickle Retreat.


Another picture because I think she looks so nice with the black eyed Susans.

Linking to Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching, Small Quilts, Show & Tell Monday With Bambi, Em's ScrapbagLove Laugh Quilt, BOM's Away, Esther's Wednesday WOW!

22 comments:

The Cozy Quilter said...

What a cute little garden you have created! Those button flowers are adorable!

CathieJ said...

Wow, you worked that up quite quickly. This is so pretty.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

nice flowers and the overall affect is so pretty

Sarah said...

A lovely finish and very pretty (nice place to take the photo also!)

Gretchen Weaver said...

This little project went so fast! From start to finish was just a month, a fantastic summer project. I'll save the other kit for next summer.

Gretchen Weaver said...

She had included the buttons in the kit which is good because the buttons in my button box didn't have the necessary variety.

Quilter Kathy said...

I adore this! Thanks for showing how it's done step by step. It turned out so beautifully! Great job!

Karla (ThreadBndr) said...

That's so cute! I love the button flowers.

time4stitchn said...

So cute! Your finished project is awesome! Congrats to getting it done. I like the idea of doing all the needlework on one page prior to cutting. I love Lori Smith designs. She has such a variety of colors and styles. I need to get one of her patterns out from my stash.

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

This is so cute and will make a great wall hanging! Besides that it was fun and fast to make!

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

This is really too cute! It must have been a whole lot of fun to work on it!

stitchingirlblog.wordpress.com said...

That is such a pretty quilt! I agree that the buttons are super cute, but the embroidery is so fun too!

Ramona said...

This little quilt is just adorable. Great finish!

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Gretchen! What a sweet project. I used to do a lot of embroidery and cross stitch but have gotten away from it. This project makes me long to get back into it. I am going to the Grand Rapids show this year for the first time at the end of the month. I'm looking forward to it! Happy Monday! ~smile~ Roseanne

em's scrapbag said...

Your little button flower quilt is adorable. Thanks for sharing with Moving it Forward.

chrisknits said...

How adorable! I have a piece that is needle needlework done, but I just don't have the patience for it right now. Maybe someday?

Susie H said...

Esther's Garden is as cute as can be! I too love Lori Smith patterns and that one turned out adorable! Love how you photographed step-by-step progress!

Julie said...

What a fabulous quilt and I loved your step by steps of your process. I love Lori Holt designs and you did a great job.

Kim said...

Gorgeous! You're inspiring.

Birthe Marie said...

Wow! This little quilt is adorable! :-)

Glenda said...

Dear Gretchen what a darling wee wall art quilt, the buttons make such cute wee faces. How beautiful your quilt looks with the the Blackeyed Susie's. That photo would have sold 100s of that pattern LOL Thanks for the wee tutorial in step by step photos, it was interesting to see how you worked it all. Cheers Glenda

Created by Kathi said...

Hey Gretchen... oh my word! I want this kit now!!!! lol You did such a fab job of this little quilt and a great job of explaining how that one first piece of flannel can just travel with you... thanks for the info and all the photos too.. I love your finish... the flannel filling was just enough I think too. I am now subscribed to your blog so I won't miss another post! <3 So happy about this! Kathi