My first quilt - ever

One day the quilt group in the park asked me to teach them how to paint on fabric.  They wanted something southwestern, so I agreed.  It was my first use of my 'little people' which I had designed for sets of cards etc.  While we were in the class I casually mentioned  what a great quilt they would make - one of the girls offered to help me make a quilt - all the rest agreed to help me. I had ABSOLUTELY no idea how to quilt, how to put a quilt together.  I drew l6" x 20" panels and we picked out the  sashing fabric.   Eighteen of my friends helped us.  Two close friends helped me  sandwich each  block with a portion of the sashing.  l6 of my friends hand quilted a block each and when we got them back my friends showed me how to put the quilted blocks together.  I then hand quilted the  quilt - I couldn't believe how beautiful it was.   That was the last year we were able to go to Arizona and when we got home I decided I wanted to make 

another quilt so that I wouldn't forget anything.  All of my hand painted quilts were 'quilt as you go' and all were hand quilted.    There was a lot of interest in the quilts and there are three of them in the US - hmm I wonder if they are still being used.   

I then put together a group of blocks given to me for running the first Western retreat - it was two sided and I learned then that traditional quilting for me was not nearly as much fun as using my own ideas for quilts or wall hangings.  I will put a picture of the second  and third quilt I made - one was given to my son Rob 9 years ago and he treasured it.  I have it in my 

collection -  Shirley

Fabric Painted quilts

We have been having an interesting discussion on learningfa about painting on fabric as well as other methods of coloring fabric. My first quilts (in 2000) were painted quilts. I started my first quilt with the help of my friends at the park in Arizona where we spent our winters, and carried on from there. Here are some of the quilts. I used acrylic paints with
textile medium and two are still in use on my bed - others were given away, sold or given to charity. I went through a period of Southwest work and most of my quilts were done during this time. I painted most of them on muslin or fairly heavy thread count cotton -

I loved doing the southwest 'little people' especially the borders with the children.

I hope you enjoy these. Shirley