How Facebook helped a dream come true (the story behind the quilt)

Once upon a time...

This story started early spring this year, when my uncle shared with me this quilt, posting it on my timeline:

Then my Mom-in-law's cousin, Bob, left a comment, saying: "I would love to have this quilt in my house!"
I thought it would be a good idea to make this kind of quilt one day, and save it as an idea for my future projects. Thanks a lot to the author of this quilt for the inspiration! Not sure about the name of the person, but it was posted by Beulah Baptist Church on Facebook.
... and then, just a month later, he proposed! Believe it or not, first time! At the age of 73!
By the time we had received the invitation, I already knew what the wedding gift was going to be!

As it often happens to me, I was waiting till the last moment. I wanted to save the idea, but definitely change the details and made it someway different.
I decided to make a cross from the real wood looking fabric. That was the first step, which turned me on since I put those 4 pieces on my design wall. And behind the cross it was supposed to be the rising sun, which would become the focal point for the whole quilt.

The next couple days I was working with 2" square pieces of fabrics, trying to put them together in a picture.

Then, looking at these colors, I recalled over sudden, that I had a piece, somewhere in my scraps, which would be more than welcome suited to this quilt! And I found it!

 
Two days of our guild retreat really helped me to accomplish my goal: to stitch all pieces together ASAP! And I did!
At this point, when the piecing was done, I had a 4 days break, visiting my sons in San-Francisco! Beautiful city, heart-warming family reunion, riding around, eating out, taking tours, walking the wharf, riding through the Golden Bridge, talking a lot, tasting good wines in Jarvis winery, etc... Unforgettable!

.............

3 days left to the wedding! I got to do it!!!!

One day of quilting....

Next day, squaring, making a label, finishing with facing, attaching a sleeve and home-made dry-cleaning - DONE!!!

 I wanted to add some shape to the sun, stitching the circle around it with golden metallic thread, and the sun rays also added some glow to it.

 November the 5th - wedding day! Ready to go!

Here's the sweet couple! And me with my sweet hubby.

Me: - Bob, do you remember that quit on FB with the cross?

Bob: - Oh, yeah! It was beautiful!

Me: - Do you remember you wanted to have it in your house? Here it is! It's yours now!

Bob: ... speechless, tears in his eyes. He hugged me and thanked a lot!

 Hopefully they will cherish it and enjoy having it in their home!

Such a a blessing to be a part of my family!

Purple small sewing clutch

Just finished one more sewing clutch to order:

 No frame needed, only two invisible sew-in magnets on the top.

 You don't even need a pincushion: needles, pins, scissors, metal clips etc. will rest on the magnets!

 4"x8" ruler slides under the pockets.

Aluminized coating ironing board fabric is used as a lining.

Pattern on Craftsy.

Video - https://youtu.be/ghS9CmMc0Rc and

https://youtu.be/M2q_F7pY104?list=PLXPet7u5eWhtDUyICk3QZ_NeP_VVCR7qN

You can also order this bag in my Etsy store Quiltessence or directly in my Quiltess.com store

Happy sewing!

Natalie Quiltessa

Carry all bag. Pattern on Craftsy soon!

Pattern is now on Craftsy!

I just finished my new bag, which was made specially for sewing retreats and classes. It has 18 pockets, no kidding! + the sleeve for the travel bag.

Large pockets are the size of a magazine, smaller pockets would fit the patterns, multiple mesh pockets will hold tools and scissors upright.

The shorter pocket in front allows easy access to the elastic loop with markers and pencils attached to the other pocket. One side of the bag flaps down, providing a small ironing pad or simple organizing tray. Pockets are not sewn to the bottom, so you can also slide the ruler or other flat items under the pockets.

This bag is a new, modified version of my "Quilters organizer bag" - https://www.craftsy.com/quilting/patterns/quilters-organizer-bag/265629; it's now larger in size and fits even more stuff for sewing and quilting!

Working on the pattern, will be released soon on Craftsy!

ps: As a courtesy and following multiple requests of my customers, this detailed tutorial on 27 pages with multiple pictures is available in 7 languages. You can choose one of French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish or Japanese and receive original English version + parallel automatic translation to one of the above languages for FREE! Only in my Quiltess.com store.

Happy sewing!

Natalie Quiltessa

Small sewing clutch by QuiltessaNatalie, pattern on Craftsy n

"Quilters organizer bag" for beading and jewelry making video

"Quilters organizer bag" for beading and jewelry making https://youtu.be/Io3ITGDMgBk via @YouTube Fits anything, no kidding!