Golden Gate Quilts

All done...now a little party:)

I'm heading out to an engagement party for the evening for the daughter of a girlfriend. No more sewing tonight but I did get this all quilted before I closed down the sweat shop.

Braid quilt on the frame...

I almost need my sunglasses to quilt this:) The colors are so bright and vibrant! I have one more pass to go and then it's time for binding. I made slower progress than normal this week so I want to catch up tomorrow. 

The braids sewn together...

And here is a pic of the braids sewn together. Now for the borders...By the way, a few of you have asked how the braids were pieced. I used a free pattern at the Moda website. The pattern has really clear pictorial instructions. (Pressing direction is really important!) Essentially you start the braid with a 2 1/2 inch square as the top anchor of the braid and then just add 2 1/2 x 7 1/2 rectangles until you reach the desired length. This could be a great scrappy quilt method using a whole bunch of jelly roll strip leftovers.

Still making braids...

Here is an update on my braids using the Nest Fabric from Moda. I have 4 done and 3 to go!

I made it to the front page of Etsy.com - and I am SO excited...

I have to share. I can not seem to wipe the smile off my face right now. I was just about to log off my computer at the office for my drive home when I decided to check out Etsy for one last time. I immediately saw that I had three "convos", meaning notes from others on Etsy, and it seemed a bit unusual that 3 pop up like that together. My Quiltsy Team friends were letting me know that my Joel Dewberry Deer Valley Lap Quilt had been selected by Etsy as part of the rotating front page collage of items. So first, this is very difficult to get selected when you consider all the available items on Etsy. Second, quilts in general don't get a lot of play on the front page because, again, there are just so many different items to pick from. So, for one hour tonight lots and lots of people checked out not only that quilt but all the others in my shop. And they "favorited" my shop in big numbers! Thanks for listening...I'm just so excited. Here is a screen capture of all the excitement. I am SFOQuilter...

Toss a pillow...

I've decided to use some of my stash AND finally use my serger!!! I'm making some sets of pillow covers for my Etsy shop. I would have more for sale but I decided to change up my own living room pillows when I saw how cool they turned out:) The first two sets are made from the Alhambra collection from Art Gallery Fabrics. The last set from Kaffe Fassett.

And then there was a braid...

They together really fast. One down, six to go!

Stash busting continues...a braid quilt is next

Next up is a never-done-by-me braid quilt using this Moda fabric called Nest. I dug out a jelly roll and found I had the yardage I need for borders and backing. It's a little on the wild side but nice and bright:) I've just cut all the strips into 2 1/2 x 7 inch rectangles and now the piecing begins. 

The sweatshop is closing for the day...

I was up late and got a very early start this morning so this is likely the end of my sewing day today. But, I am very happy to say I got my Figgy Pudding quilt done. I LOVE it. The colors just work so well together. The pattern I used is called Ten Inch Surprise by Deborah's Designs. It uses one layer cake and their is virtually not one bit of waste. It goes together really fast and I love the pattern it makes.

 I can hardly wait to keep playing with more of this fabric. I've heard that Moda has already done two print runs and is almost out of stock! I'm glad I stocked up:)

What I am quilting today...

Figgy Pudding. Figgy Pudding. I've been waiting to cut into this and last night I made the first dent. I have plans for several quilts featuring this beautiful holiday fabric. I know I say that most of the fabrics I use are beautiful but this line is quite incredible. Designed by BasicGrey for Moda. BasicGrey is the leader is scrapbooking paper design and I am so happy they started designing for fabric. I also love their Urban Couture and Sultry lines. Anyway, back to the fabric. It has a very fine, polished feel to it. And the designs are so precise, the lines are sharp, and the colors are fabulous. I'll post pics of it quilted in a few hours I hope!