Well-Loved Ladies QAL: Introduction

I started collecting these 

Centenarian Sweethearts

pretty soon after I began 

studying to become a

certified quilt appraiser.

The applique' artist in me

was completely fascinated by 

this era of women creating

their own designs too.

I have assembled a collection of quilts 

that are not in the greatest shape but still 

so beautiful in their history and imperfections.

This quilt along has been

well over a year in the making.
Once the Well-Loved Ladies lecture
was finished and being presented

to guilds, requests for a pattern

started and I knew a sampler 

of the different quilts from 

the lecture was the answer

so that attendees could 

bring a little piece of 

the lecture home with them.

Why a QAL?

Now is the perfect time to keep us

inspired & engaged & connected.

The girls aren't getting any 

younger and all their trips

were cancelled too.

When and How?

AUGUST 30TH, 2020

I recently asked about pattern

preferences on my FB page

and thoughts between paper

and PDF were relatively 

split down the middle.

The final decision was made

when I realized all those

full-sized templates may

put you off on shipping.

If you absolutely NEED

a paper pattern, we can 

work something out:)

So, the decision has been

made for me to step into 

the new tech age and 

go PDF on this one!

It will be offered as a 

full PDF or as BOM  

purchased in sections 

with the QAL 

if you choose.

Twice a month starting in 

September, I will present a block

via a post here & FB including 

history, tips, etc. 

The whole QAL will run 

8 months.

You will need a pattern to participate 

in this quilt-along.

Techniques involved will include

applique' (hand or machine), 

general piecing (HST/flying geese)

& bias vines.

Of course there will be some

video assists to help in the process.

We will be doing all the 

discussion and oohing/aaahing

of fabric choices over

at my FB group

Robin's Rocking Needles.

I like to pride myself on quality

(tested with full-size templates)

patterns, bang for your buck

 and having fun; so, in 

the next few weeks, 

expect multiple blog 

posts leading up to our big

day where I will discuss

fabric selection and supplies

so you can start preparing

and be ready to go as

soon as you get your pattern!

There may be prizes along

the way but you'll have to quilt

along with me to find out and

to win:)

Please leave a comment if

you have questions

or email me at 

robin@nestlingsbyrobin.com 

I will be stitching along too

as I make another one

in fusible applique'.

Until next time,

keep stitching~

NOW AVAILABLE HERE

Hand-Painted Traditions

Sugar Plum Ornament ©2008

3" sq on point to 4 1/2"

The history of Christmas ornaments dates back to the 1800's and although I do not collect them myself, I am constantly drawn to them and find them fascinating. First of all, they are miniature and most of them are shiny and that is a double threat for me. I think females in general have those same 2 downfalls (most I know anyway). All that needs to be thrown in is a hidden compartment or box and the urge to possess said item is overwhelming.

My mother collects ornaments as do many of my friends. My children are forever scarred that I didn't save every single handmade "what is it?" that came home with them to hang on my tree. Before I get "how could you?" responses, I have saved specific items that touched my heart but being military, it just isn't practical to save it all. As a child I grew up with a Christmas tree full of the multi colored lights and ornaments full of memories. I am a very sentimental person but I had always been completely and utterly in love with the department store trees that were themed with just white lights. After 6-7 years of doing what I had grown up with, I decided that I could have my own tree and changed it to white lights and big and small poinsettia ornaments in deep reds....just what I had always dreamed of.

2006 Christmas Tree with "Las Flores de Amigas" © 2005 in the background

Last year I decided that even if I didn't collect ornaments, I could make them. My first ornament was the Sugar Plum ornament shown above. It is still my favorite but running a close second is the holly ornament shown below.
Both are hand-painted and finished by free motion stitching leaves in metallic thread across the surface. I enjoy the look of a traditional binding with beaded hang and tassles. They are a labor of love for what they cost and they are beautiful to me.

Holly Ornament ©2008 3" sq on point at 4 1/2"

This year I added lighthouses to the ever growing list of available ornaments. I started with Cape Lookout, NC since this was the 150th anniversary of it's lighting. I have added Bodie Island, NC and Cape Hatteras, NC. All are lighthouses on the Historic Outer Banks of NC. They are hand-inked, free motion stitched, and beaded.
To read more about the local lighthouse see my previous post here.

Cape Hatteras Ornament © 2009 3"sq on point to 4 1/2"
I sell these through a local gallery and also online. Today is the last day for orders to be delivered by Christmas. If you are not a collector, I bet you know one. These are miniature and shiny...sorry no hidden compartments. Maybe that should be my next ornament:)

Have a wonderful holiday season to my followers and online friends.