Saturday, June 16, 2012

Ruffle Quilt

I work at a book store during the day.
A wonderful book store full of wonderful books and wonderful people.
I really love my job with Deseret Book.
They reward us for reading.
(yes! count me in!)
Sometimes I immerse myself so much in the latest releases that (shutter) progress on my quilt projects move at a snails pace.
Some days its like choosing between good and well...good!

Yesterday I enjoyed a squeal happy blend of mixing books and quilts, when one of our customers walked in with this beautiful quilt in hand.
I was by her side in seconds like an old penny to a magnet.
Sharla Patterson had placed ruffles down the center of her quilt, with a look and technique I've never seen before.

Marie and Sharla
One of my co-workers, Marie has been helping Sharla learn to quilt, and together they designed this fun Ruffle Quilt.
Marie said "We saw a similar one somewhere, and I figured it was easy enough that I could re-create without a pattern."

I asked Sharla if she had used a Ruffler Foot on her sewing machine to gather the long rows of fabric.
She felt that would have been a good idea, but they had used a more primitive technique.
She layed dental floss down the middle of each narrow piece of fabric and then zig zagged on top of the floss until she reached the end.
Because dental floss is strong and did not break, she was able to pull and gather the fabric into ruffles.

The bright, happy geometric fabrics really add to the look.

I loved the orange backing and the cute little label inserted into the binding that said
ps I love you.
Sharla is now on her way to Utah, where this quilt will be given as a bridal shower present to a soon to be daughter-in-law.

This is the 3rd quilt Sharla has made.
I predict many happy quilts in her future.

6 comments:

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

that is a good idea for the ruffles - have heard of no one using dental floss for this!
Karen

Lois Evensen said...

That is so very nice! So unique!

•stephanie• said...

ruffles?
and quilting?
together?
yes!
count ME in.
so cute.

{how did the finish the edges of the ruffles? rolled hem? sew into a tube, turn and press? raw edges? do tell.}

Nat Palaskas said...

How great that you are working in a book store. I work in a big university library. I'm bless every day with books I would missed if I don't work there. That quilt is darling! Enjoy Nat

dream quilt create said...

The ruffle quilt is beautiful, the lucky girl who is getting it!!!

Cindy said...

My niece made a baby quilt like this. It was darling!