“Stirring the Coffee”, Quilt for Mary Kerr
Many times a quilter needs to keep a quilt “under wraps”. I’m good at it, but it’s probably the worst part of my job! I have learned to quilt a top, then absolutely forget about it. This quilt is a prime example! Quilted for Mary Kerr’s latest book, “Twisted: Modern Quilts with a Vintage Twist”, it’s at the top of my favorites list!
In this book, Mary takes abandoned blocks and vintage fragments, then incorporates them into modern settings to create one-of-a-kind quilts. She then sent them off to longarmers across the nation, with no rules, to finish them as they desired. This book is a wonderful collaboration of many talented quilters. I am thrilled to be a part of this group!
Mary asked everyone to send pictures as we worked, so there are progress pictures from each quilter. We also shared our reasons why we quilted it a certain way or what inspired us. My ideas originated from a dream I had about the quilt! It has to do with “stirring my coffee”, hence, the appropriate title!
This top was very simply created. Mary used vintage Dresden Plates and treated them as applique on white fabric. I was thrilled I had taken a photo of the original top right from the box! I must have stared at it for a month, all that white space!!! I had so many ideas of complicated background designs. Then, I realized the simplicity of this quilt was just that, KISS……..keep it simple, sister! Thankfully, I had a dream. I was stirring my coffee, and the cream would NEVER stir in. It was making me crazy; but in the morning, I knew this had to do with swirls on those Dresden Plates. I got started right after that dream!
I used various swirls from my ProStitcher computer on my Handi Quilter Fusion long arm. The lines were created using the channel locks on the machine. My greatest feat was creating the half circle swirl in the largest area of the quilt.
You can see the texture on this quilt is outrageous! Trust me, I wanted to keep touching it; and I did, right until I packed it up. The back is just scrumptious texture!
One last closeup on the swirl. I used Glide, white thread, and two layers of batting, Hobbs 80/20 on the bottom and Hobbs 100% wool on the top. If I know a quilt will be in a show or photographed for a book or magazine, I will use double batting. You can see from my pictures that it’s automatic trapunto, without the work!
NOW, if you enjoyed this story, there are 21 other stories in this fabulous book that are must reads! You can order it directly from Mary on her website. Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
Comments
- Can I brag? I love seeing my friends do well. - Lori East Quilts - […] Mary set nine small Dresden Plate blocks assymetrically on a white ground with lots of negative space and movement.…
Suzy Webster
July 1, 2016
Absolutely gorgeous! I love the large swirls!
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July 1, 2016
Thanks Suzy!
Jude
July 1, 2016
Stunning stunning stunning!
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July 1, 2016
Thanks Jude!
Freda Butler
July 1, 2016
I am thinking of all the old quilt tops that could have been saved with machine quilting. I never really liked machine quilting until I met you Kelly. You are a master at it. The circles and straight lines together are wonderful. Great job Kelly.
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July 1, 2016
Thanks Freda! I really try to finish all I can, kind of my addiction!
Alycia C
July 1, 2016
It is just gorgeous- I love how the circles interlock not overlap – was that hard to do?
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July 2, 2016
Thanks Alycia! Not terribly hard. I stitched out the cirlces first and made sure to take my time.
Marlene
July 1, 2016
Absolutely amazing quilting. The circles and straight lines work so well together on this quilt to make such a stunning finish.
Leeanne Hopper
July 1, 2016
LOVE LOVE!!!! Dresdens are my MOST fav block and I LOVE spirals’…………..so what more could my eyes ask for!
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July 2, 2016
Thanks Leeanne! I love dresdens too and hope to make this same quilt very soon.
Lori
July 2, 2016
I can see why this is a favorite. So perfectly quilted. Genius! I like your interpretation of KISS. Never liked the stupid part. If its a guy, sir would work too.
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July 2, 2016
Thanks Lori! Sometimes simple is best!
Mrs. Plum
July 2, 2016
Wow! The quilting totally transforms this quilt. I’m so impressed.
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July 2, 2016
Thanks Mary Ellen!
cindy
July 2, 2016
Way cool!!! Just shows inspiration comes from everywhere — including the simple, ordinary, everyday 🙂
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July 2, 2016
Thanks Cindy! It was a fun quilt!
Jenny Benton
July 3, 2016
Just amazing – I am in awe of your beautiful work.
Kat
July 3, 2016
So awesome! I love the idea of this book, will definitely be checking it out!!
Nicolette
July 8, 2016
Just perfect !
Afton
July 30, 2016
What a fascinating premise for a book. I love the idea of giving vintage components new life in a modern format. I often wonder what served as a quilter’s inspiration. Your spirals are mesmerizing.
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July 31, 2016
Thanks Afton!
MaryJean Bower
April 6, 2017
I first saw this Quilt on Mancuso site featuring Quilt show winners. It is absolutely stunning. The simplicity of the quilting complements the Dresden plates and the overall effect is breath-taking. Glad you had that dream. I’m just wondering why your name is not listed with the winner’s name on the Mancuso site.
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April 11, 2017
Thanks MaryJean! Sadly, the quilters name is sometimes the last to get applauded.
Brony Wiggins
March 2, 2018
LOVE this quilt and thought I would try it. Would two layers of Legacy natural cotton with scrim give the same effect? Don’t think we can get the Hobbs you talk about in NZ
Kelly
March 3, 2018
Absolutely, 2 layers of most anything will do the same thing!
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July 26, 2016
Thanks Lori!