Still on my Ole Glory Quilt...

I am still working on my "ole glory quilt", and wanted to share the latest in my progress:

So still a work in progress, but I am still pluggin along,I finished the house block last night... Many Hugs, Mary

Eagles on the Brain

Since I've been working on my Quilt Like An Eagle quilt, I have become much more conscious of eagles as decorative symbols in the world around me.

 

I spied this eagle on a bank's after-hours depository.

 

The federal courthouse in downtown Denver had these eagles and shields atop the building's columns.

 

How 'bout these Peeps I found at a Cracker Barrel (the US restaurant chain)?!

I have been working on my eagles, but only intermittently.  I decided I wanted to make my own patterns for the rest of the quilt, and it took some time to get that accomplished.  The center of the quilt will have two concentric spiky circles with a star in the center.  

 

I made a test version - half of the outer circle - to see if I was happy with the outcome.  From looking at a lot of 4 block eagle quilts, it seems many of these spiky circles are done with reverse applique.  I've never done a stitch of reverse applique and I decided this was not the time to try it!  These will be made with regular applique, using the freezer paper and spray starch prep method.  

 

I purchased some French General Rue Indiennes fabric for the outer border of my quilt, but I think I will also use it for the outer concentric circle.

 

The eagles have all gotten embroidered eyes and arrows in their beaks.  I'm also playing around with some 8 pointed stars below the tail feathers.  Now that I see the stars in the photograph, I may switch the blue star fabric for the Rue Indiennes paisley.

How are you doing with your eagles?  Do you spy eagles where you never noticed them before?

 

 

 

Part 4 of my Eagle Quilt

Slowly working on all the blocks for my eagle quilt, this is what I have so far:

I didn't want you to think I wasn't working on them, the house block half is already appliqued, just need to applique leaves, stars and 2 large vines, then on to Block 5 Hope all is well with everyone! Hugs, Mary

Picking Up My Eagle Quilt Once Again

Okay, here it is, the latest progress on my Eagle quilt! I've been putting this quilt off so much and working on other things that July 4th is totally out of the question now. I might {maybe, maybe} be able to get this applique border stitched down by then? We'll see. I'm not always good with deadlines!

Figuring out the applique border

I wrote a lot more about my border decisions over on my regular blog as that's where I tend to blather on about things like that. I sort of thought I'd end up with a more classic looking eagle quilt {like Angie's}, but alas, I seemed to have been hijacked by my weird and wonderful design process. And although there won't be a finish with this quilt project any time soon, I do feel good about the fact that I haven't abandoned my quilt altogether!

And Then There Were Four

 

The eagles for my four block quilt are finished!  I'm excited to be at this stage, although there is still a lot of work to do.

When I started this project I thought I might add my own personal stamp to this quilt by doing a fleur de lis inspired center applique block.  Now I'm veering back toward the more traditional sunburst/spiky circle with a star center.  I think I'll have to make some mock-up blocks and see which idea I like better.

Before I stitch the blocks together, I'd also like to applique some five-pointed stars in the area below the wings and tail.

I doubt there's any way I'll finish this quilt by July 4th - at least not July 4th, 2015!  That's OK, I'm enjoying the journey and still see several more eagle quilts in my future!

Finished 1st block

Hi Ladies, Here is my first block of eagles, finished. Was a bit challenging like I posted on my blog, especially their beaks and wings,

Now onto the next block! Hope everyone is enjoying their Tuesday, Hugs, Mary

Hi everyone, Well, after changing my mind re pattern to use, I started tracing and cutting out the eagles for my quilt - I have decided to use Summer Weekend by Blackbird Designs. Anyway, the eagles are not as easy as I thought...when you look at my picture you will see the little legs and wing span on one side is going to give me trouble, I just know when I start to needle turn. So, I am going to try and see how the first one goes, if it gives me problems then I am going to tweak it by redrafting those eagles. I will let you know my progress, Hugs, Mary

One Down, Three to Go!

 

I finished hand appliqueing the first of my four eagles.  He still needs to have a few details embroidered in, but that can happen later.  The applique was not difficult, except for a few places where it was awkward to hold the fabric and stitch at the same time.  I used the freezer paper and starch method for prepping the fabric pieces - that technique really simplified the stitching process!

Now I just need to prep and stitch 3 more identical blocks.  Since I have the experience of the first block under my belt, I think I'll prep all the remaining blocks at the same time so I can just stitch my way through all of them.

How's everyone else doing?

Change of Plans....

Yes, it is me, Mary, and I am going to change my pattern for the Eagle Quilt - I am going to use this Pattern:

Karen, has lent me her book - Summer Weekend by Blackbird Designs, so I will have more pictures of what I am doing.... just fell in love with this pattern, so will be posting progress... Have a great weekend, Mary

My first attempt...

Hello everyone! Well, after much contemplation and sleepless nights - well a little sleepness, but much thought, here is a very rough draft of my first block - the Eagle...didn't know what color I was going to go with, then decided on this one, then background, Then, what was my Eagle going to stand on, or just fly aimlessly which was what he was doing for at least a month of so, until I came up with this....

I love sunflowers so took this from the book "Serendipity" by Ginger Cookie Company. Decided he would be standing on a branch of Sunflowers...what do you think? Or is this goofy? I kinda like it, again very rough haven't basted anything down yet, but didn't want you all to think I was slacking....Oh, and the block is 16x16 so not really centered on background fabric yet, but thought I would share what is going on in this mind of mine :)

Well, I hope everyone is staying warm and dry - trying to in Illinois! Hugs, Mary

A Little More Progress!

Here's the latest progress on my Eagle quilt! I don't want to make it too large, so I'm trying to figure out how to successfully wrap it up.

Looking at my Eagle Quilt on the wall

It's been a challenge to get all the colors to play nicely together, but I think the red gives it the spark to carry through to an outer border {still to be determined}. It's only February, but I'm already nervous about getting it to an absolute finish. With me, that usually only takes a year or two. lol

Eagle - Still on the Menu!

Howdy, Eagle Quilters!

It's been some time since we've chatted about eagle quilts.  I haven't stopped thinking about them, but I have let other quilting projects distract me from creating a host of eagles. 

One of my January goals is to get some eagles cut out and prepped for applique.  I have my eagle pattern re-sized and ready.  I also made some fabric selections.

 

The blue, gold and red are for the eagles; the paisley is for borders and whatnot.  I'd like to start appliqueing this weekend - if real life doesn't interfere!

 

I did finally finish my eagle "appetizer" project.   This took much longer than I expected, but I'm quite happy with the result.  

 

I hand quilted squares in the squares and did echo quilting around the eagle.  In the border, I just followed around the paisley designs with matching thread.

 

I finished stitching down the binding this morning and added a label.  

The finished quilt measures 16" x 14".  

On to the next eagle in the series!