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!

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!

 

 

Getting Started on My Eagle Quilt

Okay, here it is, the rough draft of my eagle centerpiece! I have been drawing (and re-drawing again and again) until I got the basic 'feel' for what the center of my quilt will be. In applique of course!

My proposed eagle head...

 I made the mistake of asking my husband and daughters opinion, whether or not my drawing looked like an eagle. Whoa... Bad mistake. My wings weren't in proportion, the head looked like a seagull, too friendly looking and on and on. They were being SO helpful and I did need to change things up (boy did I ever--that's exactly why I asked), but wowsers. It's really hard to explain that I wanted something 'representational'! Why is that word so hard to explain when it comes to quilting? I took some of their advice though, wearing out an eraser or two and ended up with this.

And the proposed eagle body....

I'm not an artist and would never pretend to be. Pretty sure the art teacher actively disliked me in school! But eventually I'm going to be working with fabric, trying for a folk art look. The details won't be 'just right' or anywhere near perfect and I really wouldn't want even want them to be! The thing is, I know that if I draw up the picture myself, with pencil in hand (from an image I see in my head), then I'm much more likely to end up with a me quilt. That's a lot of I's and me's. Here's hoping it works.*wink

Quilt Like An Eagle: The Gauntlet is Thrown!

Welcome to the Quilt Like an Eagle Quilt Along! We intend to inspire and motivate you to make that eagle-themed quilt that's been on your quilting bucket list forever. Your QAL hosts are kindred eagle quilt dreamers - we dream about the quilts but have yet to start them!

We're not offering up a specific pattern for everyone to quilt as a group. Instead, our goal is to provide inspiration to get started and motivation to see the inspiration through to a finished project. We will all choose our own style and method of eagle implementation.

If you'd like to quilt along, you're welcome to share inspiration and progress here on the Quilt Like an Eagle (QLAE) blog. Just email one of us (see sidebar) and we'll get you set up to post here.

We'll also be keeping track of links to eagle quilt inspiration to be found on the web. Check out our Links tab above for Pinterest boards and other great sources of eagle quilt ideas. The list will grow as the QAL progresses, so be sure to check for new additions!

Some folks will happily plan and execute their own eagle quilt designs. Others may wish to use commercial patterns. Either choice is fine, but we do ask that you not promote commercial patterns here. Share a link back to the pattern site and dedicate your QLAE posts to the process of making your quilt.

July 4th, 2015 will be the official end date for the Quilt Like an Eagle QAL. We'll plan an online show and share for that date so we can all celebrate our amazing eagle quilts!

We hope you'll catch Eagle Fever and join us!!