

Springing Forward in a New Direction
Happy Spring! I know spring does not start until March 20th, but I am ready for it to start today. Spring represents renewal, new beginnings, birth of the new (living and non-living), growth, and, of course, cleaning along with so many others things. What does spring represent to you? During times of change, one needs to have faith, and, at times take a leap holding on to that faith, hope, and belief that things will work out. With spring comes growth and change…. This


Mariner Compass and Pineapple Twist Quilt
Hi Everyone, I have missed writing....and, have found that I enjoy it more then I thought, and, have actually missed posting in my blog. Spring is March 20th - right around the corner. Yippee, boy, am I ready! I spent almost the entire month of February in Washington State and it felt like we had snow everyday. Then, when I returned home, we had more snow here in Virginia....I love snow but man am I definitely ready for spring! Are you? The quilt I am sharing today is a


Merry Christmas!
Hi Everyone, I have to confess, that I wrote this blog before Christmas but am just now finalizing it to publish. So, I hope that you all had a merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I was able to get the quilts that needed to be done before Christmas finished and back to their homes with enough time for binding and wrapping. Then I switched gears to get what needed to be completed at home done in time. Funny how there are deadlines, both at home and work, that manage one's ca


Memory Quilt
This is the quilt that needed to be completed before Christmas. I really wanted to make sure that it was finished with enough time for the maker to bind and wrap. I am happy to announce that it is in the hands of the maker now - 12-16-2017. This quilt was pieced and appliqued by Jane C. of Nokesville, Virginia for her son with his father's ties and shirts. I loved how this quilt turned out. The combination of the shirts and ties with the deep blue sashing made for an eleg


Rail Fence Blooms
Hello Everyone! Hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner now. I am now catching up with my backlog of quilts - thank goodness. I had one (1) quilt that absolutely needed to be done before Christmas with enough time to bind and wrap. Yeah, it is done and off to the maker....it is not the quilt I'll be showing here.... Today's quilt is coming to you from Dolly K. of Gainesville, Virginia called Rail Fence Blooms. It is a beautiful quilt and was fun to quilt.


Dancing Tulips
The third, and final quilt, from Betty R. of Haymarket, Virginia is Dancing Tulips. This fun quilt was a quick quilt to quilt all in all because I combined blocks to minimize stitching-in-ditch. Stitching-in-the-ditch is time consuming....so anytime it can be minimized it will save time, and, therefore, money. I was able to save time with this quilt by also using one (1) color predominately over the entire quilt. More on that later.... I used Glide #60, Cream, by Fil-Tec


Churn Dash Checkers
The second quilt of Betty's is Churn Dash Checkers...this quilt was quilted with a traditional digitized edge-to-edge pattern called Orange Peel. This pattern is perfect for this lovely quilt. Sometimes simple is best. I used So Fine #50, Tee Pee, from Superior Threads on the top and Fil-Tec Magna-Glide Classic, Light Tan, pre-wound bobbins in the bobbin. The batting used is Quilters Dream Orient from Quilters Dream Batting. I love how simply beautiful the back is! Thank


The Signature Wedding Quilt
Hi All! I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I have been working on several more applique quilts....I do not post pictures of quilts until they have been picked up by their owners....the three (3) following quilts I quilted for Betty R. of Haymarket, Virginia. I decided to put each quilt into their own post.... The first quilt up is The Signature Wedding Quilt. I absolutely love everything about this quilt, and it was fun to quilt. I used Kimono Silk, Misty Mou


Quilts of Valor
Hello Again ~ Today's quilt is a Quilts of Valor quilt pieced by Betty J. of Lake Ridge, Virginia. I quilted this beautiful quilt with an edge to edge digitized pattern called Star Spangled Banner. Fitting don't you think!?! Thank you for stopping by. Until next time.... Julie #autopilot #proudinnovian #quiltingplusmore #quiltsofvalor #longarmquilting #quilting


Shenandoah Valley Botanical Album Quilt
Hi Everyone ~ I have been working on a beautiful applique album quilt made by Patricia D. of Gainesville, Virginia. A little background on the quilt pattern. The quilt pattern is based on an original quilt made by Ester B. Matthews in 1858. The Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg, Virginia sponsored a monthly Sew Along to raise awareness of Ester B. Matthews' quilt and to help fund the Virginia Quilt Museum. If you are interested in appliqueing your own Shenandoah Valle