I'm trying to pretend that I'm not currently in a house filled to the brim with Halloween candy and cookies (must show restraint!), getting prepared for a hectic evening of taking Brynne trick-or-treating and hosting our own neighborhood trick-or-treaters. I finished my Halloween quilt in class last Thursday, just in time to display it for Halloween this year.
The basic pattern is taken from the Spooky Sampler from Tea Thyme Quilts. I was pretty faithful to the pattern design, but I made quite a few changes in the methodology. For example, the pattern suggested painting the mouths for all the blocks, whereas I used rough edge applique. Here are some close-ups:
I hand embroidered "Boo"... yes, I still need to work on my embroidery!
I used a blanket stitch in contrasting thread to applique the larger shapes. The light background fabric is one of my favorite reproduction prints from Judie Rothermel. The mismatched button eyes all came from my stash. The quilting for the main panel is in the ditch, and then I added a freehand, spiderweb pattern in silver metallic thread in the outer border.
The narrow strip of black and white fabric (I thought it looked a bit like bones!) is a 3-dimensional flange. This is the first time I've used this technique, and I really like the effect. It adds an extra dimensional detail to this quilt, and I really like the contrast between it and the outer and inner borders. This was a really fun quilt to make - I like the folk art references and the quirkiness of the characters!
I love this. Looks fantastic.
Posted by: Fran | October 31, 2005 at 03:09 PM
I love this quilt, and the little characters' faces are much more expressive than painting.
Posted by: persephone | October 31, 2005 at 06:52 PM
Wow! Your quilt is amazing! I am totally in awe at all the detail that you put into it. I think that it is fabulous!
Posted by: beki | October 31, 2005 at 06:55 PM
That is one SPOOKY quilt! I really love the spiderweb quilt lines! How I love Halloween. I hope you give away all the candy!
Posted by: Mariko | October 31, 2005 at 07:36 PM
This is beautiful! I love the cat... scary, but cute.
Posted by: suzy | October 31, 2005 at 08:23 PM
Now I'm getting interested in this quilting stuff--I like the pumpkin on the top and the spiderweb stitching.
Looks like fun!
Happy Halloween!
Posted by: Snowbear | October 31, 2005 at 11:12 PM
So many cool details! Those teeth are *so* funny.
Posted by: Strikkelise | October 31, 2005 at 11:42 PM
Amazing!
Posted by: Nichola | October 31, 2005 at 11:44 PM
WOW !!!
Posted by: lyn | November 01, 2005 at 02:00 AM
That is a fabulous quilt! I love the button eyes and the spiderweb quilting. So much great detail everywhere!
Have you seen Sandy Bonsib's book Folk Art Quilts? You might like it!
Posted by: Anamaria | November 01, 2005 at 02:44 AM
amazing! I am a folk art lover and this is one of the cutest quilt designs I have seen. wonderful job!! and I agree 100% with the applique mouths. I would have done the same!!
Posted by: jenn | November 01, 2005 at 05:50 AM
It's fabulous Kelly! I love all the details and the fabrics too.
Posted by: amy | November 01, 2005 at 06:01 AM
WOW!!!! Love love love!!!! There are so many delicious fabrics in there but I'm especially enamored with the spider webs quilting in the border!!!! Really beautiful job!
Posted by: Passions & Distractions | November 01, 2005 at 06:45 AM
Woweeee! That's a great quilt and I too love that repro print! I used it in my halloween wall hanging, which is nowhere near as nifty as the gorgeous creation you've made. Well done!
Posted by: Sasha | November 01, 2005 at 07:49 AM
what a great quilt! i love the mouths, they are very "nightmare before christmas" to me.
Posted by: hannah | November 01, 2005 at 09:11 AM
Wow, wow, wow! I LOVE this quilt!! All of the blocks and fabrics are so cool! Great job!!
Posted by: Rose | November 01, 2005 at 09:59 AM
just like everyone else here, i'm amazed! another fantastic project...thanks for sharing.
Posted by: ani | November 01, 2005 at 10:19 AM
kelly i love it!! it's so quirky and i love it because of that. also love the spiderweb quilting technique on the border - so creative! wish halloween were lasting a bit longer there are so many great things to make and show off for such a short period of time.
Posted by: sunni | November 01, 2005 at 10:26 PM
Hah, I finally added the photos to my flickr account...still more to come. Sorry to hear about your kitty, hope she's doing well.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thepaperdoll/page2/
Posted by: Sasha | December 05, 2005 at 08:14 AM
Hi, your quilt is terrific! How did you do the freehand, spiderweb pattern in silver metallic thread in the outer border without backtracking back on itself? Please email me if you get this as I am really curious and would like to try frehanding an asterisk myself! Thanks, Beth, [email protected]
Posted by: Beth | April 21, 2009 at 01:04 AM