Bloggers Quilt Festival - The Tree Edition

Hi everyone and welcome to my little stop of the Bloggers Quilt Festival. I'm entering these two quilts as one entry into the Applique category because they are the same quilt in different colorways. So if you like what you see, please go and vote for me! :)

Of course there is a story behind these quilts!  My sister's girlfriend had asked me if I could make her a baby quilt for her girlfriend. I immediately agreed. I love doing baby quilts! She told me the mother loved trees and so I started searching for a great tree pattern.

Shortly after I had started the planning process, she sent me an email. The mother had her ultrasound and she was having twin girls!! So, could I make two tree quilts.  Well, that made the price of this Lilly Pilly pattern much more affordable!

The other story behind this quilt is the binding. This is the bridesmaid dress worn by the woman who commissioned the quilt at the mothers wedding. I thought that was such a sweet touch! I had wanted to do a very wide binding, but once it changed to two quilts I was nervous about having enough!

 

For the backs of the quilts I decided to use only one print so they could be flipped over. I love these backing prints!

Both prints are part of the Joann's designer collection (but I can't remember the specific names). 

 

The tree trunk, branches and birds are raw edge applique. The leaves were done by drawing the shape on interfacing, sewing to the fabric and then flipping inside out. That way I was able to just free motion stitch those down.

I do have to say, I'm most especially proud of the quilting on this.  I was able to go over to my friend Denise's house and use her long-arm. For the first time I used the front side and did free motion quilting based from Angela Walters new book Shape by Shape Quilting. I can't say enough good things about that book - go check it out!

And just a close up of the cute little birds on the tree and my quilting within the leaves: 

I'm very proud of these quilts and I hope you've enjoyed seeing them! If so, please go vote for me on the applique page right here.

Quilt stats:

Quilt name: Trees for Twins

Pattern: Lilly Pilly

Fabrics: scraps, kona white and snow, bridesmaid dress

Finished size: 38"x51"

Finished: 10/5/14