In the last two months, I have been a very busy quilt maker. The image above shows that I have combined some sunflowers (the birds devoured the dried seeds within -Thanks Mom!) with threads for their nests. It seems like a win-win for our feathered friends! Food and nesting material, all on one NYC fireContinue reading “Improving my skill set and building preferences”
Author Archives: Melanie (Melly) Testa
Random thoughts on fabric and quilting with Florabunda!
It has been so much fun learning to use Floribunda! in quilts. Florabunda! pairs nicely with other designer lines in the RJR Fabrics catalogue. For instance, I think it pairs beautifully with Jamie Fingal’s Hopscotch line, an expansive and colorful array of low volume, super-fun prints. (Jamie is a Florabunda! Blog Hop Celebrant and her workContinue reading “Random thoughts on fabric and quilting with Florabunda!”
Announcing the Blog Hop Celebration of Floribunda!
Mark your calendars! June 7-16 2018 I will host a Blog Hop Celebration of Florabunda! It’s my new fabric line. Together with RJR Fabrics and Quilty Box, who have donated awesome swag for give-away, I have gathered several friends, artists and quilt makers, whose work I admire. I asked them to make items like baby quilts,Continue reading “Announcing the Blog Hop Celebration of Floribunda!”
Finding pleasure.
Last week, I took out every quilting thread I own, made a quilt sandwich and found a thread i wanted to use on my Bow Tie quilt. The thread I chose, is variagated trilobal polyester, Superior brand Rainbow. Now, my Bow Tie quilt is more than half quilted! When I was making whole cloth, dyeContinue reading “Finding pleasure.”
Machine Quilted Sampling with Florabunda!
Hello Good folk. I am working on my Bow Tie Quilt. It’s been basted and a sample sandwich was made, so that I can try out machine quilting techniques. I am excited about this quilt. The colors dance and sparkle. Sewing the quarter circle blocks was great fun. And now, this great quilt is encouragingContinue reading “Machine Quilted Sampling with Florabunda!”
Bow Tie Quilt
Over the years, I have convinced myself that I am not a quilter so much as a quilt artist, with an emphasis on the art part. I suppose this storyline used to help -perhaps it helped to bolster my identity and projected, intended artistic path. But this idea no longer supports me. In walking thisContinue reading “Bow Tie Quilt”
Florabunda! by RJR Fabrics
I am so happy to say, Florabunda by RJR Fabrics, my latest fabric line, is available and on the market! And boy, would I like to entice you to buy it, use it and stash it! Like so many of you, I have fallen in love with all things Victoria Findlay Wolfe. I’ve bought everyContinue reading “Florabunda! by RJR Fabrics”
Bird Buta Motif Making
This week, I finished steaming and washing the Buta prints. Then, I went and bought a magnifying glass, which makes me want to design and carve! This is a perfect opportunity for me. It means I can cut and piece a new quilt top, but also design and start thinking about my next my nextContinue reading “Bird Buta Motif Making”
Hankies, steaming, around and back again
This weekend, I completed printing the 48 Blowsy Rose hankie fundraiser to benefit METAvivor. I have sold 47 out of the 48 silk habotai handkerchiefs. I am going to purchase one (I mean donate on behalf), because I need to start collecting -my own- hankies. If the final hankie does not sell today, I willContinue reading “Hankies, steaming, around and back again”
Blowsy Rose hankies, chugging right along.
Doing this fundraiser for METAvivor has been fun. I get to print 48 hankies, make some cash for myself and give some cash to a group whose work I admire. I have just 4 more hankies available for sale. I would love for you to own one, but I also feel kinda grabby! I mightContinue reading “Blowsy Rose hankies, chugging right along.”
Melanie Testa 