2016 – Secret Stars

Secret Stars youth quilt

This youth-sized quilt was made for my great nephew Nicholas. Here are some details:

All the 2″ squares are shirting plaids or stripes – except three that have stars. Also, all rainbow colors are included, so there are some fun things to search for.

Update 4 – In Jest 2015

Here are some updates on my current art quilt project, In Jest.

In Jest – Sashing Complete on Background

The area of dark, solid diamonds in the lower left will be covered by the inverted star of the harlequin face and cap. Work is progressing on it as well.

In Jest – Embroidery Begun on Face

Sandwiching the top with batting and backing is next. The finished size will be approximately 36 x 60.

Update 3 – In Jest – 2015

In Jest – Face Draft 5

I’ve decided on this version of the face. Here’s why I’m using a 72 degree rather than a 60 degree diamond.

Update 2 – In Jest – 2015

I’ve chosen a different black for narrow sashing. This will help define the diamond blocks.

In Jest – Beginning to Add Sashing

Still undecided about how to finish the edges. Should they be squared off or should I keep the serrated edges? Sides different from top/bottom?
And another draft of the face – working on idea of an open-mouthed smile. Too goofy now.

In Jest – Face Draft 4

Update – In Jest – 2015

The experiment with 72 degree diamonds continues. The name has been changed from “Harlequin” to “In Jest.”

In Jest January Update on Design Board

Still experimenting with the diamond for that empty space. The personality could be that of harlequin, jester, joker, maybe green man.  So far . . .

In Jest Face Idea 1

In Jest Face Idea 2

In Jest Face Idea 3

Still not right. More to come.

African Themed Comfort Quilt – 2013

African-Themed Comfort Quilt

Inspired by a black and white fabric from Mali, this crib/lap quilt was made in 2013 and donated through the Genesee Valley Quilt Club. More of the imported fabric makes the back interesting. Black, white, and tan play well together.

Back of African-Themed Comfort Quilt

Garden of Eden Quilt – ca. 1940s and 1990s

This quilt is a multi-generational effort. The traditional Garden of Eden blocks were left behind by my grandmother Stella Neill Bower and feature mainly 1930s dress fabrics.

Garden of Eden Block

My father Frank Bower designed a quilt using his mother’s blocks; it was sewn and hand quilted by my mother Joy Tague Bower in the 1990s.

Garden of Eden Full-Sized Quilt

My mother had never been a quilter but took on the task to please her husband.

Garden of Eden Corner Detail

The quilt now belongs to my nephew J. Bower.

Ohio Star Comfort Quilt – 2013

 

Detail – Ohio Star Comfort Quilt

Here is a charity quilt from 2013 in the ever popular Ohio Star pattern. It was contributed to the Love and Comfort Quilts project of the Genesee Valley Quilt Club.

Ohio Star Comfort Quilt

This is lap/crib sized with 12″ blocks – so about 40″ x 53″. All the fabrics were out of my stash, giving it a scrappy but coordinated look. The backing was originally from my mother’s linen closet.

Back – Ohio Star Comfort Quilt

Charity Blocks – 2014

Charity Block -Crazy Scrappy Flower

As a member of the Rochester Modern Quilt Guild, I have contributed 12-1/2″ blocks to several group quilts we have constructed for local charities. Here are a few of them.

For the block above, everyone made a flower in their choice of color and surrounded it with any green.

Charity Blocks – String Piecing on Foundation

I made two of the string pieced blocks. Everyone started with a white diagonal stripe; they were joined to form diamonds across the quilt.

Charity Block – Modern Spool

Our current project will join everyone’s modern spool blocks. The “thread” is foundation pieced to add a fresh twist on a traditional design.

Finished – Dwindle – 2014

This experimental quilt is now complete.

Dwindle