Scroll through the pictures to see different Longarm quilting designs. More quilts can be found on the custom quilting page.
Quilts of Valour
Several quilts pieced by volunteers for Quilts of Valour Petawawa branch. I volunteer the quilting and binding in appreciation of the dedication and service our military veterans have given to us in Canada and around the world.
Knitted Star/Snowflake
The pattern is called Knitted Star by Lo and Behold Stitchery, though it reminded me of snowflakes. I made two from this pattern. The red and white was a quilt along project by the designer. While I was piecing it, the snow was flying and swirling around so I quilted free motion swirls all over.
And how much fun is this bright purple fabric by Kaffe Fassett? I quilted it using an edge to edge “circles in circles” pattern using a lime green Glide thread. Machine binding front and back. It finished 65 x 65 inches.
CQA Incidental Refraction
One of the fun things about a quilt guild is that they offer activities to build community among the members. This was a mystery quilt along by the Canadian Quilting Association. The design was a mystery. You know, its difficult to pick fabric when you have NO idea what you are about to make!!! The pattern was designed by Border Creek Station. Clues and instructions were released monthly and we shared our makings on Facebook building a fun connection with quilters across Canada during COVID.
The designer had the light refraction of gems in mind when she designed the quilt blocks. This required some custom quilting and flashbacks from my studies in geology! The gems were outlined so they would pop up. The refraction was emphasized in a back and forth layering to resemble sedimentary rock. The background was densely quilted with an endless beach of pebbles. Finished at 64 x 82.
Picking Up the Pieces 1 and 2
Two lap quilts made from fabric remnants, test quilt blocks and leftover bobbins. My husband and I will appreciate these over the next few months enjoying a game of crib and kindling the fire. There is something therapeutic about making something stronger and warmer after Picking Up the Pieces.
Autumn Falls Quilt
I joined the Ottawa Modern Quilt Guild this year to stretch my quilting skills. One of the perks is you become a member of the Modern Quilt Guild and can access their inspirational magazine. This pattern appears in Modern Monthly, Issue 6 and was designed by Amanda McCabe. I posted it on social media and an admirer made an offer. I’m sure I will be trying more modern techniques in the near future. Custom quilting; a variety of free motion quilting in coloured areas and horizontal lines in the off white negative space. Finished 50 x 60 inches.
Spring Sunrise
This began as a Modern Block Study with the Modern Quilt Guild. A Melanie Rudy pattern in Modern Monthly. It grew into a wall hanging. The improv curved pink ombre blocks came together as the sun. The Lightening blocks radiate the light through the spring green foliage. Glide #40 Celery thread. Edge to Edge Ethnic Spiral Braid longarm quilting design. Finished 36 x 36 inches.
Autumn Nine Patch
Thoughts of autumn and a dive into my stash brought this quilt to life. I used lighter blocks in the middle and shades got darker towards the outer edges; like the gradual change of light in the autumn. The prism design reminded me of a compass and which direction the wind was coming from. The solid block design reminded me of wind swirling. Glide thread (medium brown) Quilting designs; HQ Block 17 and Prisms. Scrappy binding. Finished 68 x 83 inches.
Young Quilt
This quilt was inspired by a print called Iceberg Alley from artist Adam Young. The Fogo Island artist uses vibrant colours. I decided to keep the quilting to a minimum as the fabric and design did all the talking. I made pillow shams to top it off. Glide thread. Dense Stitch-in-the-ditch quilting. Scrappy binding. Finished 86 x 91 inches.
North Star
Pattern from Missouri Star Company. Thoughts of summer; star gazing, fresh clear blue water and flowers. I carried over the flower design from the border print to quilt on the center angular blocks. In the border, I extended the angular lines. Coordinated pillow shams. Omni 30 thread Skylight. Light Custom quilting, Finished 80 x 80 inches.
Bird Song
The center panel was from a Sew Kind of Wonderful pattern called Bird Song. I added panels to enlarge it to fit on the single bed. I quilted a meander throughout the center and added imaginary flowers on some of the stems. The leaves and birds were given some details. Along the border, I added some leaves and vines. Glide thread. Dense custom quilting. Finished size 72 x 92 inches.
Lindsay’s Log Cabin
Lindsay @homegrowsmalltown worked all winter on this queen sized Log Cabin quilt while her farm duties were on fallow. She’s a busy mom and businesswoman. This was her first large quilt and she did an amazing job! She was looking for an airy feel, so we lightly quilted it with an edge to edge design that incorporated curves based on the moon and curved stars in the fabric. I find curves balance the straight line piecing.
Sweet Treat for a Hot Summer Day
This was a quilt made for a special little girl who likes ice cream. Pattern by Penandpaperpatterns and quilted with an edge to edge ice cream cone design.
Sparkle Quilt
Sparkle is a pattern by Sarah Chimblo @srhsews. I found it in Modern Monthly Issue 4. The Modern Quilt Guild puts out a quarterly publication for members to challenge their skills. This was a block study with variation in the size of the blocks. I liked how the gems were designed to be floating. Definitely a technique I would like to try in my own quilt pattern designs. I had some extra material left so I pieced the backing and off set it. Same quilt, but two sides to shine! I used a denser edge to edge Longarm quilting pattern is called Wrenchworks stitched with a grey Glide thread. It finished about 49 x 49 inches.
Autumn Log Cabin Spiral
Traditional log cabin quilt block arranged in a spiral. This formation reminded me of a labyrinth or centering path. I find walking along the forest paths to be my favourite centering activity. During September, the woods were covered in brown, orange, yellow and cream coloured mushrooms. The different shapes and textures were inspiring. I had some leftover material and test blocks that I turned into zippered pillow accents. Permosoft #50 Khaki thread. Edge to Edge Stipple or Meander. Finished 89 x 100 inches.
Quadsville
I have been exploring modern quilt designs lately. This was a block study by The Modern Quilt Guild. Designer Jamie Siel @sewbrainy. I used a turquoise thread to show the graffiti style quilting in the negative space. The arrangement of the blocks reminds me of a European market in the center of a village. My urban planning studies creeping in. Glide thread turquoise. Edge to edge Karlee Porter EZ Doodle quilting design. Attached binding by machine to front and by hand to back. Finished 65 x 65 inches.
Radiant Glow
Pattern was in Quilt Sampler magazine Fall/Winter 2019 by Dora Cary @orangedotquilts. The colour of the fabric caught my eye. They are rich and earthy. At the time I was quilting this, there were a lot of dragonflies around. Did you know that dragonflies symbolize adaptability, change and transformation? Edge to Edge Dragonflies. Attached binding by machine front and back. Finished 60×60 inches.
Pins and Paws
Pattern by Jenny Doan, Missouri Star Quilt Company. Made for a cat lover! I custom quilted the cat features and in the background I used pebbles and lines. In the border area I quilted paw prints. Pillow shams and a rug were made to coordinate. Glide thread. Custom quilting, Scrappy binding. Finished 68 x 77 inches.
Shining Stars
Star pattern from Sew Kind of Wonderful. I used up some fabric leftover from another project. The grey thread was used to quilt the star design from edge to edge. 70 x 84 inches
Totally Tulips
Pattern from Missouri Star Quilt Company. I was looking for a quilt that screams Spring!!! I had fun making pebbles and ribbon candy in the background. Added some details to the tulips and the leaves. Glide thread white. Dense custom quilting. Finished size 89 x 90 inches.
Soak Up the Sun
Pattern from Sew Kind of Wonderful. I made the quilt a little larger to use on a single bed. Inspired by the sunflowers that grown in our garden. I like to watch them grow; they turn their faces to follow the sun. In the fall and winter, the birds come to eat the seeds. Joyful flowers! Permasoft #50 Khaki. Edge to Edge Flutterflies. Finished size 70 x 87 inches.
Stock Market Rally
King size scrappy quilt made for my husband who likes to read the business section every morning. The rally block, designed by Melanie Tuazon, reminded me of stock market graphs or performance charts. The block was adapted in size. A modern snail design was quilted edge to edge. Medium grey Glide thread. Finished size 95 x 96
About Stitch and a Round
Karen Mahoney is a sewist offering any step along the quilting process starting with design to finishing with a binding.
Long arm quilter located in Ottawa and Upper Ottawa valley.
Get In Touch
- stitchandaround@gmail.com
stitchandaround.ca 