So honored to have been selected as a semifinalist for my rendition of Sue Garman’s pattern of Friends of Baltimore which I named Missouri Splendor.
For those of you who followed along with the making of it on my blog it took me three years to complete. It was a wonderful journey and so very rewarding. One of the many reasons I love applique is that it slows the world down to a speed where I can contemplate different issues, I can use the time for self introspection, I can reflect on the days events, but in the beginning of the making of Missouri Splendor I focused on grieving the loss of my brother. I am also able to enjoy time spent with my fur babies as they always follow me around and I have a bed for them in my sewing room. Being recognized for the work I put in this quilt is very validating.
I do have another quilt I would like to make as my next competition quilt. I am collecting fabrics for it at this time.
I recall that while I was contemplating the making of Missouri Splendor I shopped for several years for just the right fabrics. I remember going to AQS Paducah with a long shopping list for Hancocks and the vendors at the show. Primarily I was on the hunt for blacks and grays as I had determined that all the vases in the quilt would be from various blacks and grays. But like any quilter while at Hancocks I managed to come home with 6 whole bolts of fabrics. Go figure, it’s an addition. Probably need some sort of 12 step program but I think after 50 years I’m a goner.
I really need to give a shout out to Merrily We Quilt Along in Springfield, MO where I actually found 80-85% of the fabrics used in my quilt. They were courteous enough to order a whole bolt of fabric for me that was used as the background fabric. Those wonderful ladies who work there were also so encouraging when I would bring a block in that I was working on and ooooh and aaaw over it. So many wonderful memories while making Missouri Splendor.
Currently working on Queen’s Cross by Jen Kingwell. Loving this pattern. Curved piecing always a challenge. I do love to be challenged.
Today is my birthday – doubly celebrating today. Woohoo.
Tomorrow heading to Springfield to fabric shop for that next applique quilt. Love touching fabric. Yes it is an addiction.
Happy stitches everyone.
Katherine Sissy Malone
Appliquenut 
January 16th, 2023 at 1:53 pm
What a beautiful quilt! I love Sue’s patterns and have a lot of them. You are the ultimate appliquer! I am curious – do you use glue or are you a traditional needle turn appliquer? 3 years is a long time, but to make a masterpiece it takes time. Hugs and Happy Birthday!
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January 16th, 2023 at 4:31 pm
Thank you for your kind words. My back ground is needle turn applique. 10 years ago I ventured into trying freezer paper prepared edge applique and am really enjoying the results. There are times when I still fall back on my needleturn background to get the desired look. Next up for me is Phillipa Naylor’s technique on fusible backing of applique and precision machine applique. I am a huge proponent of Karen Kay Buckley’s perfect circles. Three years is a long time, but I was also working full time. I am retired now and spending plenty of quality time in my sewing room. Thank you again.
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January 16th, 2023 at 5:09 pm
I tried machine applique, but I could see I would not like it, so stuck with the needle turn. I stay away from the glue, etc and still old fashioned with my applique, other than I purchase cut sheets of freezer paper and then print the pieces on that – saves a lot of tracing…. I love Kay’s perfect circles and have a couple of her patterns – heck I need to have a pattern sale as I have tooo many that will never be finished in my lifetime. I am happy that you are retired now. We retired at 55 – Now it has been 24 years of Retirement and we stay busy with our hobbies. Have a Studio separate from the house for Clay and I to ‘play in’ every day – Keeps us from just sitting around – no boredom here! Have a great week! Hugs
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January 16th, 2023 at 5:30 pm
Happy Birthday!! I hope you get to do all the fun things today.
Your quilt really is exceptional, and I hope you enter it in more shows. It deserves to be seen by all the quilters!
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February 10th, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Thank you so much. I shipped it to Paducah this week. I was very nervous shipping it. I will be thrilled to see it hanging at the quilt show in March.
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