Shenandoah Valley Botanical Album Quilt

Hi Everyone ~

I have been working on a beautiful applique album quilt made by Patricia D. of Gainesville, Virginia. A little background on the quilt pattern. The quilt pattern is based on an original quilt made by Ester B. Matthews in 1858. The Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg, Virginia sponsored a monthly Sew Along to raise awareness of Ester B. Matthews' quilt and to help fund the Virginia Quilt Museum. If you are interested in appliqueing your own Shenandoah Valley Album quilt and supporting the Virginia Quilt Museum visit their shop at http://www.vaquiltmuseum.org/. There are other patterns available as well. More information on the monthly Sew Along can be found at http://svbotanicalquilt.blogspot.com/.

Patricia's quilt is a full size replica of the original quilt that measures 96" x 98". She used contemporary fabric in this traditional pattern.

I wanted to make sure the quilting respected and gives a nod to traditional and contemporary designs because this quilt represents both past and present. How exciting, right!?!

The feathers and crosshatch represent the traditional and the swirls and pearls represent the contemporary or present. The quilting needed a little something extra, I felt, because of the botanical album design. So, I put in a couple different butterflies and a few lady bugs here and there.

Designing the quilting was a little stressful (but fun) because I wanted to make sure my design was right. I drew probably 6 design options. I kept coming back to one that I knew was going to be time consuming partly due to the crosshatch being 1/4 inch. But, it was the right design for this quilt. With the decision made, I pressed ahead.

The batting used was Quilters Dream Orient. Thread used was Superior Kimono Silk on the top and Fil-Tec Magna Glide Classic in the bobbin.