Here are a couple photos of a new silk bag I am working on.  Soon I will have more  photos posted of bags and purses for sale on my online shop!

I used silk dupioni for the outer fabric and handle (with a stabilizer) and a deep red taffeta for the lining.  I did the hand beading on the sides and may be adding more along the black band around the entire purse.  (It doesn’t feel completed yet to me.)  Unfortunately the photos aren’t the best but I hope to post better shots of the new bags once they are done!

I’ve also included a photo of some silk Dupioni fabrics I have been purchasing recently for this project.  If you are interested in a special color combination and/or design, feel free to email me your ideas and I will send a price quote in return.

Happy Spring!

Audra at AuraQuilts.com

So it is Friday (Yay!) and I am getting ready to leave for the International Quilt Festival in Chicago.  Here is the info if you are interested.   When I return I’ll be posting photos and a review!

For those of you in the New York area, the Brooklyn Quilt Guild is having their big quilt show.  Here is the information!

I also wanted to share with you this fantastic article about a dentist that made an amazing “Last Supper” quilt !  Click here to see it!     I’m not religious but this quilt is superb and had to share it with you all.

Enjoy your weekend and I look forward to updating you on the Chicago festival.

Happy sewing!

Audra at AuraQuilts.com

Here’s a terrific article that I thought all of you should read!

Click here for the article!

I love how these men have picked up quilting as a hobby!  Even I  get jokes and smart remarks when I tell people I am a quilter just because of my very young age (don’t even try to make a comment! haha!).  It’s about time that we all started redefining the image of a quilter from a quiet old lady with 10 cats!  (No offense at all to you silver haired quilting divas out there!!!)

Bravo truckers!  Bravo!

Audra at AuraQuilts.com

Ok..  So I was just re-reading through a post that Leah Day had put on her blog back in December.

Click here for the post.

I have been thinking about this the past year, in detail, and have done a bit of research.

I bought my first machine last summer.  It was a $240.00 Singer Confidence Quilter.   It came with lots of great feet, an attachable table, a wonderful drop in bobbin with a clear plastic closure that allows you to see your bobbin how much thread you have left in it without taking the whole thing out.  No bobbin case to mess with!  I LOVED this about the machine.  For some reason I am very intimidated by bobbin cases. haha!  The feed dogs drop to allow for free motion quilting and it has many cute decorative stitches (Though I have only used a couple of them).  I was very happy with it while learning to quilt on a machine but now that I have grown as a quilter, I feel like I need more speed -and a smooth speed at that-  for my free motion quilting.  I am planning on purchasing a used Bernina 440QE in a few weeks!  I’m very excited as I’ve used them in class at The City Quilter in Manhattan.  I can tell a big difference in the precision of the stitch and ease of control while doing both piecing and free motion.

I didn’t see anyone in Leah’s posting state any comments about the 440.  Do any of you have a 440 and do you like the machine?

The Singer I have allowed me to learn the basics and to piece things well but I find it is NOT great for free motion quilting.  The threads don’t break but I always have to put the tension at the highest setting it will go in order to keep the threads from looping on the bottom.   The Singer isn’t as smooth as I’d like it to be but I don’t think I’ll be getting rid of it any time soon as it’s still great at piecing and sewing simple projects.

What I have learned from other quilters and online comments, there is no perfect machine…  Why??  Don’t you think with so many quilters out there someone would have invented the perfect machine by now?

WHAT MACHINE DO YOU LIKE  BEST FOR QUILTING??

Happy Sewing!

Audra at AuraQuilts.com

If you are planning on going and haven’t booked your room yet, I suggest you do so soon.  I was just advised that there are only a few rooms left at the Hilton – which has a walkway and is connected to the convention center.  The other hotels you will need to take the bus to get to the convention center.

Happy Sewing!

Audra at AuraQuilts.com

If you haven’t already,  check out the Chicago Quilt Festival here.

I just got my tickets and I am very excited to go!  I’ve seen a few quilts shows but this will be my first festival/convention.  Yeah, yeah…I know..what a newbie!

I’ll be sure to bring back lots of pictures, info and comments for all of you to enjoy!

Thanks for reading and Happy Sewing!

Audra at AuraQuilts.com

You can now check out my new items for sale on my Shop page by clicking here!

Bags and shirts in different design and color choices to suit your personal taste!

Funny and witty sayings that any quilter and/or fiber artist would love to wear.

AuraQuilts.com Shop!

I’ll be adding more items this week!

Thanks for reading and Happy Creating!!!

Audra at AuraQuilts.com

I have finally (thanks to the help of my wonderfully talented boyfriend) placed an order for my business cards.  

Here is a little peek at the front:

I’ve added the same picture to the back with a description of my company and the web address again.  I purchased my cards at VistaPrint.com.  (Their prices are more reasonable than other sites. 

*WARNING* You have to watch out for their trickery.  They try to trick you into buying extra things you don’t need like a coffee mug with your logo, or a stamp with your name and address but it’s definitely worthwhile.  Their shipping charges are crazy but just opt for the free shipping option even though it says 21 days.  I’m sure you will get it much faster than that.   I placed the order two days ago and it already has a FedEx tracking number on it.   I’ll let you all know exactly how long it takes.

Thanks for reading and Happy Sewing!

Audra at AuraQuilts.com

I’ve added the border to the Ulu quilt block by using the leftover fabric from cutting the design out for the flower applique.  I basically did “trial and error” like cutting out a snowflake from paper until it finally resulted in something I was happy with.  The corners remind me of Moroccan doorways which I like very much!  I’ve also been contemplating rotating the block on point (yes, I know this isn’t the traditional way to do a Hawaiian quilt but I like to do what I like!     )

It is currently 25″ x 25″.  I have now added a batting and backing and am ready to quilt it.  Once the quilting is done I plan to scallop the edges before binding.  This should bring the quilt down to approximately 22″-24″.  I’m definitely adding beading but am still contemplating what colors, where and how much to add.  (Yes, I am trying not to imagine it completely encrusted with beads…it’s difficult to do but I think I can control myself. haha)

Thanks for reading and Happy Sewing!!

Audra at AuraQuilts.com

I’ve finally appliquéd  (by hand/needle turn technique) the ulu flower onto my background fabric.  It was my first completed applique project so don’t be too critical of the…umm… let’s say ORGANIC look of the petals and leaves.  haha   The lines aren’t perfectly straight, curved and pointed but a flower isn’t exactly perfect in nature anyway, right?!?

Here she is:

I’m pleased with the completed flower and am now working on adding a scalloped border which I made with the extra red fabric from cutting out the ulu flower pattern.  I’m working on basting it onto the background fabric and will be working on appliqué-ing it this week.  I’ll post photos soon!

Thanks for reading and Happy Sewing!

-Audra at AuraQuilts.com