Introducing Redbird Quilt Co.

Are you familiar with the blog called Karen's Quilts, Crows and Cardinals? I found her blog through some other blog I read. Can't recall which one though.  I am so glad I decided to stop by to see what kinds of things she was blogging about. Karen does beautiful wool and cotton hand applique. 

Karen has decided to start a new endeavor by designing patterns. Spring Basket is her first ever published pattern.

Isn't it sweet? You know that bird caught my eye first thing. He makes the pattern even more sweet.

I have been a pattern tester for Stephanie for quite sometime. When I saw that Karen was going to be designing patterns I asked her if she would like me to test her pattern for her. I wasn't sure what she might say but she said yes. Once I got the pattern I went through my wool to prep the pieces which you saw here. Karen recommends using #8 perle cotton thread. I didn't have the colors I needed for my quilt so I just used what I had that matched the wool.

Here is my version of the mini quilt. I finished the applique in three nights while watching TV. I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed seeing the quilt evolve. 

Here are some of the details. The background color is more true in the photo above. I used a flash on the bird photo. Isn't he cute? As you can see from the bottom photo I did free motion quilting around the wool sections. Karen chose to do a big stitch on her quilt.

Karen has written an excellent pattern. I was a little nervous about trying to cut out the half moon shape but with her directions I had no problem whatsoever. Her pattern has other illustrations that will be very help even for a beginner. She breaks the pattern down into sections explaining exactly how she stitched the wool pieces. You can get this pattern in a pdf or your can buy the paper pattern which includes the pattern pieces already printed out on freezer paper. Now how is that for getting you started. I think that is an awesome idea.

Would you like a chance to win a pattern from Karen? She is giving away two patterns. The giveaway is open to Domestic and International winners. If you live in the US you will have your choice of a paper pattern or the pdf. If an international winner is chosen you will receive the pdf.

All you have to do is go by Karen's blog and tell her that you saw her cute pattern on my blog. Be sure that I have some way to get in touch with you if you are one of the two winners.  You can also "like" Karen on her facebook book page, find her new pattern and a free pattern on Craftsy and follow her on Pinterest  and Twitter. Pick one or all of those and that way you will never miss out on what Karen is up to next.

And by the way, Karen is having a giveaway on her blog too. You won't want to miss out!

With Passion,
Carrie P.

ps The winner of the giveaway will be announced Thursday.