Marshmallow Rain
Posted on April 20, 2023 by prairiemoonquilts in Longarm QuiltingToday, I’d like to tell you about a quilt I quilted back in November of 2018, so I’m digging way back in the archives.
I’ll warn you here at the start that this is a picture-heavy post, but if you’re looking for a library of quilting design ideas, this might help you out.
This quilt is a quilt designed by Victoria Findlay Wolfe. It’s called Marshmallow Rain. She did all the piecing, then passed it to me to do the appliqué and quilting. It was such a fun quilt to work on!
Marshmallow Rain was featured in the Craft in America PBS episode on Quilts, and then was purchased for the Craft in America Gallery’s permanent collection. When Victoria and I attended the reception for the opening exhibit for that episode, we got to see it hanging in the gallery, along with this quilt that I also quilted for her, called “The Space Between Heartbeats”. You can read about “The Space Between Heartbeats” HERE.
Before Marshmallow Rain went to live in California, it also hung in an AQS show, so it’s done its share of traveling!
Well, Craft in America is having another exhibit, featuring pieces from their permanent collection, and Marshmallow Rain is among them, so I thought now was a good time to finally talk about that quilt! You can read more about the exhibit and view it online HERE. The exhibit runs till May 27 in their gallery, so if you live in the area, you could catch it in person.
But now, about the quilt . . .
The leaves were fastened down with bias strips, which Victoria sewed on first, and then the remaining edges needed to be appliquéd down, so that was my part.
Then the little “marshmallows” had to be appliquéd on. You’ll notice in the pictures that some of them are appliqué, and some of them are thread painted on, each with a different design.
In the background, we wanted things to appear to be “raining” down, so I made random squares in all different positions, falling through the background.
The background itself was simply quilted with straight lines, first vertical, then horizontal, alternating throughout the quadrants of the main blocks. The falling squares appear on top of the background.
Each marshmallow has concentric circles quilted around it for a ripple effect.
I quilted each colored part the same in each block:
To get the falling squares in position, I used a freezer paper template, positioned it on, then quilted the outline around the paper. After picking up my template, I filled in the design.
For some of the designs, I used my Simflex gauge to divide the space up evenly. Such a handy tool!
And each falling square, and each square around the outer edges, has a different design in it.
This one is one of my favorites in the whole quilt:
So there you have it! If you’re looking for some block design ideas, maybe one of the above will inspire you. I have my favorites, and hope to use them again on other quilts in the future when the opportunity arises.
I did not keep all the details on thread colors for this quilt, and I can’t remember the finished size, either, but I do know we used a wool batting inside, and Victoria bound it in all the different colored solids that the marshmallows are made from.
I sure had fun quilting this one, and I’m super thrilled that it has a wonderful permanent home! Victoria and I do collaborations quite a bit, and there’s another one I need to show you, so someday I’ll get my photos together and show that one to you as well.
You’re quilting is just amazing! Thanks for the show and tell – it’s beautiful!
Oops – Your, not you’re, lol
Your creativity and skill continue to astound me.
Beautiful quilting and gorgeous quilt. Thank you for all the photos – so many details and ideas to explore!
Absolutely beautiful! I see the designs in themselves are basic but the way they come together is WOW! That’s where the talent lies…coming up with the concept. Of course execution matters too. Just fabulous.
You’ve given me some good ideas and inspiration here, not sure I have the patience to do anything near that much work. 😂
Beautiful
That’s like a text book of quilting designs. The way all the different techniques come together is amazing. But I expect nothing less from you my friend.
That is just beautiful. Wow wow wow!!!
Something for everyone there to play with. I love wool batting because the quilting makes it look so soft and puffy – even where it is heavily quilted, it just stands out even more. Marshmallow eye candy! LOL
xxx
You are unbelievable in what you can do. It just blows my mind. You’re in a league of your own
Absolutely beautiful! Love your work–thank you for sharing!
Wow!!! Amazing quilting! You’re so exquisitely talented!
WOW! You are an artist with incredible talent! Thank you for sharing with us. And don’t worry about the number of photos. I, for one, never get tired of looking at outstanding work!
I saw this one in person and it is amazing. thanks for the details.
Your quilting is just fabulous! How did you two start working together?
Wow!!! Amazing quilting – as always from you. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks for sharing all the photos. I love the way you two work together – your quilting really does make her designs shine! So question – do you two talk over the quilting design, does Victoria have ideas of what she wants in the quilting, or does she just allow you to have at it and have fun? Whatever the case, you two work really well together!
Your quilting is amazing. I only wish I could quilt like you. Thank you for showing us your beautiful work!
I’ve had the pleasure of checking out some of the quilts you quilted for Victoria at the New England Quilt Museum. They’re gorgeous and loaded with ideas. Thanks for generously sharing.
You are an amazing quilter. So much precision. A true work of art.
You and VFW make the most amazing team! The piecing, appliqué, and quilting wouldn’t mean a thing without the other elements. Sometime I’d love to hear about how you met and and began to work together.
Your quilting is phenomenal! Thanks so much for sharing it with us. I love, love, love seeing that gorgeous quilting!
Stunning! Absolutely stunning!!!
WOW – terrific and unique!
Beautiful and crazy creative quilt. One you sure didn’t get bored quilting! Love how each piece is different; but, there is still continuity with the quilting. Thank you so much for sharing.
Your quilt work is fantabulous. Seriously, it is an amazing tour de force. What a creative, instinctive quilter you are!
I thought if I hung out with you this many years I could quilt like you. Lol. But I have to say that all of that time and ideas brought me a long way from left-handed nonartistic where you found me gorgeous ideas.
Your quilting is breath taking. Amazing work!
It may have taken 5 years to get the pictures together but is was worth the wait. Beautiful quilting and appliqué. Such a treat to hear the back story about your collaboration📍