For the Queen of Dresdens

I've been making a little something for a private swap with Tracey. I think I'll wait until she receives it to show a full photo, but since I finished it tonight here's a little sneak peek.

Here's the back with a bit of the hand and machine quilting

As has happened in other swaps I've done, there was definitely some quilter's karma at work here. For some reason I was having a creative block on what to make Tracey. She's a very generous swapper, always paying close attention to her partner's preferences and style, and ultimately making them beautiful quilts. So, I felt that I should make every attempt to do the same for her!

Tracey loves Dresden Plates and last year made one for all of her fellow Quilting Divas in the sampler bee group. I know she's given them away in the Pillow Talk Swap, too. I couldn't tell if she's ever kept one for herself. The decision was made: I would make Tracey a Dresden Plate doll quilt. Now all I needed was the right fabric. Wouldn't you know it, I received an email for a fabric sale! What luck, they had the charm pack I wanted!

Then Tracey through some curves at me. In her 2010 summary she mentioned wanting to move away from quilts made with one fabric line. Oh no!

Briefly I panicked.

I second guessed my fabric choice...maybe it wasn't going to work!

Should I go scrappy?

Then one post later, she showed this quilt and revealed how much she loves French General's La Petite Ecole.

Phew. Sigh of relief.

Because that's what she's getting!

Argh, wouldn't you know it, the one mitred corner of the red selvage border that DIDN'T line up is the one I had to photograph in super-close-up. Oh well. Trust me, the other three are perfect! These Rouenneries selvages are courtesy of my friends Sandi & Rossie who donated them to me at November retreat. They are so pretty and perfect for skinny little 1/2" borders!

Knowing she's got a coordinating quilt, I gave Tracey the option of this swap coming as a wall hanging, or a pillow. She requested a bound pillow so she could hang it on the wall OR use it on the couch.....and because I aim to please, that's what I made.