The Quilts of Annette Pauls - 28 Bed Quilts

Quilt List

This book was assembled in 2006 as a memory of the 20 years of quilting by our mother, Annette Pauls. Since bragging about one's own accomplishments is against the principles Mom lives by, it is up to us, her kids, to do it for her. Knowing that these quilts will be passed on from generation to generation we hope this provided some helpful background on Mom and our family. From Mom's comments on the process of making the quilts and her opinion of the quilts you will see that while satisfied with many of the quilts, she rates some as "average, standard, mediocre, or not well done." These self critical remarks shows her life-long expectation of herself and her children that we can and should do better than "average." Since joining the Undercover Quilters Guild she has placed her quilts into their shows. She primarily makes large bed quilts, since she "doesn't see the point" in making "non-functional" quilts.

1 Double Wedding Ring 1985 to 1987 & 1987 to 1989

96 x 108 inches. My first and second quilt. I made two of these for Hans and myself, who each had a double bed in the master bedroom with green carpet. I saw this quilt in a shop, which is the one my grandmother made and we slept under growing up. I bought the pattern, instructions and fabric and got started. They were machine pieced and hand quilted. Hans died before they were finished, but he had great fun joking with our neighbor Tom Howard saying, "My wife has lost her mind. She buys large pieces of fabric, then cuts them up in small pieces and next sews them back together again." It was entered in the Undercover Quilt Show in 1993 held at Neuman College. The quilt won the first place blue ribbon for "First quilt finished." Judges comment was "ambitious for a first quilt." The most difficult thing in this quilt is in choosing and coordinating fabric, which is still tricky for me. Finishing the scalloped binding was the most difficult in completing it.

2 Double Wedding Ring 1987 to 1989

96 x 108 inches. The second quilt.

3- John's Prairie Stars with Pieced Border 1987 to 1989

96 x 108 inches. This quilt is the third quilt and it was made for John. At the time it was made I had yet to join a quilt guild and so it was not shown or judged. This is the first star quilt that I made and stars have become my favorite. The prairie stars design was found in the book Shining Star Quilts and the border was my own. It was quilted one block at a time and then assembled which was the most difficult part of this quilt. (Note: see the photo of the quilt when new on the next page which Mom prefers. We kept this photo of the much loved but a bit faded quilt here.)

4- Joanne's Country Bride Late 1980's

96 x 108 inches. This is the 4th quilt. The fifth quilt is of the same design. They were hand appliqued and hand quilted. I made this one for Joanne and the 5th for Liz. They got them as soon as they were finished. I saw the quilt in "The Old Country Store" in Intercourse, PA bought the book and made it per directions. The scalloped binding was the most difficult and not done well. The large templates for quilting were not available at the time so there was a lot of "fitting" to be done. The best thing I did was getting Joanne and Liz to choose their own colors. It was entered in a show with the Undercover Quilters in 1993 at Neuman College and won 3rd place in the applique category. Judges comments "Too many puffy spaces - needs more quilting." I liked the quilt well enough. They seem too feminine for one who shares a room with a man.

5- Liz's Country Bride Late 1980's

96 x 108 inches. This is the 5th quilts and it was for Liz. It was hand appliqued and hand quilted. I liked the quilt well enough. They seem too feminine for one who shares a room with a man.

6- Larry's Lone Star with Applique Late 1980's

96 x 108 inches. This was the 6th quilt. It was made for Larry and Carol. I got the lone star instructions from the "Shining Star Quilts" book and added the applique from another pattern. It was entered in the Undercover Quilt Show in 1993 and won a 1st Place blue ribbon in the mixed category and won 1st as Viewers' Favorite. The judges comment was "overall appearance is crisp and dramatic." Colors again were the most difficult. Carol and I struggled with the blue diamonds unsuccessfully until Larry said we needed some white color in there, which solved the whole equation. I like it very much and plan to make another one someday because stars are my favorite design. At the request of Quilter's Newsletter Magazine I sent this quilt to them for photographing and possible publication in their magazine. It was published in the July/August 2006/No.384 edition, but the faded photo they used didn't do the quilt justice.

7 Mariner's Compass 1989 to 1990

This was the 7th quilt. It is 105" x 115" and was machine pieced and hand quilted. I made it for the King bed in my bedroom and used it there for 15 years. I like it very much and so I decorated my bedroom around it. The design was from a quilters magazine and I added sashes and setting squares. It was not entered in a show. At the time I didn't feel it was good enough to be judged. It was hung at Neuman College on display only. The most difficulty in making it was keeping the points exactly on the seam line. The compass circle had to be hand stitched to the outer pieces to get that done.

8- Marty's Mariner's Compass 1990 -1992

This quilt was made from 1990 to 1992 and was the 8th. It is 96" x 108" hand pieced and hand quilted. I made it for Marty & Debbie and they got it right after the 1995 Undercover Quilt Show where the judges said it was a "great looking quilt" and that "the center circles should be perfectly round." Though it won no ribbons, I like it because it is basically a star design. The design was from a quilting magazine, with sashes and setting squares that I added. The most difficult was getting the points exactly at the seam line. Since this was hand pieced it was easier to be exact at the points

9 Crazy Quilt 1989 to 1997

This 84" x 88" machine pieced and hand embroidered quilt was pieced in 1989 to 1991 and then embroidered thru 1997. I made it just to see if I could, after missing my chance to buy one made in 1939 for $120 while in Tennessee visiting Larry during his operation in the late 1980's. It's OK, though not my favorite. It took six years to make and is strictly non-functional. It was entered in the Undercover Quilt Show in 1997 at the Brookhaven Municipal Center and won a first place blue ribbon in the mixed category. It got rave remarks from the viewers and the judges commented on the beautifully done border stitches. It hung in my living room for one year and that was enough. The design was not difficult. I have a crazy quilt book to help. Also a book of 1000 embroidery stitches and how to do them. I added the dark red silk border - it just seemed to belong on there. Most difficult in making was marking the fabrics to embroider. Since this quilt has no batting, fitting the backing to the top was a challenge. The pieced fabrics were accumulated scraps. The back and border were purchased special for the quilt.

10 Cathedral Windows 1990's

This 97" by 107" quilt was not traditionally quilted. The background was machine pieced and the windows hand stitched. The idea came from seeing one of these at a quilt show in Georgia. The patterns and instructions came from a magazine. I made this quilt for the challenge - wasn't sure I could. It was entered in the Undercover Quilts Show in 1997 at the Brookhaven Municipal Building. It got three positive comments, no negative ones and no ribbons. It may have earned a ribbon if I had used like colors to make one or more designs within the quilt. It may have seemed boring. I like it OK, though it is heavier than most quilts. A lighter muslin for the background squares might have helped. There was a design problem, though I didn't know it. Making the endless background squares was rather tedious. Colored centers were all scraps on hand.

11 Virginia Reel 1992 to 1994

96 x 108 inches. Hand pieced and hand quilted. I saw the design for this quilt in a quilting magazine and was intrigued by the pattern. I added the sashes and setting squares and the three narrow borders. I like it very much because it looks like an old quilt. The most difficult part of it was the precise meeting of all the corners, which in this quilt were not well done. It was entered in the 1995 Undercover Quilt Show, where it won a third place ribbon in the pieced category. I use this quilt on the bed I sleep in when I go to Atlanta to visit Joanne.

12 Carpenter's Wheel 1993-1996

81 x 112 inch, hand pieced and hand quilted. I made this quilt to use up cut diamonds. It is a common design easily found. I added the four inch setting squares, which are eight pointed stars (and which were the most difficult part of the quilt) and I added the sashes. Fabrics and workmanship are mediocre and though OK, is not a favorite. Entered at the 1997 Undercover Quilt show it received a third place ribbon in the pieced category. The judges liked " the excellent selection of color values " but had a lot of negative comments!

13 Blue and White Star with Pieced Border 1993-1997

87" x 100" hand pieced and hand quilted. One of my favorites because it has two of my favorite things - stars and blue color. I made it to use up thousands of blue diamonds that I had cut when trying to get the colors right for another quilt. It was entered in the Undercover Quilts show in 1997 at the Brookhaven Municipal Building. It won a first place blue ribbon in the piece category. The star patterns are from the Shining Star Book. I added the sashes and setting squares. The pieced border is my own. Setting the corner-pieced border was a bit tricky

14 Prairie Stars w/ Wild Goose Chase Sashes & Border 1993 to 1997

95" x 108" hand pieced and hand quilted. I made this quilt to use up hundreds of blue diamonds left over from the first star quilt(13) for which I used the darker colors. Consequently this is a much lighter quilt. I like it very much - again for the stars and blue color. Also, it looks like it belongs in a farmhouse. It won a first place blue ribbon in the pieced category at the 2001 Undercover Quilt show. The judges comment was " Excellent monochromatic color scheme." The star pattern was in the Shining Star Book. This was my first attempt at paper piecing of the border and sashes and was the most difficult part of the quilt.

15 Paper-cut Applique with Friendship Offering Border 1997-99

105" by 105" hand appliqued and hand quilted. I love this quilt. I made it just because I like to applique. It is a favorite, so much so, that I planned to make another as soon as I had finished it. Nine of the blocks are original- done by family and friends. The others are from Baltimore Design patterns. It was entered in the Undercover Quilt Show in 1999 at the Brookhaven Building and won a first place blue ribbon in the applique category and won best of show. I love this quilt and will give it to someone some day, thought I will hate to see it go.

16- Liz's Paper-cut Applique with Dancing Grapevine Border 1998 to 2000

92.5" x 108" hand appliqued and hand quilted. This quilt was made for Elizabeth after the paper-cut applique quilt with the Friendship Border. The patterns are from Baltimore Beauties and the dancing grapevine is from Borders and Medallions. I like it very much. It has an elegant appearance. It was entered in the Undercover Quilt Show in 2001 at the Brookhaven Municipal Building and won a first place in the applique category and a best of show. The judges commented that "the spectacular border enhances the inner blocks." There were two difficulties here - one making perfectly round dime sized grapes. Two - adding and spacing the border by several inches. (Note that the displayed quilt on the next page was pinned by the show personel (hiding the bottom row) in order to fit the display stand.)

18 Barb's Paper-cut Applique w/ Friendships Offering Border 2000-01

Big king size 108" by 121" hand appliqued and hand quilted. I made this quilt so I could have a design from everyone in the family. These are all originals. 22 are from the family and 8 are from friends. I added the sashes, setting squares and border. I sent freezer paper to eeveryone, but getting some people to send me back a design was difficult. Some day I may do it again with 24 blocks and a better background, since the background on this one is disappointing and gives the quilt a muddy look. It was given to Barb early on for getting an RN.

19- Kate's Open Box Quilt 2000 to 2001

I copied this pattern from an antique quilt belonging to a friend who said that "Grandma" called it "open box." The pattern interested me. I have not seen it anywhere else. I added the narrow inside border, which I now wish I had made wider. Entered in the Undercover Quilt Show in 2003, it won a third place ribbon in the pieced category. The judges comment was "terrific pieced accuracy." The quilt was Kate (Stancil) McClure's wedding gift. They were here after they were married and were given a choice to change for another if they wanted, but decided they liked the one they had best. The size is 105" x 111" and the most difficult was the quilting because I used dream poly batting which was very hard to needle.

20- Joanna's Hawaiian 2000-2001

85" x 101" hand appliqued and hand quilted. I made this quilt so I would know how. It worked well with a piece of fabric I didn't know what to do with. Though not a favorite, it was fun to make. Entered in the 2003 Undercover Quilt show at Brookhaven Municipal Building, it won second place in the applique category. Joanna (Pauls)Toms picked this quilt for her wedding gift. The design was in a packet. I took a class in Hawaiian quilting before I started. I added the red, blue and gold flowers. The part I like best in making this quilt is the needle turning applique rather than the freezer paper method. The most difficult was the echo quilting. There is no template and one must eyeball one half inch apart around all edges.

21- Jennifer's Mystery Quilt 2001 to 2002

77" x 90" machine pieced - hand quilted. I made this quilt for myself - as a nap, or an "I don't feel good" quilt. The design was given to us one step at a time for 8 months. It was to be about 48" x 48". I made more blocks for a bigger quilt. The project was a challenge among the quilt guild members. Mine was second best. I like it very much. After finally getting the right blues and greens and purples together, I am pleased with it. At the Undercover quilt show in 2003 it won a second place ribbon in the pieced category. The judged commented on the " unusual and exciting combination of color." It was given to Jennifer Pauls for an early wedding gift in 2006.

22 Mystery Quilt 2003

102" x 108" machine pieced and hand quilted. This is the same design as the first Mystery Quilt, though bigger, big enough for a queen bed. It has not been in a show, and will not be, because I have already entered one just like it. It's OK, but I don't like it as well as the first one - mostly because of the green fabric, which I am not real happy with, since I think gives it too much yellow. The bias seams were just as difficult as the first.

23 Lone Star with Star Border 2002 to 2004

96" x 115" hand appliqued and hand quilted. I made this for myself and I like it very much. The top design like the Lone Star I did in the late 1980's for Larry (using the Shining Star Book and Baltimore Beauties), but the side design was changed to increase the size of the stars. It goes very well with the decor of my bedroom. I made it with a wool batting, so it is warm enough so I don't need a blanket in the winter. It won a first place Blue Ribbon for the mixed category and Best of Show - the judges comment was "WOW!" This quilt must be washed in cold water with a mild soap like woolite and never put in the dryer.

24 Carpenters Wheel Pieced in the 1990's, Quilted 2002-2003

A big King-sized (110" x 110") quilt hand pieced and hand quilted. A common design found easily. I added the nine patch corners and cornerstones to the sashes. Again, I like very much because of the star pattern and blue color. Planned for judging in the 2007 show.

26- Karl's Blue LeMoyne Star with Blue and Maroon Sashes - pieced 1990's, quilted 2004 to 05

95" x 110" hand pieced and hand quilted. When I pieced this it was for no special reason, except to be making a quilt. I quilted it to give to Karl and Nicole for a much belated wedding gift. There is another just like this one waiting to be quilted for Evan. The LeMoyne Start is very common and can be found anywhere. I added the blue and maroon sashes after seeing them done in a show. I like it very much. The stars and color are appealing to me. It won a 3rd place ribbon in the pieced category at the 2005 show. The judges said the "colors create a nice patriotic look." To me the workmanship is pretty standard. The most difficult was getting two blue and two maroon corners to meet exactly. Also finding the right fabric for the alternate squares was a challenge.

27 Jacobean 2002 to 2006

103" x 102" The first of these patterns was given to me by a guild member. I made it because I thought everyone else who got the pattern would make one and I was fascinated by the result. I bought the book and made all the blocks. The border had to be designed from a variety of stems, leaves and flowers, also in the book. .... I am not sure how I feel about it yet. It is NOT something I would have picked just by seeing the picture. My tastes are usually more traditional. The most difficult would have been choosing colors, of course. The patterns had vivid colored pictures, so I copied the colors as closely as I could. ... I plan to enter it in the 2007 show - all things being equal. This was a favorite of several of the family who came to quilt gathering in April 2006.

31 Teddy Bear

32 Sun-bonnet Sue 1996-2005

50 x 65 inch, hand appliqued and hand quilted. I have made three of these for new mothers. One went to John Felter and the second to Caroline Pauls. This is the third one made and went to Kate McClure, whose daughter Natalie died during birth just a week after the quilt gathering. One of these was entered in the 2001 quilt show and won a third place in the Juvenile Applique category. Judges comment was “delightful variety of sun bonnets". I like it well enough. All fabric and workmanship is pretty standard. The pattern if from a quilt shop packet, with the sashes and border added.