And photos that BEG to be shared.
I wanted to share with you Jesse’s Orca Bay quilt!
She writes:
Dear Bonnie,
I found your Orca Bay Quilt Pattern online and fell in love with it!!!
Since I am 15 years old and in 4-H, I decided I would make Orca Bay and Enter in the Johnson County Kansas fair.
I am the club reporter for the Great Plains 4-H club, and thought I would email you and share with you my results with your pattern.
Instead of using your color scheme, I went with the colors purple, aqua, white and black to match my bedroom. Because I was entering this quilt in fair, I had to get all the points, corner and seams to match up... Consequently, it took me seven months to make this quilt!
Your instructions were very easy for me to follow (THANK YOU).
Orca Bay is found in my book String Fling!
This was my first time to use the Companion and easy angle. I have made four other lap size quilts before, but not a king size quilt!Not only is Jess’s quilt GORGEOUS in her purples and aquas, but she is cute as a bug herself!
I wanted to thank you for providing this quilt pattern because I learned sooo much!!!
Fair was two weeks ago and my quilt got a Purple and a Grand Champion Ribbon. Because I got a purple, I am taking this quilt to state fair in September. Because my project was so big, and because I did a lot of community service with quilting, and because I taught the quilting class in my 4-H club, I am doing a Kansas Award Portfolio.
I have yet to use my quilt, so after state fair I will finally get to use my quilt. I had heard that you visited a quilt shop in Shawnee, Kansas. I would love to listen to teach you if you were to visit near me again!! I attached a picture of me and my finished quilt.
Jessica Gunkel
She is a quilter to be reckoned with! Oh, if only we ALL could have started so early ----imagine the things we could accomplish!
Congrats, Jesse, let me know how you do in the State Fair! This one is a winner for sure!
Thank you for sharing that, Bonnie. Jesse, you are a fantastic quilter and an amazing young woman. Many, many quilters are too daunted looking at all those little blocks and so many triangles to even begin that quilt. But not you! What a great way to go through your life, unstoppable. Good for you! Keep it up and you will do whatever you dream of. Go girl!
ReplyDeleteThat is a big WOW! Jessica did a great job and I love her colors. She is very deserving of her awards.
ReplyDeletebeautiful... absolutely love the colors...
ReplyDeleteWow, absolutely FANTASTIC !!!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work, and beautiful color choices. Welcome to the quilting family! It's so good to see young people interested in the art!
ReplyDeleteJessica you will go far in the quilting world. That is an amazing rendition of your pattern, Bonnie. Way to go Jessica. I love your quilt; I wish you all the best.
ReplyDeleteNancyB in AZ
Completely and utterly stunning! I wish her the best at State!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Great job.
ReplyDeleteThe colors are great! Jessica, congrats on your prize!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story you shared Bonnie! Jessica you must be so proud of yourself, beautiful quilt and congrats on your ribbons and awards. You have inspired me to dig out my Orca Bay that is in tubs waiting to be pieced together. Good luck at the Kansas State Fair!
ReplyDeleteFabulous job Jessica! And the hard working and persistence is paying off, congratulations!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful. I love the colors. Congratulations on your superior award. Will watch for updates with state fair results.
ReplyDeleteStunning!! She should be proud. Good luck at the fair.
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful to see new quilters at such a young age! It gives me great hope that the art of quilting won't be a victim to the digital age. Beautiful interpretation of the Orca Bay quilt. LOVE the colors!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Jessica's quilt is so beautiful. I hope she takes another ribbon at the state fair. More importantly, I hope she continues quilting, sharing her quilts and quilting, and teaching others to quilt for many years to come!
ReplyDeleteFabulous. My very picky daughter said she would love that quilt
ReplyDeleteJan
Fabulous Quilt, Jessica! I love your color choices~everything about it is just perfect! Congratulations on all the ribbons, and I'm pretty sure it will win at the State Fair competition too!
ReplyDeleteWow & WOW! What a talented quilter Jessica is! I wish her the best of luck at the state fair. Thanks for sharing her story.
ReplyDeleteLoved the beautiful colors in Jessica's quilt! It is wonderful to hear that someone her age is excited about quilting and already can choose such a beautiful color palette.
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure! Congratulations Jessie, well deserved and such a wonderful quilt. You certainly are going to go far in the quilting industry with your eye for colour, precision, and 'no fear' attitude. Knock them dead at State!!
ReplyDeleteOK, that is just amazingly beautiful!! You should be very proud Jessica.
ReplyDeleteThe quilt and story are just wonderful. Best of luck at State. Thanks for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteJesse, keep it up. You are an inspiration to other kids and this is another thing that is "what's right with kids"! It is heartwarming to see one so young with such ambition and kindness. Go, Jesse, YOU ROCK!
ReplyDeleteCool, great quilt! And look how her shirt matches, ha ha! She is a quilter!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fabulous! Love the colors!
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible job this young quilter did. Very, very impressive. The colors are awesome too! Congratulations Jessica!
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome!! I admire her persistence especially since I gave up when I ran into a size problem instead of trying to figure it out....I hope she wins first at state!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Jessica on this absolutely stunning quilt!! Her color choices are outstanding. Best of luck at the State fair.
ReplyDeleteWow, Jessica! What a super job you did on this! Thanks for sharing this with us, Bonnie!
ReplyDeleteBonnie, Thank you for sharing Jessica's story and quilt. I think it is wonderful that young ladies are quilting. Jessica-Wonderful job on your quilt! I know you will do well at the State Fair in September. Let us know how you do.
ReplyDeleteLove it! What a talented young lady!
ReplyDeleteWow! Great job...wish I had started to quilt that young.
ReplyDeleteFabulous job Jessica! I love your quilt! I hope you'll let us know how the quilt does at State Fair. You'll be bringing home another ribbon, I have no doubt. Tremendous accomplishment, and tremendous quilt.
ReplyDeleteall choked up reading this and figured you must be in tears and proud as a peacock for inspiring this gal and creating a lifelong quilter in the bargain. terrific job and a terrific model....
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Bonnie. Pass along congratulations to her and what a beautiful job she did! Keep us updated!
ReplyDeleteI really do think you should make her your apprentice and/or intern so the next generation can also benefit!
What a wonderful quilt! What well deserved awards! Thank you for showing us this, Bonnie!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSoooo beautiful. First quilt? Shazaam.
ReplyDeleteHoly Cow that is gorgeous!!!!! Love the colors.
ReplyDeleteI hope Jessica is reading these comments! Her quilt is spectacular!! She obviously has a great sense of color, and her points look perfect (even if it took 7 months!) A winner for sure!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this picture!
Jory
I agree with Jory......I also hope Jessica is reading these comments. She did a wonderful job with this quilt. You are right that she will be a quilter to be reckoned with for sure. You need some kudos also. You have a wonderful influence on so many quilters, young and old alike. Thanks for sharing Jessica's quilt.
ReplyDeleteSo accomplished at a young age, beautiful quilt. Good luck at State Fair.
ReplyDeleteI am blown away!!!! This is one of the quilts I have marked to try at some time and I am SO intimidated now!! I love her colors...this really is just gorgeous! Jess...soon we will be taking classes from YOU! Congratulations and thank you so much for sharing it with Bonnie and Bonnie for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteSo when you dome back to town, let's make sure she comes over to the house for dinner!
ReplyDeleteI loved this story!! You ROCK Jessica! Keep on stitching and inspiring other young quilters!!
ReplyDeleteP
GREAT BIG WOW to Jessica. This is amazing. Way to rock the quilt world young quilter.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quilt!! Good luck at the state fair, Jessica!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful job done by Jessica and what a great compliment to you Bonnie?
ReplyDeleteThat's what I love about quilting.
Jessica, beautiful quilt!! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWTG young lady!!!! good luck at the state fair!
ReplyDeleteIf I work hard I may get as good as Jessica. She is awesome!!! A joy to see her work and hear her story.
ReplyDeleteHere is a young girl with a very bright future. Awesome work, Jessica!
ReplyDeleteStunning, a wonderful quilt. I am so glad you shared her letter so heartwarming. Good luck Jessica in the State Fair you are definitely a winner!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work, beautiful color combination. Jessica has the right idea, slow down and do a really great job. Congratulations Jessica, and Bonnie for giving us the pattern and great instructions!
ReplyDeleteJust Fabulous!!!!!! Congratulations to you Jessica and a huge thanks to all quilters who do what they love..... love seeing the younger generation taking on this wonderful craft. See Bonnie? If it wasn't for your generosity.....thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteOnly seven months to complete? I've spent more time than that on easy patterns. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI love everything about Jessica's quilt. Congratulations Jessica and good luck at state!
ReplyDeleteWow this just blows me away! She is quite the quilter and you are right Bonnie if wehad all started so young what we could have accomplished by now. Jessica I know you will win at the Fair and you should be so proud. Keep on sewing we are all inspired by you.
ReplyDeleteWhat an AWESOME job she did. She is definitely one AMAZING young woman. Wishing her all the best at the state fair!!
ReplyDeleteLove the colors combination. Congratulation Jessica for the ribbons. Very well done.- Ivani in Brazil
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool, Bonnie! Wonder if she'd finish mine now. I'm up to the borders. : )
ReplyDeleteAmazing! My favorite colors too... Most quilters are scared to use black cause it shows everything but you did a truly wonderful job. Kudos on teaching quilting too! I think i will have to check it out in person... See you at the state fair!
ReplyDeleteOh my double goodness!! This young woman is blowing us all out of the water! Is there a way to donate toward a college grant for her? She is amazing...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Jessica. Terrific job!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this Bonnie. Jessica is turning into a very accomplished quilter having completed this quilt at the age of 15. I only wish I had been able to start quilter by that age. I hope she continues to enjoy this passion and who knows, we may see her in print or on TV in the future. I wish her good luck for the fair. - Linda from England
ReplyDeleteGood luck at the State Fair Jessica. I love Jessica's choice of colors. The quilt is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis made my day - what a beautiful quilt and talented girl. We will be seeing Jessica's name in the future world of quilting - mark my words!
ReplyDeletesao in Midlothian, VA
Well, I always wanted to meet Bonnie Hunter, but never imagined I would get that connection through my 15 year old daughter! Jessica, I am so proud of the work you do! Your quilt is beautiful and matches your room flawlessly. I knew you could finish well. I've also always wanted to do "Orca Bay" and now that you are finished with my sewing machine, maybe I will get the chance. :-) To all the questions posed here, Jesse started quilting in kindergarden, on my lap. This quilt was her biggest undertaking so far and she did it all by herself from cutting to piecing to binding. It did take her 7 months, but she did devote up to 5 hours a day on it at some points and had the biggest trouble with the borders. She got the chance to quilt a few rows of her quilt, and is new to longarm quilting but she likes that process too. She finished sewing her binding just a few days before judging. Her quilt did win purple and over all grand champion fiber arts division and goes to the Kansas State Fair in a few weeks. Thanks for all your well-wishes for Jesse. I am one proud mamma! Jessica is a 4th generation quilter.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous quilt! Keep up the wonderful work, Jessica!
ReplyDeleteOne sweet quilt and quilter!
ReplyDelete