Elena's Selvage Quilts

These 2 selvage quilts were made by Elena in Texas. 

See more at Carolina Squirrell.

Very nice work, Elena!

Selvage Quilt by Elena

This colorful selvage quilt was made by Elena McDowell of Texas. She is a very accomplished selvage quilter; you've seen tons of her creations here on the Selvage Blog. You can view her Flickr Photostream, and her website Quilts by Elena. She also has a beautiful Etsy store. Elena is one busy lady!

Elena's Spools Selvage Quilt

Do you remember Elena McDowell, the prolific selvage quilter from Austin, Texas? I've been looking at all the selvage items for sale on etsy.com and I found this delightful quilt made by my old friend Elena. It's listed for $100. Isn't this a cool quilt? I really like this one. Hugs to you Elena!

Zigzag Selvage Quilt on Etsy

This delightful selvage quilt was made by my blogland friend Elena McDowell in Texas and it's for sale in her Etsy store for $180. It measures 30" x 37." I like the black and white striped fabric in this quilt. It looks like bold stitching from a distance. Elena makes the most amazing selvage quilts and other items, many of which (40!) have been featured here on the Selvage Blog.

Elena's Tobacco Barn Quilt

Elena McDowell of NC made this wonderful "Tobacco Barns" selvage quilt. I love the roofs, the stones in the sashing and outer border, and the charming "school-house" quilt look. It's light and airy, just like those breezy barns. It's perfect. Great job, Elena!

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See more of Elena's stunning work at: http://www.quiltsbyelena.com/, and http://www.carolinasquirrel.etsy.com/.

Elena's Selvage Purse

What a stunning selvage purse Elena McDowell of Raleigh, NC has made! There is no end to all the cool stuff Elena can make with selvages. I love the double button, the shape of the flap, and the selvages she arranged on an angle. You can see more of Elena's creations at: www.quiltsbyelena.com.

World's Most Beautiful Selvage (Chair)?

Okay, take a look at this chair (from the Pottery Barn website), and think.....

Isn't this beautiful? I'm thinking about covering an upholstered chair with selvages. I know it's nuts, but wouldn't that be so cool? Tell me what you think. I would cover some foundation pieces, then have an upholsterer cover the chair with them.

Elena McDowell sent me this selvage photo. Do you think she would send me this selvage to put front and center on my chair? I haven't asked her; do you think I should? We have to establish some accepted ethics in this new frontier of qilting. :)

Elena's Heart Quilt

Elena McDowell of Raliegh, NC made this happy little quilt for her husband's birthday. I really like the buttons and the echo quilting. The burgundy and teal border is kind of manly, too.

Happy Valentine's Day Eve!

Moda Selvage Scrap Bags? Yes!

Elena McDowell of Raleigh, NC bought this scrap bag of Moda selvage strips at her local quilt shop, Wish Upon a Quilt. The bag has 40 different fabrics, all 2 1/2" wide and 32" long - all for $9.99. She says they're selling pretty well too. This is the first time I've heard of this! Has anyone else seen these for sale?

Are You Suffering from SO?

Elena McDowell is seeing selvages everywhere...even when they're not selvages! Tell your doctor if you experience this symptom as it may be a sign of Selvage Overload. (I've been watching too many TV commercials.) We're all here for you, Elena!

All those color windows really would look nice in my upcoming "Triangle Trellis" selvage quilt. I feel a case of SO coming on too!

Valentine Quilts by Elena McDowell

These tiny Valentine quilts are so sweet! And there's still time to whip up some of these before Feb. 14. One has writing on the selvage and the other doesn't. I like the buttons sprinkled across the quilts, and the cross-hatching and echo quilting too. Oh, and the black and white striped binding is a nice touch. Perfect.

I like everything about these little quilts. Nice job, Elena!

More Selvage Ornaments from Elena McDowell

Here are two more versions of Elena McDowell's selvage ornaments. She is so creative, it blows my socks off! Don't you just love these cheerful ornaments. There's still time to whip up some of these for your tree or to use as gift tags or to give as little gifts to your quilting buddies. Check out her etsy listings and her website to see more of her creations. (See "labels" below.)

Cheery Selvage Ornaments

Elena McDowell of NC has made these beautiful selvage star ornaments. I think the bright colors and the white selvages would stand out nicely on a Christmas tree, but I'd display these year 'round in my quilt studio to feed my creative spirit. Pinking the edges means no binding. Nice job, Elena!

Framed Selvages

Take a look at this framed selvage arrangement made by Elena McDowell. This colorful rainbow of selvages is surrounded by a black and white frame made with newspaper, and upon close inspection: Chinese newspaper! This is a real treat for a font lover like me.

Selvage Postcards as Christmas Greetings!

Here is the perfect way to use those selvages from your Christmas projects. Some of them even read "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays." I like all three selvage arrangements that Elena McDowell has created here. Isn't she amazing? Look at the precision in her arrangements! (I think she sews, while other quilters sleep!)

Have you seen http://www.quiltsbyelena.com/ and http://www.carolinasquirrel.etsy.com/? Cool stuff.

Log Cabin Pillow - With Selvages

Take a look at this innovative log cabin block made by prolific selvage quilter Elena McDowell. This is a 16" pillow cover for sale on etsy at: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14375734. I love the playfulness of this block. Nice job, Elena!

P.S. Elena makes custom selvage items (like table runners, quilts, and pillows). You can contact her via http://www.quiltsbyelena.com/.

Notecards for Extreme Scrap Quilters!

These great note cards (Star of LeMoyne, done in selvages) were made by Elena McDowell and are for sale on etsy! Click on the photo for a closer look. I made a selvage quilt using that same selvage featuring the horse!

To go right to the etsy page where you can read about these cards, click on: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13953035

Christmas Tree Ornaments!

Aren't these the sweetest ornaments? What a great idea! Elena gave these to me and I have them displayed in my quilt studio where I can enjoy them all the time, not just at Christmas.

They are 4" wide at the bottom and 5" tall (not including the jute loop). They are "selvaged" on both sides, and there is batting in the middle, so they feel nice and soft. A pretty vintage button at the top, and a selvage tree trunk at the bottom, and there you go.

You could whip up some of these for your quilting buddies (or yourself), or go to Elena's page at etsy: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16311891.

Where does she get all these creative ideas?

Selvage Christmas Tree Skirt!

Elena McDowell makes the coolest selvage quilts and other selvage objects d'art! This one is for a small tree. This should inspire some quilters looking for Christmas decorations/gifts that are fun to make!

Very Sweet Selvage Postcards!

Elena McDowell makes the most amazing and beautiful things with her selvges! (Check the older posts for her simple instructions for making these postcards.) Just holding them in your hands feels good. Add a message from a friend, and that's a real treat.

Click on the photo above for a nice BIG view.

See Elena's creations at http://www.quiltsbyelena.com/ and http://www.carolinasquirrel.etsy.com/. You will definitely be inspired.