Tribute To Jim

Our friend Jim died a week ago today. We will see his family late next month on a trip in their area. I wanted to bring something that depicted our past history together. And was some how a tribute to Jim. This hurriedly made quilted memory quilt is the result.
The top panel shows Jim and my husband, buddies since they met in the early 70's, playing music together, and Jim with his then baby daughter. The middle panel shows Jim in his element outdoors in nature, something he knew a lot about; and the last panel he and his then wife on a cruise, dressed in a suit, something I never saw in person; Jim more comfortable as fisherman in jeans and a t-shirt; Fish for his profession as fly maker for fly fishermen of which he was one; and again he and my husband on a more recent visit (four years ago) now both "old guys" but still really good buddies.

double click on photo to see larger

I discovered the free motion satin stitch on my machine and used it around each photograph and around the outline sewing inside the edge of layered top, batting, backing fabrics, then cutting it around the edge careful not to cut the threads. Where I did I was able to sew over them after the cutting was done. I used this stitch for the peace signs too. Then free motion top sewed flowers, words, trees, fish, waves for the quilting.