ajclapp wrote:
I love the beautiful quilting and would love to do that much and enter shows. But it seems like they put in so much quilting that the quilt is only for the show and not for use. Do you think they are stiff with so much quilting in a huge quilt? IDK... but I love to do micro-quilting ... just haven't on a big quilt really. Tho I'm not making any promises on how much quilting I'm going to put on my swoon quilt. LOL!!

This is just a question I've had floating in my head a few years.

Heather, it was a slow and tedious process pivoting around the flowers. Lots of hours spent quilting so far and hardly anything shows from the front as it was mostly ditch and outline quilting. I'm designing the quilting templates now and hope they are doable with my walking foot. Thankfully it has a setting for slow speed, about 1 stitch per second. That means only 60 stitches in a minute not counting the time you stop to pivot or reposition, or hide the thread ends, so it's going to take a long time. Most of the decorative quilting will be continuous lines around the borders so there won't be as many thread ends. I will be printing some of the templates on clear full-sheet labels, cutting them out, sticking them to the fabric, and sewing around the edges. I hope that works anyway. I've never done it with something this small before. Similar to using freezer paper except you don't have to iron them in place. I will also be using vellum paper for some of the templates as I can't seem to find my yellow quilting paper and I don't want to draw directly on the fabric as I don't plan to wash the quilt. And I couldn't find my Fill'er Up Quilting Designs book either so bought a different one for ideas.

I just got my AQ magazine and was admiring all of the fancy quilting on the show quilts. Maybe someday, but probably not. I just don't have time or the desire to practice everyday with free motion so am settling for my walking foot when I'm not using the computer on my longarm.

Beautiful fabric, Dawn, and lots of circles! You should finish your UFO. You don't have to add all of the borders to have a finished quilt.

Hmmmmm Geneva, I must have missed one of those conversations. I'll have to look it up, so I can chuckle too!

Annis, I recognize that quilt! Mine is still a UFO stuck on the forth month. Never again will I redesign an appliqué flower to have 6 pointed tips, times 24, just for that forth row.

Heather, I was going to comment on how the younger son was taller than the older, and I see someone beat me to it! You must be so proud of them. So many kids now-a-days walk around with dazed looks, spending all of their time on their iPhones.

Joyce, it's looking good! Can't wait to see it quilted. Boy, we sure don't want to let loose of our favorite machines, for any length of time, huh!?

I've been working for a couple of weeks on my Hoffman Challenge quilt. I'm using my Accucutter Go! And cutting hundreds of circles out if Alex's new iron in stabilizer for appliqué. And, then gluing the fabric around each one. Here is a peek......



They are not sewn, just laying there while I sculpt and mold my design. But, I am taking a break from it and doing a quick aspen picture for the latest LQS license plate contest. I'm REALLY trying tp learn to buzz right through a small project, and not overthink it!

Dawn

Geneva, it goes both ways, I well remember the first time I heard about Pulled Pork here, and it got me ahead of fashion , as it is now very fashionable over here with the foodies.

Just for the record, the radiator in our bedroom is fixed and painting is going forward in the lounge. Izzy is having great fun helping with that

Fun catching up on quilts pics and families

You have all been busy making lovely and handsome quilts! I've been puttering and finishing up some smaller projects. I did finish the 90"x96" duvet cover. It turned out very nice.

I was at my small quilt group yesterday and was showing them the rows I have finished. They were asking me about TQS and all my friends. I was telling them about how much fun we have talking about quilting and lots of other stuff. I told them that I learn a lot form you all. Like, "the other day my friends from the other side of the pond were talking about tits and ball cocks". They all gasped with delight and humor. We had a nice discussion of what tits and ball cocks are to you as opposed to what they mean here. Thanks for the chuckles my friends!

Heather your sons are so handsome! That is a wonderful program for them to participate in. It teaches them real life civics.

Have a great day!

Geneva

she-quilts wrote:
not only that, but oldest, too! lol! That middle boy is passing them (well, past them...) both and not done yet. Oye!

Annis, your quilting is lovely!! I usually need a deadline as well. I'll be anxious to see the whole back and especially the front! Great work!

Heather... handsome men! Did your DH shrink? LOL!!

Thumbs up!! Great applause!
ritzy wrote:

oopsie post, please delete

Last week was a busy week for me. But I got my Swoon top pieced before the "gone every day hit on Weds". The picture is just a fast one to send to BFF via phone. I didn't hang it on my rack with perfect camera angle and such. Hope you'll not fuss too much.

I worked on it a lot the weekend before... Jan 24 & 25. Tuesday, I really had to get real work done but my mind wasn't with me on that and I really wanted to just piece my own. So I did. At 3:40 (they close at 4), it dawned on me to check with my Bernina dealer about the machine cleaning schedule. The next day was the only day I could go there if it was due this weekend. It is 60 miles from me and then a 2 week time lapse to get it back. I do have other machines but of course this is my favorite! (B 200 artista, I bought it when it was TOTL.) So I needed the machine there by Saturday but my only open time was Weds aft to get it there. So I pushed all Tuesday to get it all pieced. I finished at 8 p.m. and then packed my machine up for the dealer the next morning. Early.

I have the backing here and it will need pieced. The top is 88" x 88". But I've had customer work and other things going on so haven't done that yet.

Handsome men in your family. And they all look so pleased to be smiling at you! That's a blessing for sure.

Annis, that is gorgeous!! And all with a walking foot?!?! Those pivots on those inside flowers had to have been difficult! (although, I think you said mini, so maybe not so terrible....?) Very well done! I'm really impressed!

I have made no progress on my son's graduation quilt, but did order & receive the backing fabric. HeartSong Quilts in S Dakota had a sale, and while my 1st choice was sold out, my 2nd choice was available, and seeing it in person, I'm thrilled. Very masculine, modern, "college boy" feel to it (vs the other, which was pretty, but not especially masculine). The quilting won't look stunning on this, but as it's a "use on the bed" quilt and not a show quilt, that should be fine.





and, since we love sharing family photos, here is what I was doing this past weekend (Thurs to Sun) and why I've not made progress this past week on the quilt. My oldest 2 boys were attending the State Conference for the Youth & Government program they participate in, one doing Legislative (the students write mock bills, debate them and try to get them passed from committee, to general assembly, to the governor's desk and signed into "law") and the other doing Judicial (the students have roles as lawyer or witness and present/"try" a specific case they are assigned, competing against other teams, basically Mock Trials). Both boys did well and had fun; here is a photo with my husband and the 2 oldest from after the Closing Ceremonies on Saturday night. The cord my oldest is wearing is to signify he is a Senior.




Now back to the sewing room this week!

Annis - Awesome quilting I too am looking forward to seeing the front.
Barb