Thanks BJ. I am not sure the stitching is that straight but the overall effect hides the details.

Becky, I will have to give the Thimblelady's method a try, when I get my thread.

Terry, I don't know about patterns but maybe her website could tell you? As for my quilt, I used a 1/4" seam allowance and pressed the seams open. I used steam in the iron as this flattened them better. I did not wash the wool before using it and I am not going to wash it when it's finished either. I have just emailed Magee's here in Donegal to see what they suggest. Personally, I would just bung it in the washing machine on a wool cycle and let it dry on a clothes airer. But that might be the wrong thing to do?

Rita, Your wool quilt is lovely. Very inspiring. I have a nice collection of wool. ( mostly from estate sales and wool suits) I really enjoyed Sonja L Barrington's episode.
Does anyone know if she sells patterns? Did you use a 1/4 inch seam and how about pressing, washing and felting?

Been away from the form for a bit. We just finished haying, are first crop of alfalfa/grass. It is so very dry here in SW Mont.

Rita, Just read this thread...what a lovely cuddly quilt. I'm impressed with how pretty the colors look together and straight your quilting is.

i use to do hand quilting with out frame on the thimble lady method, you dont hurt your self! (now i cant any more due to car pal tunnel) but i really loved the idea that i have 10 healthy painless fingers after quilting

Rita, hope your thread gets there quickly--I know I hate being stalled when I get a rhythm going--your son's quilt looks wonderful.

Thanks for the link Margo - lots of interesting goodies there! But as I am stopped in my tracks by a lack of thread I will wait until I get back home and have a look at what I can find locally.

Wendy, my left index finger certainly felt like it was smokin' so the rest will do it good.

Norma, you are right, I guess I will know when enough is enough next time.

Very good, Rita. I'm glad that you are satisfied with it now. It's my experience that the feeling you describe is important to remember because that will help to decide when quilting is enough for quilts to come.

:shock: you did all that extra hand quilting in a day? There must be smoke coming off your fingers, is your needle glowing red.

Rita, maybe you can find an "under thimble" somewhere? http://www.joann.com/under-thimble-8-reusable/prd49074/

Or....let us know if we need to send you some supplies!

Thanks everybody - I think I can stitch fast because it's not in a frame. Also, the quality of the stitching is not brilliant but I am getting better as I go - a bit like FMQ, I am usually getting pretty good by the time I get to the end of the quilt. I am so glad I took all of your advice because it really does look so much better with the extra quilting and it is feeling better too. My index finger on my left hand is so sore from pricking it with the needle. I bought some moleskin this afternoon to put on it but don't need it now that I have run out of thread. And I have just remembered that somewhere I saw somebody quilting using a spoon over the index finger ...was that Alex in her hand quilting classroom? Hmmm, must go and have a look.

Renata, we had one ray of sunshine today for about an hour That's probably it for the next week.

Happy quilting everybody. Think I will go and watch Joe Cunningham again.

Rita - The extra quilting is just stunning! I can't believe how quickly you can do it!! Amazing!! Hope your thread comes quickly....

Nancy

Amazing what the extra quilting did--I love it! And you're really good at it, Rita--you know how to put just the right amount and kind of quilting to make someone want to pick it up and hug it! Annoying when you run out of thread and the LQS folks aren't helpful... glad you were able to track down the thread to finish your project. Have you gotten a ray of sunshine yet?

Terrific ! You're FAST !

Looks wonderful! Let us know if you need more thread from the states... I am sure someone here can find it!