Channelling Kathy

Kathy O. of Stitch by Stitch does the most amazing swirls - I want to be her when I grow up!  But unfortunately, I haven't grown up yet.  So, in the meantime, I'm determined to learn how to do those swirls that she has perfected!

This was the perfect quilt stop to practice some swirls.  It was quick and easy to stitch, and since I hadn't invested a lot of time, I wasn't attached to it and wouldn't have been heart broken if the machine quilting wasn't up to my expectations.  Also, at 39x45" it was a manageable size - just big enough to do some serious practicing without overdoing it.  The busy design hides any imperfections, 

yet at the same time, the plain backing fabric gives me a chance to study my progress.

The solid stars gave me a blank canvas to do some stress-free walking foot quilting.  I love the contrast of the swirls in the background and the straight line quilting within the stars.  

I was stumped as to how to quilt this top.  Thank goodness I asked Kathy for some suggestions; I probably would have resorted to my basic stippling stitch had I not checked in with her.  I'm so glad I didn't take the easy way out!

Wish I could just channel Kathy!

Click here to view the fabulous swirls she stitched on my Suburbs quilt.

PS - Funny thing, now I am attached to this quilt!  :)

Isn't She Amazing!

My dear friend Kathy O. of Stitch by Stitch sent me this fabulous stitch-out to me today.  

I asked her to stitch some samples of all her amazing work so that I could study them up close and hopefully implant some of her talent into the muscle memory of my brain.

She was so generous - look at all the stitching samples she created for me!

This note says it all....

Thank you, my dear friend!

Liz's Lovely Quilt

I had the lovely privilege of machine quilting this quilt for a customer.  

All it needed was a simple stipple so the fabrics and pattern could take the main stage.

Love it, Liz!!

Stats:

58x88"

Batting:  Warm & White

Thread:  Aurifil 50 wt, color #2610

Machine Quilting Sampler Quilt

I just read Crazy Mom Quilts blog post announcing her 9th blogging anniversary where she requested photos of projects inspired by her blog or patterns, etc.  So, I raced outside to snap a few photos of this Machine Quilting Sampler Quilt that I finished in time for the Etown fair in August.  It was totally inspired by the two very similar quilts that she completed.  I am so grateful for her blog and her generosity in sharing her work with the quilting community.  It has inspired hundreds of quilters like me.  

Here are a few close ups of the individual squares.  I'll write more details about the process soon, but I wanted to at least get this blog post loaded so I can link to her anniversary giveaway!  :)

A Stab at Organic

I started in on machine quilting some organic wavy lines on this Little Leaves quilt this afternoon, then had my usual stroke.  Did I just ruin this quilt??  Should I have used another color of thread? What was I thinking trying a new quilting design on a quilt top I actually like??  

I had to walk away and go work on binding another quilt so I could settle down and think clearly.  :)

After a fresh perspective, and after laying the binding next to it, the gray stitching didn't seem so out of place.  (I selected a light gray thread thinking it would blend better with the leaves vs white.)

And, I decided that maybe the stitching lines were organic and not incompetent looking, as there is a very fine line between the two!!

So, I decided to press on!

All finished!

I definitely some more practice on stitching this design to get the flow of the organic lines consistent, but I'm glad I took a stab at it.

Love the texture on the back!

Today

I Did It!

I just finished machine quilting my massive Moda Building Blocks quilt!  After just about having a stroke over it six weeks ago (my normal response when I first start machine quilting anything!!),  I walked away from it and hadn't touched it since.  I finally sat down and ripped out the initial four 4 rows of stitching Friday night, then started in on it yesterday (instead of tackling some customer work I should have been doing!), and realized it was going to be doable after all.  

Initially, I was all whacked out wishing I hadn't attempted straight-line quilting such a large quilt (84x96"!) on my domestic machine; I've done a number of smaller quilts with no trouble before, but a quilt this size is a different story.  It didn't make sense at that point to take all the safety pins out and send it to Kathy O. after I had spent hours on the kitchen floor pin basting it.  I knew most long arm machines have a lock that allows the rows of stitching to be perfectly straight, or are computerized, giving a consistent result.  Knowing that, and knowing that I could have had it long arm quilted, I was afraid I wouldn't be happy if my stitching lines weren't straight.  And, I was afraid the rows would get more and more distorted as I went.   Also, I was concerned that since it was such a big quilt, the pressure of the walking foot would cause the top layer to shift and distort after each 96" row of stitching.  AND, I knew that maneuvering that big of a quilt with my walking foot wasn't going to be easy (FMQing would have been much easier).  And, I knew it would take me 4.ever!!

I can drive myself NUTS and totally paralyze myself!

But, I reduced the foot pressure on my walking foot, and that seemed to do the trick.  I spaced the rows about 1/2" apart by using the edge of my walking foot.  I was able to keep the rows fairly consistent and straight, for the most part, thanks to the block design of the quilt that provides a natural plumb line here and there throughout the quilt.  I marked an initial plumb line in the center of the quilt with blue painters tape to get me started, then worked out from there.  It got easier and easier to maneuver the bulk of the quilt as I got to the sides.  The stitching isn't perfect of course, but as always, I have to remind myself that nothing looks perfect when you have your nose  right up to it.  And, I have to remember - perfection isn't the goal here! I want something hand-crafted, not factory made.  All those little imperfections are what gives a hand-made quilt its charm.  Bottom line, it just feels right being able to say that I did both the piecing and the machine quilting.

I love the texture the straight-line quilting gives!  Ever since I saw Camille's version, I knew that's how I wanted to quilt mine.

And, I love how it looks on the back, especially with this funky backing fabric that is a perfect match color-wise for the front.  :)

OK, I just need to add the binding, then it's ready for the fair in a few weeks!  I may rip out a few wonky stitches here and there and redo them, but other than that, it will soon be finished!

Note:  Next time I think I'll use Warm and Natural batting vs. the Hobbs 80/20 just to be safe - the 80/20 has a bit more loft and does cause more shifting. 

Comfort Quilt for a Pastor

I had the privilege of machine quilting this special quilt for a customer who lovingly stitched it for her pastor who is going through cancer treatment.

  

She purchased the quilt pattern and Scripture motifs from the Log Cabin Quilt Shop in Bird in Hand.  

Since the Scripture blocks needed to be the main focus, I did a simple stipple in the body of the quilt.

Then, I did some squiggles (need a name for this design!) in the inner border, and piano keys in the outer border.  (I find if I practice on my white board first, it saves me from having to practice on a quilt sandwich, eliminating waste.)  

:)

I'm thinking I need to do a similar quilt for myself!  I had purchased a quilt kit to console myself during my cancer journey 8 years ago, but never got around to stitching the quilt.  These Scripture blocks would be perfect for incorporating into that quilt, as they remind me of all the time I spent dialoguing with the Lord re: my bewilderment....

Below are closeups of each Scripture block before they were quilted:  

Trusting that this quilt will bring comfort and healing!