I went to a quilter friends' house over the weekend. This is on the one hand fun and motivating for sewing, and on the other dangerous. Dangerous as I get to see and use all the fun things she has sitting around in her sewing room that I have yet to try out before purchasing myself.
Amazon was not disappointed on Monday.
I took a top with me to quilt on her Handiquilter Sweet 16. I have two friends who have this machine and it is high up on my list of 'needs' (my husband thinks this list is the 'roll-your-eyes list', because that is what he does).
I have many tops sitting around waiting their turn to be quilted. I don't know, I find the fun part to be the fabric choices, the design choices, and the piecing. Quilting has not been my most favorite part of quilting, but it's hard to be a 'quilter' if you don't actually quilt.
I brought this top with me - it's been completed for over a year. I've had the back purchased for almost as long.
A combination of my favorite lines - Joel Dewberry Aviary and Kaffe Fassett, and some of my favorite colors. I know when I made this top I had inspirations from a magazine photo and a Kaffe Fassett quilt in one of his books, but I didn't keep any of that with the top. Just know, I try to give credit when I can.
And, How was quilting on that awesome machine, you ask? Well, one, I quilted this in one night, granted that night ended at 3 a.m., but still it was done. Two, wow, it was wonderful to not have to stuff my quilt under a too small space while quilting. I can really appreciate that machine. However, it was my first time using the quilting machine, and let's just say I would rather you look at my quilting this far away.
Versus this far away.
I backed with a flannel - the first time doing that for a quilt size project, I have done that on smaller baby throws. I thought the flannel looked like tree bark and went with the fabrics on the front.
I folded the flannel back over the edges for the binding. That may be the first time I've done that, I can't remember doing it before, but I may have. It worked well for the flannel.
Now everyone in the house is all 'Hey, I want a flannel backed quilt!' Because I had to brag on how warm and comfy it was.
Bird on a Branch
Still time to join the Postage Stamp Block Swap on Flickr!
Shipping of blocks not till January!
Still time to join the Postage Stamp Block Swap on Flickr!
Shipping of blocks not till January!
6 comments:
So LOVELY! Okay. . Amazon purchases? Oh what are you getting?
I love the quilting - and yes you are a quilter missy! Doing this all yourself. . this is my excuse too by the way!
If you get a machine can I come use it :)
A lady after my own heart, I really enjoy pieicng the top and making all of the design decisions, but the actual quilting rather bores me, it's just not that much fun. Oh, and you got a little mention on my blog today too, for being so lovely and letting me win those beautiful Oakshotts! Ange : )
Mary, this is a fabulous quilt! I know what you mean though - I hate quilting and if I was a more patient person or had fingers of steel, I would rather hand quilt than stuff rolls of fabric in the not-big-enough space in my sewing machine! I settle on the happy medium of ditch stitching. Minimally!
I really love this quilt, I think it is the colours - they are so vibrant without being too loud. I also think your quilting is lovely, and matches the tree bark idea for your quilt. I love the quilting part, and covet a better machine, I should look at those ones as an option that is cheaper and takes up less space than a long arm.
Okay, I am one of the friends with the HQ Sweet 16 like the one Mary quilted this little jewel on. I have to say...I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this machine! I was never a huge fan of the actual quilting process but I have to admit I am now really getting into it! It does take practice but I think Mary will agree, with practice, mine seem to look better each time. And, Mary, my husband knows that same eye roll...is it a guy thing?
Love the little birds..
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