Wednesday, November 5, 2014

What's Happening!

I have started the free-motion quilting on my niece's Wedding Quilt.
My version of "Snowflake" by Trudie Hughes

Here's the back with all the signature blocks from the wedding guests
I had my quilting plan all decided on after spending a lot of time looking on-line for ideas.  The last time I made this quilt, many years ago, I handquilted intricate snowflakes in the alternate squares.  But this time, I thought I would try the method of Dot-to-Dot quilting by Angela Walters, that I learned by watching a video class I bought from Craftsy.  I premarked my registration marks on the entire quilt and practiced the design and was all ready to go, the quilt was under the needle, and I totally switched gears and decided it would look better if I did an all-over design in the alternate squares., and then that would make the stars and the chain stand out and be the focus.  So far, I am super glad that I changed my mind.  I am loving how it looks.  Freemotion swirls on the swirly print fabric gives it such a lovely texture.  Not sure yet what I will do beyond the centre part of the quilt yet.  Something will come to me!
Here you can see the difference in the background between the quilted area and the unquilted area.
For thread, I am using, for the first time, Lava by Superior Threads.  It is a 35/3 ply polyester variegated thread. Even though this thread is a heavier weight, it is lovely and thin.   I am using a 90/14 topstitch needle as suggested by the manufacturer.  It was also suggested to loosen the top tension a bit but I found there was no need. The quilting is going very nicely.  I have not had any thread breakage at all and everything is going along just great.  I am working in short spurts of half an hour or so at a time.
I hope to be finished the quilting by this time next week.


My Knitty Sister made me some awesome slipper-socks.  Super warm!

Another gift...from my quilty friend Lesley, @  The Cuddle Quilter, who knew I would just love this yellow duckie tape measure.  How sweet of her!  Thanks so much Lesley.  I do  love him and he sits on my machine until I need to use him.  You will notice I have also adorned my machine with a sticker from The Cuddle Quilter too! 



My guild, The Maritime Modern Quilt Guild is exchanging zippered pouches with the Victoria Modern Quilt Guild and this is the pouch I made.  I am not a fan of installing zippers so I figured why not try three zippers!  It was a bit of a challenge but turned out great.  



I hope you got time today to work on something quilty.  I am linking up with the Needle and Thread Network.  Stop by and check out what everyone is doing this week. 



14 comments:

  1. It's lookin' good so far, Linda! Your niece will love it!

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  2. I absolutely love your idea for the back of your niece's quilt, Linda! If I ever have the opportunity to create a wedding quilt, I am going to try something similar. Love your slippers! Love your bag! You are so productive!! I am so impressed!!

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  3. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Your quilt is coming out fantastic, Linda. Cannot wait to see what you do inside the pieced blocks. The back looks so awesome. You're one clever gal! How nice that you have a new sewing companion to sit on your machine and keep an eye on you. Wish I had a knitty sister! Those slipper socks look toasty warm! xo

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  4. I LOVE the free motion swirls! What an amazing present Linda! Your niece is going to love it!

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  5. Beautiful quilting Linda! Love the quilt pattern and colors... the backing is extra special. Love the bag too!

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  6. Your quilting is fabulous and it is going to be stunning!
    In the comments I see a Happy Birthday - were you born on the 5th???

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  7. All I can say is wow, wow, wow! The quilting you are doing is perfect! Love the overall effect. As to the bag....for someone who dislikes putting in zippers, you have mastered it. Such a sweet bag. So glad rubber ducky is keeping you company as you quilt, quilt, quilt!

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  8. Great job on the quilting Linda , this quilt will be gorgeous ! Cute little ducky to keep you company too and I love your little zippered pouch so cute :-)

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  9. The quilting looks awesome. Good change of plans!!!

    Your zippered pouch is wonderful too.

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  10. Your socks are super smart and you have made a good job of all those zips! The quilt is looking gorgeous. xx

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  11. The wedding quilt is lovely. I like how you've put the signature blocks on the back of it. Bravo for making the 3 zipper pouch! And I love your new blog header, by the way. Beautiful scene.

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  12. Wow, the quilting is stunning, can't wait to see the final product. Great pouch too!

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  13. The quilting looks great. Awesome zipper pouch. I don't think I'm brave enough to try three zippers just yet.

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