Finally Off the Design Wall

This quilt has been up on my design wall for months. It feels good to have it down and done.

 Not only is it done, it's all washed and soft. Simon, of course, had to test that out.

 I used Aurifil 50 wt white thread for the whole project - top and bobbin. Quilted beautifully.

 Simon is pointing out one of his favorite blocks. I combined many of Leah Day's fills within some organic shapes surrounded with straight lines.

The front is fun, but so is the back. I just used fleece as the batting and backing, just two layers. This whole project was just an experiment to see how well quilting blocks using fleece and joining the using this QAYG method. 

The quilting shows up really nicely on the back, even better after washing.

Pea Gravel Path is one of my favorite

I've been a fan of Leah Day's for a very long time and she is the reason I'm somewhat fearless in challenging myself to try new fills and techniques.

I'll be linking up with to Linky Tuesday at FreeMotion by the River and Fabric Tuesday at  Quilt Story.

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

Trifecta - Three Finishes

I might not have been blogging lately, but that doesn't mean I haven't been quilting. I have three projects that have been hanging around far too long, they are now finished.

The first project is a Leah Day panel I purchased from Spoonflower.

I have finished quilting eons ago, I just needed to finish it with a facing. I read abut how to do it, been told it was easy and still I procrastinated.

 I don't know why I so stubbornly avoided doing a facing, it was easy. I followed the tutorial at Silly BooDilly blog. 

The second project was a guild challenge to take a traditional block and make it modern. I chose an Ohio Star.

The guidelines were to make it 24" wide by any length. So I made the star with an improv method.

 I had to add a few bits of my favorite things; corgis and horses.

 I also used the facing technique on this project also.

My third project was my Lizzy House Meadow Quilt; Galloping through the Meadow.

 Simon really wanted in on the action. He is quite photogenic.

I'm linking up with What a Hoot for Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday (TGIFF)!

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

FMQ Friday

I haven't had a ton of time to quilt this week, but I had an hour or so last night and I continued on with my Layers quilt.  I got 3 more border "sections" done, although I did have a bit of tuck problem.

Dreaded tucks! I'm not going to try and take them out. I may stitch over them a bit to hide them.

There was actually a huge tuck along the edge of the sashing section. I just stitched it down. I don't think it looks too bad.

I think that these tucks will actually be cut off when I trim the quilt.

I feel better now that Leah has basically said this is how she deals with them. I really don't think that they will show that much once the quilt is washed.

I'm linking up to day with Leah Day for FMQ Friday!  (Thank you Leah! I hope you realize how much you help, not only learning to FMQ, but with your honesty and open vulnerability. You are truly one of my heroes.)

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

Quilter's Favorites!

I'm joining in the fun at Geta's Quilting for Quilter's Favorites. Bloggers from around the world are sharing there best quilting tips and tricks!  Can't wait to check it out!

 List a few of your favorite quilting notions. 
1. Tweezers that are fine enough to pull thread and have a pointed end to use like a stiletto.
2. QTips for cleaning out under the bobbin case. It captures more lint than any brush I've ever used.
3. Queen Supreme Slider for free-motion quilting. Helps your quilt slide easier while your quilting.
4. Elmers washable glue, instead of pins for bindings. Here's a tutorial of what I mean.
5. Pinmoor pin anchors - little silcone pin anchors used for pin basting with straight pins.

Any advice for a successful color scheme of a quilt ?
1. Use what appeals to YOU!
2. Keep your colors in the same level of saturation (also called purity or chroma), i.e. not try and mix a bright clear blue with muddy fall colors. (unless you really, really like it)!

3. Personally, I'm not a big fan of lots of prints. I like one or two standout prints surrounded with a lot of solids.
4. Again: Use what appeals to YOU! - You will have a lot more fun working on your project.

Some thoughts about thread and needles, batting, fabrics ? 
Thread: I have been bitten by the Aurifil bug. It's my latest addiction. I'm afraid it's worse than fabric for me. Just can't help myself. Then of course free-motion quilting (FMQ) is my favorite part of quilting.

My stash! Shhh, don't tell my husband.

Needles: Schmetz Microtex (sharps) 8/20 is the most common one I use. But I'm very fickle here, I switch to a different type of needle anytime I'm having a problem FMQ or anytime I work on something different.


Batting: I have two current favorites (I like to try different battings), both are Quilters Dream. QD Request (a low loft cotton) and QD Puff (very puffing polyester). It really depends on the look I'm going for, it's part of my design.

Tips for easy piecing
Did I mention my favorite part of quilting is FMQ? The only tip I have is piece with Aurifil 50wt. It's a lot less bulky, seams press flatter. I also press my seams open, better for FMQ!

If you enjoy other quilt techniques than patchwork, could you share some tips with us ?
Did I mention, my favorite part of quilting is FMQ???

Machine quilting tips 
1. If you can draw it, you can quilt it. Practice drawing what you want to quilt.
2. Make up a whole bunch of quilt sandwiches to practice on.
3. Get a sewing table that you machine drops down into so that you have a flat surface. This made the biggest difference in the world for me. I got a very inexpensive Gidget II table and insert. Really, it's less than the cost of fabric for a king sized quilt.
4. A Supreme Slider helps
5. Relax, enjoy drawing, doodling on your quilt. NOBODY's  quilting is perfect, get over yourself and just enjoy the process.

Hand quilting tips
Sorry I machine quilt!

Other tips related to quilting
Make things that speak to YOU! Don't quilt to make other people happy, quilt to make YOU happy. Along the way, you will find out that others like things that you do.

Do you have free tutorials on your blog? Share the link.
I have a whole page of tutorials.

Here are a few that I've gotten quite a good response on.
1. Basting with boards for pin basting and spray basting. Takes up less room and no kneeling on the floor.
2. Faux Piped binding. Looks cool and it's all done by machine, no hand stitching.
3. Two methods for QAYG (quilt as you go), wide sashing and narrow strips.

The sewing machine - share a few things you love at your sewing machine; what makes it special? What features do you think are the most important to a sewing machine used for quilting?
I have a Pfaff Quilters Expression 4.0. I love the 10" throat space, the thread cutter, the built in IDT (walking foot). But the BEST thing is the fabulous service and support I get from Quilters Corner , my local quilt shop where I bought my machine. Nothing beats great service and knowledgeable technicians.

What about modern quilting tools? Quilt software, die cutting systems, other tools? Why do you like them ?
I have an embroidery sewing machine and I love Urban Threads designs - not so cutesy

Tips for organizing the sewing tools, the fabrics, the sewing studio?

Bobbin storage - Dritz bobbin box. The foam inside is soft and it holds the bobbin securely.

Solution; "Mini Bolts" stored in a double Martha Stewart bookshelf. This represents over 175 pieces of fabric ranging in size from a fat quarter to multiple yards.Wrapped on acid free "comic book" boards. I still need to wrap more fabric.

Could you recommend a book to someone who just started quilting ? A quilting bible ?
I have to say that I inherited a ton of quilting books from my mom and I never look at them. I generally look things up on the internet.

List one or two of your favorite quilting techniques and a tutorial/pattern/book where you learned about them ?
So many fabulous bloggers. Thank you to all of you.

Do you have a favorite quilt designer ? 
I can't just pick one.  So many fabulous designers. I tend to like the modern minimalistic quilts the best. I almost never use a pattern.


Do you have a favorite quilt blogger? 
Again, so many wonderful quilt bloggers. I do have to call out Leah Day at The Free Motion Quilting Project. She is the most wonderful FMQer and has literally 100's of videos on quilting FMQ fillers. She also is wonderfully helpful at troubleshooting. She just ROCKS!

Would you like to share one of your favorite quilts, made by you ? 
I guess it would have to be my Koi Pond Quilt.

Do you have a favorite online quilt shops ? What makes it special ? 
There are some wonderful online shops, but I seem to keep going back to Hawthorne Threads. Great modern fabrics, good prices, and really great service.

What would be the perfect gift for your best quilting friend ? 
A couple of spools of Aurifil Thread!

Don't Do Like Me!
When I first got my new Pfaff, I had a terrible time with breaking and shredding thread. I did everything I could think of to fix the problem. Somethings would make it somewhat better, but it really needed to go into the shop and be adjusted. I suffered through seven months, fighting with the machine. The folks at the quilt shop were wonderful. WHY did I not take it in sooner???  Lesson, it's NOT always YOUR fault!

If there is something else you would like to share with us, please do it. And please tell us a little about you, we would love to know you better. 
 Here's a blog post that tells my quilting story.   

Thank you Geta for hosting such a great link up. Imagine all that knowledge in one place, phew!

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

Time To Fly!

I'm keeping focused on my UFO/WIPs. Today I decided to continue to FMQ a little more on my Expanding Possibilities quilt. What would be more appropriate than stitch out some birds?

I used the same method and "stencil" I used for the April SoCalGal FMQ Challenge

I marked three birds across this white strip in the quilt.

I went over the outlines numerous times to make it bolder.

I plan on outlining all three birds and then adding a background fill.

I plan on keeping this post short, so I can go FMQ!!! I'm linking up with Leah Day for UFO Sunday!

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

WIP and QAL Wednesday: Practice

It is very hard to stay inside and sew when my gardens are calling me, but I was able to work on one quilting project this week. I was a little stumped as to what to use for Leah Day's homework, but my mom's UFO came to the rescue. There were some issues with the construction of the piece, which is probably why my mom never finished it. But with some of the stuff that Leah has taught us over the last 15 weeks, I think the piece is turning out nicely.

 I added the last border, so that I would have something to hang on to while I quilted it. I also starched it and pressed it from the opposite side. I also used high loft poly batting to help with the puckers in the piece. All of these things I've learned from Leah! (Note to Leah: I really want you to know how much I appreciate you generosity in teaching us how to quilt. I have learned so much from you already! Thank you very, very much!!!!)

 I started free motion quilting by stitching in the ditch around all of the borders and flowers.

 I stitched kind of scribbley lines in the flowers, trying to make them look somewhat real (not sure I succeeded) and in the center of the flower I stitched some lines of stippling.

 Around the first border I stitched big "U" shapes.

 In the background, behind the flowers I did some microstippling.

I haven't stitched the last two borders. Maybe Leah's homework this week will give me something to stitch there!

So my question for Leah this week: Free Motion Feet

This is my free motion foot. I really like this foot, it gives me lots of visibility. But this week I kept getting snagged on the hand applique, one side of the foot would slip under part of the applique. Would a closed foot help with this type of project? Or is there something I should do that would avoid this issue?

So on to my other projects this week! Nada!
 My stats this week are:
In-process: (9)
FLMQG solids challenge crib quilt (2 out of 9 Urban Nine Patch blocks done)
Purple heart wall hanging ( needs borders, backing, quilting and binding)
Expanding Possibilities quilt (basted, now to be quilted)
Storybook quilt # 1 -   quilt the border and bind it
Storybook quilt # 2 - All embroidery is done
Quokka Quilts QAYGFMQQAL quilt (18 blocks out of 30 quilted)
Geneva Public Library quilt - join and quilt (maybe make a block or two to even it out)
iPad case (embroidered and started piecing and quilting)
Sew Cal Gal's March FMQ Challenge - Embellishment

New projects: (1)
Mom's applique project

Finished (0)

 
I'm linking up with Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday and The Free Motion Quilting Project for QAL Wednesday

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

P.S. I'm  hosting my first ever linky party QED (Quilty Embellishment Day), the link is still open until on Sunday, April 22nd, so feel free to link up and have a chance to win a starter pack of Lumiere paint. Melissa Corry from Happy Quilting was my guest blogger and she did a fabulous tutorial on applique. Check out some of those that have linked up so far to see some really cool projects! So please stop by and check it out!