Wednesday, June 27, 2012

QUILTING AND MORE QUILTING

Monday morning I decided to baste my king size quilt (as yet unnamed) on the floor of the dining room. First I washed the floor and then taped about 2/3 of the backing down.  I couldn't quite spread it out all the way.  I used some knee pads that DH had in the garage or my knees would have been toast.  Spreading the batting and the top was no problem.  Then I started pinning.  I was getting hot and tired - it was not a pretty site.  I pinned so good that I used up all my pins and went throughout the house looking for more.  At that point, I decided to do straight stitching on the black squares so I could then take out some pins to use on the remaining 1/3 of the quilt.  So I did that and then it went back on the floor to finish pinning.  

The reason I basted it on the floor instead of on my tables is that I wanted to get the backing stretched out better than would be possible on the tables, which wouldn't have been as big as the floor.  The last time I basted a queen size quilt on the table, I spray basted it and I had some problems getting the top placed properly.  Actually, I think I like the pinning method best.  I'll use the spray basting method on smaller quilts that are easier to handle.

Using the dual feed foot to do straight stitching on the black.

Quilt is spread out on my sewing table & ironing board.

Feathers in part of the border.

FMQ on a block.
I have to give Joanne from Thread Head all the credit for the QAL (quilt-a-long) for this quilt.  I am also borrowing her borders that she used to enlarge her quilt to king size.  Also, I am using her idea for the  quilting in the triangle section of the border.  Thanks to her, I am a lot more comfortable quilting feathers. I can't claim to be very original at all.  The quilting motif for the pieced blocks is the same one I used on my last quilt.  It is easy to do and fit the size of the blocks - that's why I'm using it.  I'm afraid that once I get to this stage, I just want to get it finished!!

One night I woke up about 1:00 AM and started thinking about what I could name the quilt and I thought up what was a pretty good name.   The problem is, I can't remember what it was!  Thanks for the suggestions that came in.  I'll have to think about it some more.


This is the new sign that was just put up at the pond that I walk around in the mornings.  The sun was just barely coming up when I took the picture and it was behind the plaque - that's why the lighting isn't very good.


I better get back to quilting.

16 comments:

  1. I have way too many pins! I could send some your way. I'd been thinking of donating them somewhere. Please let me know where to send them. Do you use the bent or the straight--and how long? I tried so many different kinds as I was experimenting. I now have a plethora of pins (I love to use that word).
    I enlarged and studied the design in your block. Wow--I don't know if I could ever get the hang of where I was going next, but it looks great.
    I've still been too chicken to attempt quilting something bed-sized. I need to get over it. : )

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  2. You absolutely amaze me with your beautiful quilting! What more can I say? Yesterday I made 80 flying geese; today I restored the house a wee bit, and now I'm going to make 20 stars! Have fun! ---"Love"

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  3. It's looking gooooooddddd!

    No, I know about that posture on the floor, when basting a quilt - NOT pretty! LOL

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  4. Well, anyway, I love the quilting you are doing! I also use the floor to baste my quilts and this way they are nicely flat.
    Enjoy! Greets from the Netherlands.

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  5. I do so admire your machine quilting a large quilt. It is a daunting task to me. I suggest a pad and pencil placed on your night stand, so if you wake up tonight you can jot down the name!

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  6. Wow;) You are just booking it on the quilting there;) Awesome;) I think it looks great;) And the forgetting....happens to me all the time...poof, gone!;)
    Happy Quilting!!

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  7. I'm exhausted!! I can't even imagine quilting a king size - your quilting so far is wonderful. I love the black squares - would love to see this one in person.

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  8. Oh Ruth, I love this quilt and I love how you are quilting it!!! I'm still a big chicken and haven't even attempted machine quilting a little quilt! You are an inspiration!!

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  9. Your quilt is going to be stunning! Hats off to you, quilting a king size (and doing it well!)on your domestic machine.

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  10. Your quilting just gets better and better.

    I can imagine what a pretty place you have for walks.
    Lillian
    lillianscupboard.wordpress.com

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  11. The quilting is amazing. This quilt is going to be so fantastic. Did I mention that I love the dark chain?

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  12. You are a better woman than I am. I would attempt the quilting but it would all be stitch-in-the-ditch!

    Liri

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  13. I admire you Ruth - I wouldn't contemplate quilting a king size these days. Your feathers are wonderful. ann :-)

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  14. Your quilting is beautiful. I admire the fact that you are doing such a great job on your DSM. That pinning on the floor just about does me in. One idea I got from a friend is to stick the pin in the spot you want it all over the quilt without closing the pin. Then pick the whole sandwich up and sit down in your favorite chair to finish closing the pins. This way there is less time on the floor. I've done this with a smaller quilt, but it may work on a large one too. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  15. Here I was reading, expecting to just see straight-line quilting and then POOF - FEATHERS! They look amazing! You'll have that quilt done in no time.

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  16. It is beautiful - I am amazed that you were able to quilt such a beautiful quilt on a domestic sewing machine. The feathers are gorgeous. I saw the name on the sign and think Waterview is a great name for the quilt as well.

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