This is Gail!
Gail and her hubby hail from Ontario, Canada and they just happened to be “passing through” as they travel the blue ridge parkway and discover parts of the South East, from North Carolina up through Virginia and head back home.
I love those kind of road trips.
I’m actually jealous!
Today they were planning on spending time in Old Salem here in Winston Salem, and I hope they had a good time.
When she let me know she had hoped to pick up some books on this trip, I was happy to gather what she needed and meet her near by!
I also directed her to a fabulous quilt shop, Sew Original –not too far from the area they were to be exploring.
I don’t know if she bought out the whole store yet, but I hope she tells them that Bonnie sent her!
So nice to meet you Gail! Safe journeys to you--
I spent the rest of the day battling this:
Loading the massive blue pieced backing into the long arm.
I thought all was going swimmingly…until I started to quilt. Or wanted to start to quilt….but couldn’t.
When doing an edge to edge design, I use a computerized system on my machine. But let me tell you, computerized systems won’t run if there is a bunch of thread somehow wound around the cable winder ---keeping things bound up!
OY! I spent a long time getting thread bits out of that jammed winder thing….I don’t know how it got in there in the first place, but it sure did a number.
It took a while, but I was eventually free and clear of tangled threads and up and running.
Backing on one roller, hanging down…
The top is completely wound on the top roller!
You remember me working on that blue piano key border a few weeks ago? And you saw me working on the backing from orphans…but I can’t show you the top yet!
I can however show you this:
Quilting going in!
And yes, that is Y2K millenium fabric you see there…still like it!
I do love how this corner resolves!
Quilted –ready for trimming and binding!
Close up of stitching…
I love those Jamestown Landing leftovers in this back. These were the units I had as my step-outs for my episode of The Quilt Show with Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson last year –great that they found a place in this backing instead of just being in a bag in the orphan bin.
Tonight? Who knows…maybe trim it up and put on a binding?
Have a great evening, everyone!
Waiting on "pins and needles" to see the completed quilt!
ReplyDeleteEvil Woman! You are such a tease. Love you Bonnie!
ReplyDeleteWorking on my Go! Trying to trim a rubber maid tub of scraps I saved up. All sorted by color. Then I realize I could still get many 2 inch strips out of them.
Happy Quilting
Aileen in FL
If you would or if you can, will you tell us the pantograph you used? I loved woven winds and purchased it, I am just finishing up my first quilt with it. Thanks for all the inspiration Bonnie!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how quickly the top, batting, and backing go together on the long arm. Oh gosh. I have one to quilt....have to tape the back to the floor, spread the batting and top over it, pin baste with 1000 pins, then wrestle with it at my little sewing machine. That long arm looks better and better. I think I need to get my children thru high school and college first...
ReplyDeleteI hate when that happens. Too often the sensors on my Computerized machine get messed with and don't make a compete connection. Sew Frustrating when I'm ready to get Quilting. Loading mine takes about an hour.Just how big is this backing? It looks like a twin size. Long and not so wide.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe Gail went on a road trip to Quiltville and didn't take me with her! LOL So fun that you guys met up!
ReplyDeleteWow, that was fast! How did you quilt before you had your long arm machine. Did you ever fmq? Any advice on buying a long arm. I am so wanting one.I am not good at fmq, but I still quilt all of my quilts on my dm. Mostly sid and outline. sometimes cross hatch. I have quilted a few by hand but I am slow.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your blog Bonnie. It's fun to share in your life. -Rhonda r7ekblad@hotmail.com
I forgot to say how much I love the backing. It makes me think of freedom! -Rhonda
ReplyDeleteI just know the top is gorgeous...look at the back! You do the best of the best Bonnie...can't wait to see this one :)
ReplyDeleteSmiles, JulieinTN
Your backing is beautiful. Love that you used a lot of your orphan blocks. I have some and maybe someday...... I was wondering how hard it is using the computerized machine. I have a gammill classic plus, maybe when I have a few more customers I could afford it. I was quilting on one for my mother in law for her 70th b-day. Now for binding for me too. I see your plastic storage along the edge of your longarm. Do you not have rolled batting under yours? Love your new aqua too, beautiful.
ReplyDeleteNatalie in Maine
Good morning. Love reading your blog while sipping on my morning coffee. Can't wait to see finished quilt
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the backing, Bonnie. It makes me want to get in to my orphan blocks and work with them. I had to clean my Brother sewing machine and also my serger yesterday. Not a good day to do it as I was getting ready for a craft sale...but isn't that always when it happens? Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteHello from Canada Bonnie, you have a huge following here :)
ReplyDeletebeautiful! love your pieced backing, it is now a reversible quilt!
ReplyDelete