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Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Well, THAT was Quick!


When did I start making these? Does anyone remember? Less than a month ago I believe.

I have a wonky log cabin quilt hanging in bedroom 3 at Quiltville Inn over one of the beds.

It's a mess of scrappy everything and I loved making it.

I've made several Courthouse Steps quilts in wonky fashion - and I've started another of the half light/half dark wonky logs from strings, but it languished and is in a bin somewhere.

So tell me why, instead of getting bored working on this one I could push it through like nobody's business?

The whole premise was to sew down the bin of recycled shirt strings.  You know those pieces left behind from cutting down shirts for use in quiltmaking.

Collars, cuffs, pockets, plackets and even pieces torn along the hem to get the shirt back or fronts on grain. 

The forgotten bits.


Greens and purples were completed over the weekend.

I had to enhance a bit with the purples. While there ARE purple shirt pieces in these blocks, I had to dig into the purple strings bin to find other plaids and stripes and some small prints that were not from shirts, but fit in just fine.

All of the center squares came from my boxes of pre-cut squares from the Scrap User's System - so they aren't necessarily plaids either - but they work.

And I think that too much plaid on plaid on plaid can look less interesting - it's fun to throw a bit of other things in there.


And this is what I decided on.

Color rows with a half-block drop on the even numbered rows.


I set right on in to web the top!


Lola couldn't care less.


I finished sewing the top yesterday afternoon!

And I've decided NOT to add borders.  I like it just as it is. it measures about 75'' square - perfect for a couch throw.


More close up!

Loads of shirts in the neutrals, but some other things too just to break up the plaidy-stripey just a bit.


It's a good size!

Just about this time UPS drove up and I KNEW what was on that truck.  I'd been waiting for it for more than a week!


I DID A THING!


I did a thing I'd been wanting to do since the late 1990s.

I bought a Juki I kept telling myself that I didn't need.

Have you ever done that? For more than 20 years?

And it was the working on these blocks, and other paper pieced creations that told me to just bite the bullet and buy the machine.

Can you hear the voices in my head?

"You can get by without that machine - look at the other machines you have.  You don't need this machine."

I've been paper piecing on my Janome 6500 which has many great qualities, but even with the straight stitch plate,  it would knot up at the beginning of the seam occasionally unless I started my stitching 1/8'' in from the edge of the fabric. It wasn't a true straight stitch machine.

The Janome does way more than I will ever need, and less  than I want it to do.  

I bought it because I thought I might want to do machine applique at some point, but I haven't.  I prefer doing my "regular" piecing on my 301 - so the Janome was only being used for the thread cutter for string piecing and paper piecing.  And it still had that madenning issue of knotting up at the beginning of a seam.  Or the needle would become unthreaded.

At any rate, for more than 20 years I have told myself NO over the machine that I really wanted. and have dealt with the Janome since 2009 when I brought it home.

My first Juki test run?


I found YARDAGE big enough for the backing!

Only it is a wide stripe, with the flower motifs evenly spaced, and they face either left or right - 


The Juki's first job was to stripe match.  I think it did a pretty good job down the center of that brown stripe!

So today - will I load this quilt?  I don't know.

Do I feel guilty about the Juki purchase?  I don't know.

I'm getting over it!

Life is short.  We shouldn't have to struggle with a machine that doesn't do what we need it to do in the way we need it to do it.

Don't settle for less. And Christmas is coming!

Oh, this is a Juki 2010Q.  I bought this one because it came with the walking foot and other things. There is a 2000Qi for about $100.00 less, but I knew I'd need that walking foot down the road.

I placed both in the Sewing Machines category of the Quiltville Amazon Affiliate Store

I purchased it on Amazon as there are no Juki dealers anywhere near me.

And now I feel the need to find a project for paper piecing that will help me dig into all the crumbs and small bits that are taking over everything.


Whatcha talkin' about, Mama??


And in Bristol news! 

Bristol is a hit!  And I have so many of you to thank for that!  

Gift-Away entries are over 3,200! That's such a good indicator that I'm not the only one in love with star quilts, or plaids or plaid star quilts!

Thank you!

If you haven't gotten your entry in, please visit the Gift-Away Page and do so!  We will draw for our two winners on Saturday 10/29/22.


I will be drawing for 2 lucky winners that will each receive a Bristol PDF pattern from me and a Checks & Plaids Color Roll from  Cotton to Quilts!

Quilt Details:

Plaid Paradise!

For the star quilt lovers everywhere - Whether you sew with shirt plaids or scrap stash, Bristol is bound to be a favorite!

Easy to follow instructions, optional construction methods, full color photos and graphics to guide you from beginning to binding!

Quilt Size: 75'' X 75''

Optional but helpful: Bonnie K. Hunter's Essential Triangle Tool and either the Simple folded Corners ruler, or the Simple Folded Corners Mini.

Traditional rotary cutting methods are given for those who don't have access to these rulers.

Introductory Special: I have placed the PDF pattern for Bristol at 25% off in both the Quiltville Store and the Quiltville Etsy Pattern Shop.  No coupon needed!  Sale price good through 10/31/22.  Hurry now and save!

I've also placed the PDF pattern for Spider & The Fly  at 25% off in both the Quiltville Store and Quiltville Etsy Pattern Shop - no coupon needed!

The price is good through 10/31/22 and will revert back to full price on 11/1/22.

TODAY:  Pam's Scrappy Sisters are on their way to Quiltville Inn traveling from near Nashville, TN!  I am wishing them a safe and fun journey as they make their way.

We checked on the paving situation down the road from Quiltville Inn, and in true bad-luck fashion, they are only about 1/2 mile up from the inn which means that they should be paving in FRONT of the inn at some time today.  Of course!

But we will deal with it, and it will be nice - the new section we drove on yesterday was sure smooth!  It will be worth a few traffic snafus and waiting time for "Single Lane Ahead." type activity.

What do you have in store for your Wednesday?

Oh, and I almost forgot to share this:


Whitetop Mountain, VA

Yesterday afternoon! 28 degrees!

Check out that frost line!  Now you know why they call it Whitetop!  I'm just not ready for things to be this cold so soon. Yikes.


Quiltville Quote of the Day -

I find this to be so very true in many ways.
I find it hard to create unless I am in a creative frame of mind.
That said - even when I'm not feeling it encouraging myself to get in there and do something positive will often bring creativity back as I work my way through whatever I am dealing with.
How do you get your own creative juices flowing?

Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!


 

26 comments:

  1. I bought the Juki TL2010 a few months ago and I love it. I didn't need it either as I have 2 Pfaffs and a old Singer. Congrats on your new machine.

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  2. You will love your Juki, I have had mine for a year and it is super for piecing!
    We need to treat ourselves once in a while!
    Does anyone know the pattern name for the quilt at the bottom of this blog?

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  3. I am debating the same thing about machines, what made you choose the Juki over the Janome HD9?

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  4. I just love my Juki 2010, it's my go to machine. Well worth every penny. Enjoy! I'm loving your new quilt patterns and looking forward to this years mystery quilt. Thanks for all you do!

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  5. Today's quote speaks to me. I don't like my quilt I'm working on. You can't see the pattern of the blocks for the busy neutrals I used. No place for your eyes to rest. But I will finish it . It's in rows just have to sew them to each other. And make the borders. But I definitely learned a lesson.
    Your Log cabin is gorgeous. As is your Juki. Don't feel guilty Bonnie, like you said ...life is short.

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  6. I have had that same machine for about 3 years and I love it. I only have the stitch speed set halfway and it is still fast! And a heavy all metal machine! You will love it.

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  7. I have had two Juki machines - a 98Q that I had stretched to mid arm size for frame work and a 2010 Q. When I had the 98 stretched I was sad to lose my good piecing machine so got the 2010. I have it set up to my right and I have an Elna I use for applique to my left. Those Juki machines go forever. Glad you treated yourself - you will enjoy especially for paper piecing.

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  8. I bought the Brother version years ago and loved (still love) it so much I bought another just like it (Nouvelle) when a quilter near me was selling hers. When I absolutely have to have a zigzag, I use my little Janome Jem. Otherwise, that straight-stitching beast allows me to do everything I need (including free motion quilting, which I'm using it for now!)

    No guilt--love it for the joy you'll get from it for years and years to come.

    Carolyn

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  9. I have the same machine but sold by Brother. It does a beautiful stitch and is a workhorse. I took it in for servicing and the gentleman told me everything about it is perfect. In the 8 or so years I've had it there have been no issues except for lint buildup causing the odd skipped stitch.

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  10. If anyone deserves a Juki, it's you! You inspire so many people! In your picture, it looks like it has a table. Does that come with it or is that an "add-on"? Enjoy!

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  11. hey, that's my machine too - i hope you LOVE it! It was such an upgrade for me from my learn-how-to-sew Singer, I've never looked back on having electronic selection buttons or more than one stitch. Love. It.

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  12. Love my Juki...put the big Brother in the closet and haven't looked back!

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  13. I love the log cabin quilt top. It gave me an idea what to use all the browns in my bins for. I still don't understand what possessed me to buy all those browns many years ago. Also, congratulations on your new sewing machine. It is much colder in Virginia than here in Maryland. I am ready for the cooler temps. I wish everyone a nice day.

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  14. I have a Juki Haruka, which I didn't need, but I love it. You won't be sorry!

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  15. Dear Bonnie, I've been doing the same thing for over 3 years as far as wanting to order the Juki TL 2010Q. I just placed my order off your affiliate link! I have been using a newer Janome DC2019 for piecing and have not been satisfied with the straight stitching. I could not buy a single needle plate for this Janome model either. Now I will need to order the 1/4 inch foot that fits this machine and also get more bobbins. I love your blog/e-mails! Thank you for that little nudge so I could push forward and buy the new Juki machine! Roxy in Hudson, WI

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  16. Lololol Good for you Bonnie. Don't feel guilty about buying your Juki. You deserve it! The Hubs just bought me a Juki HZL 600 and I love it. My first machine was a Singer treadle the was in my Mothers family. I also inherited a Singer featherweight when my mom passed, then the hubs bought me a Bernina in 1988. I love that machine. Then I discovered you and I bought a Singer 301a and a Singer 440. I also have a small Babylock to take to retreats. So Enjoy all of your machines and Keep giving us Great patterns!! I am so excited to see what this years Mystery quilt is going to be. Happy creating.

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  17. I have one and you will love it! Between the pretty stitch, speed and knee lift, you will not believe how much faster you can move a project along. Way to go, Bonnie!

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  18. I bought a Juki 2010Q from the estate sale of a quilter friend a few years ago. It's a great machine, and you're going to love it! I machine quilted several quilts on the Juki, until a longarm unexpectedly came into my life, and it did a great job. It's fantastic for binding, too!

    I love how you laid out the wonky Log Cabin! Great graphic punch from those offset columns. It'll look amazing with quilting texture added.

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  19. I love your new Bristol quilt! I have ordered it but mine will not be in plaids. I don't have enough of those to do much. I am handicapped from much sewing right now because I had rotator cuff surgery recenlty. I am being optimistic with my purchase tonight.





    1

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  20. Well, I don't have a Juki, and I certainly don't need another sewing machine, either. Today I went out and moved my apple trees and the lilac bush to the High Tunnel area, as it will be below freezing in a couple of days. I will let them set outside for another couple weeks, then move them into the high tunnel. The apple trees will be planted in there along with other fruit trees next spring. I also moved the riding lawn mower and rototiller in there for the winter time. I moved the snow blower into the garage and picked the last of the green beans. NOW I can go sew. BUT, I felt I had to get more of this important outside stuff done first. I am currently working on making a sweatshirt jacket. I still have to put my color strips on the sleeves, then trace the pieces, to make a pattern for future use. I also have to get the long arm going, as I have a lot of quilt tops to quilt.

    Your Log cabin quilt is beautiful, as is the plaid star quilt. I will have to get both patterns! I am still working on my Curvaceous Curves Log Cabin quilt. I will have to get back to it soon!

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  21. I bought myself the same machine 5-6 years ago. I bought another one last year because I was tired of my granddaughters always wanting to use that machine and I wanted to sew at the same time. Now we are all happy!

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  22. I bought the same machine for my birthday in May. I have always wanted one and my local quilt shop just started carrying them. Best thing I have ever bought myself. I made a quilt for my retiring coworker on it. Even quilted it. I hope you love it as much as I do.

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  23. I had a Bernina and loved the perfect stitch that it turned out. I was enticed to buy a BabyLock Soprano and traded the Bernina in. The cutter leaves a 3/4" tail and when I start up, it never tangles or pulls down and makes a thread nest. I love it!!

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  24. I love my Juki 2010Q for paper piecing - between the knee lift and the thread cutter and the straight stitch plate, it's the best. Also, I bought a Janome walking foot to use with the Juki on the advice of someone years ago, and I like it better than the Juki one, so keep hold of your Janome walking foot, just in case!

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  25. Bonnie, is the wonky log cabin published in any of the books? I haven't looked in mine yet, but I was wondering because if I don't have it, I would like the pattern. Thanks.

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    1. I haven't finished the quilt yet, and there isn't a pattern until I do. Please stay tuned!

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