This is one thing that has me smiling ear-to-ear with great anticipation!
I was able to get Abbeygate loaded into the long arm and do some very simple machine basting.
Why machine?
I guess just like the cheeky 10 year old I can say out loud "Because I Can!"
There are many reasons. But mostly because it is easy. It's secore. There is no shifting.
Since having Intelliquilter installed nearly 2 years go (Time flies!) I have worked with the pre-loaded designs to choose one that worked well for machine basting.
Choosing something with V's or points makes it easy to advance to the next rows of quilting, so I have found I like using this "Cloud" design.
I set the stitching design about 6'' tall, and the rows of stitching are roughly 5 to 6'' apart.
I set my stitch length longer than I usually machine quilt, making it easier for me to use the seam ripper to remove the basting as I move the hoop from plaste to place during the hand quilting process.
The basting stitches will be completely gone by the time the quilting is done.
Click to Play:
Hand quilting about to begin!
Choosing thread -
At first I thought I would use a cream color - but it looks a bit too light against the reds, don't you think?
To choose the best color, unwind a bit of the thread and let it drape over all of the fabrics it will be stitching through.
I think this one will be a much better match. It's not so stark against the reds.
YLI Ecru.
We went to town with friends last night to grab a bite to eat, and I was too wiped out when we returned to start in on the hand quilting, so that might happen tonight.
This also happened at the QPO yesterday.
My electrical panel inside the QPO is now generator ready. The Electric company came and replaced by meter and we have added this.
Generator plug here!
All we need to do during a power outage is plug the generator into this spot and it will power the whole QPO. Internet will run. Lights will work. Orders can be filled and shipped. Life will go on!
Each year we pick a couple of "Big Projects" that will make life better either at home, or at the inn, and this includes my QPO studio.
It's not pretty or exciting, but I know Ill be grateful for it when it comes time to use it.
For those asking if we went to Liberty -
Yes, we did!
Click to Play:
Did I buy anything? Yep. But not like you would think. No yardage came home with me. Instead I bought a zippered pouch made of Liberty of London fabrics that was already complete, I knew I would never make one, so this was a win for me and it was 20% off.
I also bought a small pair of gold thread snips - and I don't have a photo because they are at the QPO and I am writing this at home, so I'll get a photo later today and share it in tomorrow's post.
Today? Back at the computer working on Part Five of Old Town. My rescheduled mammogram is tomorrow morning with some other errands that need doing, so my Thursday desk time will be at a minimum - so today it is.
But tonight - watch out! I'm planning on putting some hand quilting stitches in!
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
Who else remembers slamming down the phone for added emphasis?!
Those were the good old days!
Those were the good old days!
Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!
15 comments:
Not only am I old enough to slam the phone down, you are my daughter’s age and I have used a phone that I could say to the operator, Susie, Connect me to Jane!
Slamming down the old rotary phones....it was such a fabulous way to take out some frustration! Hilarious! Those phone cords were pretty tough too, as I cannot recall how many times I closed the bathroom door on the cord so my parents in the living room wouldn't hear every word of my teenage years phone calls! Cell phones have changed the world, for better or worse I'm not sure!
SSOOO Satisfying to slam a phone- and it is interesting how the right thread color is often not what you think it will be!
The old days! My grandmother hated telemarketers (and scammers) so much that the whole family knew to say immediately that it was US....or hear the loud whistle she'd blow into the phone that nearly pierced your ear drums. Yes, my grandmother was something else! I also remember having a party line - and sometimes when I was on the phone someone else on that line would carefully pick up the phone to listen in. I'd tell them it's RUDE to listen to others conversations & to HANG UP! Deb
Ooooh, thanks for the glimpse into Liberty of London! Such lovely fabrics!!
So Bonnie, my question is regarding hand stitching the quilt. Will you follow the design you basted with, but hand quilt it? or will you choose a different quilting design? I love the idea of basting it with a design!
Bonnie, Have you ever Big Stitch a quilt top? I have completed 3 quilts and a 22x22" Pillow. I do not have a long arm machine and I am not aware of any long arm quilters in my area and I don't like sending my quilt tops through the mail however I have sent some to MSQC to long arm and they are beautiful but very costly. I am loving the look of my Big Stitch quilting finishes.
FOR WORSE! And I miss being able to slam the phone down. Now I have to stop myself from throwing my cell phone out the car window or across the room. I can remember calling the operator to connect me and I can remember party lines. The rotary phones were a HUGE innovation at the time. The good thing about cell phones is you can turn them off.
Kristin, the design she uses to machine baste has no relation to the hand quilting she will do. She often hand quilts Baptist fans or comes up with a design to compliment the quilt blocks.
Oh yes...I remember those days!!!! Slam the phone down, listen in on other's conversations, and be disgusted because they wouldn't get off the line so I could use our phone!!!!!!!!!! Have a great day!
I look at this quilt and think you named it "applegate." I think it's because it reminds me of red delicious apples. It is a beautiful pattern. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.
So glad that you have a project ready for your evening down time. I always love it when you share your thought process on choosing things like thread color & designs to baste with. I'll have to remember that Ecru when I quilt a primarily red top! ;) We are literally counting down until our winter break starts. Then I am hoping for some serious sewing time!! Happy quilting!
I am anxious to have the pattern for Abbeygate! I have loved it from the first pictures you shared...I'm super happy for you to have a winter quilting project...so lovely!!
It tickles me to no end that that 2000 grid fabric is in the very corner of Abbeygate. The world just won't be the same when you finally run out of that. ;)
Thanks for the peek at Liberty of London. What a store!!
Piling up my reds now excited for this patterns
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