All keyed up! A client quilt

Lately I have been robbing Peter to pay Paul, so to speak. Life has been a delicate balancing act and sometimes sleep just doesn’t come easy with all the file folders in my head filled to capacity and spilling out into my REM time. This morning I was awake far too early and after struggling to stay comfortable and not disturb my husband, I gave in and got up. Did I want to be up and moving before 4 am? No, not really, but sleep was evasive and I knew it was futile to fight. So, with visions of our fridge full of fruits and veggies, I began chopping and sauteing and blending. 

Soon I had a lovely pot of leek soup simmering. 

There was a pasta salad that got pulled together as well, along with my favorite way to start the day, smoothies. There is no set recipe for blender drinks in our house, but today I had a juicy grapefruit that was perfect for the mix and added some zip to our yummy concoctions.

What had been occupying some of my thoughts? Earlier I had received this top from Marie:

Her quilt was the result of a challenge she participated in at one of her guilds. A fellow member brought in a selection of Fons and Porter magazines and challenged the members to complete a project found within the pages. Marie chose to make this wonderful little cuddle quilt for a niece who just happens to be a composer.

The perfect backing!

Marie brought me a 35% higher loft poly batting and using a neutral thread on the bottom and a black thread on top, I quilted a variety of designs to suit the quilt.

I created piano keys in the borders, quilted some stippling in the piano and background, did some straight stitching in the borders and on the red music notes and tried to create a simple design on the keyboard that would reflect a classic style.

I also stitched around the pre-printed keyboard with a monofilament thread to hi-light the individual keys.

There was a bit of discussion about the binding that Marie would add. As with many projects, we sometimes run out of the exact piece we might use because we have bought our fabric with no particular project in mind. Although her first instinct was to sew on a red binding, I think she may go with a solid black.

Customer quilts

Recently I had the pleasure of quilting these two lap quilts made by two local quilters. They had chosen backs of Fireside, which is what I refer to as the country cousin of minky - it is isn’t as long a fibre and is looped rather than straight. But, you have to be on your best behaviour when you work with it! Besides the bit of stretch, it also creates a bit of dust and lint. But, it makes a soft, cuddly quilt - perfect to curl up in these cool fall nights.

I am still struggling with finding the best place to photograph quilts so there are some color variations on these shots. But, you get the idea.

I quilted beadboard on the borders of both and then had fun with some freehand continuous quilting in the centre. There is a bit of ruler work in the second one in order to make those smooth circles.

Thelma and Louise Ride Again!

I have been gallivanting!

This weekend the Maine Quilt Show was held in Augusta, Maine. My partner in crime, Nancy aka Louise, and I headed out early Thursday morning and surprised ourselves by arriving in Augusta with a whole afternoon and evening ahead of us! We booked into our hotel, had the best crabcakes at Joyce’s Restaurant overlooking the Kennebec River and then wandered the streets of the mini metropolis of historic Hallowell checking out local handcrafts and of course, a quilt shop.

Thursday evening brought us to the quilt show where I registered for a class on Friday and we enjoyed a champagne preview. Once again it was re-inforced to us that it is indeed a small world when two quilters from Fredericton joined our table as we drank and munched! The wheeled bags they pulled behind them told us they were very savvy, experienced shoppers and armed with tips from them, we made plans for future shopping!

I spent most of Friday taking my first long arm instruction from DeLoa Jones. I feel her rulers are exceptional and extremely user friendly and her class on continuous quilting will definitely be helpful in future projects. DeLoa is relaxed and casual and has almost 35 years of hand and machine customer quilting under her belt. 

I had hoped we would be working on APQS machines, but the local Gammill dealer graciously supplied the machines for this show. After using this machine for a day, I am so incredibly pleased with my Millennium and realize just what a great piece of machinery I own! I was also happy to make the acquaintance of Marcia, the New England APQS dealer. It is great knowing she and her husband are just a phone call, or a 5 hour drive away, should I need assistance! She patiently listened to my frustrations, answered my questions and offered help as well as a spot in her next beginner class so that I can take advantage of my free day of instruction that comes with the purchase of an APQS machine.

The show itself was interesting. It is not a juried show, so you see all levels of quilting. We immediately noted the quantity of machines quilted pieces, as opposed to hand quilted pieces. Even five years ago a lot of viewers were not so very accepting of machine quilting, whereas now they gush and ahhh as they examine the quilting with a close eye. The other interesting thing I noticed was the number of machine quilters. There have got to be soooo many more quilts being produced and completed with that many quilters owning these machines. No wonder quilting in North America is a multi billion dollar industry.

Amazingly, I only took one photo the entire trip! Not like me at all, I know.....

But, truly? I was all shopped out! 

Louise and I had very defined shopping lists! Except when it came to fabric. I am actually very impressed with her restraint, whereas me....well, its a good thing they didn’t weigh the car coming in and out. We did visit the merchants at the show and several quilt shops in the area and tried to do our part to help support the independents. But, I have to admit, when I find great quality fabric at Marden’s for exceptionally low prices, I quickly remember just how hard I work for my money and how nice it is to maximize my limited budget. And I did have specific projects in mind.....though a few extras did make it into my cart.....opps.....

So, I am back home, with a new wardrobe thanks to Kohls and am happily wearing one of my Vera Wang bargains!! It is still raining here, and I have numerous projects spread out and ready to get rolling! Nothing like a trip with a good friend, a change of environment and some fresh supplies to get those creative juices flowing!!

 

Beginning Rulerwork

The more I use my longarm, the more I realize I don’t know. Although I wanted a machine for about 14 years, I made the decision to buy and ordered mine within a 24 hour period. A fast decision overall, especially for someone who can agonize over choices. There are no regrets, but my learning curve is wide, wide, wide......

Ruler work was one of those mysteries. I openly admit it. But, once I opened that can of worms, I ordered the things I needed and finally got some time to give it all a try! My Dad made me some super plexiglass rulers - circles, ovals, curves - and I had a grand time trying a couple of them out!

I decided this lovely little top with its fussy cut blocks could really use some extra effort to turn it into a soft cuddly lap quilt for someone. And I had the perfect thread, a beautiful green Glide with lots of sheen that I got in a sample pack! I also wanted to try stitching in the ditch with my new to me monofilament thread. So, I used a double layer of polyester batt to soften it up and got to work.

Along with those curves on each block, I quilted in the ditch along all blocks and borders to help create that puffiness I was going for. I also decided to give some feathers a try and quilted a swirl of them in the border.

The double batt and the chintz fabric made quilting a somewhat awkward combination, but overall I was pleased with the end result. The quilt is soft and cuddly and has the feel of a “comforter”.

I am linking up with The Needle and Thread Network.