It took 1.5 hours to get the quilt top, backing and batting onto the long arm quilting machine.
Ruth making sure that everything is in order to go!
There is always prep work before one can start quilting. On a domestic machine, or if quilting by hand, one has to baste the three layers together. On the longarm frame, one needs to position the three parts of the quilt sandwich correctly. Doing the job right the first time takes time.
I have to laugh at myself. Here I am using rulers and trying for those beautiful diamonds I’ve seen people quilt. The images I see are after many years of practice. This is my first attempt, I’m calling it a win.
Oops, I got too close to the Dresden plate, I meant to do some echo- quilting, well I’ll do it anyway.
It makes the Dresdens look like they are floating on top of the swirls.
For the first time, I am using wool batting. It really makes the motifs pop. Even better, since this section of the back is solid, one can really see the design.
Moving out of the border into the center. Double shadow, and I”m stippling. I haven’t used this quilting technique in years. I had a broad idea of how I want this quilted. The only place I improvise is during the actual quilting stage.
I’m deliberately making my motifs large, this is a big quilt, it is intended for my bed. I want it soft and cozy, not hard like a piece of cardboard.
Another thing I have to get used to, travelling across the quilt in horizontal sections. On my own machine (if I were crazy enough to quilt this on my own machine!) I would manipulate each dresden plate, here I have to work them in sections. Three hours of actual quilting and I’m a quarter of the way done. Time for a break, I’ll be back tomorrow.
And then there are the final few blocks of the Splendid Sampler.
Block 98 is a needle turn applique in the Hawaiian style. Interesting technique, using freezer paper.
Needle turn applique isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes extra time to bast the applique onto the background fabric. It is so worth the effort.
Not perfect by a long shot. I recognize that perfection comes with a lot of practice. For a first try this is very good. It helps that I used batik fabric, with it’s very tight weave, it holds it shape better.
Now that I am almost at the end of this year long project I’m not sure what I’m going to do. I think I will probably let the blocks sit for a while, it may become one quilt, the blocks may end up in a variety of smaller projects.
What I do know is no more year long quilt alongs for me!
Leah