quilting Beth’s Sampler
Beth’s Sampler has to be quilted. And in keeping with this quilt’s heritage, I decided to quilt it with 1 inch apart diagonal lines. (Actually, I read that the Amish used 2 inch apart diagonal lines, so started with that and it looked hideous - definitely needed them closer.) So I started on the weekend with my old Husqvarna, wobbling my way up and down those lines and it was a wee bit torturous!
And not just the stitching, but the marking! Goodness, how is one supposed to successfully mark a quilt when the expensive Clover pencils one buys keep breaking everytime one sharpens them!
A-ha! I also bought Piece O’Cake’s applique book this week and they suggested General’s White Charcoal for tracing around templates. So on the off chance we have that kind of thing here in Australia, Little A and I called into the art supply store at the University and look!
General’s White Charcoal. Cool! And it marks the quilt nicely. And I sharpen it with one of Little A’s new lino cutters. (Now I don’t want any anecdotes about General’s White Charcoal never ever washing off - got it!)
But of course, this evening I had my new Mega Quilter … so I drew on some more lines, and thanks to the new walking foot that has the most wonderfully narrow slit in the middle which you just need to line up with the charcoal line, I quilted the straightest lines I have ever done!
And oh! the huge work table! And oh! the heavy industrial weight of it! And of! that 9 inch throat! It is almost pleasurable!
Did I mention that it travels at 1600 stitches per minute? Not that I will ever be going this fast - I have it set to the slowest speed possible and even then, have to keep my foot super light on the pedal.
Oooh and look at the thread holder - doesn’t that look like it means business! And the bobbin winder has its own motor so you can fill the bobbin whilst quilting! Amazing.
I will hopefully finish quilting the sampler tomorrow and then it’s on with the binding (red of course) and into the bath tub for a nice, gentle wool wash, and then … ooooh I’m getting giddy just contemplating all the quilts that will be finished!
p.s. you should see the backing for this quilt! I bought it at the funny liquidator’s store - it is a beautiful cream flannel with rich and colourful baltimore quilt designs on it - fruit and flowers and borders and birds and watermelons. It is the most beautiful backing I have ever used!
31 July, 2008 at 3:39 pm
*GASP* You got a Mega Quilter! Lucky you! A few weeks ago I was browsing at the store and the sewing lady demonstrated this for me. Wow! I’ve dreamed of it ever since. That large quilting area looks so dreamy!
I know people love their Berninas, but my 10 year old Viking is so fantastic and reliable that I can’t imagine Berninas being any improvement.
That quilt is a terrific achievement! Well done!
31 July, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Congratulations to your new machine! You´ve again made so beautiful quilts! Greetings to granny and granddad!
31 July, 2008 at 8:13 pm
I was really dubious but I just marked a quilt with crayola washable markers and it worked like a charm…and washed out. Seems way too easy to be true…
1 August, 2008 at 12:19 am
The quilt spoke and you listened! It looks fabulous with the extra quilting. Guess what I use to mark straight line quilting ~ slivers of Ivory Soap ~ you know, the bits that are too small to lather. The marks always wash out. Congratulations on the new sewing machine. I can’t wait to see what wonders the two of you will create.
1 August, 2008 at 12:34 am
I am officially jealous. Like you though, i have storage issues, so any new machine would have to live in the bedroom. Don’t think it will happen anytime soon, but I can admire your handywork from afar. Goodness, you go quiet for a few days and then look what you come back with, lots of posts and projects, and a new machine! Enjoy!
:-)
1 August, 2008 at 6:18 am
Congratulations! You soooooo deserve to have a fabulous machine with all the wonderful quilts you make :-)
The sampler is looking great….
I’m curious, did you finish the hungry caterpillar quilt? Your pattern looked so cool -the bits I saw of it:-)
I love the fabric, but the patterns I have seen using it are…..well….a bit dull!
And since I haven’t been able to come up with anything good on my own, I thought….LILY!!!
1 August, 2008 at 7:50 am
how lovely to see you enjoying your new machine!
2 August, 2008 at 12:29 am
Ah… the excitement of a new machine. If anyone deserves a new machine — it is YOU!! Can’t wait to see more of your beautiful creations!
4 August, 2008 at 10:33 pm
What a great idea - the pencils do wear out so quickly! You do lovely work. So so impressive.
13 August, 2008 at 3:24 am
what a beautiful new machine! enjoy!!! it’s that the best?