This quilter asked for birdhouse blocks with a white on cream background fabric. I didn't like most of what I was seeing, so I drafted this block myself. I am pretty happy with how it turned out.
The person who is recieving blocks in January also asked for birdhouses, she will probably get the same design.
I decided to set a goal for myself this year to start machine quilting. The whole reason I hinted to Elliott to buy me my Janome for my birthday a couple of years ago is because my old machine couldn't free motion quilt. Now that Sophie is getting older and I have a little more time to devote to my craft of choice, I decided to get serious about learning to free motion.
I realized that my kitchen island is the perfect height and width for pin basting quilts!
Anyway, here is the "sacrifice" quilt I made for my first foray into free motion quilting. It wasn't too large, and was a great start. I did a simple medium sized meander.
It is definitely not perfect, but my goals were to not have puckering, and to get the tension right. I am happy to say there were no puckers! I think I am on the right track with the tension. It could probably be a little looser in the bobbin, but I am going to research that before I mess with the bobbin screw.
While quilting I ran out of the first thread I was using. I'm glad I did. I found a different type of thread in my bin that matched color wise, but was much thinner, and there for didn't show up as much, which I liked better.
This is an example of the first thread, a Mettler 50 weight cotton. See how it really shows on the white fabric?
This sample is the second thread, Masterpiece from Superior Threads. The thread hardly shows up in the white fabric. In fact, if you look at the white square in the bottom left corner, you can see the two threads next to each other.
Anyway, I am excited to be able to do more of my own quilting. I'm not scared anymore! I have a couple more quilts in the works that I will be able to practice on once I get them made.
12 comments:
love it Ginger. I am so into free motion quilting. Yours looks great. It's hard starting off but once you get the hang of it, it's so fun. Here's a link to one of my recent ones
http://stratford-deford.blogspot.com/2008/07/new-quilt-finally.html
I felt the most confident on this one but i also had to pick out a lot.
Great job! Like Mother, like Daughter, I guess. :)
I'm glad you're beginning to machine quilt; it's satisfying to complete the entire quilt yourself.
This is your first foray into free motion quilting?? Excellent job. I tell you I swear by 505 spray instead of pin basting to eliminate all puckers. I also lay my quilts out on my island. (Howver, I so need to "un-gunk" the island of stray spray afterwards.)
i LOVE the birdhouse square.
Ginger you are so good at this. Love your quilts. Wish I had more patience to do this.
Lov ya
Grammy
Wow, Ginger, I am so impressed! The birdhouse block is great. Simple, clean, very folk-artsy. You're my quiltin' hero!
I love it. That is really fun. I would love to do that someday.
I too have found the monthly block swap a tad frustrating. 2 People in group 4 just did not send. One sent total crap, and Kate remade it, and another sent something with a chunk missing so it did not stand a chance of being square! And that is the "advanced" group. Group 3 is good when it comes to actually sending the blocks, but at least a third were only 10" square not 10.5". I was/am glad I am making a charity quilt with those blocks. I will go into this open-eyed next time when it comes to which block or design I ought to request. ...Would still love to see what you got for blocks anyways...
You are not alone. My birthday month was December and I am still waiting for two blocks. One block is going in the trash as there is nothing salvagable in that polyester mess. Some are quite nice but most are no where near the requested 12 1/2" unfinished size.
What do these ladies finished quilts look like?
You are not alone. My birthday month was December and I am still waiting for two blocks. One block is going in the trash as there is nothing salvagable in that polyester mess. Some are quite nice but most are no where near the requested 12 1/2" unfinished size.
What do these ladies finished quilts look like?
Cute! And the birdhouse is adorable! Sorry the ones you are getting stink!
i love to see all of your projects. comparatively speaking, i may be little better than a novice quilter, but i have high aspirations! what a "sacrifice" quilt, though! i think the quilt is beautiful and you did a great job on the quilting.
i've commented before, but i'm bethany's sister. not a total stalker.
Post a Comment