Friday, April 30, 2010

Machine Quilting Without a Longarm Machine-One Method


A big TA DA! here as I am finally ready to start the actual machine quilting on Alisha's quilt. I will be doing free motion type quilting with my Bernina and I have chosen to do it in sections. A friend of mine taught me this method and I have used it in the past with good results. First I assembled the pieced blocks into four sections.
Secondly, I added the borders to the individual sections. (Side note--if there is a definite top and bottom to the piece, it is best to pin a note to each section.) Now, I am ready to sandwich each of the four sections with the batting and backing. After that, I have a manageable size to work with on a standard sewing machine. Next post: how I join the four quilted pieces together. Oh, and I could certainly use some lessons on photographing my work! I'll take any suggestions!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Ocotillo In Bloom


Hope you like the pic of the ocotillo. I tried to catch the hummingbird getting nectar from the blooms, but he/she took flight.
I finally got those last 5 blogs for Alisha's quilt pieced and this weekend my plan is to assemble the blocks. The batting is purchased and I feel great that I am making real progress again. It is as if a blockage has cleared!! We are having cooler than usual weather for this time of year here, so I'm taking advantage of that to try and finish up the hand quilting on another quilt. Hip hip hooray, Katie bar the door, I'm on a quilting mission.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Back in the saddle again

No pictures to post today, but I am definitely getting my quilt/groove thing going again. It feels great to have the needle and thread back in hand. I'm not back on track to finish one project a month yet, but I am happily quilting again. I have always been a fan of having several projects going so that if I get bored or frustrated with one, I can put it aside for a time and work on something else. However--I have gone overboard recently and now I am under strict self-imposed rules to finish at least a few of these before I start anything new. I would welcome any suggestions from like-minded people out there as to how they keep those UFOs under control. I thought I would start by listing all of my unfinished projects and then prioritizing them. Maybe if I looked at the list in black and white, I could shame myself into sticking with the plan? LOL. We'll see. I am determined to reeeaaallly try this time! Enough for today. Time to actually do some quilting.