Candle Wicking Quilt

First let me say what a pleasure it was to be able to quilt this top! When contacted I had no idea why candlewicking was or how on earth I would go about quilting it.
After doing a little google research I was satisfied that I could do a good job for my customer and I accepted.

Hope you enjoy... I think this is one of the most beautiful quilts I have ever seen.

Christmas Log Cabin

I just uploaded pictures of the quilt I just finished. I have to tell you
all the story and please try not to laugh to hard. :)

To start off with, I love a good challenge.

- This quilt measures 116" x 124" (maybe even a little larger). My
frame will only do about 100" and that is pushing it. I researched through
the group pages about quilting a large quilt and felt confident that I
could handle this.
- I quickly realized that my quilt was not advancing evenly.. no
problem, I just lined my pantograph up with the previous row and continued.
- Because of the size and not stretching my fabric as I rolled enough, I
had HUGE puckers on the back and when I looked under the bottom, it looked
like my grandpa's sagging britches the back was so uneven. So after
ripping out three 10" rows of stitching, I then crawled up and tighten the
backing using binder clips (yep the kind to hold stacks of paper together).
Worked like a charm, I just had to crawl under to remove them before
advancing and crawl back under and reattach them before quilting again.
- About 2 ft from the bottom on the first half of the quilt, I realized
that I couldn't roll anymore up because I had ran out of room because of
the 1/2" extra space my new dead bar was taking up. :)
- I then decided that I would go ahead and remove the top and start on
the other side only to find I had no way to attach the bottom of the
backing or top to the rails since it was quilted.
- Hmmmm.....
- Off to Harbor Frieght we go to purchase the magnets that hold tools on
the wall... Yes, they really will smash your fingers they are so strong.
This allowed me to float backing, batting and top, line everything up and
secure with magnets. No worries of anything shifting with those babies.
- Now off to quilting again, only this time because the first half was
quilted it was really advancing unevenly. To the point that I couldn't
work with it.
- That's when I decided to quilt as much as I could, unroll and add a
baby quilt and roll back up. Worked great and allow me to finish the
entire quilt.

I learnt so much during the process and am ready to do another large one
quickly so that I can continue to learn more. I wish you could have been a
fly on the wall because I can promise it was one of the most comical
experiences of my quilting career.

Rhonda

Happy Customer

It feels so good for a customer to pick her finished quilt up and know they love it! This was a hand pieced Grandma's Flower Garden. Quilting was a simple meandering all over.
Binding was a little challenging but once again, I learned something new about mitering the corners. They were not 90 degrees and were both inside and outside corners.

Custom Ruler Work

I have been wanting to try some serious ruler work for some time now but didn't have just the right project. A friend brought a quilt top over that she made just because. She is always great to let me practice.
I was so excited when I was quilting this. Talk about a confidence booster.
With that being said, I guess my lesson learnt would be that I should have tried it sooner. Even if it was just on a four patch or something. :). I always say, it's just thread, we can remove it.

Quilting Small Group At Church

When I first got my longarm quilting machine, I was looking for quilts to practice on. Many people recommended quilting for charity groups and I find Quilts Beyond Borders. When working on my first two quilts for them all I could think about was our previous youth pastor and family that are doing mission work in Guatemala. I kept asking myself why we would make quilts for them. Well, God has provided a way and it is happening.
When we started a new series of small groups at our church, I had suggested doing a piecing/quilting group. We have been meeting now for nearly two months and these ladies have been such a blessing to my life.
Our goal is to piece at least one to each week. We use the same design for a couple of weeks, then have a graduation week where everyone makes their own quilt top that they can either donate or keep themselves.
We have made so many that I think I have lost count. :). Somewhere around 15 so far.
It still amazes me what can be done when we stop fighting God and follow His path.

Hand Piecing - I said I never would!

Never say never... When ever someone says something about hand quilting or piecing, I usually reply with "Oh there is no reason to do anything by hand".
Well, I have just eaten my words with my 2-1/2" square bucket. (When cutting my quilt tops, I go ahead and cut my scraps into 2-1/2" squares and throw in my bucket.)
As we were headed out the door to go to the lake castle (our little piece of paradise), I grabbed up my bucket, needle and thread. So now I am hand piecing a quilt top, over time, from my scraps. Kinda excited about it too! :)
Oh, let me add that I am chain piecing my squares. Not sure if that's what you do when hand piecing but it's what this machine quilter knows. :)

A true quilt Made With Love

I have a very special quilt top on my frame today. It is a customer (friends) quilt top that she started making for her sister. She found out recently that her sister has cancer and is in stage four. They are not giving her long. We have been working really hard to get this finished so that she can present it to her sister.
Needless to say, a lot of love and tears are sew in this quilt.

Rockie Mistake... Nah, just got in a hurry!

I can't believe this... I either loaded my backing wrong or measured wrong. Either way, it is TOO SHORT! I guess I will have to unload and reload tomorrow.
Oh well! Will do better next time.

Updated Project List

It has been almost a years since I purchased my Voyager/Hinterberg system.  I was looking through my project list last night and couldn't believe that I had completed (successfully) over 20 quilts.  So far my journey has been very, hmmmm.... comforting and fulfilling to me.  Now to work on moving out of my comfort zone and tackle more freemotion and even more pantographs.  I think the learning and training is never ending and I look forward to learning more and more.

Hope you are enjoying your journey as much as I am.

My Quilting To Do List:
Work in progress list for 2012

1. Love Letter Block of the Month (six blocks complete, material for six more received)
2. Help Tre with his quilt - Fabric bought, cutting and block sewing started
3. Jacob's Ladder quilt for our bed (Top complete ready to quilt)
4. Crazy Scrap quilt (made by just sewing random scraps together)
5. Granny Blacks quilt - top done and ready to quilt
6. Block Scrap Quilt - top done and ready to quilt - need to order backing fabric  (60.5 x 78)
7. Tulip Bed Runner - QW Feb12
8. Make two charity quilts in 2012 (Quilting tops from Quilts Beyond Borders) - currently have three tops to quilt.  Two is finished.
9. At least 2 quilts made should be my own design
10. Learn about different threads (watched TNT as a start)
11. Learn about different batting
12. Baby quilt and burp cloths for Olivia
13. Gracie's new quilt - QW Apr 11-pg32
14. Craftsy BOM (fabric and direction for four months)
15. Quilt of Valor for Tim - LOQ Mar/Apr 2012, pg 66
16. Double Wedding Ring for the lake castle (fabric purchased, cutting and piecing started)
17. T-Shirt Quilt for Brittany
18. Alabama Quilt for Fran
19. Hannah's Hawaii quilt
20. T-Shirt Quilt for Ryan - (top finished, need to order backing fabric)
21. Bob & Bonnie's Quilt - (top finished, need to order backing fabric) - (62 x 66.5)
22. FCOG Charity Quilt - (top finished, need to order backing fabric) - (48 x 67)
23. Customer Tshirt quilt for Cheryl

Get proficient on the long arm machine - SewCalGal FMQ challenge should help with this.

Completed items for 2012

Baby quilt for Jackson (Jill and Robbie) - DONE!!!!
Baby quilt for Paige- DONE!!!!
Customer Quilts T-shirt for Teresa - quilting only - DONE!!!!
Frankie's Air Force quilt - DONE!!!!
Baby quilt and burp cloths for Hunter - DONE!!!!
Wall hanging for my office - DONE!!!!
Customer quilt for Charlotte Morris - Denim quilt top made by customer - DONE!!!!
Customer Quilts for Sherry (2 - t-shirt quilt) - DONE!!!!
Baby quilt for Justin (girl) - DONE!!!!
Alabama donation quilt (top made by Audrey and Kitty) - DONE!!!!
Customer quilt for Charlotte Morris (on frame, quilting started) - DONE!!!!
Customer baby quilt for Heather (quilting only) - DONE!!!!
Customer baby quilt for Kitty - LullaBelle (quilting only) - DONE!!!!
Customer baby quilt for Janelle (quilting only) - DONE!!!
Baby quilt for Michelle and Calvin - DONE!!!!
Customer baby quilt for Kitty - Ducks (quilting only) - DONE!!!
Make new Velcro leaders for quilting frame (fabric purchased) - DONE!!!
Cheyenne's t-shirt quilt for graduation - DONE!!!
Laura's quilt for graduation - DONE!!!
Coltons Baby Quilt - Katie Cameron - DONE!!!
Customer quilt - Bama, Janelle - quilting only - DONE!!!
Yardsale quilt for Hannah - DONE!!!
Yo-Yo Quilt for Patty - backing only - DONE!!!
10-Minute Block Quilt - DONE!!!

First quilting class was AWESOME!

We meet tonight for our first quilting class. I am so excited. These ladies did an awesome job!

Teaching 10-Minute Block Class

I am so excited. Suzanne McNeill is the first that I had heard of the ten minute block and I am teaching the how to's at my church group and my work group this week. This will be the first time that I have taught a class and glad that I have something simple to work with.
I made a small quilt so I would have a finished one to show. Also quilted a sample of the pantograph that I used during quilting. This is only the second time that I have quilted a pantograph so it isn't perfect but I'm pleased.
Wish me luck!

My First Pantograph

Ok, when you look at my set up, don't laugh. :). I have a relatively small quilting room (works for me though) and didn't want to move my machine to give pantos a try.... So what is a girl to do, take a laser to the front.
This is a quilt top that a special little friend talked her mommy into buying while we were all at the 600 mile yard sale. She wants her house to be filled with quilts. So, that's where I come in. :)
I thought pantos where going to be hard and I have put them off for nearly a year. Now I know this is a simple pattern, but I think it's pretty good for a beginner. What do you think?

Friday's Project - 2-1/2" Squares

One of my favorite baby quilts is made from 2-1/2" squares. Now just to clarify, I'm not cutting and sewing all these little squares. I use strips 2-1/2" wide by width of fabric. See five strips together, then cut these into 2-1/2" strips. Makes for a quick, easy and beautiful quilt top.

Can I get a Roll Tide Baby Quilt?

Just took another quilt off the frame. This is a customer quilt. I outlined the appliqué pieces and stipples in other areas.

When working on a customer quilt, we talk about what type quilting they might want and what I'm comfortable doing. I want to make sure that my quilting adds to their quilt top. I don't want my quilting to over shadow their hard work.
Hope she likes it!

Baby Colton's Quilt is Finished

I know this is silly and simple but I am just so excited to have the yoyo off my frame and something else finished. :)
This is a customer quilt and luckily for me, the patchwork is in the fabric. I just had to quilt the layers together.
Now to work on another customer quilt and my very own double wedding ring.

Empty Quilting Frame

Awe! So excited that my frame is empty. Why? That means I have finished securing the yoyo quilt to the backing. Now to trim down, hem and secure the final edges. :)
I have two cute baby quilts waiting to be quilted and then back to our double wedding ring.

Will this quilt ever get done?

Ever had a project going and all you can do is think of when it will end? :). Well that's where I'm at with the yo-yo quilt. It was already together, all I am doing is putting a back on it. It has been on my frame for over a month and I don't think I'm even half way. Yikes!

I have made a little progress om the double wedding ring quilt though. Also realized how important it is to pay attention and follow directions. :). I didn't leave the 1/4" seam allowance, so when I started putting the squares together, I got big puckers at the intersection. Oh well, easy fix and lesson learnt.

Double Wedding Ring Quilt

You know how in anything we do, there is one thing that we look at as "only a real quilter can do that" or "I'm not a wood crafter until I can make this". For me, that is a double wedding ring quilt. I have always felt I couldn't call myself a quilter until I made one. So, here we go....
There are about seven ladies I meet with once a month and we are all making one. This is my start.

Current Project List

Another Quilter's blog keeps a project list and thought that was a great idea. This can be my to-do list, wish list and a "look what I've accomplished" list, all in one. Instead of posted it on each message, I will just post as it changed.
It's nice being able to see the results.
My Quilting To Do List:

Work in progress list for 2012
-Love Letter Block of the Month (six blocks complete, material for six more received)
-Help Tre with his quilt - Fabric bought, cutting and block sewing started
-Jacob's Ladder quilt for our bed (Top complete)
-Crazy Scrap quilt (made by just sewing random scraps together)
-Granny Blacks quilt - top done and ready to quilt
-Block Scrap Quilt - top done and ready to quilt
-Tulip Bed Runner - QW Feb12
-Make two charity quilts in 2012 (Quilting tops from Quilts Beyond Borders) - currently have three tops to quilt. Two is finished.
-At least 2 quilts made should be my own design
-Learn about different threads (watched TNT as a start)
-Learn about different batting
-Baby quilt and burp cloths for Olivia
-Gracie's new quilt - QW Apr 11-pg32
- BOM (fabric and direction for four months)
-Quilt of Valor for Tim - LOQ Mar/Apr 2012, pg 66
-Double Wedding Ring for the lake castle (fabric purchased, cutting started)

Get proficient on the long arm machine - SewCalGal FMQ challenge should help with this.


Completed items for 2012
Baby quilt for Jackson (Jill and Robbie) - DONE!!!!
Baby quilt for Paige- DONE!!!!
Customer Quilts T-shirt for Teresa - quilting only - DONE!!!!
Frankie's Air Force quilt - DONE!!!!
Baby quilt and burp cloths for Hunter - DONE!!!!
Wall hanging for my office - DONE!!!!
Customer quilt for Charlotte Morris - Denim quilt top made by customer - DONE!!!!
Customer Quilts for Sherry (2 - t-shirt quilt) - DONE!!!!
Baby quilt for Justin (girl) - DONE!!!!
Alabama donation quilt (top made by Audrey and Kitty) - DONE!!!!
Customer quilt for Charlotte Morris (on frame, quilting started) - DONE!!!!
Customer baby quilt for Heather (quilting only) - DONE!!!!
Customer baby quilt for Kitty - LullaBelle (quilting only) - DONE!!!!
Customer baby quilt for Janelle (quilting only) - DONE!!!
Baby quilt for Michelle and Calvin - DONE!!!!
Customer baby quilt for Kitty - Ducks (quilting only) - DONE!!!
Make new Velcro leaders for quilting frame (fabric purchased) - DONE!!!
Cheyenne's t-shirt quilt for graduation - DONE!!!
Laura's quilt for graduation - DONE!!!

I made a dress!!!! Can't believe it!

Well, if you knew of my previous experience in sewing clothes, you would totally understand why this is such a great accomplishment! I'll give you a few examples.
-I volunteered to make choir robes for my aunts children's church. The firs one has the left arm where it was suppose to be, however, the right arm was coming out the back.
-I tried to make me a dress. The sleeve was so small that I couldn't even get my hand in it.
:). Yep! I'm serious!

Anyway, this little pillowcase dress is for my little granddaughter, Gracie. I think it is adorable and can't wait to see her wearing it with her little boots. I'll post a picture when she does.

I think I may make her a few more of them but then stick to quilting which I love. :)

T-Shirt Quilts Finished

Finished up the two t-shirt quilts that are for some very special young ladies as graduation gifts.
It's so funny that as I'm quilting I always think it isn't going to look good. Then when I finish, I always say, oh this one is my favorite. :). Yes each and every one are my favorites. :)