That's a really lovely quilt, Sherry. The quilting is gorgeous. The density of it is amazing. (And the binding is so straight and un-wavy - well done indeed).
I'm so glad we were able to see it. First for hand quilting? Wow!
Those kittens are completely adorable. . In message , Sherry writes
Thanks, Patti. It's the third one I've handquilted, but the first one where I really think I've figured it out. It's such a learning process! I pretty much learned from websites and books (and this group), I really wished my grandmother or the aunts were still living to help! The first one was pretty bad. I used a really highloft polyester because I didn't know better and couldn't figure out why I could *not* get a decent stitch going. The second quilt I used Dream batting, it was so much easier! Third one I tried Heirloom wool, and liked it even better. What I"m trying to figure out now is a better way to mark the quilt, I use stencils now but the choices are so limited. I bought Alex Anderson's book, and her suggestion to use a light table just doesn't work for me. The fabric is too dark, you can't see through it, it was so frustrating. But once the quilt is marked, and on the frame, I just love sitting there and working on it. (p.s.--I have a bad case of quilt-frame-envy after seeing the photo of John's frame here) And the kittens, oh my. I must learn to say "no." They were orphans of a feral mother that was killed by dogs. Someone asked me to take them. I hope to find homes for them soon, since I have too many QI's already.
Sherry
Everyone else has given excellent advice. Let me just add that my quilts improved markedly when I began cutting my sashing strips along the length of the fabric, rather than across the width of the fabric (selvage to selvage). There is much less stretch along the length of the grain. Maybe give it a try?
-- Jo in Scotland
Are you trying to sew a row of blocks and sashing to a row of sashing and cornerstones? That is the hard way. Try to get your hands on a copy of Fons & Porter's Complete Guide to Quilting. It will show you exactly how to do it and it is easy. Their way is that you add sashing (with or without cornerstones) to one or more sides of each block individually, then sew the blocks into rows. I got nicely matching rows and cornerstones on my first ever quilt and I believe it was due to using the Fons & Porter method. I always need to see the diagram in the book to be able to do it, as you only put sashing on certain sides of each block before sewing the rows and I'm afraid I'll get it wrong and end up with double sashing somewhere. Debra in VA See my quilts at
On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 15:12:27 -0500, Donna in Bellevue wrote (in article ):
Also, I' learned a neat trick at the workshop Carol Doak gave for our guild. She had us pin the match points (just a couple of stitches over each pin, not the whole seam) and then quickly open up the seam to see if things are matched up properly. If so, you can then sew the whole seam. If not, you can just take out a few basting stitches, give your fabric a nudge, and then rebaste. I did this with a celtic illusions top I just finished and it works great! Seems like a lot of extra work, but beats ripping out all the seams because you don't like the way it looks.
Maureen
On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 19:39:38 -0500, Sherry wrote (in article ):
If you were a pioneer woman, all your friends would have been over for a quilting bee while your DH was harvesting the crop. ;-)
That's even more efficient Pat. Every block is then ready for any place on the quilt and the other pieces can be added last. Great suggestion!
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