Geez Louise

If I didn't have to work, I would have these 12 quilts whipped up in no time. As I mentioned on Wednesday, I got the fussy cutting done and then I cut the frame fabric to frame those. But, like a dummy, I used a different machine to sew those frames on and after I was all done I checked to make sure they were 8" square and of course, they weren't. I didn't check to make sure I was sewing a 1/4" seam. DERRRR!!!. So, I had to take out all the stitching and start over (I will know better next time, I hope).

This morning I went downstairs as soon as hubby went to work and got sewing on the second quilt. WooHoo, quilt top number 2 is done. It took me approximately 6 hours to make the top. I had some issues, so there was more seam ripping taking place. But, I like it, it is cute. This one is for my grandson that will be 2 in February.

I think I am going to start a quilt top for one of the granddaughters now. I have 7 boys, 4 girls and one unknown. Three of the girls quilts will have all the same fabric but different designs. I haven't decided on the patterns yet, but I am doing that as I go. Hopefully I bought enough fabric for all three. I just need to make sure that I keep the size in mind when designing them.

Here is a picture of quilt number 2. See ya soon.

Sandi

Making progress

I am now working on the 2nd of 12 quilts. I have done all the fussy cutting of the tractors and tonight, hopefully I will cut my strips that will frame those tractors.

Tomorrow night I will work on framing those tractors and possibly cutting my 3" strips to make my 9 patches.

I haven't touched my Avante in about a week, I am having a few withdrawals. I should put a practice piece on just so I can practice while I am waiting for my backing fabric to come home from Nebraska.

Until next time.

Sandi

Christmas in July

OK, I think I am finally caught up to where I want to be. I could have started my blog back in 2000, but that would have been boring.

As I mentioned, my goal is to have 12 quilts made by Christmas. I started this quilt top on Saturday, July 24th and finished it on Sunday, July 25th. This one is for my grandson that will be 13 in November. Now, I have to quilt it, but I have to wait for my friend to get back from Nebraska with my backing fabric before quilting. The majority of the quilts with have the same design but different fabrics. Some will have their favorite sports fabric, some will have trucks, tractors, etc. But, I am on a roll and ready to start quilt #2. WOOHOO!!

Progress on quilt number 2 to follow.

Next quilt on the frame

I had another quilt that needed to be quilted for my friends sister. It was made in the 1930's and it was hand pieced. The pattern is a star so I decided to stitch in the ditch around the blocks and stars and then I used my 3" circle template to make flower designs in the center. This quilt took me approximately 22 hours to quilt from start to finish because I had to repair seams prior to quilting, quilt the quilt, sew some seams as I am quilting, bind it, label it and blind stitch it. It was a great quilt to sew because it gave me practice with the template. It has many fabrics from the 30's, it is also a scrappy quilt. After doing this quilt, I can say that my favorite fabric on this quilt has Mickey Mouse on it.

I hope she enjoys the quilt.

My new machine

So, I got my new machine in April 2010. I got an HQ Avante from MQX in Rhode Island. I was able to bring my machine home but had to wait for the frame to arrive. I waited about a week for the arrival of my frame. How excruciating that was.

I set the frame up and machine all on my own. WOW, was that an experience. I did have a problem with the frame but HQ took care of the issue right away. Awesome customer service.

I practiced a little on the frame before putting a quilt top on. For first quilt on the frame I quilted a quilt that belongs to a friend of mine's sister. She waited 5 years for this quilt top to be quilted.

The quilt is a scrappy quilt. Can hardly see the quilting but I used the Alfonso pantograph


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Getting Started

I started this blog back in 2009 and now it is 2010 and I am still trying to get this blog going. I just can't seem to keep it going, as much as I would like to.

I started quilting in 2000. I would make my quilt tops and send them off to be quilted by a quilter. This got to be expensive and I got to the point where I wanted to do this on my own.
Finally in 2009, I bought my first longarm. I bought a Voyager 17 in April and by April of 2010 I was selling the Voyager and bought an HQ Avante. I just love this machine. I have several quilt tops, approximately 10-12, that need to be quilted but they are on hold right now.

I have a goal to complete by Christmas and hopefully you will follow along with me to see if I reach that goal. Between my husband and I, we have 11 grandchildren and 1 on the way, and my goal is to make each grandchild a quilt by Christmas.

So follow along with me and see if I can accomplish this goal. Before I go any further, I do have 1 quilt top done, 11 more to go.

Until next time.

Sandi