Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Plugging Along

I didn't realize that it had been over a week since I posted. I have been doing some sewing. Keeping two little boys during the day keeps me busy. One afternoon last week they were both crying at the same time for about 30 minutes. Oh well, I wanted to explore this part of my life so I guess I asked for it. When my children were young I was working and enjoying it. I loved being in the classroom but I always wondered what it would be like to be a stay at home mom. I have no regrets about my career, it was wonderful and this part of my life is wonderful too. I am able to get a little sewing done when they go home and on the weekends. I am completing three quilts for my DIL to give as gifts. I posted this one before but I finished what some of you call the flimsy over the weekend. I like it but I wish I had made the white sashing a bit narrower.


















It is a cool way to highlight some novelty prints.

I machine quilted this top in a similar design to the pinwheels. I don't know how well you can see it on the top.


















Maybe it is easier to see the quilt design on the back.




















I think I am trying to do something too complicated when I machine quilt. I did the other one with parallel lines. I have tried quilting in the ditch but you have to be so careful. Any suggestions on machine quilting? Should I adopt the KISS (keep it simple stupid) method?


What is your least favorite part of the quilting process? My aunt hates doing the binding. I love doing the binding because I know I am almost done. I know we all love selecting the fabric and and a design. I DO NOT like making the quilt sandwich. I don't like it because I almost always end up with wrinkles. I have tried the floor and that killed my back. I am now using my dining room table. Any suggestions? Please help.

One more thing. I am always amazed at what the quilting bloggers do. I was touched by the request for bundles to send to Iraq. There was no way I could get a bundle together and then I found an opportunity to pay for one. I jumped at the chance. Just imagine what a simple gesture can accomplish. I hope we will get some follow up on how the Iraq women use what we send.

7 comments:

Donna said...

I still hate machine quilting anything at all large, but have learned that the quilt hanging down, even a couple of inches off the plexiglass table extension I use, is what does me in.... and practise really does help -- I've put miles of thread in utility quilts and still need more practise!

Unknown said...

the quilting looks great. I love quilting, I still have trouble with big items. i try to keep them small

Barb said...

Oh what a wonderful job, front and back....

Bebesboutique said...

Your quilts both look wonderful. I really like the way you quilted the pinwheels. I love designing and piecing a quilt. When I sandwich them I have to take them to work for a big enough work space. I do use spray basting. It is WONDERFUL! I am daunted by trying to machine quilt a large quilt, no room. I would love a big quilting machine. but then I would have to learn to sleep standing up. lol

Val said...

This is my first visit to your blog. So far I just love it. I will come back soon to visit.

Browndirtcottage said...

OK...so now it's been 5 whole days since you've posted...lol....
I did the crawling around on the floor and stooping over 'thingy' yesterday...uhhhhgghh!!I guess that is what I hate the most...measuring for borders....I have used my fold out cutting board (you know the kind used in clothes sewing)and laid it out on my king size bed and layed my quilt on it...but you still have to stoop over.....

Anonymous said...

I really like your quilting! It fits so well with the pinwheel pattern. And I'm definitely with you on the dislike of basting. The floor works best for me but boy is it a painful process!