Trying something new...

I have been wanting to try the "quilt as you go" technique. I have seen beautiful large quilts done this way. It saves you trying to fit a large quilt into your machine...you just quilt as you go and attach them at the end.

It is essentially the long cabin technique, sewn right onto your square of batting. After you add each piece, you take the time to go over each strip. Then you add the next piece and do the same thing again, working your way around the block. It is another great way to use up all your scraps.

 

When you're finished, cut a square for your backing, trim up the edges and bind as you would a quilt.  Mine became hot pads...with matching tea towels for an upcoming shower gift!

Frolic Quilt

This quilt was simply pieced using Moda's FROLIC charm pack! I loved all the colours. In some of the squares I appliqued smaller squares just for fun.

I quilted it just with my walking foot in one way wavy stripes.

The back side.

A couple of close ups.

Scrappy Lap Quilt.....done!

My first quilt....done!  I think it took about 2 hours to stipple quilt the entire thing. I can see why everyone says to practice, practice,practice! It takes some time to get the feel of the machine and the fabric. Even with a lap size quilt it is easy to get hung up on just about anything, and with the feed dogs dropped, your needle can move anywhere, anytime. I think another time I may try doing a smaller stippling. But over all I'm happy with my first run.

The back side. Using a pattern allowed some forgiveness if my stitches weren't quite right. It also gave me a chance to use up the few scrap blocks I had leftover.

 

It is all bound with a my favourite blue and white striped fabric. I love the effect of striped fabric on binding!

Finished size: 42"x48"

Scrappy Lap Patchwork Quilt

I finished sewing together my scrappy lap quilt top! It was made from all scraps....bits and pieces I've had forever. Many were scraps from recycled mens shirts.

The patchwork squares were made using strip paper piecing. It's the first time I've tried it, and I'm sure I'll do more. It was easy and fun, and a great way to use up scrap.

I've been reading a book "Quilt As Desired" which is all about machine quilting. She had some great advice about sandwiching the layers. She recommended using masking tape to tape down the back side, stretching it taut. Then layer the batting, and then the top. It worked wonderfully, keeping everything nice and tight. Well, I guess I shouldn't confirm this until I've actually quilted it, but it appears to work nicely!

So...next step...quilting! Stay tuned...

Isn't She A Beauty?

I'm sooooooo excited about my new machine. I've been wanting a new machine for a while, but never imagined I'd have one with all these great features.

I think I'm most excited about the "stitch regulator" feature and trying my hand at some free motion quilting. I've got some "quilt sandwiches" all ready to go when she arrives, and I've had some time to practice!

I purchased her on Ebay and had it shipped to my parents in Pennsylvania. I'm just waiting for my first opportunity to pick it up!

Inspiring Quilting Blogs

There are so many great and inspiring blogs out there. I could go on for hours just jumping from one blog to the next. What a great thing to do when you need a little push to move on to a new project. It's like flipping through creative magazines...only free!

The Lattice Quilt is from Film In The Fridge. I love it! Really, I don't think there is a quilt on her blog I don't really like. Go have a look at them...you will be inspired too.

This beautiful quilt is from Sugar and Stiches. I love her colour choices, with just the right amount of white to set of the bright colours!

It's mine...

How did I live without it?

It's itty bitty, it's hot pink...and it's mine!