Madrigal Machine Quilting Part 2

Hello Everyone,

I received a few comments and personal emails asking about the acrylic templates that I use for machine quilting.  While I was quilting yesterday, I took lots of pictures of them to show you my quilting process. I'm trying to keep track of my time on this one.  I'm not even halfway finished, and I've been working on it for 10 hours.

Let's start with the pieced block.  I use a small circle template to create a uniform shape around the center of the block.

I put a piece of white tape on the template so I can align it perfectly on each seam.

I rotate this circle and quilt around the block in one continuous pass.

I end up where I started and quilt a tight stipple in the light, center section of the block.

I will then use this ruler and stitch in the ditch across the whole row of block in one continuous pass.  I dislike stitching in the ditch as I find it hard to stay in that ditch!

For the center section, I switch to my micro handlebars for the fine, detailed quilting around the applique section of the quilt.

And I do mean small details.

The fabric I used for the vase screamed for crosshatching.  The end result looks like an old satin jewelry box.  After I took this picture, I went back and outlined all of the leaves.

Then I quilted a very irregular spine for the fill-in feathers.

I quilt up one side being careful not to catch in the flange.

Then I quilt up the other side.

Before you know it, the area is starting to look really good.  My irregular spine doesn't look so irregular anymore does it?

Then I work my way up to the top.  The throat space on my machine is only 16", so I will have to go back and finish the top of the block later when I can re-roll the whole quilt.

The embroidery is perfect to add feathers as leaves.

Now I'll show you how I quilt the setting squares using an oval acrylic template.

I center the template and stitch around it.

I quilt feathers up one side, then come back to my starting point by quilting a double spine.

Then I quilt feathers up the inside. The only marking I do on this block is a few dots up the middle of the oval so I can center the middle feathers.

Then I do the same on the other side.  (Opps, I see a bit of a wrinkle.....oh well I won't tell anyone it you don't.)

Then after I'm finished with several rows of very detailed, custom quilting, I have a glass of Potty Mouth wine from Twisted Oak Winery.

You know I am an honorary member of the Potty Mouth Piecers.  I could never do a You Tube video of my quilting....there would be a few censored words!

I'm off to the shop today to fill in for the owner.  No more quilting today, which might be a good thing.  My machine and I both need to take a break from each other!

As always,

Lynn

Machine Quilting Madrigal

Hello Everyone,

I got the backing made for Madrigal, and put her on the long-arm yesterday.  As you can see, I quilted directly on the marked line to establish the scalloped border, then filled it with free-motion feathers.

The setting triangles needed something other than feathers, so I went with a double line.  Determining the placement for the lines was easy by lining them up with the seams in the patchwork blocks.

I used an acrylic circle to make this design in the blocks.

I wanted to quilt something really different in the setting squares other than my standard feathered wreath.  I practiced drawing whatever this is called, then went right to the quilting machine.  I used a pointed, oval, acrylic template to establish the shape, then quilted in the feathers.  Since I'm so consistently inconsistent with the number of loops in my feathers, I'm always counting while I'm quilting, and they are still off.  Oh well, in the grand scheme of things, it won't matter.

I'll be quilting on and off throughout the day.  I'll go into the quilting room and complete a row or two.  This quilt will eventually be completed, but it is going to take quite a bit of time.

I hope you all get the chance to slip into your sewing rooms today and have a chance to quilt.  All of the minutes, hours and days add up to a beautiful creation.

As always,

Lynn

***Note to Kathy who saw The House on Edgewood Lane quilt at the AQS show in Lancaster, PA.  I am unable to respond to your wonderful comment as I don't have your email address.  Please send an email to me directly at patched55@comcast.net 

Drop-In Class is in Session

Hello Everyone,

The 2nd Tuesday of the month is my drop-in class day at In Between Stitches.  It is great fun to see the progress the girls make between class meetings.

Kathy is making wonderful progress on her Party in the Garden quilt.  You would never know that she is new to applique!

It all starts coming together.

Carol has a lot of hexies to show off for Summer's Blush.

Isabelle was turning out pinwheels and blocks for Winterset.

Louise is making more and more yo-yo's adding to her collection. The Yo-Yo quilt takes a lot of time, but it is so worth the effort.

Cindy is mass producing HST for basket handles for Buttonwood.

Kay is doing a wonderful job on her Party in the Garden.  I love the different colorway!

It is so much fun spending the day with the girls.  There is sharing of ideas benefiting all of us.

On another note, The Christmas Shoppe will have four of my quilts on display in their booth at the AQS (American Quilter's Society) quilt show starting today in Lancaster, PA.  If you are in the area, stop by Mary Jane's booth and check out her beautiful display of quilts, fabrics, patterns and embellishments.

It's a rainy day here in California.....finally!  We've had an unusually dry winter so it wonderful to have a good storm or two roll over the state.

I hope you all have a very creative day.

As always,

Lynn