#Prism Bee Blocks

14. September 2016 5 Comments

In July and August Allison @ Campbell Soup Diary was queen bee for our Quilty Circle of Bees group. She chose the free foundation paper pieced pattern “Prism” by Zen Chic (Brigitte Heitland) that you can still download. Here you can find the initial bee block post.

I had the luck that Allison was at my place a bit before her bee months started, so she picked her favorite fabrics :) These are the blocks or better units I made. I did not connect the units into finished blocks as they are quite big and I think they will look a lot better mixed in – better fabric placement…

I actually had these finished for a while and might have been even the first to hand them over but forgot to post about them #ups. Now we have some new instructions and I remembered :)

Linking up at
Scraptastic Tuesday @ She Can Quilt
Let’s Bee Social #142 @ Sew Fresh Quilts
Sew cute Tuesday @ Young Texan Mama

Aviatrix Medallion: Finally Finished!

29. July 2016 21 Comments

I still can’t quite believe it myself: My Aviatrix Medallion is finally finished! #YEAH

I took only 2 years, 2 month and 25 days or shall I say 817 days but who is counting :)

I wanted it to look like wall art and had this crazy idea of using a wooden frame, wall papered so it would be “invisible” on the wall and the quilt attached with Velcro on it. I know totally crazy, but it was the only way I could come up with, as I wanted it “stretched and stiff” and not “floppy” as with a normal sleeve. After some discussion on our last Patchwork Treffen, the girls came up with another solution to hang my quilt. Actually I did now “frame” it like a canvas painting.

With that twist and with seeing that after burying all the threads the chalk had finally rubbed off, the working time on this went down considerably. I still needed a wooden frame, which a good friend helped me built – or should I say – built for me. We built the frame to the size of the (slightly stretched) quilt. And after that was done, I just placed the quilt face down on my living room floor and stapled the border around the frame onto the backside of the wooden beams. As on a canvas painting :)

If you want to replicate the process. I found it worked best to draw a chalk line on the border that indicated how far we had to pull the quilt around. The distance will depend on where you measured your main quilt design to be on the border and how thick your wooden beams of the frame are. Then you just pull the quilt so far around that the chalk lines up with the backside edge of the beams. This way the border didn’t distort and did neither look wobbly or like a messed up diamond :)

This solution might sound a little destructive with all the stapling. But because I knew, I would longarm it, the quilt had a really wide last border. This border is now stapled to the back of the frame. If I ever tire of the quilt as wall art, I can take it off the frame, resize the border to the intended size, bind it and it’s a normal quilt again.

What would we do without all the input, inspiration and help of those on- and offline quilty friends!

Stats

80*80″

size

fabrics

differs

block size

589

blocks

1,960

pieces

21^st of Jul 16

finished

Linking up at
Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts and TGIFF (Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday) and Whoop Whoop Friday @ Confessions Of A Fabric Addict.

FAQ
I’m thinking you didn’t use a kit and chose your own fabrics?
Thanks for the reminder! I forgot to link to my original post about the fabric choosing right at the start of the QAL.

I finally managed to look up the colors I used :)
And the result was quite unexpected to me, I would have guessed that I had used more of the pattern colors.

Violet(ish): Punch – Brt. Pink – Valentine – Pomegranate – Cerise
Orange(ish): Sunny – Papaya – Torch – Tangerine – Flame
Green(ish): Canary – Wasabi – Peapod – Bonsai – Grass
Blue(ish): Peacock – Breakers – Cyan – Oasis – Celestial
Gray: Shadow – Med. Grey – Graphite – Coal – Charcoal

Progress Q2 and Proposed List of Finishes Q3

16. July 2016 3 Comments

Thorge's Babyquilt "Hopscotch" | mell-meyer.de

Finished! Hopscotch

Finished:
Hopscotch
This quilt is for the baby of dear friends and was gifted in the beginning of June.
2016 Q1: They have decided on a a pattern, it will be Hopscotch by Camille Roskelley @ Thimble Blossoms. And they have picked the fabrics. I have already started cutting and am finished with the trapezoid shapes. The deadline is the end of May.
Priority: High!

2016 Q2: Finished! Though still without an offical name…
Click here for the blogpost – and feel free to help with naming ideas :)

Proposed List of Finishes "Aviatrix Medallion" | mell-meyer.de

No. 1 on the list – Aviatrix Medallion

1. Aviatrix Medallion
2015 Q2: Finished the blocks for the third border.
2015 Q3: Second border pieced and connected. And I made an appointment for quilting on a longarm. Deadline for the quilt top is now the 13. of December.
2015 Q4: Finished the top AND quilted it on the longarm. Now I have to bury the threads and bind it. And figure out a hanging option/ sleeve. Click here for the blogpost.
2016 Q1: Unfortunately no progress.

2016 Q2: I am (almost) done with burying threads! #YEAH

I want this quilt hanging on my wall by the end of July for my birthday party so I have to finish it fast. It still needs some quilting stitches – some I strategically left out on the longarm because of even more starts and stops – a hanging system – I am concidering a velcro system on a wooden frame – and of course binding and a wash.
Priority: Very High!

Proposed List of Finishes "Modern Four Patch" | mell-meyer.de

No. 2 on the list – Modern Four Patch

2. Modern Four Patch
Supposed to become something different, I have now decided to change this unwanted project into a baby or toddler quilt. At the moment without an individual in mind – maybe to be a charity quilt. At the moment I have a lot of four patch blocks in kona cotton solids.
Q3: Changed my mind from disappearing four patch to a modern four patch like this idea. I didn’t like the proportions whilst simulation a disappearing four patch. Started the cutting for the smaller four patches.
Q4 + Q1 + Q2: Unfortunately no progress.
Priority: Low.

Proposed List of Finishes "Wanta Fanta" | mell-meyer.de

No. 3 on the list – Wanta Fanta Bee Blocks

3. Bee blocks
For motivational purposes and to keep track of priorities, I am keeping my bee blocks in this list, although they do not qualify for an official “Finish!” later :)

2016 Q1: Finished the blocks for January/ February. No blog post – but I will “one day” put up a “bee block page”. The blocks for March/ April are almost finished. Goal: Test out the block I have chosen for my month, because I am up next: May/ June. And then finish some and post the instructions for my bee members.
Priority: High!

2016 Q2: I finished my test bee blocks in time and finally set up the page here for the bee blocks. #YEAH

So anytime now the blocks from my fellow bee members should come in. Additionally I think I have to make at least 20 more blocks. Finishing that quilt will probably take some time but it’s – as a quilt – now an official item on my list.

The bee blocks for July/ August are already done, anyway. Ok, I cheated (a bit): Allison picked her fabrics when she was visiting. Then I just couldn’t let it sit that long and started. Now they are already finished, but still waiting for the official time to be given.

Proposed List of Finishes "Technocolorgalaxy (Skill Builder BOM)" | mell-meyer.de

No. 4 on the list – Technocolorgalaxy (Skill Builder BOM)

4. Technocolorgalaxy (Skill Builder BOM)
2015 Q3: I have quilted some of my previous blocks and I did as well work on some more blocks. But the backlog is still huge.
Q4 + Q1 + Q2: Unfortunately no progress.
Priority: Medium.

We do now have all the tutorials, so I could finish it – ähh catch up. I would actually love to work on this one, too. But in reality it is often just too much. So I have pulled it out of it’s box and I hope that will annoy me so much that I really pull it to the front row.

Proposed List of Finishes "Pinkish HSTs" | mell-meyer.de

No. 5 on the list – Pinkish HSTs

5. Pinkish HSTs
This is a stack of different sized HSTs some only sewn, some already trimmed, some even put into blocks. Inspiration was this Pinterest picture from Rachel @ Snippets of Sweetness. I have no real plan here, if I ever had one I lost that paper :) Unusual for me but it’s a fun project to do some sewing on inbetween.
Priority: Low.

Proposed List of Finishes "AG Ocean Waves" | mell-meyer.de

No. 1 on the list – Alison Glass – Ocean Waves Quilt

6. Alison Glass – Ocean Waves Quilt
2016 Q2: This is a new quilt. I have just started to “complete” my pile of lovely Alison Glass fabrics. A real hardship to order more fabric #Cough

2016 Q2: I did cut all the fabric for the HSTs and have finished sewing the sets. The cool colorway is already trimmed and the warm one is roughly have way through the trimming process.
Priority: Medium.

NEW 7. Speedsign Quilt
This is a new quilt. It’s going to be for the baby of a dear friend (again). And it’s still quite new in the making. But we have already picked a layout idea. That picture is the reason for the strange working title :) The quilt is going to be in a dark grey background with the birds/ arrows beeing in bright rainbow colors. See the inspiration here and here.

I am still debating wether to use a solid pure elments (Art Gallery) fabric I have on hand or to buy some grunge by BasicGrey (Moda). I am leaning heavily towards the second option.

NEW 8. + 9. + 10. Charity Quilts
This is a reeeeaaaaally crazy idea – but in case for whatever reason I succeed, I want it on here. I would love to make a charity quilt each month. So the items on the list are charity quilts for July, August & September. Don’t gasp too loud – they are for a neonatal station and “only” about 32 inches square. Ok, it’s still quite some work…

And if I finish (No. 2) Fourpatch as a charity quilt, that’s fine, too. As I don’t know any German (Hamburg) quilters who would love to help with this idea, I think giving “just” two or three mini baby quilts a year is not that much help. So I am trying to push myself a bit. Let’s see if it works out or not.

I started a new board to pin some ideas to. I am especially fond of these one, two, three ideas.

Linking up at Finish Along 2016 @ She Can Quilt.

A Name for THE Quilt

2. June 2016 12 Comments

Finished! No. 5 of my Proposed List of Finishes for Q2 from the FAL is done #YEAH

THE quilt is a quilt of firsts: It’s my first baby quilt finished before the baby was born, the first quilt with a pieced back and the first to be photographed outside. Unfortunately it still has no official name. So besides enjoying some pictures help me out with that :)

The quilt is for Thorge, the baby boy of dear friends. Mother and father took part in almost every little step in the quilt making process and so this construction was the total opposite of my #RainbowMiniSwawpR2. If I had to choose I would rather have feedback on almost everything then feeling so forlorn without it. But I guess as with everything the middle might just be the wisest choice.

First they picked the pattern Hopscotch by Camille Roskelley @ Thimble Blossoms. Then filled in a coloring sheet …

… and rummaged around in my stash to handpick each fabric.

So now it was my turn to cut the pieces …

… and to start with sewing the blocks and of course the top. The first blocks where tedious but after one or two it was not difficult at all. Most of them turned out really nice. But be sure to think about the angles twice before putting the blocks together – I had quite some “fun” with unstitching some wonky, awkward rows.

After the top was finished we discussed the backing options. I really wanted to try a pieced backing and fortunately I could convince them. The offer was to piece some more blocks for a vertical strip on the back. This is the only part of the quilt they hadn’t seen before receiving it.

I picked scraps from the initial cutting process and cut just one trapezoid of each, put them together in “monochrome” blocks and finished a rainbow strip. One scrap piece though was not of the original pile and somehow walked over from a different project. Can you spot it?

Quilting designs were a bit harder to come up with and they could only decide on one after seeing the mockups. This designs idea was to connect the triangles in a random way to form an odd shape and then to radiate outward (and inward). It reminds me a bit of a topographic map.

Taking advantage of the – for once – beautiful weather I went to a nearby park and photographed the quilt outside in my lunch break. The playground looked ideal to me …

and the skateboard ramp did just have to be in the pictures.

I would have loved to have more time especially to be more careful with the picture details … but for a spontaneous session with an unacquainted quilt holder it was quite addictive. I see more hunts around the city for beautiful picture spots in my future. Maybe even with an assigned quilt holder?

But now to the important question: What’s the name of the quilt? The ideas so far where Land of Stories relating to the topography quilt pattern and the handpicked fabrics in ‘I spy’ or story quality and TriAngels a beautiful wordplay a colleague came up with.

So what’s your verdict? Any of the names suitable? Do you have a great idea? And pleeeaaase tell me about your process in naming quilts.

Progress Q1 and Proposed List of Finishes Q2

12. April 2016 3 Comments

I love participating in the FAL and thank the hosts for the great opportunity to get motivated and stay on track! Q1 2016 was my best one so war. I finished three (!) quilts, and almost two sets of bee blocks. #YEAH

Here is my update: All changes and additions colored. And for my own sanity because otherwise I still get overwhelmed, I will from now on also declare priorities. I am glad with everything I work on, but maybe this will help some more.

Vicky & Sönkes Babyquilt "Hopscotch" | mell-meyer.de

No. 5 on the list – Hopscotch

Details:
“From Outside Inn”
The top for “From Outside Inn” is finished. The problem here is to find a background and binding fabric. As with No. 2 there is no specific recipient. I am still determined to use something from my “huge” stash as it is probably to become a charity quilt as well. #still-too-picky #undecided
Q4: Unfortunately no progress.
Q1: Finished! Now I just need to gift it. Click here for the blogpost.

“Round No. 2”
Those two quilts have once been pieced for a bigger quilting idea, but I don’t like them enough anymore to continue this. So I am rather going to arrange them in two baby quilts then being unfished and unwanted in my home. The first one is already finished. Click here for the blogpost.
Q4: The quilt No. 2 is now quilted. The binding yet to be finished.
Q1: Finished! Click here for the blogpost.

Rainbow Mini Swap Round 2
Still bumping around ideas and color combinations. I have already tried some but I am not sure about the final concept yet. The progress pictures will probably be on instagram till it’s received and I can write a real post. :)
This one is due 29th of February. So definitely a project for this quarter.
Q1: Finished! Click here for the blogpost.

1. Aviatrix Medallion
Q2: Finished the blocks for the third border.
Q3: Second border pieced and connected. And I made an appointment for quilting on a longarm. Deadline is now the 13. of December.
Q4: Finished the top AND quilted it on the longarm. Now I have to bury the threads and bind it. And figure out a hanging option/ sleeve. Click here for the blogpost.
Q1: Unfortunately no progress.
Priority: High!

3. Bee blocks
For motivational purposes and to keep track of priorities, I am keeping my bee blocks in this list, although they do not qualify for an official “Finish!” later :)

Q1: Finished the blocks for January/ February. No blog post – but I will “one day” put up a “bee block page”. The blocks for March/ April are almost finished. Post probably next week.

NEW: Test out the block I have chosen for my month, because I am up next: May/ June. And then finish some and post the instructions for my bee members.
Priority: High!

4. Technocolorgalaxy (Skill Builder BOM)
Q3: I have quilted some of my previous blocks and I did as well work on some more blocks. But the backlog is still huge.
Q4 + Q1: Unfortunately no progress.
Priority: Medium.

I would love to work on this one, too. But in reality it might just be too much. Though I am happy that Alyssa is finally feeling better and the baby boy is now here. So we have almost all the tutorials to finish this one. If I could catch up :)

5. Hopscotch
This quilt is for the baby of dear friends, it is really new in the making. We are still debating fabric and pattern.
Q1: They have decided on a a pattern, it will be Hopscotch by Camille Roskelley @ Thimble Blossoms. And they have picked the fabrics. I have already started cutting and am finished with the trapezoid shapes. The deadline is the end of May.
Priority: High!

6. Pinkish HSTs
This is a stack of different sized HSTs some only sewn, some already trimmed, some even put into blocks. Inspiration was this Pinterest picture from Rachel @ Snippets of Sweetness. I have no real plan here, if I ever had one I lost that paper :) Unusual for me but it’s a fun project to do some sewing on inbetween.
Priority: Low.

7. Alison Glass Quilt
This is a new quilt. I have just started to “complete” my pile of lovely Alison Glass fabrics. A real hardship to order more fabric #Cough

I want to do an ocean wave quilt. Still figuring out the color placement, but I have a fun idea with cool and warm fishes. I will have to draw that up first to see if it looks as I imagine :)
Priority: Medium.

Linking up at Finish Along 2016 @ She Can Quilt.

Charity Quilt “From Outside In”

5. April 2016 6 Comments

This is one of the posts for my #2016FAL. I am really happy and proud that I finished in total three projects: (1)#RainbowMiniSwapR2 (2)“Round No. 2” (3) “From Outside In”. #YeahYeahYeah

I think that is the best I ever did in this Finish Along Series :)

And this is my third charity quilt “From Outside In” – simply named after the fabric collection by Malka Dubrawsky for Moda. I used charm squares I had spontaneously bought at a trade fair – it’s so long ago I can’t even remember where :)

The backing and binding fabric are both from the collection Comma by Zen Chic aka Brigitte Heitland.

And the quilting idea was from Instagram by livingwaterquilter

Linking up at
Sew cute Tuesday @ Blossom Heart Quilts and Finish Along 2016 @ She Can Quilt.

My original #2016FAL list for Q1 is here.

Charity Quilt “Round No. 2”

5. April 2016 8 Comments

This is one of the posts for my #2016FAL. I am really happy and proud that I finished in total three projects: (1)#RainbowMiniSwapR2 (2)“Round No. 2” (3) “From Outside In”. #YeahYeahYeah

I think that is the best I ever did in this Finish Along Series :)

Here is my second circle charity quilt “Round No. 2”. As quilt no. 1 it was started as a class project in 2013. The fabrics of both quilts are “one each” of the fabrics I had at the time I took the class. The purpose has not changed, it will be gifted to a neonatal hospital station. If you want to read a bit more about it, here is the link to the first circle quilt.

I used the same backing and binding fabrics as on the first quilt.

And the quilting is the same as well, organic wavy lines.

Linking up at
Sew cute Tuesday @ Blossom Heart Quilts and Finish Along 2016 @ She Can Quilt.

My original #2016FAL list for Q1 is here.

#RainbowMiniSwapR2 – My Experience

16. March 2016 13 Comments

One day in November I was scrolling through instagram when I stumbled upon the #RainbowMiniSwapR2 signup. No I hadn’t seen the previews. I just saw the signup post and the restriction to “only” 500 participants. That number sounds huge in terms of coordination and organization for the swap mama, but in terms of signup time I guessed it would be full in seconds. So I just quickly clicked to read the rules and signed up. No time for hesitation and overthinking, I was too afraid it would be closed by then. Yeah, I was signed up for my first swap, ever!

But I found it quite hard to make something for my swap partner. I wasn’t sure about her style. I didn’t have a lot of her favorite fabrics and the color choices in her feed appeared more saturated then what I had in my stash and saw on the old rainbowswap feed. What was I expected to do? I had posted a mosaic… she hadn’t. So I asked my swap mama if she could remind all participants to post a mosaic if they hadn’t. I was told it was not required for this swap. What?

I was really happy when I saw a question-picture on Instagram from a fellow swapper and decided to do it that way as well. I posted two pictures to help define the quilt design. The first one concerning the fabrics and the second the pattern… And I got no answer from my partner! I was frustrated and decided to count out which of each versions was most liked… Luckily for me that was, what I would have picked, too. I started the planning and posted a third picture with a “last chance” call (to my partner). Still no response. Unencouraged I started to work and after quite some brain washing from my friend Allison @ Campell Soup Diary, I made myself believe that this was going to be ok.

The pattern I chose, is “Geese in the Forrest” by Twiddletails which I shrunk down to 67% to get a 4″ block size. The pattern contains six different blocks; though one block is available in two options (mirrored horizontally). The grid is 6×6 blocks. The idea is that in every row and column is one of the designs – like a Sudoku puzzle only with 6 numbers.

The first blocks are done – the paper templates are on the design wall as well. A good chance to jot down your fabric choices – but be careful, left and right will change because of the technique. Learned that the hard way!

The sixth block with its two versions was supposed to be alternated. Version A in the rows 1-3-5 and version B in the rows 2-4-6. Well, that concept was busted since I really had a hard time to remember that. But if I do count correctly, at least they are both in there three times :)

Now, all blocks done! #YEAH

And here is the top with the paper still in.

Backside.

Started to pull the paper out. I was really glad that I had reduced my stitch length considerably. I used 1.0 on my Janome. That is really small, but it made tearing the paper out easy. When connecting the blocks I used a more normal stich length 1.5 or 1.8. That length is easier to unsew when you are unhappy with the points. The stiches in 1.0 you do not want to rip out! But the difference was really enormous when pulling out the paper. The inner block pieces almost fell off, the other were sometimes tricky.

Pictures of the pressed top – just had to put all in here :)

Quilting! For the first lines I used a chalk pencil, unsure about the Frixion pen on the colorful fabrics. Never really tried that. Memo to myself, have to do that :)

I planned to use a quilting guide for the next lines but decided on drawing them because of the points. After I tried to rub out the chalk and was really unhappy with that, I switched to a Frixion pen. Mostly marked on the white parts. In the end the Frixion came out easy and the chalk wouldn’t go out. Washed it, manualy soaked the devious chalk lines and washed it again! I am now really worried about how to get those chalk lines out of my aviatrix, but that’s another story for another time.

For the first time used Clover Clips for the binding. Love them!

I had some more decision problems with the swap extras. The little something for the kids was easy. In the end I went with locally made sweets (bonbons) all with some reference to my city Hamburg, some extra fabric and a crafting tool. And I found a rainbow themed postcard, yes!

The quilt was finished two days before the first shipping day and a week before the last shipping day. So in plenty of time, right? Some good influence shining through here :)

Conclusion:
The swap was really well organized. I loved that it had quite some rules (although I missed the one about the mosaic). The swap mama @katebasti and my subgroup mama @greengrovesdid a great job!

I may have a problem with making a decision. On that note: Found this lovely Instagram hashtag #decisionsdecisions :)

I found it hard to sew for someone else without talking stuff through. If I take the time to make something, I want to be sure it will be loved.

I was worried about what I would receive. There were amazing quilts on the Instagram feed but also quite some crazy ones. But I am really happy with what I got. You want to see it? Here are the Instagram links Quilt and Quilt & Extras.

Over all it was a nice, if sometimes challenging, experience. Right now, I wouldn’t join a new swap. Probably rather make something for someone I can talk to or make myself something I have coveted for a while.

Quilt Stats:
name: #RainbowMiniSwapR2
size: approx. 24*24 inch
block: 4” finished
geese: 150
pieces: 450
fabrics: (approx.) 55

Have you participated in a swap (swaps) yet? What is your experience?

Linking up at Let’s Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts and Sew cute Tuesday @ Blossom Heart Quilts.

EDIT:
31.03.2016 Linking up at #2016FAL @ she can quilt. My original #2016FAL list for Q1 is here.

Progress Q4 and Proposed List of Finishes Q1

16. January 2016 5 Comments

Now the update: All changes and additions colored.

Details:
1. Aviatrix Medallion
Q2: Finished the blocks for the third border.
Q3: Second border pieced and connected. And I made an appointment for quilting on a Longarm. Deadline is now the 13. of December.
Q4: Finished the top AND quilted it on the longarm. Now I have to bury the threads and bind it. And figure out a hanging option/ sleeve. Click here for the blogpost.

2. Modern Four Patch
Supposed to become something different, I have now decided to change this unwanted project into a baby or toddler quilt. At the moment without an individual in mind – maybe to be a charity quilt. At the moment I have a lot of four patch blocks in kona cotton solids and because I wanted to try out the disappearing nine patch pattern.
Q3: Changed my mind from disappearing four patch to a modern four patch like this idea. I didn’t like the proportions whilst simulation a disappearing four patch. Started the cutting for the smaller four patches.

Q4: Unfortunately no progress.

3. “From Outside Inn”
The top for “From Outside Inn” is finished. The problem here is to find a background and binding fabric. As with No. 2 there is no specific recipient. I am still determined to use something from my “huge” stash as it is probably to become a charity quilt as well. #still-too-picky #undecided

Q4: Unfortunately no progress.

4. Bee blocks for September/ October
For motivational purposes I am adding my bee blocks for September/ October to the list – even though they will not qualify for an official “Finish!” later :)
My finish for Q4: They have been finished! #YEAH Click here for the blogpost.

NEW: Bee blocks for January/ February

5. Drunkards Path No. 2
Those two quilts have once been pieced for a bigger quilting idea, but I don’t like them enough anymore to continue this. So I am rather going to arrange them in two baby quilts then being unfished and unwanted in my home. The first one is already finished. Click here for the blogpost.

The quilt No. 2 is now quilted. The binding yet to be finished.

6. Technocolorgalaxy (Skill Builder BOM)
Q3: I have quilted some of my previous blocks and I did as well work on some more blocks. But the backlog is still huge.

Q4: Unfortunately no progress.

NEW: 7. Babyquilt for a dear friend
This quilt is really new in the making. We are still debating fabric and pattern.

NEW: 8. Rainbow Mini Swap Round 2
Still bumping around ideas and color combinations. I have already tried some but I am not sure about the final concept yet. The progress pictures will probably be on instagram till it’s received and I can write a real post. :)

This one is due 29th of February. So definitely a project for this quarter.

Conclusion:
So I am now running eight projects. Even if the list is growing, I feel like I am getting more productive. Let’s hope this will keep me further on track. :)

Linking up at Finish Along 2016 @ She Can Quilt.

How to forget the two most important things for the road trip to the longarm machine

6. January 2016 20 Comments

On the 16th of July I organized time on a longarm quilting machine for the 14th + 15th of December 2015. By that time I had about finished the blocks for the second and third border but not yet attached even one of those. Psst! Don’t mention the border 4 to 6. But that was 151 days ahead of time. Almost half a year. I should be able to finish the quilt easily till then, right?

Let me tell you a bit about what booking longarm time 151 days ahead means in my world – well, and show you the quilting pictures of course.

Here’s your teaser picture, the rest coming at the end of the post:

My No. 1 reason why I should have been able to finish it in time? Besides the obvious half year? Well, a whole week of vacation days in November. I can easily finish it in that week, right?

This is what happened: I didn’t work on it. Not again until September. It’s not that I didn’t sew… I just preferred to work on other stuff although this was the only one with a deadline. But the voice on my shoulder told me: That deadline is far, far away. I guess that is the time when my new sewing friend Allison @ Campell Soup Diary started to get nervous. I on the other hand was still quite relaxed.

Early November I started on the logcabin blocks. Then the vacation days came and with it a lot of other stuff I wanted or had to do as well. I sewed a bit and on the Friday we had a blast at our “Patchwork Treffen”. I started on the butterflies for the last border. I actually finished about half of them. By the way this is a great idea to help with that.

If I had kept sewing regularly for a bit every other day… Well, you probably guessed that didn’t happen. In the end I started finishing the quilt top on the Wednesday before. I stumbled upon an problem – the tops size was way off. But my top was just three borders big. The rest was only single blocks. I was panicking my then. And maybe annoyed with myself. I knew I had to get it fixed but how… my head was spinning. A calming & encouraging phone call later and with the aid of talking notes, I made it work by adding a bigger sashing between the third and fourth border.

With working full time and only sewing “a bit” on Thursday, I knew Friday would be a late night. Night? I was so far away from finishing the top that I talked myself into believing that driving later – not after breakfast but maybe midday – was not that bad. After all check-in time at the hotel was till ten o’clock. So I called it a day around midnight and sleept for some more or less restful hours. Starting again early in the morning to get it finished – in two or three hours.

Do you want to guess the time I was finished? I finished the quilt top five in the afternoon! I still hadn’t packed or eaten. Both rather overrated when having a sewing meltdown. I packed my stuff in five (!) minutes, grabbed the car keys and off I went.

In the car I realized I had forgotten the two most important things for a road trip: The cord to play music and the toothbrush! Fortunately I did have the quilt top, batting and backing with me, so the important things for the longarm machine were in the car :)

The trip went smooth, the quilt shop owner and employes of Quiltzauberei were very kind and the sewing went almost bump free. And the missing stuff? Well, I bought replacements at a rest stop along the way.

Sooo, finally the quilting pictures #drumroll

Loading it on the longarm

Starting with wishbones in the outer border

Adding a triangular design of figure 8’s to and some straight line quilting

and loopy-loops to the next border

I did a double echo on the crosses and some straight lines and wishbones in a randomized, modern way in the second border

some arrows in the first border and echoing of the birds and straight lines in the center block

Yeahh, “finished”. For the second time working on a longarm ever I am really proud of my results and more than happy.

I didn’t tie-off the threads by machine so I will have to bury them oneday… So far I have not been able to motivate myself. Hate that job! And it feels like I have a million to get to.

Do you knot the threads by hand (to bury) afterwards or do you secure them by machine and cut them? And are you as “last minute” as I am or more “on the safe side”?

Linking up at WIP Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced und Let’s Bee Social #97 @ Sew Fresh Quilts