Liberated Log Cabin top

Mary started this in a Gwen Marston workshop in May. Looks like she really understands Gwen's philosophy. I like the exuberance and fun use of color; as well as the wonky patterning.

August Meeting Highlights

Diane brought her FINISHED crazy quilt.

                                          

Truly amazing!

                                                               

Roberta brought some Lone Star quilts that have been in her family for 40 years.

                    

Our special guest from Tennessee, Mary Keasler, brought her trees,

                         

And her magnolia!

                                                             

Machine Quilting Journal #5

Machine Quilting Journal #5

Working on quilt #4 of 10, the Leaf Quilt. Ditch quilting revisited.

Again I used the 60/8 Microtex sharp needle, Madeira monopoly in needle, and this time King Tut 40 wt. cotton in the bobbin. I wanted the quilting to show on the back, but not the front of the quilt. I used several color ways of the King Tut. Who says bobbin threads have to match??

Staying in the ditch: Contrary to most teachers, who insist that one keep one’s eyes on the needle for ditch quilting; I do much better to look ahead of the needle about 1”; and let the right brain steer. This takes focus and practice, but skills are improving.

If I were really smart, I’d figure out a way to avoid ditch quilting.

Fern Feathers

An article in the AQS journal, May 20010, “Braided Feathers” by Shirley Stults opened the door for me for quilting totally freeform feathers. I wanted a more contemporary look than traditional feathers, and was able to achieve that with fern feathers. I didn’t need to braid them, just do a left feather, a right feather, bottom to top, and quilt stem back to bottom.

I started with the idea of doing veins in the leaves, but the shapes morphed into fern feathers. On a larger scale, this pattern would look great with a few swirls and tendrils. Maybe in the the border?? Needle thread: King Tut 40 wt cotton, color Autumn Days. No photo. This is a picture of the back of the quilt, showing King Tut in the bobbin.

Bonus pictures: hanging flower baskets, Edmonds, WA, 8/18/11. Flowers have been spectacular this summer. They really like the cool summer weather.

Sallie's Shirts 3, 62"x64"

Three tops, plus 2 charity tops, quilted since June. Seven tops, plus Gee's Bend top, to go. No end in sight. I'm feeling somewhat braver, using heavier thread so quilting shows up more.

Gee's Bend Workshop Top, 51"x73"

Started in workshop in Sisters, July 2011. Got off on the wrong foot with the pentagon. Came home with a "volcano". Had to take it all apart, after numbering each piece to maintain order. Pieced again, almost flat; but tough to finally get back to grid. Now I understand. The Gee's Bend women tear their fabric, and work in a rectangular format. This is easier, faster, and far more efficient. Also less chaotic. This top is made from about 5 thrift market shirts.

By tearing fabric into rectangles, the Gee's Benders must have a ton of irregular scraps. Wonder what they do with them?

Machine Quilting Journal #4

THE GRIP: How to hold onto and move quilt under needle

I started with the photo in Diane Gaudinski’s book, GUIDE TO MACHINE QUILTING, page 45. I set that page to the left of my machine and took hold of the quilt as she showed in Fig. 1-21. It felt very awkward for a long time, but eventually it became automatic. Below is a photo of my quilt grip.

Also note the books wedged under the front of the machine supporting my elbows. That suggestion came from an article in Quilters Newsletter by Debra Wagner about the year 2001.

Also I follow Diane’s suggestion of using Neutrogena Norwegian Formula hand cream to make my hands slightly tacky.

That’s it! No gloves, no rubber fingers, no teflon sliders. Just grip the quilt lightly between the 2nd and 3rd fingers of both hands, extend the thumbs toward myself to act as a hoop, and quilt.

Another quilt done. 3 done and 7 to go. Photo to follow as soon as binding done.