I have had a quilt top in my UFO pile for quite awhile and finally decided I should work on it. It is a Block of the Month from the Quilt Show (from years ago). I have always liked it and use it in my lectures to show how I machine applique. I decided it has been a quilt top long enough; it is ready to become a "quilt."
My first step was to have it marked. My friend, Jane, is VERY experienced at marking quilts. I told her what I wanted to do, and she marked it for me. It took her quite a long time. When you see my picture you will understand why.
Here is a picture of a bit of the quilt. You can see the marking in the picture. (My thumb is in the picture so you can see how small the cross hatching actually is--1/4" apart.)
Next, I needed to have the quilt basted. I am SO over crawling around on the floor to hand baste a big quilt. I don't like to use the spray adhesive to baste a large quilt either. So...I sent it off to a long arm quilter (Lora Nale), and she basted it for me. I've never had this done before, and I'm not sure how I'm going to like it. I didn't realize the basting stitches would be SO long. I find they are catching on things. I'll report back and let you know how it works out.
When the basted quilt was returned to me, it was time to decide on a quilting thread color. I looked on my Superior Threads Treasure Hand Quilting thread sample sheet (whew, that is a mouthful) and found the perfect color for my quilt. I tried to order it online, but the website showed they had none in stock. I made a call to Superior to see if/when it would be back in stock, and I reached Suzanne Harrich. She said, "I'll check to see if there are a few in the warehouse (too few to list online)." She went to check, there were a few, she called me back, and I ordered them. I got them yesterday and am SO pleased with the quality and color of the thread; it is just perfect for this quilt. Suzanne went through a lot of trouble for me--what GREAT customer service! I'm a happy customer.
I started the quilting late last night and ended up quilting three hours. I'm loving how it looks; but at this rate, it will be another one of those "forever" projects.
Do any of you do hand quilting? I just LOVE it--both the doing it and the look of it. There is NO machine that can mimic the beautiful texture of the handmade stitches. I SO enjoy the slow, peaceful, relaxing feel of hand stitching.
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7 comments:
I can imagine how Zen this style of quilting would be. I love the way hand quilting looks. There is an energy about it.
If you don't like the basting stitches so long, then ask her to do them shorter next time - give her a length. Even without a regulator, she can slow the motor speed and her speed to get it however you want it. That's a beautiful piece. What a good friend you have to mark that for you!
You know how fond I am of hand work...although, I haven't hand quilted since I first learned to quilt in '86! HA...love the look of hand quilting and your top is going to be wonderful!!
Love the close stitching on this piece. Jane did an excellent job marking it for you. Can't wait to see it finished.
I'm a hand quilter but I have been "stretching" into machine quilting. Both have their places but hand quilting is my love.
I am also a hand quilter. It is so peaceful. I have a view of the mountains from the windows by my hoop. It beats starring at the wall behind my sewing machine. I have machine quilted but the "feel of the quilt" isnt the same. I do a little machine quilting but will always have hand quilting as my preferred method. I have had people at the guild poke fun at my hand quilting saying i have to get into this century and machine quilt instead of being outdated. I am in no hurry to finish a quilt its just the pleasure it gives me. There are room for both methods.
that quilting looks so beautiful, but wow! It is going to take a long time!!
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