Free Motion Machine Quilting

I got my darning foot!  Then I discovered that the feed dogs cannot be lowered on my sewing machine.  I would have to remove them entirely, and I need those for piecing.  So I used the old masking tape trick after setting the stitch length to 0.

After practicing on scraps, I went ahead and tried a meandering design on my latest table runner.

I am a beginner, remember.  There were a lot of times when I couldn't get the fabric to go through the machine at a consistant speed.  My machine is not great for this kind of quilting.  But it got the job done.  This runner was done with all the scraps from my patchwork quilt, the first one I ever completed.

I am going to get in some more practice with this darning foot once I start on my autumn runners.  First, I'm busy with the cowgirl quilt.  Got a ways to go before that one's done.  But I'm getting there.

Simple Machine Quilting

I got tired of hand-quilting, and decided to try doing something simple on my machine that didn't require a darning foot, which I don't have.

So I threw together some scrap blues to also test out spray basting, something I love for small projects.  For quilting it, I just did some crooked lines all over.  So here's my first pieced table runner.

The only thing I bought for this project was the fabric adhesive spray, and the backing.



I'm really proud of how this turned out.  My binding stitches are getting a bit better, and I love the color.  In fact, I was so proud, I cut a new table runner in the exact same pattern with my scrap greens and purples.  But I won't do this type of quilting again.  The crooked lines acheived the look I was going for, but it was SUCH a tedious process!

A New One

Here's a sample from the quilt I am starting for my step-mother-in-law.  She's the ultimate cowgirl princess, so I went with pink bandana material and leftover denim from Andrew's jean quilt.

This one's going to take a while.  But I'm having a lot of fun with it so far.  I found some unusual bandanas online that will be used as whole quilt blocks.  No idea how I'm going to quilt it with the jean pockets on there...

Fun with Hand-Quilting

I enjoyed making this table runner.  Probably the funnest project I've ever done.  I got to use bright colors, polish up my hand-quilting skills and try binding 135 degree corners.

I'm still getting the hang of binding.  Lots of errors there.  But it's a sturdy little thing, and I love the colors!  I hope my cousin likes it as much as I do. 

I'm taking a break from piecing for a while.  There are a few half yard pieces I have that would make neat table runners, so I'm going to get to work on those.  Finishing projects is giving me almost as massive a high as starting them, heh. 

Still Working

I haven't given up, yet!  Right now I'm working on the yellow and purple snail's trail quilt.  It's a pain because there has been so much repairing to do.  I pieced it years ago when I just barely knew how to operate a sewing machine.  But I got a border on it, and am deciding how to proceed.  I'd like to do an allover spider web quilting design with clear thread, then embroider a metallic silver web in two of the corners.   Hmmm, still thinking.

I am also doing a table runner for my cousin.  It's in the hand-quilting stages, which I'm really enjoying.  Pictures when there's more to show.

Birthday Gift

I enjoyed making this one for a Cancer whose birthday is this month.

It was going to be a mug rug, but got a little out of control when I realized I had the blue and yellow fabric to go with it.  Then I found the iron-on stars.  I just had way too much fun with this.

I machine quilted it (I still suck at that, but slowing getting better) with yellow thread in star patterns.

I'm digging through my stash looking for bright rainbows for my next project.  I'm also again working with the snail's trail quilt (the yellow and purple one), fixing some of the seams and trying to get it done by Father's Day...  we'll see about that.

Finally!

Big Blue is complete!  I just finished the binding Thursday.  I really hope Andy likes the quilt.

Remember, I'm a beginner.  It's not the most glamorous work, but it's pretty sturdy, and very comfortable.  I guess that's all a quilt needs to be.