I am enjoying hand quilting the top I made from Tonya's class. For the first time I am trying big stitch quilting with perle cotton size 16 thread / embroidery needle size 8. Quite pleased to find out how smooth the needle and thread is sliding through the fabric and the 100% cotton batting (Quilter's Dream Cotton). All new to me, the thread, the batting and also just making up the quilting design for the top as I stitch.
Just sharing some pics from the process:
I tried something new to me for the basting as well; Janet had a very interesting post about basting before hand-quilting. So I tried basting with these long, sideway stitches instead of my normal straight running ones. I did this for both horizontal and vertical lines.
The deep, rich purple color is not easy to get good pictures of!
After some evenings of quilting, most of the churn dash and letters are done. Now I need to decide on how to proceed to the solid areas of the quilt. For now the choice is between fans or crosshatch grid. We'll see...
Just sharing some pics from the process: The top is so narrow, it fits on my dining table. I taped the backing to the table itself, before stretching out the batting and then the quilt top. I ironed all three layers, even the batting gets pressed with a steam iron for making it flatter.
I tried something new to me for the basting as well; Janet had a very interesting post about basting before hand-quilting. So I tried basting with these long, sideway stitches instead of my normal straight running ones. I did this for both horizontal and vertical lines.
The deep, rich purple color is not easy to get good pictures of!Here the basting looks a bit like it's been stapled on. After removing the tape, I was quite happy with how this new basting stitch made the top quite stable. And as I have been quilting it, I am convinced this stitch makes a difference. Please see Janet's post for better pictures of how too do this.
Thank you, Janet for sharing!
; )
After some evenings of quilting, most of the churn dash and letters are done. Now I need to decide on how to proceed to the solid areas of the quilt. For now the choice is between fans or crosshatch grid. We'll see...There's a new " I took the progress pledge" badge to the right. Thank you to Cheryl and Rossie and the rest of you for sharing your thoughts on blogging. I am strengthened in my view of blogs as a tool for sharing both inspiration and techniques to build skills and venture out and experiment a bit.
If this badge is new to you, it is also a link to lots of great posts and blogs!
Hope you're all enjoying your weekend. I still have a lot of great blogs to visit for the Blogger's Quilt Festival, it will take me some time to read through that list! And I'm amazed at how many lovely comments I've received for my contribution - thank you all for taking the time!
; )
18 comments:
This is so interesting to read about. I am getting into hand quilting but I have not tried the big stitch yet. I finished hand quilting one quilt and I am working on my second. I really enjoy doing it at night while my husband watches tv. I also hate putting the batting and back together with the quilt. I have one to do right now I have been putting it off. I think I will try taping the back to my dining room table and see how that works. I saw someone used big clips but I could not find any big enough. Thanks so much for the good information.
love your quilting. I'm thinking that you're using perle cotton size 8 instead of 16? I'm not sure I've ever seen a 16. Anyway, lovely post and I'm going to go look at the basting link now.
Great colors, Marit ! And I love the letters. Looks like Tanyas.
Can`t wait to have a closer look at it, at the guild.
I'm planning to use this technique to quilt my son's shaded 9 patch quilt, but I haven't located the type/brand of perle cotton yet.
Thanks for sharing your adventures in quilting!
~ Ronda
Gorgeous colors. Love the big stitch. I have a quilt basted and ready to go...however I machine quilted mine in the ditch first to secure it.
Lovely, lovely. I love big stitch quilting - since it's the only hand quilting that I've ever finished! One of these days I might try it again.
What a super cool quilt. Luv the colours, wonkyness, and the big stitch. If I ever handquilt it'll be like this.
16? Are you sure? I use 8, like Ton, and 5 on occasions - that's like sewing with string!
That's a really good basting idea. Will give it a go soon as have got the next flimsy to baste. Hmmm. I think DH is finally going to have to do something about my sewing room if I'm going to need all that space for basting LOL.
I love this quilt - the colours are just gorgeous.
I've been wanting to do some hand stitching too! I had the hardest time photographing purple the other day. I love that the quilt has words.
That looks like a very interesting basting technique - if I wasn't so hooked on pinning I'd try it, lol! Yes, even for hand-quilting, I use pins. LOVE the big stitch quilting, something I'll have to try for sure. This quilt is lovely!
I still have quite a few blogs to get through too - I love to savor each one!
I love this quilt, the background looks fantastic! The quilting stitches on it suit it very much, it looks wonderful.
I love your big stitch quilting it suits the style of the quilt perfectly. It's on my "must try" list. Thanks for telling what batting you've used too. I'm finding that it's very important in the final outcome.
Wonderful quilt! :)
The big stitch quilting is perfect for this project. I love it and your sense of color! Hope you will share with us some closer pics!
nichi
Your quilt is stunning! I love it!
So this is your first time hand quilting Marit? It's great! Thanks for sharing the links and tips on your method. It's posts like this that make me think "someday" I just might give hand quilting a go!
I love your churn dash. It was my first ever quilt...and that block has a soft spot for me. I don't think we ever forget our first quilt!
I think your quilting is looking beautiful! I love the look of the big stitch and I think I'm gonna have to try it one of these days soon.
Thanks for sharing about the basting technique, and also the batting. I think batting makes a huge difference, especially for hand-quilting.
Go look at the retail mail order side of Presencia Thread's website www.presenciausa.com Click on perle cottons. Size 8, 12, and 16 (small and big balls) are all available in a rainbow of colors. Never have to search for perle thread again!
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