Welcome to another Main Crush Monday. Today is July 15…where has the year gone? I saw a fun little thing making the rounds on Facebook – something along the lines of July 4th is over so now it’s time for back to school shopping, Halloween costume making, Christmas prep, and a New Year’s party to attend because heck, it’s almost 2020! I know that’s an exaggeration, but I had to giggle because it feels so true. LOL This year is half gone and before we know it, we’ll be ringing in a new year. Better get your current projects done people! 🙂
Last week I was forced to take a break and spent some time flat on my back in bed. Seems that the ruler work on the QOV quilt I was working on did a number on my back. For several days I could barely walk, let alone stand for any time in front of my longarm. But even with all that going on I was still able to finish some quilts and I’m excited to show them to you.
First up is Robin’s purple beauty:
Now, I’ll be the first to admit that purple really isn’t my favorite color. But this quilt has a special story and that makes me like it even more than I already do. Robin found these blocks that her Mother had started. She didn’t know how to quilt but once she found the blocks she knew she wanted to learn so she could finish the quilt her Mom had started.
So, she enrolled in the beginning quilting class I teach at our local quilt shop, specifically to learn how to put these blocks together. Initially Robin was planning on taking the blocks apart and re-sewing them as they weren’t all square or even the same size. After some discussion, she decided to keep them as is, and just add the sashing and borders. I’m so glad she did.
Robin did a wonderful job. Despite some of the piecing issues in the blocks, this top was straight, square, and flat when I loaded it on the longarm. It was a joy to quilt with an easy feather edge to edge design and I’m so happy with it.
The backing fabric is the same as the border fabric (seen in pic above), so the quilting doesn’t really show because we used a blending thread color. But the texture shows, letting the piecing be the real star. I’m so happy Robin has a piece of her Mother to wrap herself in, and I hope she gets many happy years with her beautiful purple quilt!
The next quilt I worked on was Judy’s baby quilt. She used 30’s prints for this adorable top.
Judy told me to play with it and have fun with the quilting, so that’s exactly what I did. Those white blocks have a funky shape with the use of what I call half snow ball squares. LOL I was so happy to find the perfect digital block design to stitch in them, it fits just like it was made especially for the block.
The hearts work beautifully for a baby quilt – we always want to send extra love with a baby quilt, right?
Initially I was going to do a larger crosshatch on the print blocks, but once my back went kapluey I knew I wouldn’t be able to stand for long periods of time, or even bend over to use the ruler.
So digital Freddie to the rescue! This crosshatch pattern stitched beautifully and each of the points stopped exactly where I needed it to – inside the prints and not stepping out onto the white background fabric. The advantage to having to use the computer for those blocks is all the time it saved me. And my back was saying ‘thank you lady!’
The back is a pieced back and it really shows off the quilting (my favorite part!) Because the borders are so narrow I didn’t do any stitching in them. By the time Judy adds the binding there wouldn’t be much room to stitch any kind of a design.
I’m glad to report that after a few days rest my back is feeling much better. Several years ago I used to have some back issues, but in recent years I haven’t had any problems at all. I think this is a reminder that I’m not as young as I used to be and I should take better care of my back and body. Longarming is pretty physical and demanding, and if I want to keep at it I’m going to have to take care of me!
I also finished a quilt top given to me by my mother-in-law and pieced by my husband’s paternal grandmother. Since this post is already so long, I’ll save that and share it with you later this week. It’s a project I’m so excited about, so stay tuned!
Now it’s your turn to share the projects you’ve been working on. What has you excited to be in your sewing space this week? You can link any blog post, Instagram or Flickr pic – here’s how:
I am so very sorry to hear about your back. Robin’s purple quilt really has wonderful story and it is a lovely quilt. Your quilting on both quilts are gorgeous. I hope you continue to take it easy and you are feeling a lot better by now.
-Soma
Beth, that is SCARY that you lost so much time to back pain. Questions for you: Do you have the hydraulic lift for your Freddie? I ask because, in Lisa Calle’s longarm quilting workshops, she told us that she believes the hydraulic lift is so important that it ought to come standard on every machine. And she does a LOT of custom work and ruler work. She finds that adjusting the height of the machine just a smidge up or down every one in awhile alters the positioning of her neck and arms enough to allow her to avoid time lost due to pain. Hydraulic lift is a pricey add on with APQS as it is with most other brands, but I’m just throwing it out there because the chiropractor visits add up, too! I’m glad you have the option of using the computer when your back tells you it’s time to stop. I’ve probably asked you this before, but I forget — do you have the APQS QuiltPath on your Freddie, IntelliQuilter, or some other system? Do you recommend what you have? I’d love to add computerization someday. Hope you’re feeling better and back to quilting up a storm, pain-free!
Back issues are so annoying! Glad you feel better. You certainly managed to accomplish quite a lot despite your owie.
So sorry you were laid up with a lame back. I hope it’s on the mend and that you’ll be back to normal if you aren’t already. I’m impressed at all the beauty you created even with a sore back. Well done!
I am sorry you had an unexpected time off. Your quilting on these two quilts is terrific. I do hope you continue to recover and figure out a better way to deal with the ruler work, so it is not so hard on you. Did you do the “gridwork” in the alternate blocks as a computer design or the ruler?
What great quilts!! I too like the purple one! Its a great way to set those blocks. Sure hope your back feels better soon!!
Ugh — back problems are, dare I say it, a pain! Hope you get yours back to 100%. Both of those quilts are great. Loved the story of the purple quilt. Do you think Robin will continue to make quilts? I’m so impressed with the quilting on the baby quilt. Wow. I’ve used my robotics to quilt individual squares before but that cross hatching is amazing. Can’t wait to see where you use it next.
You are amazing! Even with back pain you rise to the occasion! Beautiful quilting. The baby quilt is perfection!
Well hey, you finished 2 quilts which is 2 more than me. The quilting turned out great on the customer quilts, I know they were happy. My sympathies go out to you on your back which is worse than a tooth ache. I’ll try to remember to come back later this week to see your in-law quilt, I love old quilts and have a double knit top I found at my in-laws while cleaning out their house. Maybe you will provide some inspiration to dig it out.
Hi Beth! Thank you so much for sharing the story behind Robin’s quilt. What a priceless gem that is!! I am so thrilled that she decided to make the effort to finish it, and that she found her way to your class. I just know her Mom is smiling down on her, and that quilt is holding so much love for her. Wrapped in her mother’s love – what could be better?!! Judy’s quilt and the quilting is just FAB. I love the crosshatching and the hearts. Oh man, I can just imagine how doing that crosshatch design would have given your back just fits. I’m so sorry that bothered you, but glad you had the sense to give it a rest! {{Hugs}} . Can’t wait to see those other projects. ~smile~ Roseanne
Well, I can certainly relate to the back problems. Glad you are able to do some quilting, but do take care. I am learning to get up and move more, I’ve even set the alarm on my phone to remind me (although it’s really annoying!). Love the story behind Robin’s quilt. Both quilts are lovely, and your quilting just adds the right finishing touch!
So sorry about the back problems. That’s been a struggle for me the last couple of years, to the point I purchased a whole new sewing table (which helped greatly). Aleve and reheatable hot pads have become two of my most necessary quilting aids.
Robin’s quilt is gorgeous. I love purple and those blocks are just gorgeous! Judy’s quilt turned out beautifully too. The quilting on both works so well with the designs.