Tuesday 1 November 2016

So far, so good.....

Happy November! Can you believe we have got round to that time of the year again? The time just flies past.... it must be because we are all enjoying ourselves!!


I had a very busy weekend last weekend as I finally summoned up the courage to start quilting the quilt I am making for a friend.  Before I put needle to fabric on the actual quilt, I had one last practice session.  This time I pieced together some fabrics which are similar to the ones I have used in the quilt top, layered with batting and backing exactly the same as I would be using and I practised an all over 'swirls' pattern which is what I would be quilting.  


It was a great exercise as I could get the tension on the machine all set up and, I also decided that the all over 'swirls' was a bit dense for the effect that I wanted, so in the actual quilt I adjusted the design to a more open one. When I was happy I was ready, I started on the real thing and I have quilted the centre panel. Here is a little peek for you.....


I am extremely happy with it and I just have the borders to go now.  I am going to quilt the denser 'swirls' in the border for a change of texture.


After all that quilting, I needed a little relaxation, so I hand embroidered the latest Splendid Sampler block.  It is such a pretty block called 'Stitch Crazy' and was designed by Kathy Schmitz.


I used a variegated silk thread to complete the whole design.

20 comments:

  1. The quilting looks fantastic!!! And so does the Splendid Sampler block... I'm planing to start mine this afternoon ;-) Again, congratulations on the quilting part, I know how intimidating quilting can be, and I do only straight line quilting! I can't imagine facing FMQ for a whole quilt... Have a nice week! Ariadna.

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  2. I love your quilting, and I have to agree that the less dense motif is prettier for that quilt. Love the little stitchery.

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  3. Beautiful quilting, Christine. I agree the more open worked swirls work better and tight ones will give a nice contrast in the border. I always get tired of doing a practice run and just start .... and it shows! Enjoy yourself finishing it.

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  4. Quilting turned out very good and your stitchery very nice! as always!
    KATRIN W.

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  5. It's beautiful Christine! You are definitely inspiring me. Lol at hand embroidery to "relax" - I think that is a wonderful attitude. :)

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  6. I loved your swirls.
    And the block is amazing.
    Have a great week

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    1. Thank you very much Paula! They were fun and I am very pleased with the outcome! Christine x

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  7. Your FMQ is awesome! Gosh, you've finished Stitch Crazy already! I know the quilting is "free motion...." but did you draw the pattern on first to get it so neat?
    Hugs, Barbara xxx

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  8. My goodness, my hat goes off to you. I would never have enough nerve to tackle quilting a real quilt - I know, I'm a wimp! Love the latest block pattern design too.

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  9. Your FMQ looks really good! I love the little stitchery block too, very pretty xx

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  10. Wow Christine, your quilting is awesome, come for a visit and teach me PLEEEEASE. Clever girl.

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  11. You've done a great job there Cathy. Love the more open swirls, they really work well as an all over design.

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  12. Oh, I like it. I haven't tried any swirls like that. They look like fun!

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    1. Thank you! They were a lot of fun to quilt! Christine x

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  13. Well done Christine. The quilting design is perfect and you have obviously become very proficient as it looks perfect. I love your Splendid Sampler embroidery block too. xxx

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  14. Wow Christine,
    du wirst ständig besser im freien Maschinenquilten. Ich hätte nach einem solchen Nähmarathon Verspannungen ohne Ende!
    Der Splendid Block gefällt mir auch sehr sehr gut!
    Liebe Grüße
    Steffi

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  15. What a wonderful job! Your quilting looks marvelous! What a unique Splendid block. I hadn't seen it before. I love it! XO, karen

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  16. Your machine quilting is wonderful! I haven't been doing the Splendid Sampler, but had to print out Kathy's embroidery design--so cute. The silk thread sound very yummy and looks like it makes very pretty stitches!

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  17. I am super impressed with your swirly machine quilting Christine!! And I love your beautiful embroidery too...you are making some really lovely things!
    Helen xox

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