I had hoped to have made amazing progress on Sunset over the Men's Department (Orca Bay) this week, but I didn't. I got more cut out, but very little more sewn. Maybe next week
What did happen was all small stuff, but that doesn't mean it isn't important stuff.
First, I put the borders on my version of the
Temecula 12 Days of Christmas quilt (sorry, you'll have to scroll back a little to find it--you can't link on their blog to an individual post). It has been fun to see what so many others have done with this pattern.
Carolyn did a nice one in red and white--great for Valentine's Day.
Vivian's, in a vintage red and green combination, truly fits the "12 Days of Christmas" name. There are so many others--wish I could link to them all. Mine was from my Civil War repro scrap basket.
Then I got the Itty Bitty Pinwheels sewn together. This finishes at a tiny 10 1/2 inches. When it is quilted I think it will be a table topper in my sewing room.
Finally, I am caught up with parts
1 and 2 of Lori's doll quilt-along at Humble Quilts. I can't believe I got them done before the next part was posted. I wish my yellow was a little lighter. I had said I was doing this entirely from stash, but I didn't really have a yellow in my repro fabrics--just gold. I finally broke down and went to a LQS to look for a yellow. This was all they had in the repros. It is a lovely Jo Morton print, but I had hoped for something not so dark.
I am in the process of trying to choose a sewing machine specifically dedicated to FMQ. I don't want bells and whistles, just something to do the job. If you have a midarm or a DSM with large harp space that you love, or if you've had experience with one you think I should avoid, I would love to know about it. I have all the info from the sewing machine dealers. In fact, I think I am on information overload. Now I would like to hear from those who have used the machines for FMQ.
That's it for now. Until next time,
Janet O.
First, I put the borders on my version of the Temecula 12 Days of Christmas quilt (sorry, you'll have to scroll back a little to find it--you can't link on their blog to an individual post). It has been fun to see what so many others have done with this pattern. Carolyn did a nice one in red and white--great for Valentine's Day. Vivian's, in a vintage red and green combination, truly fits the "12 Days of Christmas" name. There are so many others--wish I could link to them all. Mine was from my Civil War repro scrap basket.
Janet - Your Temecula quilt turned out so cute! I finished mine too - need to get a picture posted soon. And I LOVE your Itty Bitty Pinwheels - much more fun than the size that I made! You've been busy!
ReplyDeleteThey may be little quilts, but you got a lot done. They look great! I like the yellow for the QAL - looks very close to the original. I hope to finish my half blocks tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI have the Bernina 440 QE. I like everything about it except the work space - there just isn't enough of it. It's several years old so maybe they've updated the model. Good luck with your decision. Have you tested any yet? I've heard good things about Janome.
You have done a lot this week too! You are ahead of me on the Pink Lemonade. I have my 1/2 blocks cut out. I like my Janome, it's a discontinued model as well.
ReplyDeletewow you have been sewing away!!!! Love love love the itty bitty pinwheel! I should make one of those too!
ReplyDeleteoh yes use it in your sewing room so you can enjoy it everyday
Kathie
I'd say you've been quite busy. Love all three of your little quilts. Have you decided how you are going to quilt your tiny pinwheel? I have one pieced, but haven't figured out how to quilt it yet.
ReplyDeleteI like your title for the Orca Bay quilt.
ReplyDeleteWow -- you certainly were busy!! I adore the Itty Bitty Pinwheels top -- it's darling!! Well, all your work is wonderful -- it's always fun to come by and see your show and tell! :)
ReplyDeleteYour 12 days is lovely! Great border fabric.
ReplyDeleteCute LITTLE pinwheels.
LOL you broke down and bought fabric ;-) girl after my own heart...
I have a Pfaff Grand Quilter and I love it. I'm sure there are newer models with lots more features. Try some in classes - it's a nice way to have a longer test run before you buy.
I just love your little pinwheels Mom! I saw the pattern in Bernina and almost picked it up. It's too cute!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited that you're thinking of a quilting machine!
How sweet that your daughter comments! It is fun to have a daughter who blogs! Love the little 12 days of Christmas quilt! And the pinwheels is adorable! I think the yellow is great with the pink lemonade! What a fun sew-a-long - I just didn't have any yellow and pink - so opted out. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteYour little quilts are all just too cute! I can't believe how tiny the Itty Bitty Pinwheels are. I'm excited that you get to shop for a new machine. They are quite an investment, so I understand your brain being on information overload. Do you have the patience to see what's new at the Home Machine Quilting Show held this May in Salt Lake? www.hmqs.org
ReplyDeleteHi Janet - LOVE your itty bitty table topper. I was supposed to start/make one this month as my NewFO but I've started 3 other things instead. One of which is a (different) doll quilt. We are sew easily distracted but it looks like you did good this week :)
ReplyDeleteOh Janet, I love all three little quilts!!
ReplyDeleteThe yellow is lovely! It doesn't look too dark to me.
I am going to try and post the 3rd step tomorrow after church.
I like how you bordered your 12 days with the extra narrow borders before the outer one.. wish I'd thought to do that as it was a bit tricky to get a border that went with the unsashed outer edges of the 12 blocks. I love your table topper; I saw the cutest Christmas table runner recently made with two and a half inch squares as the basis for the itty bitty pinwheels - I imagine your pieces are as small as hers were - very effective.
ReplyDeleteLove love love your itty bitty pinwheels! Makes me want to get my ruler out and go to town!
ReplyDeleteI have a Brother 1500 and love it. I have sewn with it almost every day for about 10 years and never had a moment of trouble (well there have been a few incidents due to user incompetence!!)
Oh Janet I love all your quilts! Crazy about the yellow one!!!
ReplyDeleteYour Itty Bitty Pinwheels is darling---I had fun making mine. I made it before Christmas for one of my doll beds ...We should make one for Valentines Day :)
Hugs, Carolyn
very nice janet; i especially love the itty bitty pinwheel...gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYou have some wonderful little quilts. I like your version of the 12 Days of Christmas. how different they all look with fabric choices we make. And your itty bitty pinwheels are adorable. I'm not that patient, and I admire your patience to make it.
ReplyDeleteLike Quilter Kathy (comment above) I've done my own FMQ with a Brother 1500. It's an extended arm machine (bigger harp space) and makes bigger quilts easier to handle. No problems with the machine in any way, and I've quilted 40-45 quilts of different sizes with it over the past 6-7 years.
This past fall I bought an HQ Sweet Sixteen (mid arm) at an AQS quilt show, and it's amazing, fun, reliable, and I'm loving my impulsive purchase. I wrote about it in a post in early Nov. 2011. Good luck with your research and decision making. It can give a person a headache and sleepless nights.
I really love that little pinwheel quilt. I saw your blocks before, but it is even neater sewn together. I might just have to give that a try one of these days. I know you said you were going to use it as a table topper, but I could see it as a wall hanging.
ReplyDeleteYour Temecula quilt is wonderful, Janet. That is next on my to do list. Can't believe how tiny your pinwheels are - great job!
ReplyDeleteJanet, I think that the yellow in your doll quilt is very attractive! It's so mellow. You've gotten so much done.
ReplyDeleteHi Janet, I am loving your Pink Lemonade and everything posted here tonight. I am auditioning yellows (I only have 3 and several golds but them seem too dark). I love that we are all going to have these special little quilts thanks to Lori :) Your yellow looks very striking. I wish you good stitching in finishing it up! Pam
ReplyDeletethe little quilts turned out so well--good fabric choices
ReplyDelete