While I'm in the mood to quilt might as well make the best of it. There was no real plan for the quilting before putting my Scrappy Spring Baskets on the frame. I knew I wanted tons of quilting in the white areas but other than that it's design as I go. You can find the tutorial and templates for this quilt block for FREE here on my blog. And some basic sashing measurements here.
The quilting design in the outer border and sashing reminds me of ric-rac. Thinking I might go back and do straight line zigzags for more detail. This is my favorite background fill design. There's no real pattern, it's just do whatever fills the space.
Remember Friday when I was talking about the fabrics in the Country Girl quilt and how I used NON quilt shop quality fabrics. Well hold on to your socks...the yellow sashing in this quilt is a twin bed sheet! Pretty darn cute for a sheet, huh? Most of the fabrics are LQS quality but there's also some shirtings and vintage fabrics hiding in here also. LQS fabric is about 75 to 80 thread count, batiks 100. So I've been told that you should never use any fabric in a quilt that is over 200 thread count. Is that so? Then why does the LQS sell a 300 thread count, wide backing fabric at $16 a yard! Pardon me but a 300 count sheet is cheaper than that! Are sheets hard to quilt? NO, the only thing I do differently is using a smaller needle sometimes. Longarmers typically use 16 or 18, this is why most longarmers will say no sheets for backings. I use a 14(on this quilt) most of the time because I don't like large holes in my quilts. But for some quilts... the Country Girl and Summer Romance I used a 10. Oh yes you read that right a 10 on the frame. WARNING! IF YOU USE A SMALL NEEDLE YOU MUST SLOW DOWN YOUR STITCHING. This another reason why longarmers don't like sheets. They want to quilt fast and make money, can't say that I blame them for the rules, it's all about the money. The smaller the number on the needle the more likely it will bend and crash causing damage to the machine or quilt. Why would I take that chance? Oh I guess I just like living on the wild side!
Other than that it's because while watching a YouTube video of a famous quilter(who has now pulled the free videos and sells them) she said she uses the smaller needles and finer threads and higher count fabrics(silk) on a quilt frame. If she can do it and sell a quilt to the Quilt museum in Paducha for $10,000 then I can do it too. Well all but the the selling a quilt for $10,000. It's not that I don't love LQS fabrics, I DO. It all really boils down to I'm thrifty and like to Quilt Out of the Comfort Zone. Any fabric can be quilted if you use the right tools for THAT quilt.
Need more inspiration? Hop on over to
~ Lea Anne ~
Today's freebie from Rose Johnston @ Threadbare
Your quilting is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteFunny, I bought that same twin sheet at my Goodwill and used it as backing on my scrappy trip around the world quilt. I thought it was too pretty not to be in a quilt. :)
Gorgeous!! Thanks for the tip about using sheets and the right sized needles. I'm curious to know who the famous quilter is that you are referring to.
ReplyDeletethe quilt is so pretty and the quilting is just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteSo, So, So Kyoot! Love the whimsy of these baskets!
ReplyDeleteYour quilting is AMAZING and I have used sheets many times with no issues. I say when one finds a great vintage sheet for backing, go for it :)
ReplyDeleteI love that you are a thrifty quilter! There are not enough of us around.
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting post. I love learning something new!! First time visiting your site, through Marelize at Anything Goes Monday. Your work is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteI was just at Paducah on Independence Day, I did not know they bought some of those quilts!
ReplyDeleteYour quilting is great!
Thanks for the tips! You did great filler quilting on this block. I see the Ric Rack effect in the border on the 2nd picture. Cool!
ReplyDeleteLove your thriftiness! I would actually call it "resourcefulness!" Thanks for the link back to the pattern. I'm going to make sure I have it.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt and quilting are terrific. And yes, I am a believer in using what fabric I want in a quilt.
ReplyDeletelove the quilting you have done here. Re the thread count I find that higher it is the more likely a hole will be left if you have to unpick and I seem to do a lot of that but was given a tip the other day that if you spray the hole with water the hole vanishes, have yet to try it but will when the occasion arises. Wish I could find vintage sheets in charity shops but so far no luck. Here the batting is so pricey, have 4 flimsies waiting for batting now
ReplyDeleteInteresting info here. I haven't tried a needle that small in the long arm. I would probably have to retime the machine to use anything smaller than a 16. But, it will percolate in my brain until I need the info, Thanks.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Quilt! It is amazing.
ReplyDeleteLea Anne, what a completely charming quilt! You do beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done!
ReplyDeleteQuilts have always been home for whatever the seamstress had at her disposal. You are doing a wonderful job of following that wonderful tradition.