Happy Snowy Monday! We're setting snow accumulation records here in Podunk for the month of March. In our little spot of the woods the snow piled up to about 8 inches on top of the 5 inches already on the ground. But it's still not warm enough for a snowman. The snow is like powder. I think by this afternoon that should change. Anyone else playing in the snow today?
Since I couldn't build a snowman(boohoo) most of the weekend was spent quilting. I managed to get all the applique machine stitched in place. Now for the quilting.
My new walking foot is so bulky and I can't see a darn thing when I use it so today I'm trying out the open toe foot. I really wish they made a walking foot with the open toe, it would make stitch in the ditch so much easier.
The keep it simple quilting will make for a quick finish. I don't feel like dealing with quilting on the frame lately. Sometimes it's good to get back to the basics, don't you think? It takes me back to my early days of quilting, long before I knew longarm quilt machines existed. Oh don't get me wrong I still love the "quilted to death" quilts. But sometimes it nice to just let a quilt be a quilt and let the quilt design do all the talking instead of the fancy quilting. And this bright quilt has a lot to say!
Maybe someday I can really get back to the basics by hand quilting a quilt....
Maybe. So tell me what's your thoughts on quilting? Do you like your quilts to be quilted to death, lightly quilted, tied, or hand quilted?
I found a new to me linky over at Hug-a-Bit Quilts. Hop on over and share some quilty love!
and another new to me linky is MCM@Cookingupquilts
Hope to see you there!
And don't forget Judy's Design Wall Monday over at PatchworkTimes
~ Lea Anne ~
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I can't wait to see this quilt finished! I haven't made a wedding ring quilt... yet! This one is a great inspiration. If I am quilting my quilt, it is going to be "basic" quilting... my FMQ is pretty basic! I haven't hand quilted in a while, but have two quilts waiting for that. My large quilts do get FMQ, but not by me! One goal for this year is to improve my FMQ, but I haven't started on that yet.
ReplyDeleteI quilt based on use. Wall quilt are quilted stiff as a board but bed quilts need to be snuggly. I have one that I overquilted and it had to be washed a dozen times before I could tolerate on my bed.
ReplyDeleteI prefer to hand quilt my quilts or basic stitch in the ditch on my dsm. I keep trying to do some fmq but it just doesn't compute between my mind and my hands . LOL I love seeing long arm quilts but sometimes feel they are way too overboard on the quilting. That being said I guess I don't overly care for dense quilting.
ReplyDeleteOh that looks so pretty, can't wait to see it finish. I don't think I can ever go back to quilting on DSM with anything larger than a baby quilt. Even then the basting that has to be done before starting. That alone makes the long arm worth it all. I do find that once it gets on the frame there is something triggered in my brain for quilting to death! But I think I had that on the DSM, just easier to control the urge when you have to baste and twist and turn.
ReplyDeleteI am a hand quilter and I love LOTS of quilting on my quilts
ReplyDeleteSometimes changing it up can refresh the batteries or give you different ideas - i love this and am looking forward to seeing the finished quilt!
ReplyDeletewell .. looks a good way to spend time hiding from the snow .. glad you have got it not us xx
ReplyDeleteDepends upon the quilt but I never like quilted to death. I like the overall design to shine. And I may be a heretic when I say I can't stand some of the "modern quilts" that are quilted to death or the design looks like someone was in a rush to complete the quilt and was too lazy to make enough blocks so left empty space in their place. Your quilt, on the other hand, looks just right. And no matter what kind of foot I have I can't see well enough to drive in the ditch!
ReplyDeleteSeems I can never quilt in the ditch so I call mine "stitching beside the ditch". :) Your quilt is so pretty. I'm looking forward to seeing it quilted! Thanks for linking up to MCM!
ReplyDeleteI really love your quilt - its coming along nicely. It depends on the quilt as to whether I quilt it to death or just do a nice allover meander. As for a walking foot - I do have a changeable walking foot - it has an open toe and a 1/4" foot - its great to have the option - did you check your owner's manual to see if the option is available? Although you are a smart gal so I am sure you already did that - it sure would be nice if sewing machine designers would just anticipate all those things that we quilters might need in the future.
ReplyDeleteI think it depends on the quilt and each quilt needs to be quilted differently. I love the simplicity of the quilting on this one.
ReplyDeleteOh how I love EVERYTHING you do!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the soothing process of hand quilting. But if I want a faster finished quilt I don't hand quilt it. I love the softeness of a quilt that's been hand quilted and the look of hand quilting. With all that said I love machine quilting too. Densely machine quilted quilts are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear you ask the question about quilting. I think we have gone too far in quilting-to-death. I quilt to improve the texture, durability and beauty. When I attend shows there are stunning quilts but so many aren't useable. I like a blend of beauty and useability, even if it just laying on a spare bed. In the quilting classes I have taken, I have learned that the batting helps determine the softness. If you use cotton batting and quilt it heavily it will be stiff and loose its drape. If you use 80/20, wool, or silk, you will maintain the drape with heavy quilting. I love that you have returned to your DSM for the basics. Your quilt is lovely. Enjoy the process!
ReplyDeleteThe wedding ring quilt even though it's a classic is hard to do. Yours looks awesome. As for quilting I love all the different possibilities, it just depends on the intention and the purpose of that quilt. With you mentioning your walking foot obscuring your vision line, I watched a video a couple of years ago from Leah Day where she mentioned actually having a husband/friend cut and file the metal tabs in front of the needle to clear that vision line. Now why don't the machine manufacturers make a walking foot like that anyways? I'll never know.
ReplyDeleteLeah Day cut out the front on her FMQ foot, her darning foot, not her walking foot. It is easy to do once you watch her video. I did not have any trouble, and I'm not all that handy with smaller tools, my hands are not that strong. But this really was easy and it makes so much difference in the quilting!
DeleteRae (nrhaller@aol.com)
Good to see that someone else feels the way I do about quilting. I appreciate all the beautiful free motion quilting out there, but I hate when the quilting completely takes over and all that beautiful piecing gets lost. Can't wait to see your finished project.
ReplyDeletelightly!!! my sis sends her off and they are to thin when they come back and cold
ReplyDeleteIt has been ages since I saw snow. I love winter and snow but in Canberra it doesnt snow unfortunately. to cut it short, I envy you LOL It is great that you made progress with your project. From what I see, it looks very nice, bright, colourful and happy! Thank you for linking up with me at Monday Makers! Looking forward to seeing you again!
ReplyDeleteNice job on this quilt! I'm still partial to simple, old-fashioned patterned quilts. I also like a lighter quilting on my quilts. While the designs on the quilts nowadays seems to be quilt every square inch, I just don't like it. It's just too much.
ReplyDeleteSometimes simple is best. Your Wedding Ring is going to be beautiful. I like light to medium quilting density. Too much quilting and they get stiff.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is lovely - I love that turquoisey blue flower right in the middle of the picture :) My favourite quilt is one that's finished - so whether it gets to that stage with much quilting, or minimal quilting, or being tied - it's all good!
ReplyDeleteI like them lightly quilted.
ReplyDelete