Hi-diddly-O! Happy Quilters! Excitement doesn't even start to describe how I'm feeling about being close to a quilt finish. It's been a long year of health issues and lack of mojo. In the last two weeks I feel like I'M BACK! The quilt designs ideas are starting to flow like a waterfall once again. I can't get them into EQ8 fast enough. Before I can finish designing a quilt there's another idea being scribbled onto paper. After finishing the binding on this quilt my plan is to get 3 more quilts finished by Christmas. Patterns for them will need to wait until the quilts are complete.
These three new quilts are going to test my productivity and dedication to the project. I'm up for a good challenge after a year of almost no quilting.
I have a few tricks for how I do machine binding quickly. Binding by machine is not my favorite method but hand work right now is out of the question. Machine binding can give a nice finish if done correctly. I like for the front and the back of the binding to look the same, ALL the stitching needs to be on the binding not on the quilt. Keep an eye out later in the week/month for a binding tutorial.
No fancy gadgets needed. Gadgets sometimes can slow me down. Example...binding clips...UGG. I don't care for them at all. I know many of you do but for me they are too time consuming. Click here for my product review on them. Another example would be the binding buddy. I don't like them either. It's quicker and easier for me to just throw the binding between my legs on the floor. It's worked for me for over 30 years. After trying several different ideas for neat and tiding binding on a roll of some sort I've found this old method of dangle on the floor to be the most efficient for me.
Here's a sneak peek at the quilt for this scrappy binding. I'm using the leftovers from the fat quarters used in making the quilt top. When I put this girl on the frame I had every intention of quilting it lightly and quick. However me, myself and I had other plans. We compromised with somewhere between quick and easy and quilted to death. I LOVE how it turned out and can't wait for you to see the finished quilt.
The topic of this post is Sneak Peek, Binding and Prayers. I've covered the first two topics so now I would like to ask you for your prayers.
Recently, I was contacted by Karen a fellow quilter and follower of my blog. She stated I had been on her mind and how she loved my work. And then she started telling me her recent breast cancer diagnosis and how overwhelming the process of treatment can be. Cancer has touched so many people in my life. Either they're fighting the battle or they are helping someone who is fighting the battle. As many of you know I cared for my mom during her battle. And over the last three years I've had moments when I thought I might have cancer. Karen didn't ask anything of me she simply wanted me to know how my blog and story has inspired and touched her life. Please put and keep Karen in your prayers. Leave her a message below in the comments letting her know that we are all here and praying for healing and a speedy recovery.
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I also tried the binding buddy. Once...Not helpful. I toss my binding over my shouldder and let it fall to the floor. It works for me! I am anxious to see how your machine bind your quilts. I only do binding by machine, but I like the stitching to be on the binding on the front, but off the binding on the back, but close to the binding edge. I never get it as perfect as I would like, but it's okay and better than when I first started quilting. I am always up to new ideas on how to do things!
ReplyDeleteKaren is a dear, dear friend of mine. We even had the blessing of meeting up on one of our vacations. Thank you for asking for prayers on her behalf. I am praying for her every day. I only wish I lived closer to her so I could be a more practical help to her...
I am glad you are getting your creative juices flowing again. 😇
Awe!! sweet Amy....found online and then in my heart!!!...forever through the Lord....there are no words for what you mean to me....God bless you!!
DeleteFirst, welcome back to quilting! With the new flow of ideas, doesn’t it sometimes get overwhelming (in a good way)? Secondly, a message of hope to Karen from another Karen. I’ve been cancer free for over 30 years. Miracles do happen, honey! Have hope, choose joy!
ReplyDeleteWow!! How God meet us where we are, huh?!! and He gave me Joy the instant I heard the diagnosis in the Office....they feel they "got it all" with the lumpectomy and top three lymph glands were free of cancer cells....I want to help others !! Thank you!!
DeleteI am praying for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your family! Thank you for taking time to prayer for me....and my hub...
DeleteLove, love that you are feeling the quilty love again as you are very much an inspration to me as well :) !!
ReplyDeletePrayers and hugs to Karen, I was recently diagnosed as well and am getting ready to start treatment and already find myself overwelmed so I totally understand. My thoughts and prayers are with you and know that you are far from alone, I will be right there with you :)
Thank you so very much!! I am praying God uses me to help others too. He is with us each moment. I will be praying for your journey!
Deletelots of hope and caring for Karen, also prayer that she should be able to find the sparks of something special in this journey that she didn't choose, but, hopefully, when it's over looking back, would not give up either.
ReplyDeletevery glad that you're back to who you know yourself to be! long may it live
Thank you Thank you!! where would we be without prayers.....
Deletebonjour Lea Anne! j'aime beaucoup votre blog!!! pour la reliure je fais comme vous,tout au sol !!!! j'aime bien vos conseils, ils me correspondent bien!!!vivement le tutoriel de liaison!!!!
ReplyDeleteLea Anne, so glad your sew-jo is back, because I love your posts in my email. It's like getting a visit from a good neighbor.
ReplyDeleteKaren, much love and prayer for comfort for you. We may not know you, but you're a quilting sister, so just know that we're thinking about you. Wishing you a smooth recovery.
Bless you ! and Thank you so very much!!
DeleteI'm so glad your mojo is back! And I'm right there with you regarding the binding clips and binding buddies. The clips are too cumbersome and my binding is on the floor in front of me, too. I'm excited to see what you are creating.
ReplyDeleteKaren, I pray for peace for you and wisdom and discernment for your medical team. I pray that God's healing Spirit pour into your body and that you find strength in Him during this time.
God is so good to use with caring Quilting Sisters....I also hope to piece a quilt, pattern from Lea Anne....Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
DeleteKaren, we'll keep you in our prayers!
ReplyDeleteLea Anne--realize you make a difference in so many lives!
I manage my binding much the same way you do!
So blessed! reading all these prayers...so blessed!!
DeleteI too let my binding dangle on the floor or in my lap, always have and it works. Cancer is a scary thing, thinking good thoughts for Karen and sending her cyber hugs. Glad to hear you are back to your old sewing self!
ReplyDeleteI was a Hospice nurse during my Journey...my mentor there and then best friend died of Breast Cancer after caring for Hospice patients for over 15 years...my Mother died of Breast Cancer at 88...no matter what age it is a women's culprit (some men too).....but it brings ladies to their best hours...to embrace and help others too....Thank you is never enough ! but Thanks!!
DeleteThank you for this post and for alerting us to a prayer need. Please tell Karen that people all over the world are praying for her and her friends and family as she goes through treatment. I hope you will keep us posted about her progress.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you....you can not believe how my Hub and I feel these prayers...the peace is amazing...and the Joy is unending...God will bless all that pray for others..it is His Language...His Mercy....His Holy Love....Thank you....I start my first Chemo on Dec 19th...then continue after the New Year...for 6 months total...I have agressive Triple Negative Metestatic Breast Cancer...the hardest cancer to eradicate and to stop it from coming back later...but my Lump was 2cm...2nd stage....just before it would have become metestatic at Stage 3...they see no cancer cells spreading through the lymph glands....I am more than blessed...and My call to all women...DO YOUR MAMMOGRAMS!!... and to hug and embrace others as we travel through this journey....God is Good...All the time God is good!!.....
DeleteSo glad you got your mojo back, Lea Anne! Looking forward to seeing this finished quilt. And Karen, you are in my thoughts and prayers. As a former chemo nurse, I saw a lot, both bad and good outcomes. I found people with positive attitudes and a hope in God had the best result and great outcomes. Hang in there and know I, and many others, are praying for you! May you feel God's comforting presence as He holds you in the palm of His hand. Hugs, Brenda
ReplyDeleteLea Anne, so glad your mojo is back!! And it looks like the perfect amount of quilting on the quilt that you showed us: so pretty!! And Karen, my prayers to you too, that all will go well for you and your hubby, that God will buoy you up and give you the strength to make it through the treatments you need to go through. Best wishes to you!! Hugs from H in Healdsburg
ReplyDeleteHello from a very cold England, so glad you got your mojo bank, perhaps you can blog about how to get through that dead patch, I would certainly appreciate it. I have my first quilt almost ready for binding and am looking forward to your tutorial. And for Karen hugs and prayers for the time ahead. My sister has just been through it so I understand and sympathise. Prayers also for her family that they will give all the comfort and loving that she will need. Again thank you for your blog. Regards Mandy
ReplyDeleteWhen I am putting on my binding by machine I have found that a large heavy bowl between my feet helps corral the binding and makes it easier to put on. The binding clips etc are only useful when turning the binding to the back, by hand. Karen, you are now in my prayers too. May our Loving Lord hold you in his hand, comfort and guide you, and in His time and in His way, heal you of this curse of cancer. Amen.
ReplyDelete