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Post by cj59 on Sept 10, 2016 13:58:47 GMT -5
Hi graylady - sounds like you are making progress with the quilt. How nice that your husband made that "table" for your sewing machine. I'v been looking at getting something like that myself so that machine quilting and even piecing would be easier. My machine has a small extender table, but it's not enough. Glad to hear you had fun at your daughter's birthday party and everyone enjoyed the peach cobbler I spent some time last night reading different Internet Quilt blogs. It was fun to see what projects they were all working on. I'm hoping to get back into quilting when the weather cools down soon. Hope everyone is doing well and that you'll check in and share with us what projects you are working on
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Post by graylady on Sept 11, 2016 20:34:43 GMT -5
A sad day to commemorate today. It is so beautiful here in Seatle area - blue skies - light breeze - got up to 70 - and it reminds me of that New York City day 15 years ago - and the blue skies that outlined the horror of those crumbling towers. RIP.
And I continue working on my son's quilt. I started out by making use of several Joann's coupons when I purchased Quilt Basting Spray, Marking Magic, and a clear, flake-free starch-like product. Also went to Sear's to look for bobbins for my machine - but don't know if the clear bobbins I found will work or not.
I'm sewing on a red border - and then will make sure the backing fits - or decide whether it also needs a border added.
And I have the U. S. Navy insignia square - which I think I'll hand stitch on the back after it's all quilted. Not sure yet.
Oh - and I got some designs to use for machine quilting - including a star motif - very happy I found that - and hearts and just a simple scroll.
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Post by cj59 on Sept 12, 2016 18:37:57 GMT -5
Hi graylady - sounds like the quilt is coming along. I hope those bobbins work for you I bet that Navy insignia is going to be beautiful on the back of that quilt. I haven't done any quilting lately, but I sure hope to again soon. I was going to take a machine quilting class at a local shop, but decided that I really don't want to. Years ago I took a class like this, and I've seen lots of videos on machine quilting on your own machine. I really think I can do it myself if I practice. I have all the tools I need and I also made up a fabric sandwich to practice on. Fortunately I have a few small size quilt tops that I finished years ago and once I feel a little confident, I'll try my skills on one of those. They were just done for fun, so I won't feel bad if I mess them up Hope everyone else is doing well and will check in and let us know what they are working on
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Post by cj59 on Sept 14, 2016 19:18:36 GMT -5
graylady - Did you make some progress today on starting your machine quilting? What type of sewing machine do you have? I have a computerized Brother machine (inexpensive one) and haven't had it serviced since I bought it several years ago. I did clean it well for the first time earlier this year - I'm bad about taking care of it I'm hoping to get back to my quilting sometime this month. It has to get cooler soon!
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Post by graylady on Sept 15, 2016 1:45:37 GMT -5
CJ: My DH helped me cover the two big doors, which are placed over the pool table downstairs, with Contact paper - and then stretched out the quilt backing over them - and taped it down. And I found a bigger piece of cotton batting to use with this quilt - steam-pressed it, and it's laying over the backing - resting - and waiting for the next step - placing the quilt top in place. (I was going to put two smaller pieces of batting together - but I won't have to do any "piecing together" with this larger piece.
I didn't do any more stitching on my sample small quilt sandwich - and haven't figured out how to attach the walking foot yet.
I have a Kenmore electronic machine which I purchased in 2005 - for about $700. (I think all Kenmores are made by Janome these days.) It has lots of stitches and functions that I'll never use. The bobbin is a flat drop-in - and the only problem I'm having is that the bobbins do not fully load when placed on the winding stem. The winding action stops about 60% into the operation. I do have a battery-operated "side winder" which winds bobbins separately from the machine which I can use.
I used this machine quite a lot for the first several years I owned it - then, I stopped all my quilting projects and just used it very seldom for occasional household use. And finally, I don't think I've touched it in at least 4 years or more. But I cleaned it well when I began the quilt project - following the directions in the manual - and it's running quite smoothly. It requires no oiling - just cleaning.
On Thursday, I'm going to try to finish the basting of the quilt - though my DH will be golfing. He's quite helpful when I find myself at a standstill - which very well may happen if I can't reach all parts of the quilt. I'll do the best I can - and he can help when he gets home.
I'm studying the sewing machine manual to make sure I know how to get the walking foot attached - and use the correct stitch settings, etc...
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Post by graylady on Sept 16, 2016 15:55:59 GMT -5
The quilt sandwich is basted. I worked for over 5 hours yesterday with the quilt stretched out on the two doors over the pool table. I used basting spray in addition to safety pins - and it worked really well. I also thread basted along the edge of the quilt.
Now, I'll bring it upstairs to begin the machine quilting process. Yesterday, I attached the walking foot, filled lots of bobbins, and prepared my sewing space - with lots of room for the quilt to spread out.
One of the videos I watched talked about doing "what one is able to do." And that's going to be my motto - I'm not a professional - but a home sewer - and I'll do the best that I can.
I'm thinking about what kind of stitching I want - mostly straight lines - I'll save some of the fancier stuff for the border - I have a template for a small heart and swirls - or a star - so I may use one, or both of those templates. I also found a can of marking spray which will work well with the templates.
Also, when I want to post a photo - CJ - how do I do it?
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Post by graylady on Sept 16, 2016 15:59:25 GMT -5
file:///Users/sonjarossman/Pictures/iPhoto%20Library/Previews/2016/09/16/20160916-135849/rLuIJr5uTF2pXdOmZWaR+w/IMG_3812.jpg
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Post by cj59 on Sept 16, 2016 17:31:18 GMT -5
graylady - There's a thread over in the Support and How To forum that talks about posting pictures. us-gdt-ex-pats.freeforums.net/thread/358/posting-picturesUnfortunately I couldn't see the picture from the link you posted, so maybe you can try one of the other ways. I'm glad to hear that you are ready to start machine quilting. I'm sure it's going to look beautiful and the most important thing is that it's a gift from you to your son I watched a few Missouri Star Quilt Company tutorials today and it's really making me want to get started quilting again. I need to reorganize my sewing room and re-evaluate what I have again before I get started.
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Post by graylady on Sept 16, 2016 23:53:09 GMT -5
Maybe we should just exchange email addresses in a private message, CJ.
I watched more videos today about machine quilting with a walking foot - and just regular home sewers doing mostly straight sewing.
I don't think I'll have a problem doing the straight stitching - it's anything else I might want to do - like stars and hearts.
The quilt is upstairs back in my sewing room and I'll get started tomorrow. I didn't sleep well last night and just didn't want to tackle this project while I was so tired.
I made more sample quilt sandwiches - and will try my stitching on those first before I start on the big quilt.
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Post by cj59 on Sept 17, 2016 18:07:43 GMT -5
graylady - I'll send you a private message I'm sure you'll do fine when you get ready to quilt the quilt. Isn't it great that there are so many instructional videos for us on the Internet?
I went to a local quilt shop today since they were having an open house. I bought two different gold fabrics that I'm going to use as borders for two fabric panels I have. One of the panels is an Autumn/Fall scene with lots of golds, oranges and reds and the other one is a Christmas theme with an old fashioned Santa Claus on it. I also bought some white fabric to use for sashing on a quilt that I'm going to do with a Layer Cake of blue and white fabrics that I have. I saw a video tutorial from MSQC for the Diamond Dash Quilt and I think this will work well with the Layer Cake pack. I'm hoping to get into some quilting this coming week
I also purchased the MSQC Deal of the Day which was a Charm Pack for less than $2.00. Of course the shipping cost more than the fabric , but I still got the charm pack for under $7.00, so I think it was a good deal.
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Post by graylady on Sept 18, 2016 18:39:48 GMT -5
Good news - the sewing machine shop was open today (Sunday) until 4 PM - and my DH and I took my Kenmore in - and the lady-on-duty fixed it for me - on-the-spot - no charge. The problem was that the needle had not been inserted fully and it was falling out.
And she also explained why the bobbin wasn't filling fully - another long-time problem I was having - was because I was pushing it over too far - and the sensor was "sensing" that the bobbin was already "full." So - that's fixed too.
And - no charge.
And now, CJ, on to your good luck with MSQC "Deal of the Day." Sounds very good to me.
I have never purchased these "deals" of any kind - so I'd love to hear about them. What does a "charm pack," mean?
And now I'm back in my sewing room. So thankful that my machine did not have to be serviced - for an exorbitant charge.
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Post by cj59 on Sept 19, 2016 13:29:37 GMT -5
Hi graylady - I'm happy to hear you were able to get your sewing machine fixed and you can get back to quilting. And you were able to find out about the problem with your bobbins too! Happy Quilting A Charm Pack is 42 pieces of fabric that are 5 inches by 5 inches, they usually make them up from a single fabric line. MSQC sells a lot of different ones of these and you can find them in quilt shops too. I've been cutting up the charm squares I already had (that are either 6x6 inches or 5x5 inches), using a 5 inch Tumbler template. My plan then is to sew them together and make a quilt all in Tumbler shapes with all different fabrics - no repeats. I need to get working on that.
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Post by graylady on Sept 21, 2016 15:49:03 GMT -5
CJ: I sent it to you by email - but guess it wasn't correct. Don't have a clue which website it is right now. But I'll check it out later. I have an important meeting to attend this evening and a report to deliver - so that's the focus of my day today.
I will sew a couple of quilting lines though. I've done all the crosswise stitching lines. Now, I'm doing the length-wise ones - harder.
My machine is working perfectly.
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Post by cj59 on Sept 21, 2016 18:21:26 GMT -5
graylady - I'm glad to hear your quilting is coming along and your sewing machine is working well Hope your report goes well too! I actually did some quilting today and enjoyed it. Earlier this year I bought a small table stand frame that can hold a small quilt (around 12 inches x 12 inches). So I'd been hoping to make some single quilt blocks to hang on it. I saw a Fons and Porter show recently where they made a quilt with blocks that looked like a strawberry. So I went through my stash and found some fabric to make one of the blocks. It ended up measuring 11x13 but I'm hoping it will still fit on my holder. I figure doing several of these blocks will give me a change to practice machine quilting. It was fun to go through my fabrics and I'm looking forward to working on some projects again.
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Post by cj59 on Sept 22, 2016 17:46:52 GMT -5
I didn't do any quilting today, but I did receive some fabric in the mail that I had ordered. It's so exciting getting fabric graylady - hope you get to have a break after this election. More time at home also means more time to quilt
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Post by graylady on Sept 22, 2016 23:38:12 GMT -5
Thank you, CJ. I'm counting the days. Just shy of two months to go.
My big meeting went very well last night. I'm Chair of our endorsements committee and the entire slate was adopted as presented.
I have two more Ex. Board meetings to attend before we leave on our trip.
Then, when we return at the end of October, I'll be involved in the big push right before the election. I'm the Diva of Phone Banking.
Then, I will quietly pass into oblivion - hopefully. I am mentoring several new people and am enjoying introducing them and teaching them the ropes. We gained lots of new people through the caucuses.
In the meantime, I'm back in my sewing room - finishing up the straight stitching - will begin the free motion quilting tomorrow.
I've also been studying videos and bought a book on machine quilting at Joann's with a coupon.
My family / husband / are urging me to cut back from my public commitments - and thank goodness, I have my quilting projects ahead of me.
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Post by cj59 on Sept 23, 2016 17:32:07 GMT -5
graylady - glad to hear you'll have some more time soon and that you're making progress on quilting your quilt
I bought a class from Annie's Craft Store on Hand Quilting. It was on sale and I can access it whenever you want, so I'm hoping to pick up a few tips. It comes with three patterns and teaches a few techniques with lots of information.
I also saw the cutest small quilt that is just one block - a pineapple. I might try to make it, it's just a bunch of half square triangles and squares, so very easy to make.
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Post by graylady on Sept 24, 2016 1:34:40 GMT -5
CJ: I would love to see that pineapple pattern - since I'll be following a Hawaiian theme for a quilt I'm planning for my youngest son and his fiancé. In fact, they will be going to Hawaii next month.
Actually, I spent 3 hours weaving in all the loose thread ends and "popping" the knots into the inside of the quilt.
Then, I inserted my darning/quilting foot - and am thinking about the patterns I want to use for the free motion quilting.
I also am practicing on a sample sandwich. .
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Post by cj59 on Sept 24, 2016 19:14:51 GMT -5
graylady - I don't have an actual pattern for the pineapple, but I'll send you a PM with a link to the website where the quilt is shown. It would probably be easy to figure out how to make it. 3 hours!!! You can tell I've never machine quilted a quilt yet It really is a major effort to complete one, isn't it? I'm glad to hear things are coming along
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Post by graylady on Sept 25, 2016 2:42:33 GMT -5
I worked 7 hours on the quilt, on and off on Saturday, and completed stitching a large star in each of 12 blocks - not easy at all.
Sometimes, the stitching was so bad - that I took it all out and started over again - so that takes lots of time.
Then, sometimes my thread or the bobbin or something or another wasn't working smoothly, so then I'd get hung up on that.
I thought at first that I'd be doing small stars in the middle half square triangle. But stitching a larger star is easier - so I chose to do larger stars in the bigger square - the half-square triangle along with the first set of sashing. And I drew the star with a chalk marking tool and a ruler - so they're not all identical. The stars are sort of serendipity.
Im beginning to believe that I actually am going to finish this quilt in time. If I can quilt 12 more blocks on Sunday - and then 6 to 8 blocks each weekday, I'll have all the blocks finished by October 1st. Then, I'll have to quilt the border - and do the binding.
Lots and lots and lots of work. I've kept a journal - and haven't added up all the hours yet - but the total should be at least a couple hundred hours - probably lots more.
I'm worn out - but I'm determined to finish this quilt on time.
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Post by graylady on Sept 27, 2016 13:52:04 GMT -5
I was out for the evening - but did some sewing when I got back home - completing 6 more stars and started weaving the thread ends into the quilt sandwich - which is another tedious job.
Today, I'll complete 12 more stars - and continue hiding the thread ends. A self-threading needle is a must for this job.
I'm thinking about which very simple design I'll use for the narrow border.
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Post by cj59 on Sept 27, 2016 18:13:53 GMT -5
graylady - I'm glad to hear you're moving along on the quilt I'm going to a Sewing and Quilt expo this Friday and I can't wait to shop at all the vendors and see the quilts on display
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Post by graylady on Sept 28, 2016 14:09:30 GMT -5
Have 4 more stars to do - but not today. I have a dental appointment and a bridge game tonight.
Have been working on a possible border design - and I want to incorporate hearts into it somehow. It's hard to do hearts with a continuous stitching line.
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Post by cj59 on Sept 29, 2016 18:59:28 GMT -5
Hi graylady - I googled continuous line hearts quilting patterns and you're right, they do look difficult to do. Hopefully you can figure something out, and get more done this weekend.
I'm excited to go to the Sewing and Quilt expo tomorrow. I'm taking a 3 hour class on Beginning Smocking at the show. The instructor is a well-known heirloom sewing expert, so I hope to get a lot of good information and instruction.
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Post by corgi on Sept 29, 2016 19:10:35 GMT -5
A class on machine quilting sounds good, but honestly the best thing is to practice. So, if you go to a class, plan on spending time every day, even 5 minutes, free motion quilting after the class. Oh, and everyone thinks their quilting looks way worse than others see it, so relax. I had a class in McTavishing (a kind of fmq) recently. That teacher had us do stretching exercises like yoga before starting in order to relax us. A friend of mine says she always has a cocktail before she starts. I like that relaxation method better.
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