Onwards and Upwards

My 1000 Pyramid quilt is finished...I am currently sewing on the binding.

This was a very long and arduous journey. I think that I started this project about 2 years ago and it was always in danger of becoming an UFO.  In case you were wondering how I handled the bulk I have got photos showing the way it was situated at varying stages.

Initially I quilted away from me with the bulk sitting to the side.

As I advanced, the bulk became harder to handle and I had to switch things around quilting either sideways and in the end towards me. 

You can see that I also had it more folded in the back...as I went along and came towards half way folding it in an accordion style proved to be the best way to keep the quilt from dragging as the whole lot had become more firm and harder to handle. Some quilters use a suspension system for their bigger projects...obviously a good idea, however I have never looked into this because I do not usually do big quilts like that.

Well, this was a bit of an adventure and I am over the moon that it is done. One more photo to come of the quilt all finished with the binding and that is it.

After this, I treated myself to a new Accuquilt die. When my little wholecloth quilt recently won first prize in the quilt show, I got a gift voucher to my favourite sewing shop. I took my time in deciding what to get as I wanted to spend it on something useful, so I started to look at the Accuquilt dies. I have got quite a number of dies, however have in recent times decided to get dies that make my life easier. So, rather than going for those really pretty and amazing 'one-off' dies, I am now tending to buy those that I will use all the time. Had not looked at the strip dies before because they are a bit expensive, however with the voucher was able to get myself a rather huge strip die. 

3, 2 1/2in strips on the die. Nowadays they have an added feature of having angled guides marked on the die, so that you can cut squares and diamonds at varying degrees. Bonus!

Used this on my binding strips for this quilt...needed a total of 9, 2 1/2in strips.

This was so easy and quick, just putting it through three times and done...I am always surprised at the absolute accuracy. Totally straight and perfect!

Should have invested in this years ago.

Karin

Handiquilter Ruler Of The Month Club 3

Picked up the first ruler of the HQ Ruler of the Month Club 3 - the HQ Hexie 3 Template

This is a bigger chunky ruler, very easy to hold. When stitching inside it will give you a 2 3/4in hexagon.

This was my first play with it

Obviously you can do hexagons with it, with or without echos. Very easy to stitch inside and if you want to stitch a 1/4in echo you just have to shift it over. Alternatively you can use the echo feet set and stitch out your echo that way giving you 3 different options (3/8in, 1/2in or 3/4in echo)...this is very handy. I am planning a hexagon quilt where the hexagons will be 2in on each side, so I would position my ruler in a way that it would align on the points, but shifting it inwards to the required size, if that makes sense.




Then I tried the diamonds...accuracy suffered there on my part and I must have aligned the ruler slightly differently and the diamonds came out somewhat misshapen. Obviously needs a bit more care.



Tried a second time

Managed the first 3 on the right accurately but then started misaligning it again. Later discovered that there is a much easier and sure way to stitch this out by first stitching an upper row of little triangles and than going back and stitching the bottom half...not sure why I did not think of this earlier.

Was impressed with the elongated hexagons and the horizontal hexagons...lots of opportunity to fill that in with all sorts of things and make quite interesting sashing designs. In the end I stitched a row of mini half hexagons...really liked the look of that. In terms of sizing this ruler gives you a lot of options which I like.

So much fun to play around with this...

Karin

1000 Pyramids Quilt

I am not posting a lot because I am still working on the 'blasted' 1000 Pyramid quilt, This was not one of my brighter ideas...taking forever and is actually quite hard as I have a lot of bulk to contend with as the quilt is very large. On the plus side, I am surprised how easy it is to push a large quilt through the throat space of the HQ Sweet 16. Had I chosen an allover design, I would have had this finished in a flash.

This is how much I have got left

Does not look a lot but there are about 5 rows left to do on that quilt. Each row takes me about an evening to complete, so not really that bad, except that motivation is by now down to zero.

Even though consistency is sadly lacking a bit it looks quite nice and is definitely the right design for this rather colourful quilt

I don't think I will do this again in a hurry, however after this I can confidently say that trailing off a ruler is a thing of the past...definitely got that down pad and also have been able to speed up a bit so that it is going slightly faster. The biggest issue has been the alignment of the rulers with all the bulk around me and the holding of the ruler. Overall, happy with the result though, just need to get some discipline happening now to actually finish this off!

Karin

Pets on Quilts 2018

The Pets on Quilt Show is on again over at LilyPad Quilting. This has been an event that I have participated in since I started blogging in 2012...so much fun to see all our furry friends.

My entry for this year is Pixie, our somewhat reluctant second cat. She has not grown up with us and is a somewhat anxious and skitty cat but getting better as time goes on. Here she is sitting on my ruler practice quilt from last year when I ventured into the world of rulerquilting with my newly acquired HQ Sweet 16. The quilt is a lap size quilt made out of charm squares that I had sitting around. I had joined the HQ Ruler of the Month Club and used the quilt to give each ruler a bit of a go. The result was variable, to say the least, but good enough to be used as a bit of a throw over the seats to ensure that the cats don't dig into the furniture with their claws.

And here she is...Pixie...with that brooding, unimpressed look.

I have another favourite cat photo of our other, cat, Abby. Unfortunately I cannot use this for the event because she is not actually lying on a quilt, but have a look:

See what she is lying on...the ruler! I caught this when I came home one day and found her lying on the cutting table like this, on the ruler, amongst the pins etc...too funny! Since then I do make sure to always close up my rotary cutter, just in case. No idea how she could have found this comfortable or why she chose this.

Linking up to LilyPad Quilting for the Pets on Quilts Show 2018. Have a look, I guarantee that it will bring a smile to your face!

Karin