Anyway, initially I was going to do some ruler work in the charm squares, however then decided that this quilt would look best if I just ditched it. It is wonderfully flat and having just stitched in the ditch lets the fabric choices shine. I decided that this is what the maker must have had in mind.
I have not done stitching -in-the-ditch for a while and thought I practice cutting my thread tails off rather than burying them. Well, that did not work for me...I did cut a few off but went straight back to burying my threads. Not that it does not work...it does, I just find it really difficult to trust that and straight away fall back into burying those threads.
A little bit about my machine. I am stitching on a Bernina Q20 and was reminded the other day that some people might find it useful to read about the settings and how I use this machine.
I stitched in the ditch with my favourite ditch ruler from Handiquilter (the right one in the photo below)
In terms of settings, I do all my ruler work in BSR2 (which is the Precision Mode on HQ), i.e. the needle stops moving when I stop moving the fabric in contrast to BSR1 where the needle keeps going when you stop moving the fabric. Find that just a bit precarious with a ruler next to the needle.
For this quilt I had just the right coloured thread, in fact it was a perfect match with the red of the sashing.
Also used a different thread in the bobbin as the backing was multi-coloured. Chose a soft pink that just sunk into the fabric. Had no pokies either top or bottom as both threads were Aurifil 50/2 weight. With a little bit of care when setting the bobbin and top tension you can absolutely avoid pokies. The domestic sewing machine needles that this machine uses of course helps with that. I stitched this with an 80/12 Jeans needle. Strong needle with a fine point and good to use when you quilt with some speed.
What next for me?
Missed out on the To Do Tuesday Link Up again for 2 weeks, I think. Since then I finished my wholecloth and am currently preparing it for the show. Will show photos of the wholecloth in July once the show is happening as my entry is a juried one so you cannot have photos of it circulating. Am I happy with it? I am, however it does look rather plain so not sure how it will go. Always interesting at quilt shows...you must be interested in FMQ to recognise the amount of work and effort that goes into a wholecloth even a seemingly plain one.
For the week ahead I am planning
- to sew up a cover for my label for the wholecloth and also prepare the hanging sleeve
- maybe make a start on my next background filler project
- seriously look at a new pattern for my Etsy shop (which I have neglected over the last few months).
Linking up to To Do Tuesday #77To Do Tuesday #77 over at Quilt Schmilt
Happy Quilting
Karin
That is a gorgous quilt. The red sashing really highightls all the blocks. Very simple but elegant. Sounds like you went the same path with the quilting, simple but elegant. Good luck with your to do list for the week.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the BSR tips on the Q20. It has been a long time since I used the BSR on my previous 730e and 830e, but I did thoroughly enjoy the BSR while I was able to use the Q24 in a class at Road to CA. Best ever even stitches. And this sweet quilt was meticulously designed and pieced. And I'm confident however you quilt it it will look stunning.
ReplyDeleteI love how this quilt looks and your quilting is perfect! I always bury my threads too. I think it's neater and more secure. I like using rulers too. I love the look of ruler work with free motion quilting.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I haven't mastered is mitering the corners on borders. Quilts do look so much nicer that way.
ReplyDeleteGretchen that quilt is a beauty and the cornerstones are too cute! I can’t wait to see your whole cloth quilt. Thank you for linking with ToDo Tuesday. I hope this week is going well and you are making progress on all of the lovely quilts you work on. 😉
ReplyDelete