A Finish and A Show

Dress for Success is completed. Yay!

The quilt is in Ohio at the Sauder Village Quilt Show. If you live within three hours of Archbold, it is well worth the drive as they usually have over 400 quilts on display. Show runs from Tues., May 2 through Sun. May 7, 2017.

Dress for Success was made from two pre-printed panels designed by Holly Holderman of LakeHouse Dry Goods. Borders are my own. The first border consists bright colored squares. The outer border is a finely checked red which can read as a solid, but has a bit of interest. The red and white striped border was inspired by Red Pepper Quilts striped bindings.

This is the first quilt that I machine quilted with the use of a walking foot. It was a pleasant surprise that I could machine outline (slowly) the dresses. Minimal hand quilting was done near the neckline and embellishments as access with the walking foot was limited.

Similar dress quilts have been stipple quilted. Since I am not confident with free motion, I stitched a traditional straight diagonal on the background. My intent was to have the dresses stand out and not the quilt stitches.

There is stitch-in-the-ditch quilting, more diagonal lines in the squares (easy peasy). For the outer border, I used a stencil and marked with a washable Crayola which I pretested. Although the marks soaked out, I was a nervous wreck that they would stain the quilt. In the future, I will use another marker or method.

Since this was a pre-printed panel, I under estimated the time it would take. Lol. Has that happened to you on a quilt project? Hand embellishments took time as each dress is different. The diagonal quilt stitching required many starts and stops at each dress. I persevered for the Sauder Village Quilt Show entry deadline which also coincided with the Grand Rapids AQS deadline.

Looking forward to starting another quilt. There is fabric in my stash anxiously awaiting.  :-)

Jill

Machine Quilting

Decent progress is being made on machine quilting the dolly dress quilt. The time consuming part is securing the stitches when I come to each dress.

Painter's tape was being used as a way of marking the diagonal lines. I have found that the tape gets in the way. At times, while staying clear of the tape, the stitching lines would go wayward (not so good). Therefore, the diagonal lines are lightly marked with a silver pencil. Specifically, a Berol Verithin #753 which is used to mark blue prints. The stitching is going faster and straighter. The pencil idea came from Gretchen's Little Corner. Of course, I tested the washout capability on a practice piece. The light gray lines can also be erased with an artist's white eraser.

Last weekend I attended my first quilt retreat. Approximately 60-70 people attended. One can work on their UFOs or take a class.

Bay Shore Camp, Sebewaing, MI

Paula Nadelstern of kaleidoscope quilt fame taught a two-day workshop and gave a lecture. Some of the ladies completed their starbursts. Paula will be teaching in Paducah next month.

Please check out other WIPs this week at Esther's fun blog.

Jill

Machine Quilting

Decent progress is being made on machine quilting the dolly dress quilt. The time consuming part is securing the stitches when I come to each dress.

Painter's tape was being used as a way of marking the diagonal lines. I have found that the tape gets in the way. At times, while staying clear of the tape, the stitching lines would go wayward (not so good). Therefore, the diagonal lines are lightly marked with a silver pencil. Specifically, a Berol Verithin #753 which is used to mark blue prints. The stitching is going faster and straighter. The pencil idea came from Gretchen's Little Corner. Of course, I tested the washout capability on a practice piece. The light gray lines can also be erased with an artist's white eraser.

Last weekend I attended my first quilt retreat. Approximately 60-70 people attended. One can work on their UFOs or take a class.

Bay Shore Camp, Sebewaing, MI

Paula Nadelstern of kaleidoscope quilt fame taught a two-day workshop and gave a lecture. Some of the ladies completed their starbursts. Paula will be teaching in Paducah next month.

Please check out other WIPs this week at Esther's fun blog.

Jill

Diagonal Stitching

Happy days that I am at the point where I can remove some of the basting stitches and begin the background grid quilting pattern which will be on the diagonal.

While working on the dolly dress quilt, I have learned an easy quick tip for not marking lines which I learned from an online class taught by Susan Cleveland.

Instead of marking the lines, blue painters tape is used. On this particular quilt, the stitch lines will be on the diagonal. The process was extra easy as there is a diagonal gird in the sashing in which I can line up the tape with accuracy.

After lining up a fresh piece of 9/16 inch tape, I stitch along the right side edge, then the tape is removed. A new length of tape is placed along the right side of previously stitched line and then I stitch the next line, etc. My grid lines will be one inch apart.

This upcoming weekend I will be attending my first overnight quilters retreat. The main instructor is Paula Nadelstern well known for her design of kaleidoscope quilts. Last month I attended a half-day workshop taught by Paula which was educational and fun! I am delighted that she is returning to Michigan.

This week, I am linking with Esther Aliu for WIPs on Wednesday.

Jill

Diagonal Stitching

Happy days that I am at the point where I can remove some of the basting stitches and begin the background grid quilting pattern which will be on the diagonal.

While working on the dolly dress quilt, I have learned an easy quick tip for not marking lines which I learned from an online class taught by Susan Cleveland.

Instead of marking the lines, blue painters tape is used. On this particular quilt, the stitch lines will be on the diagonal. The process was extra easy as there is a diagonal gird in the sashing in which I can line up the tape with accuracy.

After lining up a fresh piece of 9/16 inch tape, I stitch along the right side edge, then the tape is removed. A new length of tape is placed along the right side of previously stitched line and then I stitch the next line, etc. My grid lines will be one inch apart.

This upcoming weekend I will be attending my first overnight quilters retreat. The main instructor is Paula Nadelstern well known for her design of kaleidoscope quilts. Last month I attended a half-day workshop taught by Paula which was educational and fun! I am delighted that she is returning to Michigan.

This week, I am linking with Esther Aliu for WIPs on Wednesday.

Jill

First and Last

Today I hand quilt around the fussy embellishments. This is the first dress I added trim and one of my favorites of all 12 dresses. Therefore, I am savoring it to be the last dress for hand quilting around the embellishments that I cannot get to by machine.

Speaking of my sewing machine, I would like to share its new home. This is an unfinished Ikea wood table before it was "hacked" to be a custom sewing table.

This is how the machine's base/platform was attached to the table. It was bolted from the top.

Why did I not totally make the machine flush with the table? Because I need space to comfortably slide off the extension table for accessing the bobbin.

Back to hand quilting around the embellishments while I participate with others at Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching.

Jill

First and Last

Today I hand quilt around the fussy embellishments. This is the first dress I added trim and one of my favorites of all 12 dresses. Therefore, I am savoring it to be the last dress for hand quilting around the embellishments that I cannot get to by machine.

Speaking of my sewing machine, I would like to share its new home. This is an unfinished Ikea wood table before it was "hacked" to be a custom sewing table.

This is how the machine's base/platform was attached to the table. It was bolted from the top.

Why did I not totally make the machine flush with the table? Because I need space to comfortably slide off the extension table for accessing the bobbin.

Back to hand quilting around the embellishments while I participate with others at Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching.

Jill

Sleepy Slow Stitching

Daylight Savings has taken effect here in Michigan. It makes for a good slow stitching day after losing an hour of Zzzz's, and a day to hand quilt around the dress embellishments. During the past two weeks, I changed my mind on hand quilting the entire outline of the dresses. The reason being that I think they look better outlined by machine especially when the background quilting is added. The dresses are more defined and have a bit more pouf.

Where the embellishments have buttons, trim, and smaller pieces, I'll outline by hand quilting as I am unable to stitch small areas with the walking foot (a good thing). Progress is being made as I either machine or hand stitch each day. Other sewing time is being spent on creating a sewing table from an inexpensive unfinished Ikea table.

The hole was cut after careful and thought out placement.

The past few days there has been staining and varnishing steps which can't be rushed. It's been cold weather, but I am able to work in the garage after the cars are moved outside. There has been low humidity with the cold air, and a small electric heater helps the varnish dry.

Next week, I plan on showing the completed table. In the meantime, I'll be joining Kathy at Slow Sunday Stitching.

Jill

Sleepy Slow Stitching

Daylight Savings has taken effect here in Michigan. It makes for a good slow stitching day after losing an hour of Zzzz's, and a day to hand quilt around the dress embellishments. During the past two weeks, I changed my mind on hand quilting the entire outline of the dresses. The reason being that I think they look better outlined by machine especially when the background quilting is added. The dresses are more defined and have a bit more pouf.

Where the embellishments have buttons, trim, and smaller pieces, I'll outline by hand quilting as I am unable to stitch small areas with the walking foot (a good thing). Progress is being made as I either machine or hand stitch each day. Other sewing time is being spent on creating a sewing table from an inexpensive unfinished Ikea table.

The hole was cut after careful and thought out placement.

The past few days there has been staining and varnishing steps which can't be rushed. It's been cold weather, but I am able to work in the garage after the cars are moved outside. There has been low humidity with the cold air, and a small electric heater helps the varnish dry.

Next week, I plan on showing the completed table. In the meantime, I'll be joining Kathy at Slow Sunday Stitching.

Jill

A Sewing Week

This is a follow-up to last Sunday's post in regards to attending the Quilters Winterfest Quilt Show. It was a lovely show presented in an inviting and cozy venue.

Bavarian Inn Lodge, Frankenmuth, MI

In the afternoon, I attended a kaleidoscope workshop taught by Paula Nadelstern. It was excellent and fun. Paula generously shared her knowledge with tips and tricks. If you get the chance to attend a class taught by Paula, I highly recommend it.

Earlier in the month, I posted about my 16-year old sewing machine going in for service and tune up prior to the machine quilting process of some sections of the dolly dress quilt.

Unfortunately, the service tech ran into difficulties as two metal parts had fused together over time. Over the phone I was told, "Sews great, however, it makes a noise." Gasp. The store offered to put the service bill towards a new machine. Hmmm. After testing driving several machines by different makers, I soon learned why many of the "quilt stars" (including Paula) sew with a Swiss machine. Loyalty to my previous brand was gone. This is what came home with me. :-)

Aurora 430

A two or three-year old Bernina was recently brought in for a trade-in. I still had to add $$$, but how many times does a gently-used Bernina come along. ;-)  The machine was serviced and was ready for a new owner.  It's been a swell honeymoon as we get to know one another.

On Sunday, I plan on joining Kathy and other slow stitchers while I continue to hand quilt the outline of this dress.

In closing here are a few photos from the quilt show.  Some traditional and some modern. ALL the quilts were pretty. Please note none were labeled with the maker's name.  Jill