Advanced Machine Quilting Class Sampler Quilt

After 6 months of work, my 2nd sampler quilt is finally DONE!!  I've never pieced such a big quilt before, designing the border was a first.  At times I was frustrated with the bulk while FMQ.  But I persevered and have a quilt to show...

Close-ups of the FMQ on the quilt.  Since this is a sampler quilt, I had to incorporate at least 6 different quilting designs.

This is the final project for my Certified Machine Quilting Class.  Onward to the next level of classes....!!

Innocent Crush + Block Party

After a long search at my LQS I was able to purchase my first stash of Anna Maria Horner fabric!

Five yards of Innocent Crush combined with the quilt top I made with these blocks will result in my 2nd sampler quilt.  Instead of plain borders, I've challenged myself to make a pieced border for this quilt.



Here's the first audition of border design:

Second border design looked better:

                                                          (KF shot cotton for sashing)


Close-ups of my paper pieced borders:

  
                      --    some block centers were pieced with 2 or                   
                           more different fabric!

 

It took me several hours to tear off all the paper from the border.  A tedious task but worth the precision paper piecing provided for this beginning quilter.



I'm using Innocent Crush as my quilt backing.  I've sandwiched my sampler quilt and am in the process of machine quilting.   Hopefully by the end of May I'll have a finished quilt to show everyone!

Happy Quilting!

DQS10 Received

Look what arrived at my doorstep today!  My very own doll quilt from lollybix .    This quilt, aptly named Circling the Sun, has all of my favorite quilting elements... circles, birds, and FMQ.    My secret partner truly made an outstanding quilt for me.

Not only am I the lucky recipient of this beautifully made quilt, I now own a bundle of Kona solids, too!  lollybix  must be psychic, because I have the Kona solids on my Xmas wish list.

Thank you, lollybix , for my beautiful quilt and fabric!!



This concludes my first Doll Quilt Swap experience!  I hope there'll be more to come!

FMQA - pebbles

It's almost the end of the month and I've been MIA :)  After entering the Purse Week contest I've been fabric shopping - trying to collect more 30's prints and solids.  Though haven't done much quilting, I've been practicing drawing pebbles.  The pebbles design is quite a challenge to me because I can't meander that well.  So, this is what I have so far! 

I think I've finally got the rhythm and can move on to the practice pad!

Happy Quilting!

FMQA - Second Week Lines and Angles

This week's assignment  - lines and angles


I had to make a new practice pad for this week's assignment because the designs that Christina showed us are just so much fun to practice!

After this practice run I even quilted some of these designs on the back panel of  a WIP sewing case.

Hmm... I petted and praised the sewing case on a job well done because I couldn't believe how well it turned out.

Now I feel confident enough to quilt my top!

Sorry that you can't see the quilting.  My thread kind of blended in too well with the fabric!  Thread:  Sulky variegated quilting thread.  Needle size: #14.  Tension =4.5

vertical lines (quilt top)

The backing shows the quilted designs better than the quilt top. 

vertical lines (quilt backing)

I'm learning so much and having lots of fun with this quilt along.  Thank you, Christina!