Have I Lost the Plot?

Last Friday I managed to put a machine needle through my finger while FMQing.  Not my finest hour!

I decided to take a rest from my machine until my finger recovers...but in the meantime, I have started a hand sewing project - La Passacaglia.  I am using materials from my stash.  I have a fair old stash of batiks which I am hoping will work for this project.  I have found a lovely, Facebook group for support.  I'm not sure I could have made a start with this without all the helpful information available there. 

I have managed to make the first rosette (90 pieces).  It has gone together well and I am going to enjoy the journey.  I am using Inklingo and hand piecing using running stitch.  I like the idea of having a project that will be portable and that I can pick up or put down as I wish.  I am planning to use a limited palette of colours with occasional shots of brighter colour.

Finish and Dilemma

I finally managed to get the facing on my Vintage Butterflies tablecloth quilt.  I am now struggling with myself.  I have several projects on the go.  I have some Christmas projects that I want to get done, but I am also thinking about starting quilting another vintage tablecloth.  It is lovely to have a choice of projects, but at the same time, I'm dithering.  None of this is made easier by the fact my left wrist is strapped.  I've no idea what I did to it...all I know is that it is painful!  I need to just get on with something!

I have made a start on Christmas projects. I used Superior metallic threads and attempted to use random, continuous feathers as a background fill. I saw the panel as part of a free project by Karen of Redbird Quilt Co on www.bearcreekquiltingcompany.com/blog/2015/09/19/chickadees-and-berries-christmas-gift-trio/

I was able to buy the panel here in the UK, (I have to admit, I bought 3), but not the other fabrics, so I have had to make changes to the given pattern.  I have enough left from the first panel to make 4 coasters and two placemats, so the panel goes a long way. I should probably add the binding to the wallhanging first!.

Happy quilting, all.

A Finish - Almost

I don't know how many hours I've spent quilting this tablecloth, but it has been fun!  It is lovely to be able to take a damaged, but pretty tablecloth and make it usable again.  I don't know if it qualifies as recycling or upsizing.  I'll have to look at the definitions!

This time, I wanted to try using a finer quilting thread, so used 60 wt Superior Bottom Line in white.  It behaved very well and I was really happy with it, particularly for all the scribbling.  It is one of the very few threads I've used, that haven't left the bobbin case area covered in lint.

One of the challenges of quilting old tablecloths, is to design motifs that will fit comfortably between the embroidery motifs already on the cloth.  I really enjoy this aspect, but must have spent three weeks mulling over the look I wanted for the quilt.  I was worried that feathers might overwhelm the existing embroidered butterflies, so chose to quilt flowers instead.  There was quite a large empty space near the scalloped edges of the quilt, so I drew scallops to break up the space.   I didn't want to have exactly the same flowers on each side of the quilt, so I mixed them up a bit.

Once again, I made extensive use of Cindy Needham's background stencils.  I used the circular Universal stencil to mark out the centre medallion and clamshells to add interest.  I used the 3/4 inch grid stencil for the circles and the triple line stencil for the border.  By the time I had finished quilting the tablecloth, I was looking for a border that would be elegant, simple and quick.  I LOVE the triple line stencil, and can see myself using it a lot.

Happy quilting, all!