Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

A Special Sampler!

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A recent quilt that I completed for a customer was a Sampler that she worked on during the Covid shutdown…she named it her Covid quilt.

She did a beautiful job piecing her quilt and requested that I custom quilt it for her.

I begin each quilting job by pressing both the quilt top and backing. This enables me to really examine the top for any issues that may arise…in my 22 years of quilting for others I have discovered blocks that were turned or pieces misplaced as well as seams that get missed leaving a hole that could get caught in the hopping foot. These things can happen and sometimes it takes a fresh set of eyes to discover them. My customers have been very relieved when I let them know and offer to fix the issue free of charge.

Pressing the back helps eliminate puckers and pleats as well.

I find that I have more control over the tension by fully loading both top and backing therefore for I avoid floating the top unless it is heavily embellished.

Samplers are a lot of fun to custom quilt, giving me the opportunity to use all kinds of designs!

I use both ruler work and freehand quilting

It’s important to me that there is a perfect balance of designs and density in my quilting when working on a sampler.

With so much happening in the body of the quilt using the technique Piano Keys was a perfect finish on the border.

This quilt was not only trimmed but also bound at pick up!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

The Snowflake Quilt

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It is no secret that I love blue and white quilts! I love small intricate piecing and this quilt was so beautifully pieced and such a pleasure to quilt! Yes it did go home with its maker but not until I added my touch!

The pattern is Tahoe from Laundry Basket Quilts and it began as a kit from there however it needed to grow and so more fabric was purchased and it was made to fit the bed.

As it was named the Snowflake Quilt by its maker, she chose the fun bold snowflake quilting design for it.

This is not a quick quilt to make, the precision takes time and in my opinion definitely worth the effort!

Her quilt was trimmed and ready for binding at pick up!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

O Canada a Quilt

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As a Proud Canadian it was truly my pleasure to add my touch to Leslie’s beautiful quilt!

We chose the quilting design Maple Syrup, adding the swirling maple leafs over her quilt just felt right!!

Somehow I missed getting a picture of her backing which was full of Canadian vehicles and fun!!

Of course her quilt was trimmed and ready for binding at pick up!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Quilting can make all the difference!

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The maker of this quilt told me that she wasn’t overly crazy about this quilt. So when she picked it up and her mind had changed it truly brought me joy!

She had requested that I choose the quilting design. I decided to include her in making the decision by sending pictures of two ideas that I had and she chose a newer one in my collection. She chose Autumn Splendor Feather by Bethanne Nemesh

This design is a little more dense than other designs however it isn’t tight and the quilt has a lovely drape. Add to that, the rich gorgeous soft flannel backing that has a soft design allowing the quilting to really shine…its maker was truly in love with her quilt!

That’s a part of my job that I really love!!!

Her quilt was trimmed and ready for binding at pick up!

I offer quality quilting services and treat each quilt that I work on with the care that I would treat my own.

Each quilt and quilt backing are pressed and checked over before I load it onto my longarm. Occasionally I come across an area that might need a quick fix, and with my customers permission I will repair before quilting.

Most of my customer take me up on my offer of complementary trimming so that their quilts are ready for binding…I do send all of those trimmings home with their quilts!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Happy Flowers Quilt and Quilting

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Well, I don’t actually know the pattern name for this quilt however it brought a wonderful happy feeling into my studio as I worked on it!

When deciding on a quilting design for a quilt like this it might be tempting to think that it calls for a floral design.

Does it really need more flowers though? I like to consider designs that will complement the piecing, so while it is a quilt full of flowers and leaves what might create more of a flower garden feel.

That is why I chose the design Tickle Too with its swirls and feathers that in a way add a feeling of vines in the flower bed. In my imagination anyways!

My customer agreed with my choice 😊

Taking the time to match the pattern when I am able too is worth the extra time in my opinion and so it is a complimentary service I provide along with piecing the backing. Can you see the seam?

Her quilt was trimmed and ready for binding. Most of my customers also choose this complementary service.

Thank you for visiting my blog! I enjoy sharing my work and thoughts with you and I hope that you find inspiration in my posts.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Welcome to February!! Quilting and Life

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Thankfully it seems that Januarys cold snap has moved on. Winter of course is far from over in Thunder Bay, though this mornings daylight appeared earlier and of course the sunset is later each day.

One of the reasons that February is extra special for me is that it is when I first became a Mom!! My beautiful daughter Sarah completely transformed my life 40 years ago.

I am so very thankful to be Mom to my 4 wonderful daughters who now inspire me and often help guide me in life. ❤️

Happy Valentines Day!! I absolutely loved quilting this Shattered Heart Quilt. The pantograph was chosen by its maker and is one that I ordered for this quilt.

Just as becoming a Mom transformed my life so did the arrival of my APQS Longarm Quilting Machine!

My quilting business has brought so many wonderful people into my life! Many have been in my life from the beginning and many that have found me along the way!

It enabled me to go from a full time to a part time position when my house and life were so full of my growing daughters..and their friends. It also enabled me to leave that job and regroup before taking another much more fulfilling job all while quilting almost full time along the way.

My long arm arrived 22 years ago just before New Years and that January was the beginning of this amazing journey.

January was a very busy month in my long arm studio and it’s always so exciting to work on each quilt that comes my way to quilt…of course February will be busy too 😊

I have almost alway held another job over the years in the health care field.

My final one,outside of my quilting business was my favourite one which was working for Wesway. For those who don’t know about Wesway…it provides respite services, in both the community and in respite homes working with all ages. I worked in both and met so many wonderful people.

Well I closed that chapter in my life last month and retired from Wesway.

Life is so interesting and so full of changes isn’t it.

I will be back to sharing customer quilts and their stories in my next posts!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Wing and a Prayer Quilt

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The pattern for this quilt is by Windsong and it’s absolutely gorgeous!

Its maker gifts almost all of her quilts, this one is for her!

It is kingsized and truly showcases her amazing piecing skills!

We chose the quilting design A Little of This which softly plays on the designs of some of the batik fabrics. Its density flows so beautifully over this quilt, which will allow for a perfect drape over her bed.

Her quilt was trimmed and ready for binding at pick up!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Kitty Quilt and Life

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The cold snap that I mentioned in my last post has continued, though not as extreme it was when I wrote my post. We are all hoping for milder temperatures here soon.

My studio thankfully is warm and I am busy running my longarm!

My customer made this adorable quilt to gift to her kitty loving friend. She used cozy flannel for the backing that was already so sweet and added pieced kitties to make it even sweeter …

We chose the quilting design Two of Hearts.

Her quilt was trimmed and ready for binding at pick up!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

January Weather and Quilting

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As many in North America are also in a cold snap we are no exception. This weather makes me so very thankful for where I live and that I am able to work from home!

This mornings weather snapshot…

The days are getting longer and brighter and the sunshine is more than welcome…warmer temperatures would be as well.

This recent quilt was a lovely burst of happy colour! On both sides!!!

The top was pieced using the Chandelier pattern.

The quilting design Shasta Daisy was chosen purely for its loveliness.

The backing was pieced making this a truly double sided quilt.

It was trimmed and ready for binding at pick up.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Block Studies Month 4

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I joined Tara Faughnans block studies this year and I am so glad that it did!!

Now I do admit that I don’t have as many completed projects as I would like. I do have something started from each month.

This month’s prompt with guest instructor Jen Carlton Bailey of Bettycrockerass. Her block Shattered along with her suggested Palette have brought excitement and fun into my January piecing time!

I do love piecing curves! I was very tempted to order her Curvy templates and might still at some point.

When I discovered that I already had the templates needed for the block size (thanks to Daisy of WarmFolk and a workshop that I took part in a few years ago) shown I went with that!

The scraps left over from one of the steps were fun to piece together!

Finishing the block last night made me want to dive into making more and I am sure that I will!