Author: wendysquilting

Professional Longarm Machine Quilter in Thunder Bay Ontario.
Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Memories and Family

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My love of sewing began as a small child, my mother sewed and her machine was never put away as I recall. I loved to play with fabric!

We had a neighbour at one time who made Raggety Ann dolls and Barbie doll clothes and oh did I love that woman’s sewing room. So full of colour and fun! I remember receiving one of her dolls…I also loved that doll until she was threadbare. That revealed the stuffing…pantyhose!

A family trip to visit my Aunty Mary in Kamloops in that same era of my life holds a strong memory of a bag of scrap fabrics that she gave me to play with! (My Aunty Mary is my Dads sister)

I have been fortunate to have so many people who are creative in my life. My Aunty Mary is a weaver and her work is so beautiful, if I wasn’t a quilter…I would want to be a weaver!

One of Aunty Mary’s looms and a towel in progress.

My Aunt also hooks rugs and shared this on her Facebook page in thinking of those in Ukraine.

I read a blog this morning whose writer hadn’t written these last two years…they have been challenging years and the latest development in the world is as she called it such a sucker punch! I know for myself as the horrible news of what is happening in Ukraine began to unfold it was hard to feel safe, hopeful and creative without feeling guilty. I still feel at a loss, my creativity has always been a refuge from life’s storms and I am still so thankful for it.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

56 Block Quilt

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This quilt was pieced during a weekly block challenge of a block a week by my customer. She used primarily batik fabrics for the top and the backing is batik as well.

There is so much to see when looking at this quilt that I chose a very soft flowing pantograph that just added the right touch.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Superman Quilt

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How fun is this quilt made by a grandma for her grandson who loves superman! Liam totally approved this quilt. (If you haven’t been following my blog Liam is my 10 year old grandson)

You might notice that the binding is attached. I do upon request add the binding for my customers. Many will choose this step and will do the hand stitching themselves.

The pantograph swirls was chosen and added fun movement to this quilt.

More fun…the backing glows in the dark!!!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Why Have A Large Fabric Stash

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Do you remember those large boxes of crayons.. the ones that came with attached sharpeners? Now that was exciting! Maybe more so for some than others. I really don’t remember not creating and enjoying playing with colour.

Growing up, my Mom always had her sewing machine out and often was used mostly for making clothes but sometimes home decor. The visits to the fabric departments… were so much fun!

Seventh grade in Winnipeg meant a sewing class…that meant my very own set of new notions! The beginning of a love for sewing notions that still exists today. Oh and the fabric!

While it is true that styles change and that is very true in the quilting industry as well, and collecting fabric that may or may not get used isn’t the wisest use of money. Having a stash that has been collected over the span of many years has its benefits.

I have been Longarm quilting for others for 18 years, I have noticed that many of my customers who are ahead of me on this life journey have more time and the fabrics to make the most amazing quilts.

Marilyns quilt is one! I asked her if the fabrics in this quilt were all hers and she said yes all accumulated over many years of quilting!

This quilt is one of three queen size quilts that Marilyn has made for her adult granddaughters.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Fabric and Scraps

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As a small child I was always delighted to be given scraps of fabric! I think they were probably my most favourite plaything, add to that scissors, thread and a needle and I was set.

The quilts on the tv show Little House on the Prairie is where I recall first seeing or maybe noticing scrap quilts! I know that I always questioned the colour rules and just loved the look of all kinds of colours together.

One of the most fun part of the Color Collective I am participating in is receiving a palette of colours that I may not have chosen myself for a quilt.

During the break out portion of our local guild meeting last night we were encouraged to talk about how we store our scraps. Of course there are new quilters who haven’t reached the what do I do with all these scraps, part of the quilting journey. There are probably quilters who make a quilt and have very little left overs…I am not sure that I know those quilters, are you one?

So back to the breakout room… I love scraps and I have a lot of them. I love to use them to try out new techniques and ideas. I love to save them to use in future projects and I sometimes just like to look through them and reminisce or sort through them.

Do I need all of them? Maybe not but then maybe I do…perhaps I will have a season in life where I can really dive in and play and I will be prepared.

My Longtime Gone quilt is a scrappy version, I have had hours of fun playing with scraps. This is a quilt that I am savouring the journey…sone things shouldn’t be rushed.

So many quilts come my way to be quilted…thank you thank you to everyone who allows me to be part of your quilting journey! I am constantly inspired.

This is one of 4 quilts that is made up entirely of 2” finished half square triangles. So many fabrics I recognize but many I don’t because this quilter has been collecting for more years than I have.

The view out the window this morning is a little drab, winter has a strong hold right now with a ton of snow and many chilly and today windy days….. My sewing and quilting rooms will be my bright sunny retreat today!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Mom’s Quilt

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I have several quilts waiting for pick up, not unusual with this time of year and unfavourable driving conditions of winter. As I write this morning more snow is falling. I prefer to have my customers see their quilts before I share them here.

While I wait I decided to share the story of the last quilt my Mom made.

Years ago my Mom decided to use up some of her stash…do most quilters ever ever actually use it all up?

She and my Dad decided that they wanted an extra large queen size quilt and after the top was finished I quilted it for them, I offered to add the binding however Mom wanted to do it herself.

After my Mom passed away, I found the quilt tucked away in their basement and brought it home to complete the binding. It took 3 years and a little help from a dear friend. Thank you Florence!

My Mom died February 15, 2019, I was sitting by her side holding her hand as she took her last breath. She had had a massive heart attack 5 days prior and one of my daughters and I made sure that she wasn’t alone during those days or nights. I am so thankful that I was with her, not everyone understands what a gift that can be.

Still, last week my Mom was very much on my mind, grief does come in waves. I shared this with a very wise friend of mine who pointed out that the loss of a Mom causes “a still-fresh sadness and a deep hole in your life. The loss of the mother…is so hard…and includes suddenly being thrown on the front line of existence without a parent buffer in front of you.” Thank you Louisa. Yes, thankfully I still have my Dad!

I decided to bring the quilt to my Dad, on the 15th. To say he was tickled pink would be a mild way to describe his reaction. He wanted it on his bed right away and so we removed the thimble berries quilt he uses for the winter. The scrap quilt immediately brightened his room!

I checked with my Dad the next morning and he said he had the best sleep under his new quilt.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Fatquarter Shop 2011 Designer Mystery

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This long ago project was started and the blocks all completed, the finishing kit purchased only to be stored in a boot box for ten years.

Nicole has been writing about hers on her blog at https://sisterschoice.typepad.com/sisters_choice_quilts/2022/02/can-you-see-where-i-am-going-with-this.html#comments

She has taken hers in a totally different direction, which I really like. Mine has been completed by my friend Florence and will one day be finished and hopefully loved by one of our daughters or granddaughters.

It is a pretty quilt, though I have clearly moved on from such a soft palette. Actually I am really enjoying working with the solid palettes.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Play time!

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My mornings begin with coffee and often reading blogs…these days they are much more relaxing than the news!

Yesterday’s reading led to some new ideas from a new to me blog.

https://www.piecefulthoughts.com/improv-wavy-strips-tutorial/

I have really enjoyed curved piecing lately and have been a little intrigued by improv piecing. After reading Wendy’s above tutorial, I decided that I would play with some scraps after I finished longarming for the day.

The scraps are from a bundle of 6” strips of ombré that came from Craftsy back when it was a great site. I used many of the 40 strips in my flying geese quilt.

One of my goals for this year is to quilt using my domestic machine.

The fabric for the 3rd quilt in Season 4 of the Color Collective arrived this past week and oh are they pretty!! As I still have the design wall full with flock blocks, and a baby quilt to make Stellar is going to have to wait her turn. I may just make a practice block while I wait though.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Bernice’s Quilt

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It always amazes me how many different quilts there are, I so rarely see duplicates.

This week one of the quilts that I quilted was this queen size quilt, there was a backing challenge in that the maker sewed the backing with the selvages intact to stretch the fabric and also added side pieces (as in leader, enders only on the sides) in order for the backing to be big enough.

As the backing really wasn’t big enough to load with the seams horizontally it was very challenging to load and keep even with three seams rolled onto the bar. However, it worked!

The tension was perfect, on the perfect backing for this quilt!

There are times when by mere coincidence the same pantograph is chosen for a few customer quilts which I had also chosen for My Sunny quilt. I have been happily quilting with different ones once again.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Florence’s Paper Pieced Quilt

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Florence told me that she really hasn’t enjoyed paper piecing, though she do a fantastic job on this quilt!

The original backing that she and I chose became a puzzle as it just did not want to cooperate, different size needles, bobbins, tension settings nothing seemed to prevent it from snagging and popping white threads through it. The backing was a very dark gray with black swirls. The only thing we didn’t try was washing it, which we discussed however Florence decided to try another backing.

The second backing had absolutely no issues and the stitches returned to the normal perfect ones on both top and back. It is very unusual for a backing to be so uncooperative!!

The second choice is actually was actually prettier on this quilt so maybe it was just meant to be.