Category: Wendy’s Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Instagram Quiltfest 2023 first week

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I decided to take part in #igquiltfest this year hosted by Amy at:

https://www.amyscreativeside.com

It’s been a fun opportunity to first introduce myself and then to share my first quilts. My first quilt made in 1985 was a very simple quilt pre any quilting tools just a strong desire to make a quilt for my first baby.

My first quilt was made using a simplicity pattern and fabric purchased from Zellers… I had a lot of sewing experience by the time I was 23 however the binding stumped me and I never completely finished that quilt. I did however use it and as more daughters came along I kept using it.

So now all these years later I began wondering if I should now finish the binding…part of me said no, it’s such a special memory. I have decided to bind it and maybe one day it can be shared with another baby or just kept as a special memory.

Would you bind this quilt?

The next prompt was favourite sewing machines, while I love all of my machines My Juki Haruka is my current favourite domestic machine and of course my APQS Millenium is my favourite Longarm.

Todays prompt is creative hands and I shared this picture, introducing my Granddaughter to my Longarm. I have taught my Grandson Liam to quilt and I hope to share my love of quilting with my other Grandchildren as well.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Fat Quarter Shop Designer Mystery 2018

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This recent quilt reminds me that I have a couple of older as in 2009 and 2011 Designer Mystery tops to quilt of my own!

This one is from 2018 and is so pretty and very spring or summer like! I really enjoy these projects as they are both great skill builders and I found that the Fat Quarter Shop was extra generous in the fabric sent.

I chose to us the pantograph Shasta Daisy as it adds such a pretty floral design with a lovely spread of flowers throughout the quilt.

The backing was still in its package when it came to me. It was yardage so was pieced for the backing. The quilt leaves trimmed and ready for binding. (both services are complimentary)

Do you have any mystery quilts tucked away waiting for quilting?

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Quilt Con 2023 and Modern Quilting Play

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Have you been following the Quilt Con show? Quilt Con 2023 winning quilts

There is so much inspiration to be found!

I remember when “Modern” quilting was starting to evolve and being drawn to what was emerging and I still am. Attending a Quilt Con show is definitely on my bucket list so who knows.

Playing with colour is fun for me and playing without rules is even more fun and something I plan to devote a little more time to!

Playing with scraps left over from my Long Time Gone quilt.

A Quilters Table is a blog I visit often, Debbie shares a lot of her projects and her recent one is using scraps from another project and just having fun without all of the rules.

Most of my quilting time is devoted to helping others to complete their projects, I am am truly a quilter at heart. I love to spend time playing and trying out new ideas. Do you?

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Rhodendrom Quilt

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This pretty quilt found it’s way onto my frame this week. I loved the fabric combination and the crisp contrast with the solid looking background.

We chose a popular pantograph for the quilting Rhodendrom, for both its flowery look along with a softness it adds to all of the straight lines.

The pattern is one that I have made before, I believe it was in a magazine and if I find it I will add it to this post. Mine was made using a collection by Kate Spain.

What a fantastic quilt for showcasing loved fabrics!

The backing is so pretty as well and now the quilt is ready for binding!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Batiks and Stars

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Batik quilts are always so rich looking and this Star Quilt is no exception. The piano key border really frames the blocks perfectly!

Speaking of piano key borders or any pieced borders I highly recommend what is known as a victory lap after piecing your quilt top. It is basically stay stitching around the outer edges about 1/8th inch, this will prevent thread pops when handling your quilt top.

We chose the pantograph Star Swirl, as it not only adds the starriness but also adds a sense of movement as well.

The backing fabric is so gorgeous and rich looking and really showcases the pretty stitches.

As usual the quilt is trimmed and ready for binding.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

A Fun Monday Quilting with Friends and Guild

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Yes it is Tuesday!

Yesterday was a fun day of quilting, first of all my friends and I enjoyed a day of sewing at the Rec centre along with a fun potluck lunch! We all agreed that we should do that more often, the potluck that is. We meet every Monday at the centre already.

I am currently piecing scrappy 16 patch blocks which sure can make a mess. It’s fun to see the variety of projects being worked on.

After supper I attended the Thunder Bay Quilt Guild meeting which is currently held on Zoom. I have mixed feelings about zoom meetings…I really don’t mind not having to go out at night but I do miss seeing people in person along with their quilts.

The guild is busy getting ready to hold the long awaited for quilt show!

Thunder Bay Quilters Guild

The program last night was about Gadgets, what people love and what they don’t. One of the gadgets that was mentioned as unliked was Deb Tuckers Wing Clipper rulers, these are my go to rulers for flying geese and probably my most used specialty ruler.

Below is Debs you tube demonstration.

Do you have a favourite ruler for making flying geese?

One other favourite that was mentioned was Frixon pens, and yes I agree that they have their uses, however I would not personally use them to mark a quilt for quilting… the ink may disappear with heat but I have seen it return when cold so if a quilt is being transported in the winter the marks return. I do suspect washing the quilt will remove the residue. Just my opinion.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Comfort Quilts

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These quilts were pieced as gifts to be used for the beds at a local addiction recovery residence I offered to help with the quilting.

I chose pantographs to add to the beauty and love of these gifts adding enough density to the quilting to withstand a lot of use.

Rodendrum Pantograph
Here and There Pantograph
A Little Bit of This Pantograph
Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Bring on Spring Quilt!

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With the forecast of rain and then freezing weather with snow…I decided to make sure I was prepared and able to stay home and work all day today.

There will be a pot of soup made and maybe some chores done but if you need me I will be in my studio!

Some quilts get named while they are with me…this one is Bring on Spring!

The green batik that Joan chose for the backing is that beautiful green of new grass and leaves in the spring and perfectly compliments the quilt top.

This is a large queen size quilt. I love how beautiful the simplicity of piecing captures both colour and designs of the fabric. The centres of each block is a pretty floral adding a pop of contrast and will also be used for the binding.

Speaking of binding, I almost always prepare Joan’s bindings for her, it’s a task that I enjoy.

One more picture to show the backing. I chose the pantograph A Little Bit of This.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Bumble Bees (the quilt)

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This delightful quilt was pieced by a little guys Grandma. He will soon be transitioning to his big boy bed with his new quilt!

I love the way this pantograph (waterworld) adds movement to the quilt while also adding enough quilting to hold up to the many washings it will no doubt have over time.

The yardage used for the backing was fun to piece and match up making the seam really challenging to find.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Irons… Steam, Leaks… and problems

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I have a long history with irons. I can still remember my first iron, it was a “toy” and came with a little ironing board. I say toy which is what it was meant to be, but it actually plugged into the wall and got warm. It didn’t stick around long as I recall. I was probably around 6 at the time.

Later, when I was young and had my first apartment, I purchased my first real iron. It was heavy and had great steam, though in the end the temperature settings we not reliable.

That iron was replaced with a newer one for my sewing and over the years, I made do with different irons for my quilting and sewing…and occasional clothing etc…

Around 10 years or so ago, I began using an Oliso iron, which I still love and also Reliable irons which I also really love! Some how I now have a collection of Irons that I love that should see me through my quilting career and on…

I use a lot of steam especially when I am pressing quilt backings (which I always do before loading onto the Longarm) … so an iron that has dependable steam is important to me.

I hesitate to say this but I haven’t had issues with these irons with leaks etc… I will tell you that I am a manual reader and am careful to follow the instructions for my tools. So when the manual says use distilled water I use distilled… still reading manuals some irons may call for tap or bottled water. I would say that hard water won’t be your irons friend.

I hear a lot from people who don’t like their irons due to leaking issues, so I am sharing a youtube by Karen Brown of Just Get it Done Quilting as a springboard of information. I really don’t think investing in the higher end irons is necessary but I do believe in learning how to use what you have will give you the best results.

I really like having a small iron not only for retreats or travel but for making pouches and bags the smaller ones come in really handy.

Many years ago I was at Fabricland and spotted a table of highly discounted items and this was one of them and was $5. I bought one thinking how could I go wrong… what a great little iron it’s turned out to be!

So one last thing about my irons and on my to do list… I find Minki Kim’s you tube videos relaxing to watch and so inspiring!