Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

A Wide Back Challenge

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A recent customer quilt story.

Something to consider when purchasing fabric is whether or not it is a directional print. In this case the wide backing fabric was clearly so.

My customer had ordered more than enough fabric for her quilt however there was a problem…the way that the writing had been printed onto the fabric meant that the writing would be vertical if used the way it was.

After further discussion, she brought me the remaining fabric from the quilt top along with one extra block that she had made.

Loving a fun challenge, I decided to utilize the one block and took it apart. Piecing three strips to insert into the backing with a plan to grow it long enough enabling the writing to be horizontal.

Cutting wide backing straight can be a challenge in of itself however cutting this fabric and having the lines of writing remain straight was a little nerve wracking. I made three cuts… and inserted the pieced strips.

Adding the piecing to the backing not only grew it to the right size it also created a modern dimension to it.

We chose the pantograph Jitterbug for the quilting and used a very soft grey thread colour which blended beautifully throughout the quilt.

The quilt was trimmed and ready for binding at pick up.

Let me help you to bring your quilting projects to completion…did you know that I piece backings free of charge?

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

The Half Square Quilt and Bubbles

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When this quilt first arrived in my studio its maker said that it was a true challenge to make and she is an expert quilt maker!

I can see why as I too have taken on patterns where the directions for pressing do not cause the seams to oppose each other making for not so smooth piecing and when you are dealing with so many small half square triangles it can be frustrating.

However another beautiful quilt top was created and put together with a gorgeous backing it’s now a quilt.

Its maker requested the pantograph bubbles which you can see was a perfect choice. Using curves against angles is a fun treat to the eye!

I find that it is always worth the extra time to press both top and backing before loading the quilt on to the Longarm.

This step provides an opportunity for fresh eyes to look the quilt top over as well as making sure that there are no creases in the backing fabric or missed seams which can happen to the best of us and to catch any dark threads sneaking under light fabrics.

How gorgeous is this backing! This quilt was trimmed and ready for binding at pick up.

Contact me at wendysquilting@gmail.com for Professional Quality Longarm Quilting Services.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Hannah’s Quilt

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Many quilts make a bold statement using colour and piecing however sometimes a simple quilt using soft colours can be just as striking.

The soft palette of gray blues and creams frame an important belonging that was placed in the centre of her quilt.

More embroidery will be added, in order to secure the beautiful handkerchief.

Hannah’s quilt was pieced by her Mom, Hannah chose the pantograph Bayside as it reminded her of waves and water.

A simple white backing added more softness to this special quilt as it will be heading off to University with a Hannah this fall.

Note…the backing used was a top sheet purchased at a thrift shop it stitched up perfectly.

Her quilt was trimmed and ready for binding when picked up.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

A Camping Quilt

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I have a Pantograph labelled Overall Bear, Moose and Pines, it is often requested for quilts made with camping or wilderness themed fabric.

My customer chose it for her quilt.

It’s a fun design to hand guide my Longarm over…

Having chosen a reads like solid backing fabric really showcases both the design and beautiful stitches my Longarm creates 😊

Her quilt is trimmed and ready for binding.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Postage Stamp Progress

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I began piercing my Postage Stamp quilt in January… personal piecing time is at a premium these days which is one of the reasons that I chose this project.

It does at times make a bit of a mess in my already at times messy looking studio but then creativity can be messy!

My piecing time is usually after I turn the Longarm off for the night… and allow myself an hour or so to play.

The project began by cutting strips of scraps 1 1/2” and sewing them together alternating with Kona White until I had 9 strips together and then cut those units into 1 1/2” strips. Playing with so many different fabrics was where the mess was mostly made… this was followed with evenings of putting together groups of 9 strips with the rule of no same fabrics in a block.

Once I had enough 9 strip units together I tucked away the strips etc into a tote…until the next time I needed to put the 9 strip units together.

I find it relaxing to have some simple sewing to do and this project fills that need right now. I haven’t decided how big to make this quilt or who might want it…or should it be made into smaller quilts…it will come to me at some point.

I counted the blocks the other day and I have 53 finished.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Memory Quilts…

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When Darlene brought me these two quilts made with her Mothers house dresses it very quickly brought to mind my Grandma who we lovingly referred as to Grandma on the farm (my other Grandma was in the city)

Anyways my Grandma and many Women of her generation wore house dresses and saved their “good clothes” for when company came or they were going out. Anyways this job brought happy memories.

There are two quilts in this picture. Darlene chose the pantograph Two of Hearts…(an often requested design) as these quilts were made as a gift for family.

Some of the fabrics were seersucker… more memories of childhood clothes!

The backing fabric is the softest flannel, so nice to work with!

Her quilts were trimmed and ready for binding when they were picked up.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Kaffe Fassett and Hunter Star Quilt

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Kaffe Fasset prints always inspire me, there are very few that I have seen that I wouldn’t add to my stash if I lacked self control haha…thankfully I know that I don’t have to own all of the fabrics that I love!

Jan used Kaffe Fassetts classic print Paperweight in blue against a white (reading print) background to make her Hunters Star Quilt.

Using the pantograph Rhododendron played on the large blooms on the backing fabric along with some of the shapes in the print on the quilt top.

This design adds a softness to the angular piecing as well as a perfect density for a lap quilt that will be snuggled under.

When we discussed backing I suggested a Kaffe print on the Cabbage print for its gorgeous large blooms and colours that complement her quilt top.

How gorgeous is this backing print!

This quilt is trimmed and ready for binding a complimentary service that I always offer my customers.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Suzanne’s Quilt

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When Suzanne and I met to discuss her queen sized quilt, we looked at several different quilting designs.

She chose Feather Grande (a design by Bethanne Nemish)

It really was a perfect choice with its feathers and swirls as well as its density. Suzanne knew that there was some fullness in the centre of the quilt and I knew with enough density that the quilting would take care of that and it did.

While I am one to choose print backings for my own quilts most of the time one that reads solid really showcases the quilting.

Suzanne’s quilt was trimmed and ready for binding when she picked it up. A complimentary service that almost all of my customers take me up on esp for the larger quilts.

I love this picture of her quilt on the bed, how nicely the piecing sits on the top and the borders fall so nicely along the edges of the bed.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Quilting Decisions and Star Swirl

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I am often requested to choose the quilting design by my customers.

When I first began quilting for others in 2006 I remember feeling nervous making the decision…however over time it became easier to read the quilt and less intimidating.

Of course I also gathered information about who the quilt was for, its purpose as well as my customers preferences.

This sweet winter themed quilt gave me a few ideas, I could have used the border print and played on the theme of the holly or birds or pine cones. The backing fabric also had holly. However, I wanted something that would be complimentary to the animals and chose a quilting design that would play in the background giving a bit of windy movement along with perhaps a starry night…yes I have an imagination 😊

The quilt didn’t need me to replicate what was already there ie birds, pine cones, holly but instead it needed something to softly tie everything together.

Star Swirl is a wonderful pantograph for its soft density and easy flow.

Although the backing has a Christmas vibe to it, by adding more of a swirly starry theme with the quilting this quilt becomes a Winter Quilt.

I never tire of looking a the beautiful stitching I can obtain with my Longarm!

This quilt was trimmed and ready for binding at pick up.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Summer Fun Making Pouches

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I saw a reel on Instagram for the Holland Pouch by Center Street Quilts and liked it so much that I bought the pattern!

The pattern has three different sizes, it’s well written and is easy to follow.

I had fun playing with scraps and also quilting it with my Juki. The Zippers by the yard with fun pulls a fantastic to work with.

I love how this one turned out…

This led to making a smaller pouch to match…

And an even smaller one…

Not pictured is the fourth even smaller one.

The Holland Pouch was so much fun I made another one…

My little sewing buddy Kaija and I have been busy making pouches when she has been here this summer… we made a Holland Pouch first (not yet pictured) then this week a smaller pouch. She loves the idea of making smaller ones so that will be next week’s project!