Professional Longarm Quilting Services
I have always been drawn towards soft colours for quilts maybe because there is a gentleness to them. This recent quilt of Joan’s is so pretty.
The pantograph chosen is called Chantilly and added another element of elegance.
Some of my customers like me to prepare their binding for them, I enjoy adding this little touch to help them complete their quilt.
The binding is prepared for the sunshine quilt and will be applied today.
This cute little quilt was next and the customer chose the pantograph ground cover…this added to the swirling leaves in the panel. In place of batting she requested a thin fleece fabric which quilted up beautifully.
In keeping with the theme we had snow overnight and it’s still snowing this morning. Hopefully it won’t be too wet for my Grandson and I to explore the woods again.
The schools will remain closed for another 2 weeks here so we will continue to hang out together next week 😊
I am currently working on a custom snowman quilt…pictures to follow.
Our area is on week two of virtual learning. My grandson spends his days here, last week went well. This week has been a little more of a challenge. So I made a point of getting outside and into the bush. We have trails behind the house and as soon as we headed toward them I could see the happier mood.
He pointed out a lot of the animal tracks and knew what most were. Also the different paths, mostly from the deer. School was much more manageable afterwards.
On the quilting front I was able to finish the sunshine quilt.
It’s always nice to reach this point however I always unwind the quilts and inspect the stitching on the back. I monitor as I go though it’s always wise to check one more time before removing the quilt. I trimmed it afterwards and prepared the binding. This customer has me bind and finish her quilts.
So I started some practice pieces for the sisterhood swap. I haven’t done any paper piecing in years so it was a practice in patience. I also realized that It will be easier to use my printer instead of tracing so this morning I ordered Carol Doaks papers.
That will make the project a little easier. Also by the magic of online ordering the paper should be here on Friday just in time for some weekend sewing.
I am also contemplating making the 12” block to add on to my Moda Blockheads 3 quilt. I am very close to calling that project done and moving on.
On the quilting front…I am currently working on a customer quilt that is of her own design. She has been using up some of her Mothers stash to make her quilts. This job makes me smile and because it’s large I really get into the zen mode while running my machine over it.
I have my grandson with me during the days, due to virtual learning so I quilt while he is in school. This week seems more challenging for him and he is not as happy to do school as he was last week. I suspect it’s not as much fun as being with classmates and teacher in person and also not easy for a 9 year old boy to sit for so long.
We made plans to go out on our trails this afternoon and check for animal prints in the snow … and maybe use up some of his built up steam. then some pizza for lunch 😊
Joan’s quilt brightened up the room as soon as I opened it up. I always press quilt tops before loading them onto the Longarm.
I also prepare quilt backs. Many of my customers bring yardage as I offer free piecing…I use a lot of pins which always give me nice even and flat seams.
Trimmed and ready for pick up. The majority of my customers choose to have me trim their quilts. I use the table on the back of my Longarm which is 12’ long making the process much easier.
One of my friends recently commented that it must be a good feeling when I unwind the quilt on the frame. It is! I always like to see how the back as well as the front turned out.
Instead of taking the risk of the backing being too short …I added. Ten inch leader to the top . I very rarely need to do this but it’s a good trick to keep in mind when there is just enough backing.
It was my Grandson who decided the name of this quilt because it reminded him of lakes and water. He is presently doing his schooling virtually so is spending his days with me while his parents work.
I chose the pantograph bubbles as not only are their circles in some of the squares but the background is full of circles.
Our days are getting brighter…so they feel longer which is very welcome. February seems to have flown by. I was busy with customer quilts, family and a little of my own projects. Our area began another lockdown today due to rising covid cases which feels discouraging. I will have my grandson with me as the schools are back to virtual learning. I plan to start planting some seeds with him this week.
So many of my friends and customers have told me how thankful that they are for their quilting as many of us get lost in our work which makes the days pass more easily.
Laura’s Care-bear quilt was a pleasant surprise as most quilts arrive to the door these days and the quilting decisions are left to me. I raised my daughters during the Care-bear era and I couldn’t help but think how much the world could use those bears these days 😊
It was a fun cheerful quilt and it was quilted using a tried an true pantograph called popcorn which gives a cloud like appearance.
This tulip quilt is also a reminder that spring will arrive.
One morning while sitting quietly having my coffee something caught my eye out the window…a wolf sauntered out of the bush and for a short time stood in the yard before me…all I could do was sit and look, it didn’t occur to me to take a picture. I was just in awe.
I recently finished this customer quilt. I loved the colours in the panel along with the piecing. It called for northern light type of quilting which is why I chose the pantograph, Kindling.
This quilt that I pieced and quilted in 2013 was a gift for one of Eriks daughters who loves wolves. It was a kit that I found online from a shop in Alaska. I remember that it was fun to make and that I entered it into our guilds quilt show that year.
I have always loved Betty’s quilts, her piecing is amazing! Her quilts are usually challenging projects sent to her from her family and she always proves that she is more than up to the task.
When she started piecing her North Star Quilt by Elizabeth Hartman she also reminded me of her integrity that I also really respect about her. She understands the hard work that designers put into their work and encourages others to purchase their own copies of patterns.
This quilt was such a joy to quilt and I chose the pantograph Star Swirl as it added movement and reminds me of the night sky.
Betty chose a soft solid grey for her backing which really shows the quilting. I pieced the back from her yardage as I do for many of my customers.
It’s been an extremely cold and busy week, thankfully the temperatures may be warmer next week still cold but bearable.
Working on this recent block my mind was elsewhere I guess or maybe I was just tired and I trimmed my half square triangles to the finished size which led me to make a much smaller than intended version.
I then proceeded to make another block but decided to give the 1/4 foot a try on my Juki and again night time tired sewing I failed to make sure it was a scant 1/4” so my block is smaller…both blocks will however find their way into the quilt.
It is my quilt and the reason I chose to make it was to have fun. I enjoy making different blocks and using new methods and rulers.
I have the blocks on a design wall which I highly recommend having.
The latest customer quilt is off the machine and will wait for it to be delivered before I post pictures. Other than just a peek.
Wendy’s Quilting and Life 