Tag: Life

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Life and October

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I haven’t added very much about life on this blog for a while. Our summer was busy and for the most part great. After spending this bonus 6 and a half weeks travelling south of here in the spring it feels like we have had an extra long summer.

The summer weather here held out throughout September and we had our last swim in the pool on the last day of summer!

This morning we woke to a hard frost and a chilly house so decided to put the furnace on for a bit. (Also to make sure it’s working)

The view from the living room window shows that it is truly Fall.

We also winterized the pool and tucked away the pool toys yesterday.

Some of the summer highlights included having two of our grands for almost a week, Olivia was almost a year and Jaxson almost 4 kept us on our toes but and gave us so much joy during their stay!

Kaija and I didn’t get as much sewing in as we had planned, the weather was just too nice not to be outside!

The Jack in the Box is always a big hit with the grands!

Liam still enjoys making a fort and having a nap in it!

I had so much fun with these two little sweeties, my daughter Emily’s daughters. They are pure joy!

Our annual trip to the Dells was extra fun with another family joining us this year.

After a fun stop along the lake everyone agreed that our next stop should be Dairy Queen in Two Harbours.

Everyone had a great time at the Waterparks, somehow I didn’t get many pictures this year.

We celebrated Kaija’s 5th birthday at Moose Jaw Pizza, her Dad had also recently celebrated his birthday it was a significant one as well and began with 4 😊

Birthday Girl!
Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Joan’s Zen Chic Quilt

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Joan used a layer cake from Zen Chic to piece this gorgeous quilt!

I chose the pantograph Jitterbug to dance all over this quilt top, adding curves over the angular piecing created a softer appearance.

When piecing the backing I took the extra time to match the seam…always a complimentary service. It was well worth the effort as it was not easy to find the seam.

I love how beautiful the stitching and design show up on the back as well as the top.
Her quilt was trimmed and ready for binding at pick up.
Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Choosing a Quilting Design

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Many of my customers ask me to choose the quilting design for their quilts. More often than not as soon as I look at a quilt top I know how I want to quilt it.

My initial thought was wow, I love all of the colours in this quilt, how fun!! On closer inspection of the fabrics…all batiks had various shapes ranging from bubbles, dots, curls, swirls, flowers and leaves and more.

The pantograph Waterworld came to mind initially which surprised me to be honest as it’s one that I often use on baby or children’s quilts.

The more I thought about it, as I prepared the quilt for loading onto my Longarm, (which involves pressing the top and in this case piecing the backing) the backing colour confirmed my choice.

The next decision was thread colour, the fabric used in the border and sashing initially read black but it is actually a very dark blue with hints of a softer blue, choosing a baby blue thread worked perfectly.

The thread plays really well across all of the colours, there is some contrast on the border and sashing however it isn’t enough to jump out at you.

Joan’s quilt is trimmed and ready for binding.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Coffee Time Quilt

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I love knowing the story behind quilts, in this case the purpose of this one was extra special.

It was made with the idea of having the family members that the maker has coffee with every week sign the quilt.

The pantograph Ripples came to mind immediately when I saw the quilt with its appearance of steam coming from the cups.

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

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

A Fun Gift and Project

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While we were travelling in the spring I was able to visit Hancocks of Paducah where I treated myself to a fat quarter bundle of Tula Pink prints…I didn’t have a plan for the fabric I just liked them.

A few weeks after returning home I decided to treat myself to a new Oliso project iron, I chose the Tula Pink one because it looks so happy! This was definitely not a need purchase just a I really want purchase 🥰

For a year or so I have been watching and admiring Minki Kim’s YouTube tutorials and her patterns and when she came out with her pouch pattern for the iron I knew I wanted to make it!

https://youtu.be/WrkIPg1cRrQ?si=eW8wAuFzv2UJozbc

This was such a fun project!

I really enjoy this new iron, I have the previous model, this new one is a vast improvement in many ways.

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

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!