Tag: Wendy’s Quilting

Valentines Quilt, Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Happy Valentines Day

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Moda University Kit Club 2009

I have mentioned previously that the year my Longarm arrived I also joined a quilt kit club put out by Moda called Moda University. It was fun to receive a different quilt kit each month…for a while anyways.

I liked having piecing projects at the time that just allowed me to practice both piecing and Longarm quilting. When I first joined, I had no idea how busy my customers would keep me.

My friend Florence started offering to piece some of my kits for me and the Valentines Quilt was one of them.

Customer Quilts, Moda Blockheads 3, Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Moda Blockheads 3 (block 45)

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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.

It was meant to be an 8” finished block.

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.

A black a white picture is so helpful with layout.

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.

Moda Blockheads 3, Wendy's Quilting

Moda Blockheads 3 (Block 26)

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I was able to enjoy a slower weekend and after finishing a really fun customer quilt that I will share more about soon, I spent hours playing and finished a few more blocks.

Yesterday’s block was all half square triangles that finish at 1”… right up my alley for those who know me!

I love blue! When Olfa came out with their navy blue cutting mat I had to have one so no only did I order the full size but also the smallest ones. I really like the contrast when using light colours.

The large mats are a pretty big investment and when trimming many small units it makes sense to use a smaller mat instead of wearing out sections of the large one, at least for me as I tend to piece at least a little bit every day.

I use my bloc loc ruler often, I really love the accuracy it affords. I have not tried the different papers that are available yet.

Moda Blockheads 3 block 26

Green isn’t a colour that I normally reach for in my quilting life so having it in many of my blocks for this quilt has been a stretch! I do like this little block it was fun and easy to make!

Moda Blockheads 3, Wendy's Quilting

Moda Blockheads 3 Block 37

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I am still slowly working on my blocks for this quilt and haven’t decided how many more I will do. Piecing has always been something that I really enjoy and for the most part like to take my time as accuracy is my goal.

This morning I finished block 37. I had been procrastinating a bit as joining square in a square blocks can be a challenge. This morning I remembered seeing a tip on a utube by Edita Sitar and it sure worked well.

First of all though I made my little blocks using my Simple Folded Corner Ruler.

Yes, the ruler is upside down…I am left handed.

When joining these units I use a pin to match the corner points on the inside square and once aligned I very carefully place the join under the needle of the machine having removed the pin first. By hand I lower the needle just before the centre of the points and sew the rest of the seam.

Before finishing the seam I check to see if I’ve made a good match.
I pressed this seam open to reduce the bulk.
A sweet 8 1/2” block
Customer Quilts, Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Joanne’s Quilt

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Joanne approached me about quilting a quilt that she was just starting. It was for her Granddaughter and was different than her usual more traditional projects.

When she finished the top and brought it to me, she left the quilting to me. I immediately fell in love with the colours and the backing that she chose.

I love orange and this backing made me think of flames. The top was perfectly pieced and fun to quilt. This was one that was hard to give back.

The top before quilting
In progress
Joanne bound it with the orange backing fabric and her Granddaughter loved it!
Wendy's Quilting

February

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Well that was a January! It’s seems to have flown by, we were fortunate for the most part to enjoy mild weather though one week was a lot colder than I like.

Winter isn’t over in Thunder Bay for a couple of months…

I meant to share these pictures from December earlier however life has a way of moving quickly…

December 27th 6:25pm Erik took this picture from the roof of the garage, while dealing with snow…if you are wondering why he was up there.
I was inside…if you look carefully you can see me in the kitchen. We love a hearty bowl of homemade soup for supper. This is my chicken and wild rice soup.
Early Christmas morning looking out the kitchen window.

February is off to a mild start.

Wendy's Quilting

Lorraines Quilts

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As a Longarm quilter I have met many quilters, some are brand new at this art and others have being making quilts long before I knew about them. I have always loved my friendships with women who are ahead of me on this life Journey. Lorraine is a true treasure she is now well into her 80’s and many times has said that this is her last quilt…not long after she will call with just one or two more.

Lorraine January 2021

Lorraine moved into a retirement home a couple of years ago, she had told me then she was finished quilting. Not long after she called and said that all the people there talk about is their age and health troubles. So she set up her utility closet as her sewing room and got busy. While she has been a wonderful customer she has also blessed me with so much of her wisdom. Despite many health issues she continues to be a very bright light and her friendship a true gift.

Jitterbug Pantograph
Lorraine December 2020
Wendy's Quilting

January 2021 piecing and life

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I hesitated to share the following picture on my blog but in many ways it helps describe January 2021!

Moda Blockheads 3

We are once again in lockdown in Ontario, though this one seems a little easier for some and more challenging for others. Winter here is not always easy, thankfully for the most part we have had surprisingly mild weather.

I am blessed with family and also the ability to help as needed. It has been a busy month but also a rewarding month. We had a health scare in the family and this week received good news such a huge relief for us all.

So one day a week or so ago I was tired, and feeling like I hadn’t had any me time…I also had a whole day to myself! I made the most of it and played with my toys and made a mess. I rarely do any paper piecing but I did enjoy making the love block and it inspired me to keep going on the Moda Blockheads quilt that I began a year ago.

Slowly coming together, why rush
Wendy's Quilting

Sixteen Years…

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My Longarm quilting machine is an APQS Millenium and was delivered 16 years ago today. That New Years Eve my youngest daughter and I set my Longarm up in the Living room she was 9 at the time. It amazes me that we did that considering that the manual was not exactly clear or easy to follow!

My Millie!

I had never actually touched a Longarm before it arrived and knew very little about machine quilting. It’s been an adventure ever since. I used to chat very regularly with a group called lachat… we were all learning at the time and at different levels but everyone helped everyone it was fantastic!

I really wish that I had kept better records of exactly how many quilts I have quilted. The early years were so busy, I was raising my four daughters and working outside of the house as well as my small business.

My Longarm helped keep the bills paid and food on the table but the best part of course have been all of the friends that I have made and the creativity that I have witnessed and been inspired by!

Happy Birthday Millie!!