So I am not sure if any of you noticed…but I have been very slack in my posting lately. I have managed to keep my Paper Piecing Monday posts happening but everything else has just fallen by the wayside.
Bad bad me. Last week I was teaching all week and found that my creativity was completely absent. I have been a little out of kilter for a couple of months now and I am slowly getting my mojo back….and here is the proof.
Yesterday I had a blast using the new Bernina long arm machine at my LQS (local quilt store), Modern Domestic. Up until yesterday I had never done a whole quilt by myself, and I was so excited by how much fun I had. I did an all over squares and boxes pattern which seem to come very naturally to me (that means I did not quilt myself into a corner once!).
The quilt was one of my unfinished Do Good Stitches quilts… and I love the scrappy feel to it all. If you are interested in the pattern we used, you can find the link on my original post here…
I did a simple solid back and a wide navy binding to finish it all off. In a couple of weeks I am going to go back and give it all another go with one of my other unfinished Do Good quilt tops. I may branch out and try something loopy!
I have a long way to go before I master this long arm free motion thingy but I am pleased with the results of my first step. I must admit I am now hankering for some straight stitch quilting on my home machine, so I may baste up some more quilts this weekend. I had forgotten how satisfying it is to actually finish something up.
WOMBAT QUILTS 
What? The first thought that popped into my head was, “ooh, I love the quilting!”
Thank you so much. I know it is not perfect but I am so thrilled that I did it all by myself!
The quilt shop owner where I spend most of my money is a quilting mentor to me.. she told me to keep working on the free motion quilting as I am still improving on the piecing because then your skills will be more evenly matched. I thought it was good advice! I like making the quilt from start to finish, all details included! Keep up the good work!
This is a great quilt — really love the contrast of value from the pluses to the backgrounds. And never apologize for not posting. As they say, life happens (and that’s the good news!) https://catbirdquilts.wordpress.com/2015/04/01/overheard/
You are so right. It is good news.
I too am thinking of switching to long arm in the next few years…would be very interested to hear you discuss that transition, its challenges, the pros and cons! Love the quilt!
Congratulations – on the lovely quilting and on finishing the UFO. I thought mine would be done by now, but having decided on a design of trailing leaves in the borders, it’s taking two evenings per side. Maybe by Sunday…
We noticed you were busy! I missed the regular posts, but it’s so worth waiting for the ones you do produce. Love the pluses quilt a lot, and envious of having access to a longarm. If I want something swirly, it’s hand quilting for me; I’ve concluded my brain/hand coordination and fmq just don’t get on…
You have to give it a go Kate if you get the chance. It is fun, but does take some practice.
Getting the chance is going to be the tricky bit! But I’ll keep an open mind about it. It does look great, that latest one, so maybe one day…
Looks great. Love the quilt, love the boxy quilting. I agree, don’t put pressure on yourself about blogging. Love your posts when you have time.
I like that quilt! The mix of pastels makes such a great background for the darker plusses. And it shows off your quilting. “Squares and Boxes”–I didn’ tknow what it was called. Perfect for the quilt.
I made that name up…I do not know what else to call it. Lol.
I love this low volume plus quilt! Such an effective block. Your quilting fits perfectly with the design!
Love the dark crosses against that LV background. I too have noticed that when I work all week, my sewing is the first thing I lose interest in. Yay for two weeks school holidays now though. Happy Easter.
Happy Easter…and have fun sewing.
It always sounds good to try out a long-arm machine, but then it also sounds intimidating! Do you pay by the hour at your LQS (if you don’t mind me asking?) Way to go for trying it; it looks amazing!
Kelsey my LQS does charge by the hour. You have to do an introductory class to learn about loading and threading the machine and they give you two free hours after taking the class. I think I will get quicker the more I play but it took me just over two hours to do my top.
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