Count the Time-Cost of Quilting Process

....hmnnnnn.     Previous post today,  I talked about the process of completing the quilt

Here's the finished product !!

Learning How-to's on my Baby Lock Coronet

I just finished an overall meander (edge to edge) quilt design on my girlfriends quilt which will be featured in an upcoming St. John MBC Centennial Quilt show!

I fiddled a bit with the correct the stitch tension.... I made the meander large scale since her four biggest blocks were a sixteen inch pieced star pattern.

Recently... a blogger challenged me to COUNT THE COST.....  the time it takes to Quilt a queen size quilt !!  The unusual size for this one was 68" x 92" (finished/binding)

After saftey-pin layout of quilt-batting-backing :  I loaded the frame at bat 5:30pm and quilted till about 10pm. I was quite relaxed (TV in background), and I had thread breakage/bobbin out ONLY apt three times!!! 

Since the frame is 5ft.... the overhand remained as I rolled forward.....   Since the throat area of the longarm is approx 15 inches, I quilted a first row-meander from right edge --turned and moved into a second-row meander ending at the right edge again!!  KOOL...

Back to timing..... I shut down the evening and finished in abt another hour/half on the next day.

Next in line... was "SQUARING UP" my little-big pretty.   I'm pretty good and swift in gauging the whole process in art 30-40 minutes.    I did transport this quilt to our Church Meeting Room.  We assemble TWO 8ft tables and stand waist high.   This is great to move and measure successfully.   

The next COUNT THE COST item was cutting, sewing, ironing (sew-down again) and then sewing to attach to the quilt!  

GOOD MORNING October Quilts Galore

Yes, I retired.... and I'm living the PRESENT part of my dream.... my passion.... my deep satisfaction!!!!!

A happy mini-placemat..... a mug rug indeed

Quiltin via Tshirt Quilt

Tis the Season ~ Red White American all around

Black Town Quiltin

Oklahoma History in a quilt

American Quilt - Quite the Quote

Finishing Hexies A Must April 2017

Somehow.... I cannot....CANNOT quit .....cannot QUIT. . . the exchange process and the swapping of one-inch hexagon... with THE INCHY HEXAGON SWAP

Therefore.... I also must finish and catchup.    Something won't let me break the connection.... the commitment... and the simple joy of receiving fabric from Canada or Australia and/or all across the USA!!!

So here's my finish....I was all of six months lagging...  I did three and mailed.  Now I've finished the last three.

I also like to do a little extra.... I've been collecting pretty cards/envelope sets from estate and garage sales.   Our tech world today seldom takes the time to write a letter.... txt, txt, txt Iphone

I walk my backyard every day or so.... and the infamous garlic is growing and will bloom beautifully.

Within my own small way,

turning on a small light in a dark room ~ ~

April 2017     

Beverly  

Hexie Exchange..... Still at it!

the new leadership.... came up with the idea to allow US GALS... to go on vacation!  For me to take a break to catch up to the ladies I've missed.... I can't bring my self to say it.... YES... it is a six month backlog of SEPT, OCT NOV and DEC 2016.....  Jan and Feb ladies in waiting.

So.... on today I went to the post office and LALALA... three sets of hexies were mailed!

A few times... and a few weeks ago -- I stumbled (quite purposefully) onto a garage sale table that had a beautiful set of card/envelopes...  a set of twelve!   I know it was a dollar or less.   And this has really been my motivation to share a card/envelope with each lady (as she will be sending out hexies in this exchange group) !!


Now.,,, its back to my TV time to stitch a bit!

Even in the midst of everything else…. Have a wonderfully serene day – today!   

 

Beverly  

Binding.... Sew It ASAP

I'm refining my techniques.... I'm listening more closely.... I'm learning from my friends who quilt...who quilt really slowly and well!

Truth be told.... even when I'm with my guild friends today.....  I kept sewing... didn't stop when told.  I had to take out a few corner stitches in order to make perfect corner turn....

. . . .  why I rebel... I don't know.  But the day was fun filled and productive!


Another quilter girlfriend made a comment.... she is a by the book woman........"I always cut and fold and save my binding (2 1/2 inch) before I finish my quilt..... at same time I'm stitching my blocks....."
She is one ready sister   and I wanna be like her!

HMNNNNN.... I've been just barely getting a binding done!

A Quilt full of Houses

I thankful today.... for life and opportunities to create.

Here is my ... Oh so pretty.... it's much like a quote "MODERN QUILT" themed and contemporary layout!

From Ideas to Reality Quiltin Process

Am I ever inspired!!

How To Baby Lock

Here at my renewed Bquiltin Longarm Quilt Studio

I wondered if any other quilter had purchased a Coronet Baby Lock quilting machine.  

So here is my How To/Tuesday posting of a 42" x 55" baby quilt.

On yesterday I picked up a baby quilt from a good friend.  She is a math stickler and saves a dollar by making her quilts from a 44' cut of fabric backing.   

IRON
The front and backing should be ironed by customer to remove any wrinkles.  I smooth and straighten and steam iron .... and I start removing all stray threads.

LOADING
Find the exact middle of both ends of your quilt backing:  Fold in half and mark the center with pins.  Ideally seems not to happen to my easy going quilt friends -- that's because these ladies will apologize for only making the back and the batting (mind you!) about 3-4 inches larger than the quilt.

So it's an automatic that for my Baby Lock Coronet, I've cut a 9" double fold cotton fabric piece that will serve as my "RUNNER FABRIC".  
      (1)  I carefully line up the quilt back, batting and top on the floor area.
      (2)  Then I attach my "runner fabric" with small safety pins at about two inches apart or so.
      (3)  Smooth out again,  then I roll up quilt gently to move and place on the Baby Lock
      (4)  On the back upper bar, roll and clamp the runner fabric  --  eye the quilt top to be sure it is straght.
      (5)  When I'm sure the backing is taunt, that the batting is smooth....  the top fabric can be basted... starting at the center and working slowly (watch fingers) using the MANUAL 4inch baste stitch.  

SIDE TENSION
 

Coming of Age ~ Longarm quiltin designs

I am old and young..... a beautiful wrap-up for a woman of my likes!  I am gaining experience and a sense of ease in learning to quilt the quilt !!! on my longarm machine

January was my first business service:   A friend asked excitedly.... "My 90 year old auntie needs a quilt... we don't have ones from her old house..... and her birthday is next month.   Would you make her a full size quilt?"

I have several unfinished quilt tops in my closet.   It is quite refreshing to have my handiwork hanging and waiting for its fullfillment.   I purchased my Baby Lock Coronet in December, so this was the perfect QUICK challenge.   In a matter of about 10 days...........   tah-dahhhhh!