Spending Quality Time

Meet my new best friend...

We have been spending a lot of quality time together lately. So much so that people are talking.

What are they saying? "Will that girl ever sew it right the first time?"

I fear the answer is no.

Finally Finished!

Two more Civil War blocks done...

And Jared Takes a Wife is FINALLY done! Well, the top is done anyways, and the binding is made. I have no idea what I will do for the back.

Have I ever mentioned that I don't like purple? Love green. Purple not so much.

Jared's wife is a BIG girl...86 x 100.

(And yes, I did fix the blocks.)

Lots of Questions

I'm looking for a longer arm sewing machine (not a longarm or midarm machine) and possibly a machine quilting frame that uses a household sewing machine. I'm seriously considering this bundle which includes a Grace Start-Right 96" queen quilting frame, a Juki TL98QE, speed control, and QuiltCAD software.

Has anyone used these products? Or know of anyone who has?

I've talked to a few people who have the Juki TL98QE, who really like it. Unfortunately none of the sewing machine shops near me has one in stock so I have not been able to try it out.

The same goes for the Grace frame, there is not a retailer close by. I've heard good things about Grace frames, just not this particular frame.

I've also been looking at the Janome 1600P - it has the same arm length and height as the Juki. I have been able to play with this machine, and I really like sewing with it but I'm not crazy about the bobbin placement - it's a little awkward to get at. (Strange thing - Viking makes a sewing machine that is EXACTLY like the 1600P, EXACTLY, same price too.)

Do you have a similar set up but different brands?

Insert really bad word here

How do I do it? At least with the civil war blocks, they didn't look wrong. I didn't do just one block wrong, I did TWO!

How did I not see these? I figure I've touched those two pieces at least 8 times to sew them to something else. They have probably been ironed just as many times. I laid this quilt out on the floor at least three times and still didn't see them until ALL the rows and sashing were sewn together.

Do I leave it or fix it? Years ago I asked an art teacher that question, her response was if in my heart I can live with it then let it go. I didn't like her very much. I have a feeling my heart can not live with this.

Folsom Quilt Show

Nancy, Stephanie and I attended the Folsom Quilt Show this past weekend. This show is small but always has some beautiful quilts.


The fabric placement and quilting on this wall hanging was indescribable. Look at the details in the picture below...The quilt below was my favorite. My picture doesn't show all the wonderful quilting in it. I could kick myself for not taking some close up pictures.

My picture of this quilt does not do it justice. It was 8 feet long and the colors were so vibrant! The quilting made the colors just gracefully flow downwards.

We were really surprised, normally this show is packed and parking can be difficult to find, but Saturday when we left about 1 p.m. the show was not busy at all and the parking lot was half empty. If you meant to go but didn't, give yourself a kick cause you missed out.

Mixed Progress

I finished my Civil War blocks...Shhhhh, if you know what I did wrong, please don't tell. If you don't tell, nobody will ever know.


This is my excuse for not working on the Jared quilt.


No, not Obba who is sitting on at least three pins (silly boy), the sunshine behind him. If you are anywhere east of the Rockies, please don't hate me. We had record breaking temperatures here yesterday, a gorgeous 75 degrees. Just too nice to stay inside.

I can't believe I didn't show you Nancy's finish. Here is a close up.


Here is the full quilt. Sorry I can't remember what the pattern is called.


It is made from a layer cake and a charm pack. She pieced the cutest back from the left over charms - which I didn't get a picture of. You can scold me for that.

Progress

Nancy came over to sew yesterday and we both got a lot done. She had finishes, I didn't.

I got my Civil War blocks cut out and one partially sewn.

I got all the rows sewn and started sewing the rows together. I promise I will not show another picture of this quilt until it is finished.

Which I'm really hoping to do today. But I also need to run some errands, work in the yard a bit, and do some laundry. So we will have to wait and see how much progress I make.

Please note: there is no mention of football in my list of things to do.