I spent most of last week and the weekend finishing a quilt for my granddaughter’s 13th birthday. I decided to make another Strip Search using the Margarita Mango Bali Pops. It is such a fun pattern, and I thought the vibrant colors would be perfect for a teenager!
Several weeks ago, I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried FMQ on a table runner for my sister. As it was somewhat successful, I decided to try my hand at stippling a lap size quilt. Well…my trusty sewing machine was going to have nothing to do with that!! I’m not sure what the “malfunction” was, but my thread kept breaking. Being the tenacious quilter that I am, I was determined to make this work!! I changed my needle (several times), checked my tension setting, called my sister…you name it, I tried it. I did a Google search on FMQ with Batiks and found several websites with suggestions on what type of needle should be used. Apparently, others have experienced these problems as well. So, after purchasing a ton of different needles, I tried once more…no luck. I had made my way through 2 of the blocks and finally gave up. I pulled out my frequently used seam ripper and started ripping…
So, once again, I got busy doing some straight line quilting, randomly shadowing the seams throughout the quilt, then adding some diamonds. I figured if one can have wonky blocks, then I can have wonky quilting, right?
I spent a lazy Sunday hand sewing the binding to the quilt.
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| The box was a gift from my mother... |
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| ...the band-aids a gift from my son ;-) |
I even had Devlin (who has been “confined” after surgery) check out my work…
I’ll share a picture of the completed quilt (with my granddaughter) later this week. Hopefully, my readers will be distracted by her beauty and not notice my little “oops.” J
Have a great Monday!
Michelle
First of all, I'm shocked that you have a 13 year old granddaughter...? And secondly, that quilt is gorgeous...
ReplyDeleteYou know, sometimes it is the thread, not the quilter, or the machine that is the problem. But I'm sure someone has already suggested that.
I gave my niece a similar bright quilt on her 13th--went over very well!!!
This is a wonderful, bright and happy quilt. I love it. And she will too.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Tunisia! Just stopped by from Quilting Bloggers to enjoy your blog on a very hot day. Your granddaughter's quilt is smashing--lucky kid! Great colors, very fun!
ReplyDeletebest, nadia
Sometimes indeed the machine or the thread 's the problem, I always use cotton thread on both the bobbin and in the needle. But your quilt is beautiful and I expect a very happy granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful, Michelle! The quilting looks great too.
ReplyDeleteOh, your quilt is great. I am trying to get brave enough to FMQ my house quilt I worked on at retreat. But it's mostly batiks, too. Now, I'm scared!
ReplyDeleteI love that box from your mother!
I feel your seam ripping angst... I did this 2x on a twin quilt. Trouble T Trouble. A little tip is to use tweezers in one hand and a seam ripper in the other! Really.
ReplyDeleteAnd as to the shadow straight stitching. It rather suits this stunning quilt. The colors just sing. And I love the back fabric. BTW, I have not used batiks because of the very experience you have had. Your quilt is gorgeous but I am chicken.
Michelle, the table runner you made for me (and the FMQ) was much more than "somewhat successful"!!! I love it! This quilt for Emery is fabulous!!! Love those bright colors! Sorry you had issues with the thread, but I am sure your solution worked just fine! Too funny about the addition of bandaids to your sewing kit!
ReplyDelete