Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Lot's of Prepping Going On



Remember this picture?  Yeah, me either.  I've conveniently allowed myself to completely forget about it.  This collage of quilt tops, was my declaration at the beginning of the year to bust through my stack of quilt tops and see the year end with a stack of finished quilts.  It's now almost September and I haven't touched a single one.  On top of that, David and I both have created several more tops that need quilted.  I swear, quilt tops are like rabbits, they multiply at an alarming rate.

It's time to regroup, get my head back in the game and quilt like a mad woman.  So where do I start?  Most of these quilts are rather on the big side, so I didn't really want to drag out my Plexiglas and battle my animals for floor space.  My alternative?  Recreate the quilts in EQ7 to make print outs that I could draw on.   

So why would I recreate the quilt in EQ7 if I already have the pattern?  Recreating a quilt you've already made and have a pattern for in EQ7 is actually a great way to practice using the program.  I've been struggling with trying to figure out how to create asymmetrical layouts or even layouts where the sashings are pieced and part of the design (not just mini borders).  Doing this has helped me learn about the program and how to use different features and functions. 

**I want to be very very clear here.  I'm not talking about seeing something on Pinterest or another blog and trying to recreate it for my own use or share it with someone else (both big No No's).  I'm talking about patterns I have either A) purchased, B) it's free for all to use, C) I own the magazine or book it was published in or D) been gifted the pattern by the creator.  I'm just trying to learn how to better use the program and create a graphic image that I can map my quilting design on.  I've also used it as a way to audition fabrics for quilts before I actually purchase fabric online.**

Decisions need to be made to either custom quilt the tops or simply quilt it with an all over design.  I have several quilts in a stack that I know I want to quilt with straight lines, wavy lines or some sort of all over filler.  First on that list is my recently pieced Have a Jolly Christmas Quilt from Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts recent QAL.  I have backing and batting and hope to load it on the long arm at my cousin's house this week and practice with some wavy lines.

As for some of the more custom quilt jobs...expect to see lots of dot to dot designs that incorporate using quilting rulers.  I love designs that require very little marking.

This is a quilt made from a kit I purchased some years ago. 


These are mark ups for David's Star Blossom Quilt made from Kona Solids.  I really want to do some crazy quilting in this one, so I've tried several different things...as you can see.


I can't wait to explore some fun ruler work inside the stars of the Midnight Mystery Quilt, pattern by Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs.

 Speaking of Cheryl's Quilts...


Last night, I was able to start quilting on a recent Meadow Mystery Quilt that David pieced.  This is our second commissioned quilt.  Though technically it's the first, because we were contacted about it before the baby quilt...the baby quilt was just quicker to make.  I was impressed and feeling pretty good about how quickly this quilted up using my Handi Quilter quilting ruler.  No marking what so ever.  Then the curse of the Meadow Mystery quilt struck again!



After I finished this corner and flipped it over to check out the stitching on the back, I discovered a small scrap of fabric from Jenny's birthday quilt had stuck to the back of the quilt.  Seriously???  Why??  I have to admit the profanities didn't fly from my mouth like they did when it happened to this quilt...


just the laugh of a crazy quilter.  Hopefully, this will not become a trend with this quilt.  I still have two more Meadow Mysteries to quilt.

So for now, it's back to sneaking in time on Jen's quilt, quilting on this one (ignoring the mistake on the back till I feel like fixing it, it's not going anywhere) and continuing to map out plans for the other quilts.  I hope you will come back for a visit on Friday to see my latest quilt finish.


Today I'm linking up with Let's Bee Social.

13 comments:

Vicki in MN said...

You have your work cut out for you, chop chop!! I go in streaks where all I want to do is piece one thing after another. That is until the pile gets so big I have to quilt, then I might quilt a ton of them up. It's all good, hehe.

helenjean@midgetgemquilts said...

Maybe this could be your signature style ? Bits of fabric quilted to the back ? My favourite in the photo is the blue and raspberry pink

Puppilalla said...

the Curse of the 'Meadow Mystery'... It begs the question whether or not you are also currently following the 'Magnolia Mystery Quilt' and if yes, how this is going? ha ha

time4stitchn said...

I just discovered your blog. I am so excited to follow all your creative ideas. Hope that curse doesn't "stick" with you. HaHa HA.

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

"It's not going anywhere." Oh my, it sure isn't! Maybe by leaving it there for a while, you won't pick up another stray piece as you quilt? Good luck and I hope you really enjoy working through the quilting backlog. They are going to be beautiful! And great idea for using the quilts as ways to become more proficient with EQ7.

Bernie Kringel said...

Oh my gosh Tish...... you have loads going on. Hope you are able to break the curse soon!!!

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

I also have lots of quilts that need to be quilted. I have a stowaway on the back of one of my quilts. It is now a very odd sized, weirdly placed, quilt label.

Stitchin At Home said...

I like the ability to 'map out' my quilting designs on paper beforehand and do print out a pic to use. However using EQ7 to draw up those maps is a great idea to aid in the practice of using the program.

piecefulwendy said...

Well, at least it's a crazy quilter's laugh this time. I'm not so sure I'd be laughing. In MN, we say UFFDA when stuff like that happens. I'll remember about the curse when it comes to the quilting of the Magnolia Mystery quilt. Hope the rest of your quilting is less scrappy :-) Blame it on the cricket??

Debbie said...

I believe I would quilt the one with the Halloween looking colors on the bottom row. Then it would be available for snuggles for the fall!

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

That's a lot of tops. One at a time...one at a time...and then they'll all be done before you know it. Good luck.

Sandra Walker said...

Absolutely LOVE the ghost geese! Ya Dot to Dot right? I think using EQ in this way is ingenious, both for practising as well as for trying out various quilting motifs. :-) And yup, I need to be your student...

Janice Holton said...

Tish, your blog is always so fun to read. My goodness, I didn't remember that collage either. That is a LOT of quilt tops! I think your use of EQ7 for trying out quilting ideas is great! I have often wished I had it to audition fabrics but don't know if I would actually take the time to learn it, which would be a shame if I spent the money on it. Do you use that feature quite a bit?

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