Such a big story behind this little quilt! I'm not sure it would all fit here. Shall I give you the condensed version?
While I was looking for some quilts to practice on, I heard from a kind quilter, Jan, in the eastern part of Australia. Was I close to her home? Not at all, but she had a good friend in California whom she'd met online, and she might have some quilts ready to work on. I was introduced to Jan's dear friend, Elnora. We discussed that it would be a good idea to do a dry run with mailing involved as many quilts will arrive that way for longarming. Elnora quickly shipped off this sweet baby quilt made with the Minny Muu line from Lecien Fabrics. I loved it!
Itty-bitty parakeets, dancers, and cars!
So cheery and lots of pink!
And a pieced backing. Now, just to line all this up, and make it work. I wanted something sweet, but not so densely quilted that the piece wouldn't stay soft for a baby. I played with different motifs until I was happy.
In full disclosure of why we all need lots of practice, here is the human factor at work. I loaded and started to quilt it vertically like this. As soon as I started, it made sense why it would go much faster to have it turned with the rows running horizontally. So, I unpinned it with some quilting already started, and flipped it. I carefully outlined the rest of my white strips, and FMQ'ed the printed portions moving horizontally. A much better plan, but to do the hearts down the white rows, I had to take it out, and repin it in the original direction once again.
It feels so good to have two projects off my list, and be on track. I think my mojo is back.
mo·jo1
ˈmōjō/
Come on, Doxie girls.
Let's make a plan for tomorrow.
The quilting is awesome. Glad to hear your mojo is back.
ReplyDeleteLooks great Julie! How are you liking the longarm?
ReplyDeleteJinger, Axel and I are well acquainted by now, thank you, but I would still say it's the Honeymoon stage. There's a whole lot to think about when first starting out, and I've made my share of mistakes. I doubt anyone would admit that it's all intuitive--it's not! But getting past that learning curve, and being able to express myself in this new way is so invigorating. No buyer's remorse here. Thank you for asking.
DeleteIt does look great! Looks like you are having lots of fun w/that long arm. =)
ReplyDeleteGlad your mojo is back Julie: The long arm quilting looks great, and you got to work with mini mu. I had some mini mu once, teeny tiny mice. I loved it.
ReplyDeleteIt looks GREAT!!!! I knew it wouldn't take long to get your mojo back!
ReplyDeleteLove to read how you are 'learning' on your longarm!
ReplyDeleteThe quilt top is amazing!! Your quilting so fun to go with it.
I love how this turned out! Not being able to turn the quilt the direction I want it in is one of the things I think would be scary about a long arm. You are doing so great!
ReplyDeleteI love the beautiful flowers in your quilting!
ReplyDeleteI love the beautiful flowers in your quilting!
ReplyDeleteGreat quilt with beautiful quilting.
ReplyDeleteWow! Love the quilting!
ReplyDeleteThose hearts are definitely gonna find themselves in a quilt of mine soon! Love them. You've done a great job with the quilting!
ReplyDeleteYep, you've got your mojo working for you. Keep it up - great quilting :)
ReplyDeleteYour quilting is fantastic. I want to be like you when I grow up. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the little prints on those fabrics! Terrific quilt.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing great! I think it is adorable!
ReplyDeleteElnorac sure has a great eye for colour and prints :) and your quilting is stunning, both compliment each other perfectly :)
ReplyDeleteThis turned out awesome Julie...do you know I have never unpinned and turned a quilt, and then repinned it? I'd be terrified of getting ripples...looks like you have this down pat, however. Love the meander--I've done that one before and it's lots of fun. The hearts is a great one, will have to remember that!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your quilting process with us. It looks great! :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done! It's a very sweet little baby quilt.
ReplyDelete