Quilting On My Frame

I have been working very hard this week trying to quilt on my Gracie Frame.  It's difficult trying to decide what designs to use and as my applique quilt is only the sixth one that I have put on the frame, it was a steep learning curve.  I decided that the worst thing that could happen was that I would have to unpick some stitches so I jumped right in.     

I quilted in the ditch around the border using a ruler to stabilise the quilt.  I also wanted to quilt around the applique pieces for the same reason.  It was sooo difficult!  But although I was very disheartened at the beginning, I realised that if I didn't try, then I wouldn't learn how to do it.  As a result, I did get better at it as I rolled the quilt.   

I used a purple air erasable marker to mark out the lines on the cream fabric of the flying geese on the top and bottom border.  But by the time I got around to doing the two sides, I only marked the place that I wanted the teardrop shape.  The marker didn't show up well on the green fabric so I just winged it.  As a result, they aren't always centred properly but I don't mind. 

Accepting the fact that the quilting space available is quite narrow vertically is just something that I came to terms with.  From side to side it is great and very flowing compared to working with my ordinary machine.  But because I was working around my applique pieces I had a lot of stops and starts.  I got used to this quite quickly though.  The only thing was that my hands actually got sore from working the clamps so much. 

I am pleased with the result and I learned an awful lot of things.  Now I just have to bind and label my quilt. 
 

It's getting quite late now so I'll have to go. 

Bye for now.
Sandra

Quilting, Quilting and More Quilting!

Last week I made a big effort to quilt some of the things that I have made recently. 

Firstly, I finished another calico practice piece that I have had on the frame for ages.  I enjoy the freedom of working on the calico as I can try out things that I have drawn in my sketch book.

I then quilted my Hidden Stars quilt with a spiral design.

This quilt was made from a Layer Cake called Etchings by 3 Sisters for Moda.  Absolutely beautiful fabric to work with and gorgeous designs.  I loved the greys in this collection. 



Next, I quilted one that I had made for my youngest son quite a while ago.  It's made from fabric that I bought in The City Quilter, which by the way is an amazing shop.  They designed the Times Square and Subway fabrics themselves. 

I quilted the centre with alternating parallel lines, a ribbon effect in the red border and I stippled the outer border.  It was a learning process for me as I got fed up having to stop and start the different designs every time that I had to roll the quilt on my frame.  So I then quilted all of the centre in one go.  I then rolled it back up and quilted the narrow border down one side across the bottom and up the other side.  Then finally I quilted the outer border in the same fashion.

This little quilt makes me very nostalgic for my trip to New York.  Maybe I'll be able to go back some day. 

Outside Grand Central Station

This reminds me of going to work in Grand Central every morning to demonstrate quilting at a Tourism Ireland Exhibition.

I'm really enjoying the new things that I'm learning on my Gracie Frame.  Now all I have to do is make and sew the bindings on the quilts. 

Bye for now.
Sandra