Since the quilt was gifted today at the shower, I can now show you the finished Mr Bear quilt for my granddaughter due next month. A simple meander with occassional loop, love that Minky back and some fun strippy/dotty for binding (matches the bear). Washed and dried for crinkly goodness, but that Minky just stays so lush and cuddly. It got a lot of petting here as well as at the shower - where noboday had heard of, seen or felt Minky before.
Then I decided it was time to tackle this monster which I didn't think was petable at all. What to do........
And it got worse............ I rembered a tip from Deonn @ Quiltscape about 'quilting it out' - you can see her tips HERE. But I was facing a lot more than her problem so I sent off an e-mail to Debbie @ StitchinTherapy as I have admired all her helpful posts on quilting. She suggested some quilting motifs and to pat that quilt into place rather than smooth it.
So I combined the two methods of pin, pin, pin, pin and pat, pat, pat, pat and jumped in.
I tried some of the motifs, but this is one huge quilt and I am quilting on a home machine with small harp - the drag was terrible and it made for a mess on the top and back. So I went to my faithful walking foot and organic serpentine that I use on homespuns, flannels, and plushies.
A lot of repinning and repatting and sticking with it. This poor quilt had been refused by longarmers, but I took it on because it is my aunt's quilt. There were a lot of problems with this quilt, and a repair by my mother - YET - still the final flimsie was 'off'. It's not a show quilt (thank you for the reminder Debbie) and I hope my aunt is happy with the results - so this quilt can be passed on to a grandchild or great grandchild. Now I need the binding - think it best I finish that part too.
Remember to pet (or pat) you fabric today,
Sewingly Yours,
Sharon
Well done on tackling the quilt and finishing it. I quilt on a home sewing machine and find that if I have a table next to me but at right angles it helps. It can support the weight of the quilt meaning less drag.
ReplyDeleteWell done again on getting it finished even through the struggle xx
Oh you did very well with that top. Give yourself a pat on the back! :)
ReplyDeleteI kept jumping back and forth between unfinished and finished picture, you did an amazing job, the quilt just looks soft and meant to be a little puffy, great job!
ReplyDeletePretty quilt! Soft and sweet!
ReplyDeleteI always "pat" my fabric ... <3 Pat
The little pink bear quilt is precious. A new grandchild is so exciting.
ReplyDeleteThat was VERY nice of you to take on the such a challenging quilt. I would have been lost. Thanks for the quilting tips.
Great baby quilt....minky is perfect for those.
ReplyDeleteWow...amazing outcome with your Aunt's quilt. I love how you took both tips and found a solution to all the fullness. Once it is washed it will be soft and lovely. Your serpentine stitch was great to use for this.
We'll start calling you the Quilt top Saver:) I applaud your resolve and the outcome looks nice. Your aunt's family will love it. The baby quilt is adorable. You probably can't wait to see you granddaughter wrapped in it.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like quite a challenge, but the pat, pat, pat method is a great tip. Your bear quilt is adorable.
ReplyDeleteWrangling with a quilt like that is always such a nightmare, but you tackled it well. I am sure it was not a fun project.
ReplyDeleteThe baby quilt is darling and I know it got a lot of petting!
Great job! It looks like there was a lot of excess fabric to ease in.
ReplyDeleteI have never worked with money but sure love the feel of it , it would be super cosy for a bay quilt , so sweet! Oh I congratulate you on tackling the quilt and getting it done , I can imagine it was not easy but you did a great job and it will be greatly loved by someone .
ReplyDeleteGreat job on both quilts. The minkie looks wonderful. I've never used it but it looks like it works up well. Love what you ended up doing with the excess on your aunts quilt.Washing and drying will do the rest.
ReplyDeleteYour baby quilt is fantastic! I have one to make and I think I will use your idea and back it with minky. You really did a wonderful job on your Aunt's quilt! I am sure her family will really appreciate having the finished quilt to pass down.
ReplyDeleteLove that sweet baby quilt...minky is so wonderful to pet! I love how you worked that quilt until you were able to add some lovely stitches. I'll have to remember the patting method!
ReplyDeleteOh good for you Sharon!!! We sometimes forget that our quilts don't have to be perfect every time!!! Most of our quilts are not show quilts, and that quilt will surely be loved by a grandchild somewhere down the line. You are so sweet to consider the love that went into putting it together :) And I have to say - you did a MARVELOUS job of working it out!
ReplyDeleteMinkee is so wonderful! I'm sure it was appreciated :-) You did an amazing job with that quilt. It's all about the love that went into it and the memories too not the "perfection" that cannot be achieved anyway. It looks beautiful :-)
ReplyDeleteSweet little baby quilt and it looks like you saved a quilt with your patting. Well done!
ReplyDeleteIt does always amaze me what you actually can quilt out! Needless to say, we get a few of those in the quilt ministry too. Looks like you did a good job!
ReplyDeleteYou make me smile. Many less than perfect quilts can make others happy as they just don't know the history of the frustration or the Quilter checksheet we work from. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThat was a very nice thing to do for your Aunt. Sounds like it was a good, though frustrating, learning experience for you. Done is much better than perfect, congratulations.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure all the love it will receive was well worth all the effort. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteAmazing finish ~!~ You undertook the difficult-and made it beautiful in the process: Congrats to You !~!
ReplyDeleteGood on you for taking it on and completing it!
ReplyDeleteHurrah for bloggy friends -- I follow Deb's blog and she is so lovely!