Philosophy Of Machine Quilting

I don't profess to be an expert machine quilter; I am merely one who is comfortable with what she is doing.  I enjoy both the process and the result.  Because it is unmarked, my stitching is not always even and frankly, I like it that way.  To my eye, it gives a charming look, one which signals that the stitching is not computerised but that each has been done individually.  Sewing continuous curves in a square block is particularly satisfying, both in terms of speed and effect.  I've chosen to quilt the Nine Patch blocks this way.

In conversation when folks ask if I quilt by hand or machine, I often say I 'hand quilt by machine'.  I've heard long-armers say "your eye corrects the imperfections in your lines" but I don't think that's right at all...I think your eye IGNORES the lines, and focuses instead on the "poufs".  What do you zoom in on when you look at these squares?  To me it is the pattern created by the gentle puff in each block.

Here's where I am so far:  the main part is all quilted - continuous curves and feathered wreaths - and now it's time to decide how to do the border.

I was hoping for divine inspiration to strike but it hasn't and I'm a bit stumped as to whether to treat each of the three stripes in the border individually, or as one.  I am leaning towards one big feather up the entire width of the border

Blue and White Baby Quilts

The following quilt was made by local quilter Bernice McMaster;  Bernice sent along the picture just to show what she was working on, but it was too pretty not to share. This is a baby quilt which Bernice made for Keillor House in Dorchester, N.B.  It will be set up in a frame for staff to demonstrate the art of quilting to visitors and then sold in the fall as a fundraiser for the museum.  Bernice used 12 different fabrics in this Trip Around The World;  the squares are only 1"! That's a true labour of love, Bernice.

Yesterday I started quilting the blue and white Nine Patch quilt;  mine only uses two colours, not twelve!  So far I have the feathered wreaths stitched in the plain blocks and will continue on with more free motion in the pieced sections.  Inspiration for the border has not hit as yet, but usually that becomes clearer when it's under the needle. 

Quilting ADD

The Nine Patch is smoking along:  the top is pieced and the borders are added.  I decided to go with a matching block in each corner. Once it is quilted and the seam lines are no longer obvious, what your eye will see is just that small square in each corner.  I like that effect.

The final step in sewing is to stitch around the outside of the quilt 1/8" away from the edge, in the seam allowance.  This secures the patchwork at the seam ends and keeps the quilt edges from "ruffling" when basted.

After a good starching and pressing (if you have taken a workshop with me, you have the starch recipe) the quilt will be ready for basting. I heartily dislike basting. :(  I procrastinate as long as I can. Fortunately, I love to machine quilt so that's incentive to get through the necessary basting step.

On the way to fetch the cornstarch, I spotted these leftover red and white fabrics beckoning seductively from the cutting table.  I confess to a weakness for red and white quilts at the best of times, but this gorgeous red Stof has me totally distracted.  (I'm even in love with the cool selvedge with the little roses.)

Isn't it just singing, "Oh, Canada"? :)

An Irish Connection

The cool thing about Nine Patch blocks is what they do when you alternate them with a plain block.

Can you squint your eyes and see the way the blocks connect diagonally to form a Single Irish Chain?  I can't wait to quilt that plain white space!

Simple Pleasures

I've been itching to stitch a Nine Patch and this soft blue is working up so nicely.  There is beauty in the simplest things.