Progress Report

Well I'm actually quilting it.  And so that I don't get ahead of myself I'm surprised I'm not remaking it  (more to come.) 

Would you believe it took 2 days and about 665 pins to baste the quilt?  Yep that's right 665 pins.

Now here's the story on why I thought I would be unpinning all those pins and remaking the quilt.  After I had everything marked and pinned I started quilting.  I was SO DISAPPOINTED when my needle would hardly go through the fabric and would bend and one actually snapped into 3 pieces.  For some reason there is something about the main fabric that makes it nearly impossible to quilt.  I was ready to give up and start all over because my thumb was so sore and I wasn't getting anywhere with the quilt.  I started trying different sizes of pin and most had such small eye's that the thread would break when I was trying to thread it (with a needle threader of course)  Well the next day (yesterday) I decided to try once more.  I finally found that if I only took 2 or 3 stitches on the smallest needle I could manage to thread, then I could quilt the quilt.  I can't say this is going to be easy because so much of this quilt is that light hard to quilt fabric, but I think I can do this.  So I've been going along slow and steady but you know what they say about the turtle.  I guess I would rather be a turtle that a quitter.

Until next time...God Bless!

Should there be more?

I did get a picture that shows the stenciling I did on the border.  Tell me, is it enough of should I add more to the quilting that will be done?  If you were to add more what would it be?  I am new to this and want to give it my all.  As Karen McTavish says "pick the hardest thing and do it.  You won't regret the result." (or something along those lines)

Time to Pin

Well I finished marking the quilt.  I tried to take pictures of it to show the marking but it wouldn't show up with my camera.  It makes me sad.  I thought my camera was better than that.  :-(  I'm so glad I was able to find ways to make the stencil work even when the corners didn't want to line up just perfect I was able to free-hand some and move the stencil in ways that made it work out really pretty.  It is truly a one of a kind and there will never be another quilt exactly like it.  I just hope she likes it.

I didn't sleep much last night.  I just couldn't sleep well the past two nights so I have a bit of a head ache.  But if the day goes well then I will start the pinning process.  Hopefully by Friday I will start on all those pretty flowers and curves I've stenciled onto the quilt.

Two sides marked

Well I'm working on marking the borders now.  This is a tricky area.  I hoped it would all fit in just perfect but I have to admit that isn't the case.  I'm having to do some creative thinking and marking when it comes to the border corners.  But with that said I will say I have 2 sides done and have succeeded so far.  I did come up against an issue today but I'm happy to say I used a wash cloth to remove the water erase marker I'm using and I found a way I can work the corner so it looks nice and gets the corner up where it should be.  Pictures to come.  Maybe tonight.

On a personal note, we went water walking yesterday and I think I walked a bit too much.  Today is slow moving for me.  I don't know if I will get all the borders done today.  If not I will finish marking tomorrow. 

MARKING

Well I'm still marking the quilt.  I can't believe I've been marking 3 days and still have one more to go.  I should finish marking tomorrow.  I'll post some pictures of the markings tomorrow.  I don't remember so much marking on Angels quilt but I marked about 1/2 of that quilt as I went along.  Tomorrow after I finish marking I will press the backing if need be and start pinning it tomorrow.  I should be finished penning on Wednesday.  Thursday I have some letters I need to get written and either Thursday or Friday I should get my new lap hoop and I will have the quilt ready to start!

IT'S ORDERED AND EMBROIDERY IS DONE

Barrett's 14 inch square hoop

Well I finally did it.  It was a long time coming and researching for the best buy looking for the one that would work best for me.  I hope I made the right choice.  I'm glad Harry offers a 60 day return policy.  Since I don't get around very well and I quilt sitting in my recliner with my legs up I'm not sure what is the right choice for me.  So I'm grateful for the chance to see how it works for me.

The other news is I finished the embroidery on the quilt.  It isn't anything fancy but here it is.

Today I will start the marking process.  I pray all goes well with that.  The first thing I will do is the cross hatching I'm planning where the names are.  From there I will mark the hearts with lots of smaller hearts.  Then comes the area's between the hearts and last is the borders.  I'm anxious to get started.  I usually don't mind the marking too much.  Plus then I can get it pinned and by then I should have my lap hoop and I can get started quilting.  That is the "funnest" part to me.

ASKING A QUESTION TO HAND QUILTERS

To my fellow hand quilters...If you had the chose between a round and a square hoop which would you chose and why?  I ask because I am getting ready to order one of Barrett's lap top hoops http://www.laptophoops.com/  and I can't decide if I want the round or the square.
Thanks for your help
God Bless!
Debbie Feavel