Designing Monday

I graduated from my Long Arm Quilting class this week and feel like I can tackle loading the quilt and some very easy quilting designs.  We only touched on using pantographs as that is taught in the second part of this class -- someday in the future.

I got half way thru this quilt last week after many thread breaks and two broken needles.

 The teacher had me take it off and committed to having me finish it this week.  So this week was a little different loading a quilt that was half quilted, but we did it and off I went.  Only my first stitch out, the thread broke.  And then it broke again and then the bobbin thread broke and then I had a bunch of skipped stitches.

 The teacher finally decided that the needle was at fault and it did have a burr on the tip when we removed it.  The needles we tried didn't improved the situation.  So then she sent me off to her quilt shop across town to pick up more needles that were a different brand.  This was a good thing as I was getting frustrated and needed a break.  The new needle helped tremendously and I was able to finish with almost no problems, except a few skipped stitches.  I was just glad to stop.  This quilt pattern is a modified Fons & Porter design.

My classmates also finished their projects.  Sue was quilting two pillow shams to go with a king sized quilt top she calls the Monster.  It is made of drapery or upholstery type fabrics that are very heavy.

Joyce made another practice quilt with some Packers fabric and a batik on top.  It was Joyce's birthday so we had to have some carrot cupcakes to celebrate!

Here is Jana, the teacher. She fell last week and injured both her wrists, so now she has splints on both of them.  Her customers had to cut their own fabric at her shop for a few days.  Hope she is feeling better by now.

I have started paper piecing these little trees.  So perfect for the Emerald Woods.  This is Bonnie Hunter's Crabapples pattern.  I have been wanting to make this quilt for a long time and finally it has come to the top of my list.  I have about half of the paper piecing done and I think there are 882  squares that are 1-1/2".  That should keep me out of trouble for awhile.

Check out more beautiful designs on Judy's blog.

Designing Monday

The fifth session of my long arm class has come and gone along with most of my patience and a little of my good nature.  We had two machines going this week and I got one that has been out of commission and is still not right.  The bobbin thread broke a couple of times.  The main thread broke several times.  And I broke two needles.  I managed to get half of my quilt done and the teacher asked me to stop.  She was frustrated too.  She has been after the school to get the machines fixed for several weeks to no avail.

So this week I am first up on the one good machine left out of three and I will finish my quilt.  It is a donation quilt for a returning soldier.  I tried loop-de-loops and stars this time.

 I am pretty darn good at those loop-de-loops.  My stars were good as long as I kept them in the same orientation, like if I were drawing them with a pencil.  But I had a couple of bloopers when I tried to change direction with them.

Rhubarb is in full swing here and I made a rhubarb coffee cake with lots of cinnamon and brown sugar on top.  I wish I had put some cinnamon in the cake and it would be even better.

Peonies are also running amok.  This is my second bouquet and they are still blooming in abundance.

Hop over to Judy's blog to see more beautiful designs.

Designing Monday

Did I tell you that I am taking a beginner long arm class?  We are so fortunate here that the local technical college has decided to invest in artists and craftspeople by offering classes in sewing, quilting, jewelry making, ceramics, and woodturning.  Each craft has a room for their equipment and materials and dedicated teachers and technicians.  You first must complete a course for certification and then can use the equipment during open studio time for a fee.  All very reasonable.  The point is to introduce people to new crafts or trades and provide business info as well in the event you want to take it to the next level and earn a living from that craft.

Anyway, here is the outside of the building. Looks like a weaving or quilt that is painted on.  It is an unassuming building that was once office or factory space.

Here is the front.  It's called the Artisan Center.

 Across the street is the Art Garage.  That's a whole other blog post.

So I am in week 5 of my 6 week class.  There are only 3 students plus the teacher.  She is a great teacher and I have learned a great deal.  In weeks 1-3 we learned how to mount quilts to the long arm frame and practiced stitching on small muslin pieces which then get donated to the local animal shelter for bedding.  In week 4 we had to mount the quilts with minimal help from the teacher and then we each got to quilt our own quilts.

Here is Sue working on her quilt as a gift for a new baby.  So bright and colorful.

Joyce is giving her advice.

I brought this little owl quilt which is a donation quilt for the guild and it will go to a pediatrics ward.

                                         

My first quilt on the long arm.

I found this clip art online and then made a machine appliqué.

Here is a close up of the quilting.  Lots of loop-de-loops and hearts.

So now I have to prepare another quilt for this week.  Since I have a closetful of unquilted tops, this should not be a problem.  LOL!

Hop on over to Judy's blog to see some beautiful designs.