Fear of Quilting (the quilt)

I realized recently that I have a tendency to do everything I can think of to postpone the moment when I will finally put the first quilting stitch into a finished quilt top. After all, I've worked so hard to get the right combination of colors together and done my best to see to it that all the seams align as well as they can. Then I lay it out with a backing and batting and I have my quilt "sandwich" all ready to be quilted. Like this:

Sometimes it can take me weeks, and yes, years, to get around to finally quilting a top. Because figuring out how to quilt it and which thread to use can be very intimidating. It's a good thing I am on a deadline with this one, or I think I would not have started.
I have been calling this My Happy Quilt. Flowers also make me happy. So I decided to free-motion quilt flowers. And while at the retreat 10 days ago, as a friend helped me pin the layers together, she also gave me some wonderful advice about which thread to use. And she was so very right.
This past Sunday I finally started in on it. It took me a couple hours to arrange my sewing space "just so." I was procrastinating. I had to just DO IT.

And once I got into the rhythm it wasn't so hard after all. This beautiful, shiny rainbow thread from Superior Threads changes color every inch and matches my fabric so well. I wish these pictures did it justice.


Here it is Wednesday and I'm already a third of the way through it. I need to finish so I can send pictures to Brenda. Soon.

Comments

  1. ChristineApril 9, 2010 at 10:42 PM

    Oh WOW! I just love the free-motion quilting!!! It's like it adds a second dimension to the design. Beautiful, Phyl! :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. PhylApril 9, 2010 at 11:43 PM

    Thank you! It is coming out very well. I got some nice feedback and helpful hints at guild last night, too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. DianaApril 14, 2010 at 7:29 PM

    I know I've said it before, but I just LOVE this quilt! It makes me happy, too!

    By the way...what did you ever decide to do with your prize money...TV or sewing machine?

    ReplyDelete
  4. PhylApril 14, 2010 at 11:19 PM

    Thanks, Diana! I wish you could see it in person.

    My latest thinking is a sewing machine cabinet made for quilters. It has an extra large sewing surface to support the weight of a quilt and would make it more comfortable for me to work on larger projects.

    Here's an example: http://www.hornofamerica.com/products.cfm?func=productdetails&productID=92

    P. has even offered to build one from scratch if I can find plans.

    ReplyDelete
  5. DianaApril 15, 2010 at 3:52 PM

    That looks very nice!

    ReplyDelete
  6. bethApril 16, 2010 at 5:40 PM

    Love your quilt! And your thread choice is perfect!!

    ReplyDelete

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