Week in Review 2015 - 1/02

Tips, Thoughts and Techniques:

Happy New Year!

Lola, my studio supervisor demanded that she make
yet another blog appearance. She is also in the video.

To celebrate the new year I have added a new feature to my blog, a video. I've been wanting to add a monthly video for some time, but was intimidated by having to learn yet more technology in order to do so. When I started facing Night Vision yesterday, I knew it was time to bite the bullet and make a video. I can't be the only person who tries  no fail facing methods only to be disappointed time after time. Between the video and the pictures accompany this blog I have assembled what for me our the trickiest parts of adding facing and the best method for sailing through these parts. The first hurdle is making sure that the facing is only visible from the backside. The solution to that is stay stitching the facing strips 1/8 of an inch inside the seam allowance. Getting crisp AND lump free corners is achieved by trimming the backing and batting away from each corner at a 45 degree angle. Do NOT trim the quilt or the facing. (See Kathleen Loomis's blog for an in depth how to on her technique. Finally, hand sew like a pro, by burying your knots and hiding your stitches. I demonstrate this on my video.

The facing and quilt are folded back to reveal the batting
and backing. The blue triangle delineates the area that
the visible quilt top will cover. When trimming the corner
you want to cut just slightly inside the quilt. This greatly
reduces the bulk and allows for a crisp, lump free corner.

It was a quiet, but industrious week with lots of hand sewing as I started the finish work on two different pieces. I really relish the finish work. I find it one of the most relaxing aspects of making a quilt. That is why I choose to focus my video on how to tie an appliqué knot and the best stitch for hand sewing facings or bindings.

1) Night Vision - (Due January 31, 2015)

The facing was first seamed to the quilt right sides to
right sides. Next the facing is opened to the outside of
the quilt and pressed. Finally, the facing is stay stitched
in place using an 1/8 inch seam allowance. This
keeps the facing from rolling to the front of the quilt.

a) Face the quilt - Started

b) Add the split sleeve - Not yet
c) Take the formal call for entry photos - Not yet
d) Add the label - Not yet
e) Submit the call - Not yet

2) Free motion quilting practice. - Done!

Another FMQ motif from Lori Kennedy of Inbox Jaunt.
Not my best effort. I find midsize and large size free motion
quilting much more difficult than small size. This
is approximately 3" high.

3) Sunrise over Little Lake Butte des Morts (due December 31, 2014)

Sunrise Over Little Lake Butte des Morts

Detail from Sunrise Over Little Lake Butte des Morts

a) Finish the quilting - Done
c) Do the finish work - Just needs the label
d) Submit it for consideration - Not yet

4) Perform a random act of kindness - Done

We are head towards are coldest week so far this winter. Sunday night will be -13F or -25C . Perfect weather to hunker down and do some quilting. Here are my plans:


1) Night Vision - (Due January 31, 2015)

a) Finish Facing the quilt
b) Add the split sleeve
c) Take the formal call for entry photos
d) Add the label
e) Submit the call

2) Free motion quilting practice.

3) Sunrise over Little Lake Butte des Morts (due January 8, 2015)

a) Add the label
b) Submit it for consideration

4) Perform a random act of kindness

I am now linking up to two blogs on Fridays. The first is Nina Marie's Off the Wall Fridays and the second is Free Motion Mavericks.