APPLIQUE PAINTBOX-I LOVE APPLIQUE

NIGHMARES

Okay, I can do it!!?

Machine quilting holds true terrors for me.  My friend suggested I have a professional do the quilting part.  Aside from not being able to afford this, I like to complete the entire process myself.  Harriet Hargreaves says that unless you quilt your quilt yourself, it is not your quilt.  I think this carries it too far.  I mean, following that reasoning, it would not be your quilt unless you designed your own pattern and printed your own fabric.  Doing your thing is what makes it your quilt.

I am quilting on my beloved Juki.  I gained confidence in machine quilting when I took Cindy Needhams Craftsy class Design it, Quilt it.  She has shown me how to quarter my backing, batting, and top as well as my work table where i lay out the quilt to pin.  She has shown me methods to ensure my top and backing are tight and to enable me to begin quilting anywhere on the quilt.  Which is a gift to me as I like to start in the easiest place and work my way up as my feet get wet so to speak.  Of course I have help who watches with a critical eye to all baubles and wobbles. 

I am quilting Mountmellick with something new to me.  I am using wonderfil invisafil which is cotton wrapped poly.  The great thing is that it is 100wt and just blends right in the background which is what I want as the big deal in my stuff is the applique not the quilting.  I used this thread instead of monofilament.  It was easy to use.  I had a bit of shredding but discovered that this was due to a dull needle.  Changing out the needle made the problem go away.

I bought this thread originally for appliqueing.  It comes in 60 colors but the thread blends so well and sinks into the fabric that a person really needs just a few colors.  I buy mine on line form Soft Expressions-they seem to have the best price.  Here is Blossom helping me choose threads.  

I forget how cross eyed she is.  She is probably not a lot of help in the detail department if she cannot see straight.

Okay, I am going to quit talking about is and go do it (yikes!).  Wish me luck!