In January, both the left and right sides (2/3 total) of the batting were cut away to decrease bulk and drag at the machine--and what a difference it made! So now that the entire center was quilted, it was time to re-insert one side of the batting.
I had been careful not to quilt any closer than four inches from the cut edge of the batting, so that it wouldn't be wavy when realigning it with the cut-away section. To rejoin the two pieces, I used a soft cloth tape made specifically for that purpose, and fused it right there on the cutting table (cutting mat removed to prevent warping). The tape worked great, bonding really well.
Quilting is now in progress on the left side. The photo here shows all that has been quilted so far (minus the pinned areas).
It's slow going, but well worth the time, and the new machine is doing free-motion like a champ. Not a single thread nest on the back during an entire two-hour session!
Hooking up at Whoop Whoop Friday, where Sarah has a tutorial out with a giveaway! Check it out, along with all her reader linkups. Also linking up with Leah Day's FMQ Project Linkup, where work is progressing on the Building Blocks group project.
On the weather front, we are in for yet another ice storm tomorrow and Sunday...what a winter this has been. My sister said the heck with it and took off for Florida yesterday. LOL
Everyone have a great weekend, whatever the weather!
Linda
That's one of the ways I do Quilt as You Go, Linda - adding the batting to the center of the quilt. So glad your machine problems are over. Now if only I could convince my DH.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed for you, I hope you do convince him. This machine is a FMQer's dream. I am definitely going to try Quilt as You Go as soon as my scrap drawer gets full enough!
DeleteVery clever idea to get the centre portion of a quilt quilted without bulk. I'll store that away in my ideas file for the future! Love how your quilt is coming along. Looks great.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'm so glad to be working on it again. My friend Kathy gave me the idea for that bulk-saving method. She uses it for her queen-sized bed quilts--which she sews on a machine that only has a 6" harp space. I've since been alerted to an entire book on the subject, Machine Quilting in Sections by Marti Michell (thanks to A Nudge, who commented just above you here). Bought the book and am enjoying it thoroughly.
DeleteHi Linda,
ReplyDeleteyour quilt is already looking so beautiful out ... I'm excited!. Your blog likes me.
Greetings from Germany,
Klaudia
Klaudia, thank you, and I'm so glad you enjoy the blog. It's great to hear from someone in my ancestors' homeland!
DeleteHello Linda,
ReplyDeleteSo glad the new machine is living up to expectations. The cobbled path looks so real I expect it to be rock hard, not soft and squishy.
Yes, it's still raining. Terribly tedious.
Love, Muv
Muv, it actually feels kind of hard and cobble-y! Ice and snow here this evening. I expect school will be called off yet again. Those poor kids will be in session through June at this rate!
Delete