Here we go loop dee loo

I finished Molly's quilt today.  I am not unhappy with the results.  I had some serious tension issues at the beginning.  When I was half way through I resolved them, for the most part.  I quilted spirals and as I made the spiral I kept repeating "Here we go Loop Dee Loo."

Steven was in the studio fixing the toilet on Sunday.

"Honey, do you remember "Here we go Loop Dee Loo?" as I quilted a spiral, first one way and then the next.

And he sang :

"Here we go Loop Dee Li."

"Who did it?"  I asked.

"Mother Goose."

Of course You tube provides various versions.  

And Odetta in a medley...Wait for it...

It sure is a catchy tune. 

 I quilted variations of spirals in the squares. 

 I used red thread on the bobbin too.  I think it looks a bit odd on the back. I think the blue on the red looks more odd on the front.  I used some of this fabric in the border.  I did not change to red when I quilted it.  No photo available, sorry.

 

I cheated on the binding.  I just folded the back over and made a hem instead of making a real binding.  Even doing only that took me a couple of hours.  I had to trim the batting and press each side.  I chose to stitch each side as I finished the prep.

 It was hot today so I sewed in the house.  The 31-15 was perfect for this job.  I put up the side extension table and put the bulk of the quilt on a chair next to me.  Not only did I have a chance to use the 31-15 (which needs oiling, I might add) but I was forced to vacuum before I could even start.  So now the dining room is all set until Christmas.....

Next up is the baby quilt.  I think that I will quilt it with flowers.  I tired of spirals toward the end and tried my hand at flowers. 

Most likely I will quilt larger flowers all across the next quilt.  I will finish it more quickly that way.

Machine quilting on a frame involves a tremendous amount of preparation. Each time you roll the quilt you must fiddle with this and adjust that.   I still believe that it is easier than pinning a quilt sandwich.  I have done that and it is tedium DEFINED.   Nor do I like hauling a huge quilt around underneath the needle.  Practice helps.  After all, how do you get to Carnegie Hall?

Pressing Problem

I have been making lots of quilts lately.  I had five in process.  I finished a practice, scrappy quilt so now I am down to four: Molly's quilt, the baby's quilt, the OBW and another scrappy, practice quilt.

 I started quilting this May 18.  I worked on it quite frequently, almost every day.  I think that I had quilted about half of it when I had to put it away Memorial Day weekend.  We needed the guest apartment.   I just moved the whole kit-n-kaboodle up against one wall in the apartment. That Wednesday, when I moved the frame back into the middle of the apartment, I discovered that it was about a half a bubble off.  YUP.  Out of level.  I spent some time leveling it.  Well worth the effort.  The machine rode much more smoothly on the frame and I was much more comfortable quilting.  I practiced some feathers (I have a long way to go) some spirals (not my favorite) and some flowers. 

 I think that I like the flowers for Molly's quilt and the baby's quilt.  If I do Molly's quit first, I should have lots of practice by the time I get to the baby's quilt.

Molly's quilt top is pieced.  I only have the outer borders to attach before I can declare that finished and put it on the frame. 

A disappearing 9 patch goes together quickly  There is a fair amount of cutting, but if you strip piece the blocks, it isn't too bad.  I tend to get confused by the time I get to the actual block construction.  I had to rip out a couple of blocks, even after I had sewn them all together in the row.  Steven suggested that I leave it.  I just couldn't.

 I think that I will not quilt at all in the small, pink squares.  I think that the thread will clash.  I suppose I could use a light pink thread, but I am inclined to use some shade of blue and avoid those squares entirely.  BUT, I wonder if that will make them stand out even more.  I suppose that I could experiment on some scraps.

As you can see, there are many seams in this quilt.  When I pieced the long strips together, I pressed the seams to one side.  When I pieced the nine patch, likewise.  When I pieced the cut blocks together I pressed some seams open.  I tried pressing all the seams to one side on one square.  I just didn't like the look.   My pressing problem?  I don't know which is proper and considered correct in the quilting world.
I did NOT  pre-wash the fabric. This might be considered sacrilegious in quilting circles.  I don't care.  I used to prewash and then press all of my fabric.  What a PITA.   I did pre-wash the backing fabric.  I used some of it for the inner border.  When this is all pieced, I will washt he quilt top and press it before I  put it on the frame.  I have used some "Best Press" spray throughout the construction of this quilt.  I like how it smells and I like the little bit of stiffness it gives the fabric. (Home made spray starch made from Water and Vodka would do the same, and be much cheaper)   I think it helps with accurate piecing and cutting.  But it has to come out or else it will create problems on the frame.

All of this sewing has kept me from machines.  Once I finish the two D9Ps I will get back to machines.  It will be hotter then and the loft won't be as comfortable as the shop.  By then, I am sure I will pretty tired of quilting and sewing.  For a while.