Tuesday, August 04, 2009

HeartStrings

I'm sure you've noticed I'm working at a slower pace this summer and spending more time on my own quilting projects but I'm still working on HeartStrings quilts too. This one was pieced by San (Gypsy Quilter) and her group and is freehand quilted with allover leaves and curls.

It's one of those that you start quilting and realize quickly that you might have made a mistake -- the top is so busy (and my thread was very blendy) that I had a hard time seeing my quilting lines so I worried the entire time about my spacing.

Luckily when I was done and pulled it off -- the spacing is just like I like it -- not too tight so the quilt is soft and cozy but no big gaps left unquilted either.

I like to quilt leaves and frequently do them with loops but I was flipping through the book Machine Quilting Solutions and decided to add some curls this time. I like that she takes the same quilt and quilts it 3 ways according to the quilt's purpose - dragger, keepsake, or showstopper. Lots of ideas for allover designs as well as sashing, border, and block designs.

10 comments:

Litamora's Quilt & Design said...

Thanks for your nice comment on my blog:o)
You've done some great quilting one this one! Love it!
Love the photo you played with btw. It looks great!

Quilter Kathy said...

I like the photo from the back showing the quilting! Very pretty!
Thanks for the book reference...I'll have to look that one up.

Sheila said...

Very pretty, Mary. Do you ever quilt from the back?

Joyce said...

Very nice. I have that book somewhere. I should pull it out again and do some practising...

Carolyn said...

Dragger, keeper or showstopper...that's great! I'll look that book up. Reminds me of "Quilting Makes the Quilt" by Lee Cleland, I love seeing how the quilts look so different according to how they're quilted. Your quilts look great!

Michele Bilyeu said...

Mary, have you ever considered making a video of your freehand quilting? For those of whose only affordable option is freehand on a GSM we sure could use some tips on how you manage to make yours look so incredibly awesome! Even your using your professional quilting machine would still show us your movements and flow as well as ideas for new designs such as how you did this one. I know I'd love to watch you in action!!!

Jackie Russell said...

Love the meandering vine quilting!

Nancy said...

Great job as usual. Next to the Baptist Fans, this design is my favorite. :o)

Mary said...

Hi Mary,
Great job on the quilting and thanks for making me check my library to see if I have this book and I do. Just fliping though it this morning I learned a couple of things. I have enjoyed seeing your photo class homework also. I'll probably take a class next year. It looks interesting.

YankeeQuilter said...

Great quilting! I'll have to check on that book...like the way they categorized the quilting!