Hand quilting vs. machine quilting - I love them both

It is such a good feeling to finish a project. I finished this quilt top last summer, but was unable to quilt it, due to my recent heart attack. 

Once I started feeling better, I couldn't wait to get back to my quilting, an activity that screamed normalcy to me. There were times I didn't think I would ever feel normal again, but I knew that getting back to stitching was a big step toward that goal.

This was a special quilt project as evidenced in a previous blog post here. It was my first attempt at a making a Judy Niemeyer quilt, something I longed to do. This quilt kit was given to me by a dear and generous friend who is a fantastic quilter in her own right. 

I thought I might hand quilt it, though I also love machine quilting.

Hand quilting won out because I was anxious to finally use, for the first time, my hand-crafted lap quilt hoop custom-made by Harry Barnett of Barnett's Laptop Hoops. I have had this beautiful laptop hoop, a piece of art in its own right, since 2021. 

Because I really love doing hand work, it felt good to hand quilt the star in this little Lone Star quilt. While contemplating what to do about quilting the background, I started watching You Tube videos by Angela Walters, a phenomenal quilter and instructor who I had known about but never studied. I began watching with a keen interest and soon was inspired to give her method of overall quilting a try. I made a scrap quilt sandwich on which to practice. I liked how it turned out. I was hooked. I couldn't wait to try it on the background of my Lone Star quilt. In about 3 days, I finished the entire project, including the binding.

So basically, this quilt is both hand-quilted and machine quilted. I had such a good time doing both methods. I love the results of both also. I plan to hang this quilt on the wall of my sewing studio. Every time I look at it, I will be reminded of how good it feels to just be normal again. I will think of my friend Jane. And I will simply enjoy the lovely colors and beautiful stitches. 

Have I said lately how much I love quilting? If not, let that be my final thought. I love everything about quilting.

 

Cats and quilts just go together

My little Sally found one of my quilts, neatly folded in the laundry room. I had just washed and dried it. Too bad it had been there for a while so it wasn’t still warm from the dryer. She would have really liked that. As any cat owner knows, cats gravitate to warm places, despite their little bodies seemingly radiating heat as they sleep.

I’ve always been amused at how cats just seem attracted to quilts. I have always had cats in my quilting life, which began nearly 30 years ago. Whenever I finish a quilt and lay it out on the bed or the floor, frankly to admire my handiwork, it is almost impossible to keep a cat from snuggling or writhing around on it. That is fine with me, since I love both cats and quilts and think they just go together.

So many of my quilting pictures have cats in them, like this one at right. I was in the process of machine quilting this quilt and Ryan wanted to help. I have had to stop many times because she wanted to be part of the action. I was never too busy for a little cuddle time with Ryan. I have so many photos of her, who I lost a few years ago. Ryan was THE cat who will always have my heart. She was the first of five kittens born on the front porch almost 18 years ago. Only two of them are still living.

And then there is Sally. She is the most recent of my kitties. And she is nothing like Ryan, or any other cat I’ve ever had now that I think about it. She was abandoned at a friend’s house not long after I had lost Ryan. I couldn’t resist her beautiful face so I was happy to take her in.

But Sally was no Ryan! She had none of the traits that I feel in love with. In fact, she was a mean kitty. She wasn’t very trusting, and certainly wasn’t a cuddler. Anyone who tried to get that close to her often got a face full of claws; ask me how I know. Sally was dumped, maybe abandoned. Who knows what her early childhood was about? Who knows if she had a nurturing mother or if she was weaned way too early and had to fend for herself? She was pretty young when she came to me, so I don’t know her story. I do know that she didn’t get the kind of human attention as Ryan and her siblings. They were adored and held and snuggled, from the moment they took their first breath. Sally has had to learn what love of humans is all about.

The first person she took to was my late husband John. He was definitely her person. She was pretty devastated when he died. She was even meaner to me and to the other cats. But she is coming around. Rather than curling up in a corner somewhere all by herself, she has found the comfort of a folded quilt in the laundry room. I see that as a very good sign. She will be 3 yrs. old in April and is starting to trust again. She is becoming a sweet, loving kitty. Seeing her all comfy and cozy on one of my quilts makes me happy. Love me, love my quilts because we go together and there is always room for kitties.

Finishing this quilt was especially satisfying

I finally finished my version of the Pick-A-Petal quilt, the 2024 Block of the Month (BOM), designed by Jen Kingwell of Australia, brought to us by The Quilt Show. I do love Aussie quilters, and I especially respect Kingwell, since she designs and sews her quilts by hand.

 

Initially, I wanted to do that too, but soon changed my mind. After piecing the middle star in the center by hand, I decided I'd prefer to save my aging, arthritic hands for hand quilting, applique, and now embroidery, all of which I love. So, the rest of this quilt was machine pieced. 

I have already detailed in previous posts what a challenge this was for me. I am surprised that it turned out as well as it did. In fact, I really like it now that it is finished and I am anxious to start on the next project.

This was supposed to be completed at the end of December. There were times that I just wasn't into it. I will admit that it wasn't my favorite. I'm not sure why. Perhaps it wasn't the quilt at all because in mid-November, I had a near-fatal heart attack, for which I am now trying to recover.

I knew my condition was improving several weeks ago when I decided I wanted to get back to my quilting. For a time, I wasn't interested in anything. And then I knew I was on the mend when I decided to finish this project.

I'm not sure why I was not enamored with this quilt. I love all the colors; love using up scraps of fabric, many of which I picked out for other projects or purchased just because I love them. I even like this design, especially the whimsical applique and embroidery in the light middle squares.

I haven't done embroidery in years. I do love all kinds of hand work. So when I set out to quilt this quilt, that will be enjoyable as well. I'm not sure when that will be though, since my quilt tops are starting to pile up. I hope I might live long enough to finish them, or at least make a dent in them. At any rate, the road to feeling normal again has been rough and isn't over yet. But, hopefully my quilting life will be normal as ever.

As I look at this quilt on my design wall, I am reminded that it almost didn't get done. It may have never gotten done. I was almost no longer here to finish it, or to get one year older, or to enjoy the start of a new year, or so many other things. My friend Nancy always says that every quilt I finish is always my favorite. She is right. This one now holds that place of esteem for me. It is rather symbolic. It will always represent a second chance, one for which I am very grateful.

Sometimes I forget that quilting isn't always easy

While it is great fun to write about my quilting progress, and to share the thing I love to do, I haven't been inspired lately, due to a little frustration with the quilt I am currently working on -- the 2024 Block of the Month (BOM), entitled Pick A Petal, designed by Jen Kingwell of Australia. I do love Aussie quilters. 

This project is being offered to Star Members of The Quilt Show, shown at left. This is a popular quilt that many, including me, have been excited to make. 

I began this project, with great intentions, like my plan to sew it completely by hand, as Jan Kingwell has done. Well, that didn't last long when I realized the templates I made for the first block were not sized correctly due to a printer error. I had to take apart and re-sew all 20 of the blocks I had completed. 

This quilt is made up of two alternating blocks that ring the center star in a medallion-style. The two blocks are repeated later in the quilt around a border of light-colored log cabin blocks. There are 20 each of the two styles of blocks. I had trouble with both of them. The first, I have detailed in a prior blog post.

Now for the second one. This block, shown at right, consists of several circular seams. I didn't have a problem with the seams, but the block itself gave me fits. I just couldn't get some of them to lay flat. I have pressed with both steam and with spray starch, but some of them are still problematic. 

This block is an example of one that just refuses to relax itself. I intend to keep working on it, but wow; I haven't used up the entire bottle of Best Press yet, so I still have hope.

The block pictured at left, is an example of the back side of what I had to do to some of these blocks to tame them into submission. I clipped the curved seams, just so they would give a little. This seemed to work on some blocks, but not on others. I imagine different fabric types might be a factor. This is a scrappy quilt

I did the best I could, and figure that it will all come out in the end once the finished quilt is put together, quilted, and washed. At least I hope so. 

I have completed all the blocks in the quilt except for the final border, which consists of all those half circle blocks. That should be easy enough to do and I could go back to hand piecing them if I so desire. Honestly though, I think I am going to save my aging fingers and hands for what I really love, applique and hand quilting. 

This is the part I am enjoying the most on this quilt. The light-colored log cabin blocks are enhanced with whimsical flowers and shapes that are appliqued and embroidered. A sample of that portion of the quilt can be seen at right.

Except for these little problems, which I believe are behind me now, I think I am really going to like this quilt. I should have the quilt top completed in December, if not before.

 

 

I have to admit; quilting sometimes confounds me

I have been working on the project (at left) with the intention of hand piecing the entire quilt. I was rather excited to hand piece a whole quilt, as designer Jen Kingwell has intended. I have never done that before. 

Well, it hasn't quite worked out the way I wanted.

Kingwell's Pick a petal, a quilt project offered to star members of The Quilt Show, appealed to me because it was hand-pieced. There is nothing I love more than a quilt challenge. When there is a new lesson to be learned, as usual, I was all in!

Since I really love handwork, I hand pieced the center block and the two alternating blocks that surround it. I made 20 of the first block. That is the number of blocks in the quilt. I made one of the other blocks, which also requires 20 in all. 

However, when I measured the blocks I made, they fell short of their required 8 1/2-inch size. This did not make me happy. I surmised that the problem was in printing out the templates I used since I had been having problems with my printer. I believe the templates I made were ever so slightly off -- too small. 

I figured I could scrap the whole project and turn it into a table runner, or I could redo the blocks I had already done, or I could start from scratch. I dismissed that last idea rather quickly because of all the work and fabric involved. So, rather than let frustration get the best of me, I settled on a compromise. I took apart all of those outer curved seams and re-sewed them on the machine with a 1/8-inch seam. DON'T TELL THE QUILT POLICE! 

It was lots of work, but I managed to make the blocks the proper size.

I decided that it was far simpler to sew these pieces on the machine. It is also easier on my hands, which I can now save for hand-quilting and applique, both of which I love.

I am happy again. 

Far be it from me to not want to finish a quilt. 

 

This is the extent of my progress. There is lots of work left to do. But, it is now time to enjoy the process, which is why I make quilts. 

The lesson I learned was that perhaps hand-piecing isn't for me, at least not now. That could change in the future, but for now, I plan to machine piece the remaining blocks. 

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Since this is actually a year-long project, I have lots of time to work things out. Next step is to applique flowers onto the outermost border, consisting of neutral log-cabin blocks, as shown above. 

I completed my first Judy Niemeyer project

Thanks to the generosity of a quilter friend, I just finished the piece to the left, a challenge that could potentially take my quilting to the next level.

This quilt -- Star Baby – was designed by Judy Niemeyer, a well-known and loved quilt designer who has taken foundation paper piecing to almost impossible heights. This technique is where fabric is sewn onto a foundation paper which is later removed. At the very least, it encourages perfect points and matching seams. And it is all about precision.  

I have tried a few paper pieced projects and did alright with them, but I can’t say I am really comfortable with it – yet!

Niemeyer is arguably, one of the best quilt designer/paper piecers I’ve ever seen. Her work is exquisite. Her designs are often best of show winners.

I knew a Niemeyer quilt project was way beyond my skill level, so, I’ve been content to challenge myself in other ways, always learning new skills and practicing those I still need to perfect.

But a few weeks ago I ran across the photo of a quilt I just fell in love with. I don’t remember where I saw it, but I knew that one day, I would have to make it.

It is a Niemeyer creation called Bali Wedding Star and was designed several years ago. There are lots of examples of this design on Pinterest. It is a variation of the Double Wedding Ring quilt pattern. An example is at right. This is just four blocks. Imagine the beauty of an entire quilt made of these blocks.

Inspired, I did a little research, scouring the Internet and You Tube for all I could find on Niemeyer, her website Quiltworx, and this quilt pattern in particular. One day, I will make this quilt.

What I learned with all my internet sleuthing was that I was correct to believe that a Judy Niemeyer quilt really is out of my league. I still see myself as a newbie, despite quilting now for nearly 30 years. I take it slow though, learning as I go, making perhaps one quilt every year and always one at a time. But each new skill just makes me want to go further. From what I can tell, quilting is an endless endeavor. There is always something new.

My path has taken a turn

One day not too long ago, I commented on a post by a quilting friend on Facebook who I actually went to high school with, Jane Schwab Coons.

Jane and I may have shared some classes but we weren’t close friends in school; so I’m not even sure we knew each other beyond passing in the hallway between classes. Who can remember; it was a very long time ago? But for several years I’ve enjoyed being her Facebook friend. She has been quilting for 44 years, has worked in the quilting field, and has does beautiful work. She teaches, and has guided students for most of her quilting years.

“I love all things quilty,” she says, adding that she especially loves gathering and sharing all quilt-related things. She taught herself to work on a computer early on as well, and uses it for designing. She is also a long arm quilting pro.

I told Jane that I was smitten with Bali Wedding Star, but knew it was way beyond me. She responded by saying she had an easier Judy Niemeyer quilt kit that she wanted to send me, as a gift. She said it had been lying around her studio for a long time and it would be beneficial to her to do some purging. She messaged me to say that she had mailed a box to me, and to let her know when it arrived.

When it came a few days later, I was flabbergasted. Not only did she send the quilt kit she described, the one I just finished that is pictured above, but she sent another one as well, along with some other Niemeyer patterns. I felt like it was Christmas and my birthday all rolled into one. I messaged her right away to thank her and tell her I couldn’t wait to dive into it.

And dive in, I did. I watched You Tube videos on how to read Judy’s patterns. They are like little booklets, even for this relatively simple beginner pattern. It is called Star Baby and is basically a mini Lone Star pattern. I’ve always admired the Lone Star because of its significance to Native Americans.

The Lone Star stands for honor and generosity, important virtues among the beliefs and traditions of the Lakota (Sioux) people. The image of a star quilt serves as a reminder of the significance and honor that comes from giving to others. It is often given to honor individuals at birth and other milestones throughout life. It is so fitting that Jane sent me the mini version of this pattern. I see it as a testament to her own generosity. I am grateful.

As I began looking at the directions, I was pretty intimidated. Not only is Niemeyer a fantastic designer, but the way she designs the instructions to make her quilts, she has to be an organizational genius. She covers every aspect of making the quilt, breaking down each pattern into sections, taking one step at a time, and including tips that she has perfected on her own quilting journey.

So after just one small project, I have joined countless other “Judy Junkies,” who are enamored with the work Niemeyer produces.

As for my journey, I did OK with my project. I botched the color placement. I should have used more contrasting colors next to each other. But frankly, I wasn’t at all sure what I was doing. I was just thrilled that it worked out. I was so worried about following the directions that I didn’t even think about how it would look. So, now that I got my feet wet, I’m sure I will do better next time.

I see more foundation paper piecing in my future. And, I can’t wait to get started.

 

New Year, new quilt

 

As we embark upon another new year, and it seems like this story has played out so many, many times before, it is time to think about new quilting endeavors, not to mention completing some old ones. 

 

While I am not into New Year's Resolutions, I am rather excited about the upcoming year as it pertains to quilting. 

 

I'm looking forward to a new block of the month (BOM) quilt pattern that will begin Jan. 1 and continue throughout the next 11 months. As in the past several projects, Pick a Petal is hosted by The Quilt Show. Their offerings do not disappoint. 

 

These undertakings, in my view, offer an opportunity to grow as a quilter, often with new skills to learn and practice. Quilt Show BOMs are not easy, by any stretch, thereby providing me with the challenge I seem to crave in my quilting quest. 

 

This quilt will include some embroidery.

 

Sometimes I think I forget skills I just learned. I make the dumbest mistakes at times, which provides a little humor to my quilting life as well. After all, if you can't laugh at yourself when you bungle something when you know you know better, what is the point of trying? I see it as all part of the process. It is what seam rippers are for. I admit, I am getting pretty good at unsewing.

 

Case in point: My new quilting studio remains a bit stark with little, so far, to distinguish it as a quilting studio over simply a spare room.

 

So I decided to make a small table topper for a letter sorting case that my late husband used when he worked for the U.S. Postal Service.

I didn't want to fuss over anything, so I decided on a simple log cabin design. I even printed out a pattern, so as to not have to think much the size and number of strips I would needed for four blocks. 

 

I picked out fabrics and set out to follow the pattern. Well, that didn't work. The size was all wrong. 

 

I ended up measuring each strip and cutting it to fit. Then I realized I was sewing the strips in the wrong direction. I was on the third round when that occurred to me so I had to rip out all the seams and start again. Jeez! After all these years, screwing up a log cabin is pretty sad since it doesn't get much easier than this. 

 

But, I laughed at myself and persevered. I worked well after dark but got it done. It dawned on me, that my studio is a very pleasant place to hang out, even if it was a little longer time than I had intended.

 

About those old projects: I am hoping that this is the year I can get my act together and quilt one, two, or all three quilts I have yet to complete. The tops are done, and for one of them I have already decided on the backing fabric. I have purchased the batting and just need to get to it. I'm excited to get the past behind me and look forward to a new year and new projects.