Yesterday was my third time renting time on the Gammill longarm quilting machine at Jukebox Quilts in Fort Collins, CO. They're always so nice and helpful there. It had been a while since my last time and I completely forgot how to load a quilt. Well, that is something that I'll have to practice at because it just seems so complicated .. which way to lay the quilt backing and which bar to go up and over or under.
I tried a different pantograph this time .. Popcorn by Willow Leaf. It wasn't as easy to get into a rhythm with that one as it was with Chestnut Swirls but it did turn out okay.
I really like piecing the backing from the leftover fabrics. This time I used 1/2" seam allowances so that they would be a bit stronger for the pulling on the frame. It did mean that I had to be extra careful when loading in on the frame so that the seams wouldn't twist and lay flat.
Lessons learned:
- Check your bobbin every once in a while otherwise you'll have to replace it in the middle of a row
- Maybe wait to use variegated thread until you're more experienced
- Baste the edges closer than 1/4" otherwise you may catch the edges when quilting
- Double check your tension every once in a while
- Try to keep curves round and not flat
- Remember which direction you're going when you come back to quilting after checking the front ... oops!
- No matter what, always have fun ;-)
This quilt just needs a binding and then I can mail it off to the CA quilting bee so that the rabbi can hand it out to someone who's ill and needs a bit of comfort and love. That is a nice thing about charity quilts .. you know that the recipient will get a smile on their face.
And this is what we woke up to this morning:
