My One Monthly Goal was to completely sew the blue churn dash quilt top. I did make some progress but just couldn't make myself concentrate exclusively on her. I needed a break and decided to finish up other projects. I pulled out the Star Bright crib quilts (which was a free pattern) and got them quilted. I added a flange binding to each one to brighten up the grays.
A year ago I had spiral quilted a charity quilt which turned out rather wonky and would not lay flat. I hadn't had read any tutorials, just jumped in and started quilting. This time around, I read tutorials and I'm pleased with the way the quilting turned out on this quilt. She's not perfectly flat but she's a lot flatter than the quilt a year ago!
And a back view. I didn't have much gray fabric in my stash, just these two darker grays. Now they are mostly used up.
A month or so ago, I was looking through the manual to my sewing machine and noticed a stitch to be used in quilting! I used the stitch on the first two quilts. It's a long stitch then a short back stitch then a short stitch forward. Basically it locks the thread in place so if it is cut or torn, all the stitching doesn't come out. Using this stitch used a lot more thread though and took longer to quilt.
I wanted to quilt each quilt differently and came up with a different quilting on this one. I don't like the way she turned out and it took so much longer than the spiral quilting did. Even though I'm not visually pleased with the quilting, I'm happy there are no puckers, pleats or tucks.
I bought this pretty gray/white dotted fabric to use on the backs of two quilts. I'm like grays more than I used to. Amanda Jean fromCrazy Mom Quiltsis influencing my fabrics choices now.
For the third quilt I decided to do spiral quilting again. It does go fast once you understand what you are doing. I did not use the special quilting stitch for quilting this quilt. I just wanted to get it finished! The tutorials I read were 10 Tips for Spiral Quilting Success from Flourishing Palms Blog and Spiral or Circular Quilting from Elm Street Quilts. These tutorials were the reason my spiral quilting was a success this time around. These 3 crib quilts measure 39" by 44". I personally like crib quilts to be bigger than this. I will make this pattern again, but to make it larger, I will add a row of blocks to the top and left side. Or, maybe I'll cut the blocks bigger. I decide whenever I make another one. These 3 baby quilts will be donated to the Family Christian Development Center in Nappanee.
I just read the tutorial for the spiral quilting. I like the look but think it would take forever to do on a larger quilt. I think I would attempt this on a smaller size piece.
I do like the quilt with the different patterns on it. Yes it does take time that's why I don't do them like this. I do an all over to get them out the way. I really do need to spend some more time with the designs. I have done the spiral quilting and live the effect. I will be doing that again on baby quilts. They are an easy size to manage.. You are doing well...
They are great quilts, Gretchen. The one you don't like -- the one with straight lines? I like that one best because of the change of quilting in the star. I think it looks fabulous!
The star in that quilt was the first thing I quilted. I had planned to quilt the main body of the quilt in straight lines, all the same direction. But I made a mistake on the right side, thought I was at the bottom. I was too lazy to remove the stitching so I decided to make the straight stitching different directions. I think I would like it better if I had made the lines closer together. Oh well, next time will be better. I did enjoy the spiral quilting the most. Thanks for commenting!
I'm so glad you conquered the spiral! Such a fun and effective quilting pattern. Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal. Congrats on finishing your goal!
Gretchen this was so interesting. I have always been *Just* a hand quilter, or I tie quilts...only machine quilting pillows, or something very small. I appreciate the feedback about the spiral quilting and the links which I may visit down the line. I DO like your second quilt though as well :)
I'm a hand quilter also but I cannot quilt hand everything I make! So I've made the decision that the smaller quilts are going to be quilted on my sewing machine unless it is a very special project. I washed the crib quilts today and dried them in the dryer. I do like the 2nd quilt better now. It just needed some character. I'm sure the child who receives this quilt won't be at all concerned about the quilting. Thanks for commenting.
I love the look of the quilting on the pink quilt, it's incredibly textural and makes you want to run your hand over it. All three are gorgeous, what a lovely gift to make :)
Oh thank you!!! I tried spiral quilting once and picked it out it was so awful ....I will look at the tutorials :) oh and love those quilts...beautiful
Spiral quilting looks fun and manageable. I have a modern mystery quilt that has a storm at sea quilt on the back. I am thinking that this might be a great way to have the quilting work for both sides. Thank you.
interesting to hear about that quilt stitch you have on your machine - I have never heard anyone mention that one before
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of it either. I've had this machine for 5 years and never noticed it before. It's interesting but it really used the thread.
DeleteI just read the tutorial for the spiral quilting. I like the look but think it would take forever to do on a larger quilt. I think I would attempt this on a smaller size piece.
ReplyDeleteThere is no way I'd attempt spiral quilting on a large quilt but it works great on a crib quilt.
DeleteI do like the quilt with the different patterns on it. Yes it does take time that's why I don't do them like this. I do an all over to get them out the way. I really do need to spend some more time with the designs. I have done the spiral quilting and live the effect. I will be doing that again on baby quilts. They are an easy size to manage..
ReplyDeleteYou are doing well...
Thank you. I thought the spiral quilting was fun.
DeleteThey are great quilts, Gretchen. The one you don't like -- the one with straight lines? I like that one best because of the change of quilting in the star. I think it looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThe star in that quilt was the first thing I quilted. I had planned to quilt the main body of the quilt in straight lines, all the same direction. But I made a mistake on the right side, thought I was at the bottom. I was too lazy to remove the stitching so I decided to make the straight stitching different directions. I think I would like it better if I had made the lines closer together. Oh well, next time will be better. I did enjoy the spiral quilting the most. Thanks for commenting!
DeleteSpiral quilting is always an effective way to go! But all the quilts, all the quilting is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you conquered the spiral! Such a fun and effective quilting pattern. Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal. Congrats on finishing your goal!
ReplyDeleteGretchen this was so interesting. I have always been *Just* a hand quilter, or I tie quilts...only machine quilting pillows, or something very small. I appreciate the feedback about the spiral quilting and the links which I may visit down the line. I DO like your second quilt though as well :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a hand quilter also but I cannot quilt hand everything I make! So I've made the decision that the smaller quilts are going to be quilted on my sewing machine unless it is a very special project. I washed the crib quilts today and dried them in the dryer. I do like the 2nd quilt better now. It just needed some character. I'm sure the child who receives this quilt won't be at all concerned about the quilting. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteThese stars are all very lovely!
ReplyDeleteI love those star bright quilts, I have been meaning to make some too. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteI love the look of the quilting on the pink quilt, it's incredibly textural and makes you want to run your hand over it. All three are gorgeous, what a lovely gift to make :)
ReplyDeleteOh thank you!!! I tried spiral quilting once and picked it out it was so awful ....I will look at the tutorials :) oh and love those quilts...beautiful
ReplyDeleteThe quilts are so beautiful...I feel like making a set right away :)
ReplyDelete-Leena
https://creativeinstincts.wordpress.com/
These look fabulous! I think each quilting approach has its merits -- well done!
ReplyDeleteSpiral quilting looks fun and manageable. I have a modern mystery quilt that has a storm at sea quilt on the back. I am thinking that this might be a great way to have the quilting work for both sides. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely doing to use the spiral quilting on more quilts. It is such an easy solution to the quilting question.
DeleteBeautiful versions of this quilt. We've made a few for the outreach program at our guild as well....and I'm sure we will make some more.
ReplyDeleteThe pattern really does sew up fast and it is cute too. Thanks for commenting!
DeleteI love the first quilt you show, with the yellow inverse star against all those different greys. And the spiral quilting really sets it off well!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I really enjoy the spiral quilting.
Delete