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Sunday, January 7, 2018

First Row Quilted

The first row of Spring Fever is quilted! 

 I took the picture from the other end of the quilt for a change. 
The quilting on the blocks is an overall design. I'm liking how this looks and it quilts fairly fast too.

 I've rolled and started on the next row. I don't know how much quilting will happen this week, the dreaded cracks are starting to appear in my thumbs!

 A couple weeks ago I made the comment about how the King Tut thread was tangling and knotting so easily. Someone suggested waxing it. I probably have some beeswax somewhere from my candlewicking days back in the 80's but I pulled out my little blue box of Thread Heaven to use. This has helped immensely so thanks to whoever it was who suggested it. 

 Linking to Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching, Show & Tell Monday With Bambi, Love Laugh Quilt, BOM's Away, Quilter's Monday, Esther's Wednesday WOW!
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19 comments:

  1. Quilting BabciaJanuary 7, 2018 at 6:28 AM

    "Spring Fever" is looking fabulous. I think we all have a bit of spring fever these frigid mornings. Minus 18 degrees here now, waiting for the January thaw.

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  2. JoJanuary 7, 2018 at 7:02 AM

    Do you put your quilts on this frame and hand quilt them while they are on there.

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    1. Gretchen WeaverJanuary 7, 2018 at 8:22 AM

      This is a Grace frame. There separate rollers for the top, backing and batting. The layers all come together in the front and there are gears on the side that I turn to roll. I used to have the old sticks and stands frame. I love this frame, it takes up so much less space.

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  3. Deb @ Frugal Little BungalowJanuary 7, 2018 at 7:16 AM

    It looks beautiful :)

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  4. The Cozy QuilterJanuary 7, 2018 at 8:58 AM

    How satisfying to roll the quilt! My hands are quite dry right now too. Hand lotion a couple of times a day helps. I use thread heaven on my embroidery threads for cross stitching...it helps!

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  5. CathieJJanuary 7, 2018 at 9:25 AM

    You should try some Bag Balm for your fingers. It is made for cow udders and has a strong smell, but put it on at night and the cracks will be gone in no time. I use it on my heels in winter with socks and it works wonderfully. I have heard that O'keefes working hands works wonders also. I love your quilting.

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  6. Karen - Quilts...etc.January 7, 2018 at 9:28 AM

    it is always nice to get the first row quilted and start to roll it. Thread Heaven company has gone out of business, if you can buy some extra thread heaven now is the time to do it. I don't usually use it but I think I will see if I can find some and get it now. I am wearing white gloves to bed with bag balm greased on my hands - Vaseline works too. My thumbs and fingers get the cracks too from quilting.

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  7. Carla A Few Of My Favorite ThingsJanuary 7, 2018 at 10:13 AM

    Great progress! I am using old fashion Coats and Clark thread. It's been my favorite as it is coated or glazed and tangles less frequently than other brands I have used. I agree about using bag balm to heal your hands works wonders.

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  8. Quilter KathyJanuary 7, 2018 at 12:55 PM

    I know exactly what those cracks are about and get them at this time of year also.
    I use the same remedy as Karen with bag balm and vaseline over night.
    The quilting looks wonderful... great job!

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  9. KristieJanuary 7, 2018 at 2:31 PM

    Looks wonderful! Nothing like the look of hand quilting. I love it!
    Blessings...
    Kristie

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  10. K ReevesJanuary 7, 2018 at 3:16 PM

    What a beauty this is, and I love your Grace frame! I have only a hoop at the moment, but then I am just trying this hand quilting out. You have some lovely finishes!

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  11. Jayne HonnoldJanuary 7, 2018 at 4:43 PM

    Gretchen, it's beautiful! I love this block, and you are doing a fantastic job with the quilting. It is so much more intricate than I'd be willing to do. I will be eagerly watching your progress! Take care of those cracked fingers!!

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  12. CathyJanuary 7, 2018 at 5:01 PM

    Beautiful quilting! I use Thread Heaven sometimes for embroidery threads but I've never had to use it for quilting threads so far. Like Carla commented...I use Coats and Clarks.

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  13. scraphappyJanuary 7, 2018 at 6:09 PM

    Your quilting is coming along beautifully. Take care of your fingers! You are going to need those I'm sure. I think I have that same border stencil.

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  14. dqJanuary 8, 2018 at 12:31 AM

    I just love to see that hand quilting is not a lost art yet. I do love to hand quilt; it is very relaxing. The problem is that I make too many quilts to get them all finished that way.

    Your stitches look beautiful.

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  15. Chopin - A Passionate QuilterJanuary 8, 2018 at 9:01 AM

    Beautiful work! I have some of the Thread Heaven and need to get it out - my black embroidery thread is acting up! I need to come take some hand quilting lessons from you - or at least get a quilt loaded on my new 2017 frame that is gathering moss! You do such beautiful work Gretchen.

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  16. Tina W. In OregonJanuary 8, 2018 at 10:51 AM

    Love to see hand quilting. I need to take time to do more of it.
    I’ve found that if you thread your needle and then knot the end that comes off the spool, your thread will knot and tangle less. It works for me! But thread heaven is good too.

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  17. LynetteJanuary 9, 2018 at 11:45 AM

    That is a sweet quilting design for the blocks. It'll look so pretty when the blue comes out. Yout poor thumbs!

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  18. evajJanuary 10, 2018 at 4:36 AM

    Thank you for your participation at the Show and Tell Monday. Hug Bambi

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