Rhapsody in Blue

Another row across Rhapsody in Blue has been hand quilted. 

The quilted feathers look elegant.

The crosshatching in the squares looks so nice. It's a lovely texture when I gently rub my fingers over the quilting.

This quilt is directional. I started quilting at the top of the quilt so the top of the center applique has been quilted.

I can't decide if I should add quilting to the background of the applique sashing or not. I'll let Elaine decide after the quilt is out of the frame.

And the right side border. This picture always looks darker gray but the gray isn't this dark!

Did you notice something in the very top picture and the above picture also?

See how the lines change direction with the inverted V?

That is the halfway point! The quilting is halfway completed!!

The quilt flimsy was too large for the side sticks, approximately 18" hung over the end. That would be the left side in this picture. 

It was pinned so it was tight but since I'm halfway finished, I'm going to adjust the quilt.

The flimsy has been adjusted so the rest of the quilt is now in the frame. I also switched the longer side sticks to shorter ones. I measured the short side, 60" to be quilted. 

The next step is to baste the edges of the quilt layers together then start quilting along the long side. 

I realize my quilt sticks and stand probably look foreign to you guys but this is how my grandmothers, my mother and my sisters hand quilt.

Quilting in this type of frame isn't better than other ways, it's just what I'm used to. You hand quilt in whatever type of frame you like and we'll both be happy.

Linking to Patchwork & Quilts, Kathys Slow Stitching Sunday, Stitching Stuff, Oh Scrap, Handmade Monday, Sew & Tell, Craftastic Monday, Design Wall Monday, Monday Musings, To Do Tuesday