Monday, January 23, 2012

Quilting

Recently I've been working on catching up on my quilting.  I've got lots of quilt tops around that are ready to be quilted.  I've even picked out binding and backing for many of them too! After getting some technical difficulties with my machine worked out and doing more research about using a quilt frame, I'm getting some of these completed! 
   
Swirling snow around my Prairie Point Christmas Tree
designed by Cara Wilson found on Moda Bake Shop.

Watching longarm quilting DVDs and looking at lots of quilting designs has gotten me inspired to get going on these tops. No to mention, to justify making some more quilt tops I should probably finish the ones I have! Problems with my machine and learning to use my new frame held me back from quilting for awhile. This is supposed to be fun isn't it? Have you ever run into a quilting road block? Or maybe even a few? I'm happy to say I think I've pushed past mine and I'm ready to continue. Now my quilting spirit is renewed and I'm ready to go!

I quilted flowers in the large border, an X pattern in the brown border, and swirls and wavy lines in the background for snow.  I also quilted in the ditches around the borders and above the prairie points. I decided I liked the dimensional look of the prairie points not stitched down at the tips.  



I was kind of planning on having this done before Christmas, but I just ran out of time and inspiration. I couldn't decide how to quilt it, if I wanted to quilt it on the frame, or if it would turn out the way I wanted it to.  It was tempting to just put it back in the pile unfinished after the holidays had passed, but I decided now was the time to finish and be ahead of it for this Christmas!  It was quilted with my Bernina 820, not on my frame though. Yesterday, I quilted another project from last years LePetite with my 820 on my frame and I'm really pleased with how it turned out.  Once I get that one trimmed up a bit I'll be sure to take some pictures to share.     

17 comments:

Izzy said...

Great job on the quilting. The whole looks fantastic!

Anonymous said...

I love the swirly snow quilting on the white background. Very nice quilt.

Needled Mom said...

It looks terrific. I know about those quilting road blocks. I always end up doing the same FMQ designs because I am too afraid to try new ones.

Kelly@ Charming Chatter said...

Beautiful quilting Michele - I especially love the windy swirls by the tree :)!!

Lois Evensen said...

I really, really like your tree!

Michelle said...

It looks great! I LOVE the swirls!

Linda said...

Gorgeous quilting!!!!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Wow! Absolutely gorgeous! I love the way your quilted swirls for falling snow and then quilted the ground differently. It add loads of interest.

Joyful Quilter said...

I think I have the same issues you do, I'm very comfortable with FMQ but the frame is very scary ... especially borders. I like the "snow drifts" you quilted at the bottom of the tree, nice touch with the swirls.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Your quilting is so pretty and really adds depth to your quilt. Love the swirly on top and the squiggles at the bottom. Congratulations on your finish.

Cheryl said...

Good for you girl. We will never improve if we just don't go for it. You did a fabulous job.

Dandelion Quilts said...

Pretty border fabric choice!

Julierose said...

Michele--I really like your tree colors--and the quilting is lovely. I just cannot get my machine quilting to look that good. Julierose

Carrie P. said...

Congrats on your finish.
I love the background quilting. Well done! And now you have it for next Christmas.

Unknown said...

The swirling snow quilting is gorgeous!!! Fantastic job...Im still not ready to move on from meandering, and even doing that took me forever to build up the guts to try! :)

Gretchen said...

Beautiful quilting. You did a wonderful job with different patterns and I really like the swirls for snow. I keep saying I'm going to quilt my tops and never seem to get around to it. Someday *sigh*

Simone de Klerk said...

I just love how it turned out!