Taking a small vacation starting today.
Visiting some friends in Alabama that were in the military with us.
I have been wanting to make them a quilt for years but never got around to it.
So, Monday I remembered that 2 summers ago I made this civil war prints quilt top and never got around to quilting it.
I used Bonnie's Leaders and enders system.
So, I basted it and immediately knew that I had to step up the quilting process because the backing was queen size , much to my surprise.
I started quilting it Monday afternoon, and did not complete this quilt until Thursday morning.
I quilted roughly 12 hours a day for 3 days straight, not going to bed until 1 am and up again at 730!!
I have never ever done marathon quilting like this.( and I hope never to have too again.)
I used 6 spools of thread and my supply of bobbin thread is completely extinguished.
I hope to find a quilt shop in Alabama so I can replenish my now extinguished thread supply.
When I went to press it yesterday, I could barely lift it up so I partially pressed it.
It just seemed so heavy to me measuring at 73x88.
I barely had the strength in my arms to fold it and wrap it so I just folded it and tied a Moda ribbon on it.
Did I mentioned that my Bernina BSR foot broke during the quilting process and I had to figure out how to use my regular free motion foot which I have never used?
Daunted why this task was so hard to me proved a challenge until I sat down to relax yesterday and saw that my elbows were completed swollen with my left elbow being so swollen it was almost numb.
So, lesson learned:
Plan what quilts to give as gifts earlier in advance and start quilting earlier so that there is no rush.
Guess my Alabama vacation is going to come in handy and I was going to applique on the way???
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24 comments:
What a wonderful gift, but UGH about quilting for that many hours a day for several days in a row! Enjoy your vacation.
Holy Molly Betsy!! That was a serious marathon and it looks like your and your machine are tired :)
What a wonderful gift! Enjoy your vacation with good friends!
The quilt is beautiful and your friends will be so pleased. My goodness, you tried to put yourself in the hospital with quilt. Enjoy your vacation!
Sometimes quilting sure is hard on the body! But, wow, that quilt is really beautiful. He really has a scrappy Civil War feel to it -- what a beautiful gift!
What a beautiful quilt! Kudos on getting so much quilting done in so short a time! Wow! Have fun on your vacation :o)
What a quilting marathon! I'm not surprised your poor hands and arms have suffered. Your friends are certain to appreciate this wonderful gift. I hope you'll post a picture after you've given it to its new owners.
Wonderful Betsy...I know all too well how hard it is to push, pull and tug a large quilt like that through a DSM...you've conquered and looks fantastic.
Wow! You went a little crazy huh? I am doing the same thing but at least I gave myself 1 1/2 weeks!
BTW, I'm sure thye'll love it.
You did a fantastic job! My neck and back ache for you. That's a lot of quilting in a little bit of time!
I hope you can get your BSR foot fixed, I didn't realize they could break.
Your quilt is wonderful and it is definitely a gift of LOVE to your dear friends. I'm sure it will mean so much to them. Remember to relax and enjoy your vacation. You deserve it!
and don't we all have to learn that lesson over and over! It's a pretty quilt and they will love it!
Oh my goodness, Betsy! What an undertaking. The quilt turned out beautiful, but now you really need to rest and relax. Enjoy your time away with your good friends, and let those elbows, knees and feet enjoy their rest, too! Hope you're back to 100% soon!
XOXO,
Cyndi
You did learn, so I won't say anything else about your process Betsy. The quilt is wonderful and will be a special gift for your friends. Enjoy your trip and relax.
Isn't it amazing what we get in our heads to do at the last minute, thinking it would only take so long and then it takes twice as long if not longer. Sorry about your elbows....hope you have a wonderful vacation. They will just love the quilt!
Wow!! You really deserve your vacation after that quilting marathon! I hope your elbows get better quickly.
I am sure your friends will love the quilt.
Take care.
OMG, Betsy.....you are the queen of gifts this month. Your friends will love the quilt and your aliments will float away while you're vacationing!
A wonderful gift you have made for your friend. What part of Alabama will you be in and for how long.
What a great quilt - it looks like you have put in many hours of labor of love!
I can't believe your BSR foot broke... how tragic. Is your dealer able to fix it?
wow.... great job......
They will love it!
After I sent the comment, I realized that one of the reasons for the heaviness is all the seams. The bargello I have been working on is quite heavy for no bigger than it is and I'm sure that is why. We usually work with bigger blocks so don't have so many seams. That would make it much heavier to drag through to quilt also. Have a great vacation!
Your quilt turned out lovely Betsy. Wow you are courageous to work on it for such long hours. I bet your friends will love it. I hope your arms feel better soon and enjoy the vacation.
Wow that is a lot of quilting but I see you are very good at it and the quilt is lovely , wonderful use of those scraps we all have .Enjoy your vacation!
The quilt turned out great. That was a lot of time spent at the machine. Hopefully being on vacation has let your body relax.
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