Mid-Arm Machine Quilting with Barney

Posted on January 18, 2013 by katyquilts

Last summer, I bought a new to me mid-arm quilting machine. It is a Nolting Hobby Quilter. It is non-stitch regulated and sits on a Super Quilter frame. I am not sure this frame is still made. The widest quilt I can put on it is about 72″. I hope that at some point I will be able to purchase a larger frame.

I need more practice for sure but I am improving. I found a terrific video produced by Handi-Quilter that has been a huge help in getting the tension right. You can find the video here. This video discusses needles, thread, and tension. While it is produced by Handi-Quilter, the info is not machine specific.

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I made this strip quilt a while ago and it turned out to be a perfect practice piece. This is one of the first things I quilted last summer with “Barney, the purple sewing machine.”

I have only done one quilt with a pantograph. I would like to get better at it but haven’t taken the time to practice that. I always feel like I am wasting materials if I just load fabric to doodle.

This has been a huge help in getting Quilts of Valor finished.

Until next time….

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Packing

Posted on January 17, 2013 by katyquilts

I am getting ready to ship the two most recent Quilts of Valor off tomorrow. For each quilt, a label is attached and a presentation case is sewn. I need to applique the label on tonight and fill in the details. Then I will write a letter to the recipient. One will be going to a vet in Montana and the other to one of the Dover Mortuary Affairs staff. These staff members prepare all of our fallen heroes for burial.

At this point in the preparation process, I always find myself thinking, this quilt is not good enough. I have to remember that I will never be able to make a quilt that will make up for all that our service members have sacrificed but that it is a mere token of our appreciation and love.

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Until next time…

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Another wedding quilt…

Posted on January 16, 2013 by katyquilts

No sewing time today so I will share a large lap quilt I made for my niece’s wedding last year.  This was made from a layer cake, Frolic by Sandy Gervais. I love the colors. Mostly I loved that I found an easy pattern that didn’t waste a bit of the layer cake. I did purchase the border fabric from the same line.

Nov2011 222 Nov2011 223

Until next time….

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And done!

Posted on January 15, 2013 by katyquilts

It’s a wrap!

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Another QOV in the frame

Posted on January 15, 2013 by katyquilts

My project for the day:

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Until next time…

Posted in Quilt of Valor, Traditional Quilts, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Design wall Monday!

Posted on January 14, 2013 by katyquilts

Judy over at Patchwork Times hosts Design Wall Monday. This is what is on my wall. It is a 9-11 tribute panel that will become a Quilt of Valor. I just have to figure out what to add!

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Until next time….

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Charity quilts….

Posted on January 14, 2013 by katyquilts

I really hate the term “charity quilt.”  It seems to have such a negative connotation. But darned if I can come up with a better term! Anyway, the following quilts were made and given to our local shelter for women and children. They gave me an opportunity to practice my machine quilting skills while creating something to hopefully, bless others.

This was my first try at using a pantograph. I should have taken a detail shot!

Fall2012 001

This is the back:

Fall2012 003 Fall2012 004

This one was actually much brighter in person. I really need to work on my photography skills!

Fall2012 008

I have a few more I will post later. Until next time….

Posted in Machine quilting, Traditional Quilts | 1 Comment

What I am working on today…

Posted on January 13, 2013 by katyquilts

When I made the last QOV, I cut enough pieces for a second top. So after church today, I started piecing more hourglass blocks.

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I am also trying to decide what to do with this panel, purchased more than a year ago:

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Any ideas?
Until next time ….

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Hmmmm….

Posted on January 13, 2013 by katyquilts

I put this top together a few months ago but still can’t decide how to quilt it. It is only about 36″ square and won’t take long to finish once I start. I really don’t have a purpose for it yet. I would love to see it covered with random feathers but my skill level won’t permit that. Any suggestions?

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I used a pic from my phone and just realized the whole top isn’t even showing in this post! Oh well. I am learning the art of phone blogging. Perhaps later today I can post a better picture.

Until next time….

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First QOV for 2013

Posted on January 12, 2013 by katyquilts

I just finished my first Quilt of Valor for 2013.

QOV 003 (2) QOV9 001

The first pic shows my random lines with occasional loops  quilting. I just did a simple meander in the border.  Now I need to make my presentation case and add a label while I wait for my destination address.

Until next time…

Posted in Quilt of Valor, Traditional Quilts | 2 Comments