Wednesday, June 24, 2015

My thoughts on the Quilting Process

Happy Wednesday! I got to thinking after reading a few of Monday's comments. Several people asked, "How are you going to quilt it?"
The straightforward answer is, I probably won't quilt it cause it's a huge quilt!.

For most quilts, including the Ohio sampler, I don't give the quilting much of a thought when I'm piecing it. I like a challenge and I love making the tops. That's my favorite part.

I got in on the ground floor with the Jane Stickle quilt and only had a book with line drawings. I think towards the end I purchased a triangle ruler for cutting them out accurately. I loved the challenge of trying to figure out the best approach to making those blocks. The only thought I gave to quilting it was that I wanted to hand quilt it. (14 years later I completed that!)

 Blind Man's fancy is another one I enjoyed piecing after drawing up the pattern from a photo of the old quilt from New York. The piecing and the challenge was what I enjoyed. I sent this one out to be quilted for an all over paisley quilting.
Under the big top was another one I enjoyed piecing and drawing out in EQ.  This one also got an allover paisley quilting.

So, for awhile I'll feel accomplished that I actually got this top all put together, then I'll contemplate the quilting. I'm in no hurry.

It sort of reminds me of something I've seen lately. Summer just arrived, officially a couple of days ago, and people are already talking about fall! Let me enjoy summer and all its fullness! Life is short enough, let's enjoy the moments we have and stop pushing ahead to the next this, the next that, the next.......

So that's my long answer, oh it seems it sort of went into a rant! LOL!!

35 comments:

  1. I enjoyed your post this morning. I didn't take it as a rant but more of a thought process. Sometimes when I make a quilt, I do think about the quilting as I progress. There are other projects though that I let speak to me as to how they want to be quilted. Have a great day!

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  2. Sometimes I wonder how I will quilt something while I'm piecing it, but usually don't know until I get started. By then, I kind of go with the inspiration of the moment. I have had to rip out some of my beginning quilting because I did't like how it looked and I change my mind. Ugh!

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  3. I love your attitude about enjoying the process and living in the present. I also love your quilts! Whoop! Whoop! Keep it up.

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  4. Yes! Let's enjoy this moment, this day. I am taking the summer off from tracking and counting and will not think about fall until I must.

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  5. I'm with you on the "ENJOY SUMMER". Time flies too fast, not like the Summers of our youth. I can't wait to see which of your quilts are in the Sister's Show. 40 year Anniversary for the Outdoor Quilt show and I'm talking DH into making the long drive.

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  6. This is amazing! It takes me a while to figure out the quilting too.

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  7. Love this post! I don't usually think about the quilting part until the top is finished. I always enjoy the process - watching the top evolve and grow. I'm with you - enjoy life in the moment!

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  8. Lori, You crack me up.. I was thinking about your Jane yesterday, and here it is!! I have 3 and a half rows done! Also started my Billings. Yes, MAKE SUMMER GO SLOW.. (I don't have to work) I think of tomorrow, in the summer, when it's Yesterday!!
    Nice posts!! See you sometime soon. Laurie

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  9. If you worry about the next step it really does steal the joy from the present one. I'm with you--the piecing is my favorite. I just have to enjoy it. : )

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  10. I had no idea you made a Dear Jane quilt! I guess I haven't been blogging long enough. I think a lot us relate to the "quilting" dilemma. Fortunately I have a lot of quilting friends who help with input. I don't machine quilt anything larger than 24" so if it is going to be machine quilted, I send it out to my friend Ann. I do hand quilt most of my quilts and I hate to mark so I do a lot of outline quilting. I think your sampler is lovely just as a top!

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  11. Thinking of fall on the first day of summer is sad. Like planning one s Fourth of July picnic on Valentines Day,lol.




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  12. That always seems to be the first thing people ask when a top is finished Most of the time I am just happy to have been able to make the top which is also my favorite part and have no idea how it will be quilted.

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  13. I'm in awe of all your beautiful quilts! My problem is I don't have the confidence in the planning. A Dear Jane seems like an unachievable goal to me....completely overwhelming!! It's one of my all time favorites!

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  14. such beautiful quilts....who cares how long they take....that "under the big top" is my absolutely fave...i love it!

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  15. Beautiful quilts every one! I love that you 'love' the process and give each quilt its own time to reach a finish. It seems that retail rushes every season. Don't try to find a bathing suit in the first week of summer, but instead concern yourself with a new winter coat *ugh*

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  16. Beautiful quilts every one! I love that you 'love' the process and give each quilt its own time to reach a finish. It seems that retail rushes every season. Don't try to find a bathing suit in the first week of summer, but instead concern yourself with a new winter coat *ugh*

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  17. Beautiful quilts every one! I love that you 'love' the process and give each quilt its own time to reach a finish. It seems that retail rushes every season. Don't try to find a bathing suit in the first week of summer, but instead concern yourself with a new winter coat *ugh*

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  18. I'm in total agreement with you - let's enjoy the moment right now, and worry about the next whatever later. Worrying about what comes next steals the pleasure of the now, both in life and in quilting.

    I rarely anticipate how I will quilt something while I'm in the midst of making the top, but sometimes it's included in my thinking. I just really enjoy the piecing and the puzzle of the process of making the quilt top, and I send most of my quilts out to be quilted, so that's not usually a factor for me. And I agree - making the top is worthy of celebrating that step! I love your Ohio sampler!! I enjoyed reading the book about them, and yours is surely in the same spirit! It's beautiful and I applaud your accomplishment!!

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  19. Your quilts are all lovely and thoughtfully made, quilting too! It feels wonderful and warm, summer doesn't last near enough , so let's enjoy !

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  20. All beautiful and each one a great achievement! I like your thinking Lori. I don't usually think past the top when making a quilt - and often the top evolves as I go along too. Enjoying the process is what it is all about - well said :)

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  21. I rarely think about the quilting while I'm working on the piecing/applique part. It's the part of the process that I enjoy the very best. Quilting can come later! Love your work and your beautiful finishes.:)

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  22. Lori, we're on the same page. I'm always up for a challenge, there's nothing better than being inspired by an antique quilt, is there? I'm plodding away on my DJ quilt and i'm getting there.. all by hand, no fancy tools, just the book and DJ rulers.. and i'm loving the whole slow/easy (challenging) process.
    I LOVE all your quilts, including the quilting :)) cheers... Marian

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  23. My first attempt at a comment ran into some technical difficulty, so sorry if this is the second one you get from me? I do love each of those quilts and I could not agree more about just enjoying the moment and process for what it is right now...why be in a hurry to move on or make decisions? My good friend is always asking me...what are you going to do with that/ what size will it be/ how will you quilt it? My answer is always the same...I have no idea! :)

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  24. Lori,
    good to read your post this morning.
    I fully understand, same here, just enjoying every stitch, now matter what kind it is, every day. And when I am satisfied stitching, go out in the garden, get my hands dirty and enjoy summer there.
    Greetings,
    Sylvia

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  25. That's the problem when we make big quilts !! I have one big which wainting for me but I'm not in a hurry.....
    Well, to be honest, I don't want to quilt it for this time....
    Take your time Lori !! :)

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  26. it will be great whenever and however you decide to quilt it
    enjoy a hot long summer

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  27. all I can say is WOW!!! hope we see you for coffee and scones Quilt Show morning!!!

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  28. Just awesome.I enjoy sewing tops , quilt and still playing with my Dear Jane `s blocks.This summer I`d try a go and however you quilting your will be fabulous!!

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  29. I love seeing your quilt pictures! They are truly beautiful. Is Blind Mans Fancy a pattern we can buy? Thanks. Hugs,

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  30. I so agree...I also love the drafting, picking the fabrics and then the piecing! Happy Summer!

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  31. I was just thinking earlier today that fall quilt projects would start popping up on the blogs. I need to make something for summer and that time is fast disappearing.
    I still have laryngitis!

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  32. I agree about enjoying the moment. I work in retail and they are always rushing the seasons. We are putting out back to school this week. I love that quilt. I would just quilt each block individually. Probably outline quilt the appliques. I love the hand quilting finishing.

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  33. Your Ohio Sampler quilt turned out great! I agree with you about taking time and enjoying the process. Too easy to rush through to the next project sometimes.

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  34. Yup - I'm a work in the moment kind of quilt maker and worry about what comes next when I get there. The same holds true for quilting - I don't make the decision until I am there and have to make a decision. If nothing comes to me I just work on something else until it comes to me! I love all of the quilts you shared today!

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