Quilt as I go - Part II

Okay, I've ironed the backing section and smoothed out the batting. I place the backing with wrong side up and position the batting piece on it. Then I lay the sewn quilt blocks (3 rows by 7 blocks) on top and smooth all over. I pin the sides of the sandwich, turn it over and check the back to see that it is smooth and then pin the entire top.

Now I take the sandwich to my machine. I will use the same kind of thread in the bobbin as on top. I am using wonderfil Invisifil white and a 60/8 needle. I have the straight stitch plate and my darning foot ready for free motion quilting. You can see this segment is just the right size for the throat of my machine:

Since these are pieced blocks I'm going to do a medium meander across the rows. I just have to remember to slow down my movement on the curves and I'll have more even stitches. I get tense when I'm free-motioning and I have to remember to relax my shoulders and drop my arms to a more relaxed position. Helps, too, if I don't hunch over the machine and breathe - LOL. I'm going to quilt the middle row first. Here's a close up of the meander.

I'll finish quilting this section and make the other 3 row one. Then I'll be back with Part III of Quilt as I go.

Finished Charity quilt

I demonstrated binding at our last guild workshop, so I started a quilt to use the edges for the binding demo. Afterwards, I went home and took out the french method binding to finish the binding by bringing up all four sides from the back. This will go to Riverside Life Services . It was a split nine-patch block pattern. After picking out the fabrics, and once it was made, felt the dark was too dark for my choices. Maybe if I had used a more medium yellow it would have looked better to me. What do you think?

Back again

Have been off vacationing with family, hence no posts or quilting for a while. Though it was 101 by Noon we went to the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Fortunately we got there by 9am when it opened and were able to see quite a few animnals on the tram ride around the perimeter of the park. A great way to see most of the park. Here is part of the creche of giraffes they have that are one of the most successful of their breeding programs. The park has lots of shade in places and "wet zones" where one can cool off - not to mention shows that give you a respite from the heat, but still it was hot! Here is grandson #2, Frank, cozying up to Mama Gorrilla. And last but not least, they put quilting blocks on the posts giving directions. Would make a great African quilt border.