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Wednesday, January 13, 2010

First finish for 2010!


In addition to using up stash fabric this year (especially in pieced quilt backings - see the backing for this quilt here), I want to use up old spools of thread. When quilting a piece this large in the past, I would have gone to Triangle Sewing and picked out thread specifically matched to the project, and usually buy extra so that I would never run out.
However, this year I am going to use up spools that I already have....the year of "threadbusting"!  I used to worry about having enough thread to quilt the entire piece with the SAME colour. I'm over that now, since I have a large stash of partially used spools that need to be emptied, and since I realized that most people cannot tell that I have used 4 different shades of teal thread in this quilt!
I started with these 3 spools and quickly used them up.
Here is one of the spools dangling from the thread feeder on my sewing machine...time for another spool!
I had a great time with this quilting. Some people really dislike machine quilting, but I love it almost as much as the piecing (and sometimes more). I decided to quilt this disappearing 9 patch in straight lines, making it completely different from the pink and purple polka dot disappearing 9 patch that I made last year (click here to see it) which I quilted with wavy lines and circles.
Above is a picture of quilting straight lines across the diagonal of the blocks using my walking foot.

I also practised quilting straight lines using my free motion foot in these white diamonds. It was a lot of starting and stopping (as opposed to continuous line quilting) and it required focus and concentration, but I was happy with the results.

Here is a picture of how the blocks were quilted.


And...drum roll please...
here is my first finished quilt of 2010...
the red and aqua disappearing 9 patch!
Thanks to Jane for hosting the block swap in November and to those quilters who contributed blocks for my quilt!

26 comments:

  1. I've made about 20 disappearing nine-patch quilts, but I like your layout way better than mine. Mind if I steal it?

    Great quilt! and good luck threadbusting!

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  2. I participated in the same swap so I'm sure you have some of my blocks. I haven't assembled my D9P yet but seeing yours is very inspiring. I love the use of the white connectors to tie the whole thing together. Great job!

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  3. I LOVE IT, my top is done but in no pattern, I love yours, I also used white as my border, I love your use of white makes the quilt pop!! I am a hand quilter, I wish I could machine quilt but it never seems to work, it sure worked for you. Yippee #1 of 2010!!!
    Thanks for the email!! I am do hsppy to get to see the quilt also a great idea about the thread, I have soooo much green!!!

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  4. It is gorgeous Kathy. I have yet to put mine together. I really love your quilting.

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  5. Congratulations on your first finish! The quilt looks lovely!

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  6. Congrats on the finish - it looks wonderful. And getting a quilt done so soon in the new year sure helps...anything is possible!

    Liz

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  7. The teal and red look great together. I have a couple of D9Ps to make this year and I may do this pattern for one of them. Thanks for sharing! BTW--I received my package of charm squares yesterday. I will make the I spy quilt for the Children's aid society sometime this Spring. The squares will make a bright and cheery quilt that will make a child very happy! Thanks again!

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  8. Aren't finishes just the best. I will need to practise more to machine quilt as well as you do.

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  9. What a gorgeous, gorgeous quilt and I love the border effect with the white blocks!

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  10. Congratulations on your first finish! :-) It looks great! I love the layout too. ;-)

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  11. I love the setting you used. Looks great!

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  12. I love that red and aqua together! Great job!

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  13. Oh yes - it's lovely. It looks way more complicated than an ordinary D9P.

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  14. One down and many more to go eh! Love the idea of "thread busting" it doesn't last nearly as long as fabric. I think I will try to thread bust too and finish some UFOs this year....

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  15. I love using up spools of thread.
    The machine quilting looks great.

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  16. Kathy, that quilt is awesome! Your thoughts on using old threads is a great idea. I don't know why I tend to hold onto thread that is almost done....LOL....Question...what did you use to sandwich your quilt together??? 505 spray, pins, or something else???

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  17. Kathy,
    That is beautiful. "Thread busting" - I like that!

    Did you quilt that whole thing in one day? It looks great.

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  18. I love the colors. It's unique, beautiful, and fun.

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  19. Great quilt. I normally use variegated thread in my quilting, that way it doesn't matter if you use different thread.

    Love and hugs Gina xxx

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  20. Your "first finish" deserves a 1st place! Love the aqua and red together - Beautiful!!!

    Love from Texas! ~bonnie

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  21. I love the setting you used. The white triangles make all the difference.

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  22. I love your quilt. The colors are wonderful and the setting is great. I haven't done a disappearing 9 patch, but I want to, and yours is one of my favorites. Your quilting looks awesome.

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  23. It looks amazing!!! I love it.

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  24. I like the setting on your D9P quilt. I need a few quilts for males in my family and the colors would be great. Thanks for sharing with us in blogland.

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  25. no matter what pattern, aqua and red just look super fantastic together :) and make me smile! I have to add this color combo to my one day list!

    I bet you feel great to have it done!!!

    Love from Texas! ~bonnie

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