Thursday, August 13, 2015

UFO Report

The UFO of the month (well, the last three months actually!) is almost ready to be quilted. As all quilters know, there is a lot of prep work getting to this stage. The top has to be "de-threaded" (technical term) and pressed, the backing must be pieced and pressed, the batting has to be purchased, measured and cut, and finally the three layers are ready to become a quilt sandwich. Boring. 
But then the fun part starts - pin basting. Most people dislike this stage of quiltmaking but I like it.  I put on some great music and spend the basting time thinking of possible thread choices and quilting designs. 
I consider where the quilt will be going (gift, donate, or keep) and what it's job will be (utility vs. heirloom). And I think about the quilting I've done lately and what technique I might want to learn, or try again. While basting this quilt I decided to try a chevron design, but wasn't sure if I was patient enough to stitch a whole quilt of straight lines with the walking foot. As soon as I sat down to quilt and realized how many times I would have to turn the whole quilt to stitch straight chevrons, the decision was made - free motion wiggly chevrons it is.
This quilt is getting done in August!

9 comments:

Kaelyn Angelfoot said...

Ah yes, I dislike attempting to straight stitching complicated designs on my DSM because of all the turning. Looking forward to seeing your wiggly chevrons!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Now I love straight stitch no matter how many times I have to turn that quilt - just love the texture it gives. I usually break it down into 3 or 4 work sessions - doing something else inbetween.

Deb A said...

Yes it will! Now to go do that prep work for mine! I'd love to have some binding for Sunday. Hope you have some binding for Sunday too!

Mary said...

Yea for wavy Chevrons! Can't wait to see them. You have a few more days in August to do it! Go Kathy, GO!

Gina said...

I love pin basting aswell. It gives the quilt the time to talk to me and tell me how it wants to be quilted

The Joyful Quilter said...

LOVE it!! This is one of the FIRST quilts that I was going to make. 25 years later, I still haven't made it!!! Funny how that happens with lure of some OTHER awesome quilt that we just HAVE to make. LOL

The Cozy Quilter said...

You are so close to finishing!!!!

Rebecca in AK said...

The layering and basting always hold me up. To make enough space to do it I have to move furniture! So I tend to put it off. Your chevron quilt looks awesome!

Kate said...

You've done such a good job on your UFOs this year. Hope you've had time to get it all ready. My least favorite stage is the de-threading stage.