Sunday, July 12, 2015

Doing the Quilter's Happy Dance

Since nobody needs to see pictures of me doing that dance, I will start this post with a photo of my Stonefields quilt as it is on the design wall right now. Sorry, it is not a great photo but at least you get the idea. I have finished all the flying else needed for the border and have 88 of the 121 blocks completed. Still hoping to finish this top this year.

But back to my dancing with glee. You may remember that we have had to move a few times over the last few years and during that time I also had back surgery for a spinal fusion. As a result I have not been able to use my longarm machine for about 3 years. I had only had the machine for just over a year before it had to be disassembled and packed up and then right after it was set back up in the last house I found out I needed immediate surgery and then we had to move again. Well finally, with my new studio space complete, DH set the machine and frame up again. This past week I finally had the courage to relearn how to load it and operate sewing machine and after much research and troubleshooting things are running well. Yippee, and dare I say it is running better than ever. So in just a few days I have finished a few things and am so excited to think I can finally start making a dent in all the tops I have accumulated. I decided to just start with some easy all over designs so I could focus on machine adjustments. Here is an easy top that I had made awhile ago. My little grandson loves all the vehicles and was happy to see this one go on his big boy bed.

Here is a charity quilt ready to take for someone else in my sewing group to bind. This floral is another of the designs that I find easy to do. I do not often do pantographs as I enjoy "drawing" the pattern freehand.

And finally another quick quilt either for my granddaughter or charity. My DIL has asked for a small quilt to be donated to a silent auction so this will go to that unless she decides to keep it - then I am happy to make something else for the donation. So much easier now that I know I can get the quilting done!

 

 

13 comments:

Kyle said...

It certainly doesn't look like you lost much skill during your time away from the long arm. Great job and look what you've accomplished in just a week!

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

I am so happy for you!!!!!! I have had 4 back surgeries (managed to stay good since 2003! I need to get with the "quilting the tops" program too. Maybe in a few weeks.

Enjoy catching up and so glad you are healthy - I walk 30 minutes each day and have since the first surgery in 1985 (3 more in 2000, 2002, and 2003) such fun. The stretches and walking keep me fit as a fiddle unless I do somthing stupid!

Love your work!

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

I forgot to mention I love your Stonefields! I am going to start preparing mine in the next week or so..........Will be fun work when we go to Arizona for the winter.....Weather here in South Texas is absolutely SUMMER - feels like over 100, but it is 94 with about 46% humidity .... Sweatsville!

Inspiration City with Happy Appliquer

Frog Quilter said...

Welcome back to the long arm world. Looks like you haven't lost any of your abilities. Your stonefields looks awesome. Keep going!

Oops-Lah said...

I remember when you said that you had to pack away your long arm machine for at least a year or more! How time has flown by. I'm glad you haven't lost your touch. I love the car quilt; I made the original one designed by Kellie Wulfsohn where afterward she designed the fabric from it. Such fun quilts for little boys.

sunny said...

Awesome! So glad you're able to be quilting again. Take it easy - don't overtax your back. Love all the quilts.

audrey said...

Good for you! Your grandson looks happy to have his quilt done for sure! Love seeing your Stonefields again too. It's looking fabulous.:)

Karen H said...

Your Stonefields is looking so good. It is going to be an amazing quilt.

Deb Fox-McHugh said...

Awesome progress! I am also doing the stone fields quilt but am way behind you! I do have a bunch of the outer border hexagons done though.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Cute little grandson with his quilt! :)

Flickenstichlerin said...

Wonderful finish es, congratulations.
Your Stonefield project looks great.
Greetings,
Sylvia

Barb said...

what a sweet little guy - and great boy quilt.
Wow - it was a mini quilt show today. Your charity quilt is lovely!!

Karen said...

Having had two fusion back surgeries myself, I can well imagine your happiness in being able to use your quilting machine again.