Like I showed yesterday, I quilted twisting streamers in the sashing strips.
In the borders I did three rows of stitching, twisting and intertwining.
I made 2 quilts at the same time last year. I made 2 similar blocks in each color combination and then used 2 totally different sashing fabrics. To read about that click here.Here are the next 2 that I am going to quilt. I used fusible batting in them so I didn't have to baste them.
It took awhile to find backing fabrics that had the same character and color range, especially for the coral and purple one. Those are leftovers in that piece that came from a quilt I made in 1992. 
The next challenge was thread. Most of my thread is Mettler Silk finish Cotton and there aren't many ranges of purple available in it. I have this Oliver Twist thread that is a good match. 
And this last picture is a close up of the lint balls hanging onto the bar that holds the presser foot. 
No, I guess really that was just a bonus in this picture, LOL, that I took to show Amy (a no reply comment blogger) who was curious yesterday that I wasn't using a walking foot for ditch quilting. I do a large majority of the ditch quilting on my older Pfaff that has dual feed to keep all of the layers moving at the same speed. Amy you asked a question about keeping the stitch length consistent too. The feed dogs are pulling the quilt along at an even pace. I don't do any pushing or pulling to distort the stitch length.
It took awhile to find backing fabrics that had the same character and color range, especially for the coral and purple one. Those are leftovers in that piece that came from a quilt I made in 1992. 
The next challenge was thread. Most of my thread is Mettler Silk finish Cotton and there aren't many ranges of purple available in it. I have this Oliver Twist thread that is a good match. 
And this last picture is a close up of the lint balls hanging onto the bar that holds the presser foot. 
No, I guess really that was just a bonus in this picture, LOL, that I took to show Amy (a no reply comment blogger) who was curious yesterday that I wasn't using a walking foot for ditch quilting. I do a large majority of the ditch quilting on my older Pfaff that has dual feed to keep all of the layers moving at the same speed. Amy you asked a question about keeping the stitch length consistent too. The feed dogs are pulling the quilt along at an even pace. I don't do any pushing or pulling to distort the stitch length.I have been quilting for 52 years and the first 29 years I did not have any type of walking foot. I learned to use my fingers to walk the fabric toward the presser foot. There are so many gadgets and conveniences available now but it can be done without any of them with a little patience. I am happy I have the dual feed now and it has improved my quilting. Also having the machine in a cabinet with a level surface to move the quilt on has improved my quilting. It just isn't as hard to quilt now as it was when I started now that I have these conveniences.
28 comments:
MUST. HAVE. CELEBRATION.!!!! Quite seriously Wanda, if you should decide that you wish to sell this lovely lovely piece, I would be most interested!!!!!! Tell me now so that I can double my overtime hours, please!
Thanks for the good tips on the machine quilting. That is one area that I have left to the professionals!!! Which you certainly join!
What a terrific name for this quilt! It fits it to a "T". Your New York Beauty quilt is just beautiful in those Kaffe stripes. I would have never thought to do it in stripes, but I guess there is no end to the patterns that you can use striped fabric in...
Wanda, I had to laugh at the fuzzball. I have those too. When good one builds up it reminds me to clean out the bobbin area - which is so easy to forget.
I was thinking that you longarm quilted your big quilts. Am I wrong?
I can't seem to get my head around quilting a queen size quilt on my regular machine.
Celebration is not only a great name because you finished it and to celebratate the new year, it also looks like fireworks explosions!!
Yes I noticed you were not using a walking foot but figured you had that covered and you did. Thank you for sharing your useful tips.
Great backing for both and the thread for the Mauve/Purle one is perfect.
What a perfect name for that quilt! Lovely, as always.
Celebration is a perfect name for that quilt! Love the two you just basted as well. The coral/purple one is especially interesting and the thread you picked looks perfect. I can't wait to see it again when you are finished with it.
Hi Wanda,
What a perfect name for your quilt!
Your next quilts in the line-up are pretty.
I always wondered about that spray-basting, such as where to do it to keep the overspray from getting on things (including your clothes), and do you wear a mask when doing the spraying?
Looks like you might have a challenge keeping warm today! We have 10 degrees F ("feels like" -2)
Vicky F
Great name for a great quilt! And I love the two you're working on now. Your lint-covered needle basr looks like mine. Maybe some smart person will invent lint-free fabric, batting and thread in the future.
Your Celebration quilt turned out fabulously! I am noticing that the large border print and the inner sashing (the circular prints) give your quilt such a nice contrast of depth. You do such fabulous work!
Your quilt makes me smile!
I wanted to ask about using fusible batting. I have not had any luck with it. It irons on too flat and doesn't seem to puff back up after washing. What am I doing wrong? I'm only using it on small projects. Any hints!
THanks for the inspiration!
Very nice quilting on that beautiful quilt. I enjoy seeing your projects from start to finish. I thought you had a midarm quilting set-up, though? You must not use it all the time?
Celebration is perfectly named! It looks exactly like that!
Wanda - I feel a little silly. I must not have my google account setup properly. Anyhow, I thank you for answering my question about the stitch-in-the-ditch. I do have my sewing machine in a cabinet where it is now perfectly flush. I will give this a try next time.
Celebration is so happy and beautiful Wanda!
I also have Pfaff with dual feed, but have not used that foot in the past for stitch in the ditch but am definitely going to try it next time. Thanks again Wanda for more suggestions to improve my quilting.
Wanda, could you also tell us what kind of sewing table you have? A couple of pictures would be good too. I am using this tiny table and I know it is holding me back.
I love Celebration and think the quilting you did on it was just the perfect touch. Sometimes, it doesn't take a fancy pattern, but something simple that helps the beauty of the fabrics stand out. I also love the additional two quilts that are ready for quilting...especially the NYB quilt. What interesting fabric choices you made! You always surprise me Wanda!!
Regarding fusible batting, I've heard about it but have never used it or even seen it.
*When do you use it as opposed to non-fusibles?
*Whose do you like?
*What are the pros and cons of its usage for the machine quilter making quilts that will be "loved?"
Thanks, Wanda!
Great Sunday post ! Enjoyed looking at all photo's and reading every word. Love the new pieces you are working on also. Especially the curves. "Celebration" has stolen many hearts including mine.
J~MT
It's a perfect name! I like this quilt a lot.
That is the best use of a large print I've ever seen. Great name!
I am absolutely in love with your quilt. It is gorgeous!You are a very prolific quilter and I so enjoy coming to your blog to see what you are doing. You have made several that I am in love with! Happy Stitching.
I think Celebration is the perfect name for that quilt.
You are so right about all the tools out there now - there is even a big growth since I began seriously (?) quilting in 1996. Some of them are useful and some are just frills and the ones that one person finds useful may not be necessary to someone else.
I really like having a slightly bigger machine than the standard domestic for quilting ( I have a Babylock) but I did quilt my first few quilts on a regular domestic machine without even a walking foot.
It is just so much easier to quilt with some of the new tools.
I love this quilt and the Kaffe Fassett fabrics are glorious. Celebration is a great name.
Regards,
Anna
"Celebration" is wonderful! What a great way to end the old year, and start the new year. I love the bright, bold border fabric. I wish I had bought some of that fabric when it was in the stores.
Your next two quilts are wonderful as well. I absolutely love the purple in the quilts, and the thread, too. Purple is a good way to start the new year I think!
Celebration is wonderful, so cheerful.
I love the next 2 quilts too, and the purple thread.
Celebration is a beautiful quilt! I really like the twisting ribbon quilting motif. I love your blog; it makes me want to jump up and start quilting! Happy new year.
Karen
That is the perfect name for this quilt. It looks like a celebration of colour and the quilting is the crowning touch!
Such a happy quilt! I hope this reflects the feeling in your heart. Isn't it wonderful how technology goes forward. We don't have to necessarily USE what comes, but it's neat to know we can
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