Just the facts...for my own record keeping...but you can read them......
I bought my longarm machine (Babylock Jewel 18") in November 2008. (I don't quilt for others.) I have quilted 88 quilts on it since then, 41 which were given away or sold, 9 QOV quilts, and 38 that I still own. So....in 5.75 years I have averaged quilting a little over 15 quilts a year....so I guess I can stop beating myself up for not getting more done.
I also quilt some of my smaller pieces on my regular machines. This one is the Pfaff 7570, 14 years old, in my Koala cabinet in the main floor studio.
In the basement I have a larger opening for the quilt to go through on the Babylock straight stitch machine which they have now named Jane. It was the Professional Quilter when I bought it and it is over 10 years old.
On those 2 machines from 2009 to present I have quilted 49 pieces of which I gave away or sold 21 and still own 28. These range in size from mini quilts and tablerunners to twin size. On these 2 machines I averaged a little less than 9 pieces a year. On all 3 machines I averaged 24 quilts quilted each year, or 2 a month (and I'm sure I started piecing at least 2 a month too!).
Those are some records... I barely remember to take a picture of some of my things....let alone record anything about them!!! I know this because I thought I'd make a photo book of my quilts!!! so far it is a sparse book!
Yes, quit beating yourself up....that is an amazing record for quilts completed. You just piece faster than you can keep up with, and we all love seeing the results. With your stockpile of tops, you always have something on hand to quilt when needed!
So, would it be correct to say that you are happy you bought the longarm? Not everyone likes them, but you are certainly getting good mileage from yours!
I think it is interesting to go back and see what you have accomplished! Sometimes a person forgets how much they have really gotten done. This is why I take pictures of all my projects I work on at the house as well as my quilting.
Not only have you created a lot of quilts, they are all awesome and unique quilts. To do both of those and your generosity with them is a marvelous feat.
Wanda, what kind of table do you use with the Baby Lock Jane? I have the Brother version of this machine and use it sunk into a cabinet. I've never tried using it with its extension surface on a normal-height table because I've thought that that would make it too high and send my shoulders into spasms. But since my cabinet is too small for quilting, I have to surround myself with ironing boards, kind of a drag! So I'm still searching for the optimal solution! Thanks, as always, for the inspiration to keep busy and go crazy with color!
Wanda, you are amazing...your quilts are beautiful and you seem to never tire...and THEN you go out and work in your yard!!!! I wish I had a teeny bit of your stamina.
I, too, have the Babylock straight stitch: love it for piecing. And I got my HQ before they started making them for Babylock. I haven't kept count of how many quilts I have made but I do try to keep my machines working most of the time. My fancy machines are also Babylock and are embroidery machines as well as utility machines. I love going into the studio and loosing myself with these mechanical friends.
Your energy is unbelievable , thanks for sharing your quilts and your knowledge with all of us. I seen that the Charley Harper fabric you like is on sale today only, it's still expensive but it is gorgeous. Enjoy your day.
Oh my goodness I can't believe you thought you didn't get enough done!!! Your work ethic is amazing! Not only do you do an incredible amount of quilting, but you do sewing for charities AND you do your own yard work! Some days I'm ashamed when I read how much you get done and how little I do. Oh, and I forgot to mention, you also knit.
I enjoy reading your blog, you are such an inspiration! I keep a written log and photograph of every quilt I've made myself and those I've quilted for friends; otherwise, they all blur together. I also have a Pfaff 7570, Babylock Jane, and HQ Avante. Love them all. My Pfaff runs as well as the day I bought it in 1996 and has endured years of abuse.
I can't add anything meaningful to what everybody else has already said - for a change, I actually read all the other comments - so I'll just say: amen, and keep up the good work!
Had to come back to this post again today and look at your first picture. I enjoy that quilt on your machine so much. Looks like one to cuddle with. You are a go-getter when it comes to piecing and quilting, along with gardening,baking and teaching. You're able to do it and do it well. It all makes your blog so enjoyable to read.
Those are some records... I barely remember to take a picture of some of my things....let alone record anything about them!!! I know this because I thought I'd make a photo book of my quilts!!! so far it is a sparse book!
ReplyDeleteYes, quit beating yourself up....that is an amazing record for quilts completed. You just piece faster than you can keep up with, and we all love seeing the results. With your stockpile of tops, you always have something on hand to quilt when needed!
ReplyDeleteSo, would it be correct to say that you are happy you bought the longarm? Not everyone likes them, but you are certainly getting good mileage from yours!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Debbie. No reason to beat yourself up. That's a very impressive record and thank you for inspiring us every day with your posts!
ReplyDeleteyou get a lot finished - you are pleased with all your machines I take it :)
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting to go back and see what you have accomplished! Sometimes a person forgets how much they have really gotten done. This is why I take pictures of all my projects I work on at the house as well as my quilting.
ReplyDeleteNot only have you created a lot of quilts, they are all awesome and unique quilts. To do both of those and your generosity with them is a marvelous feat.
ReplyDeleteWanda, what kind of table do you use with the Baby Lock Jane? I have the Brother version of this machine and use it sunk into a cabinet. I've never tried using it with its extension surface on a normal-height table because I've thought that that would make it too high and send my shoulders into spasms. But since my cabinet is too small for quilting, I have to surround myself with ironing boards, kind of a drag! So I'm still searching for the optimal solution! Thanks, as always, for the inspiration to keep busy and go crazy with color!
ReplyDeleteWanda, you are amazing...your quilts are beautiful and you seem to never tire...and THEN you go out and work in your yard!!!! I wish I had a teeny bit of your stamina.
ReplyDeleteYou are amazingly productive as well as creative. I am in awe of you, and look forward to your post every day!! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWOW. That's impressive! You have my utmost admiration, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteI, too, have the Babylock straight stitch: love it for piecing. And I got my HQ before they started making them for Babylock. I haven't kept count of how many quilts I have made but I do try to keep my machines working most of the time. My fancy machines are also Babylock and are embroidery machines as well as utility machines. I love going into the studio and loosing myself with these mechanical friends.
ReplyDeleteYour energy is unbelievable , thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteyour quilts and your knowledge with all of us.
I seen that the Charley Harper fabric you like is on
sale today only, it's still expensive but it is gorgeous.
Enjoy your day.
Be nice if I told you where the fabric was,it's at
ReplyDeletefabric.com.
Oh my goodness I can't believe you thought you didn't get enough done!!! Your work ethic is amazing! Not only do you do an incredible amount of quilting, but you do sewing for charities AND you do your own yard work! Some days I'm ashamed when I read how much you get done and how little I do. Oh, and I forgot to mention, you also knit.
ReplyDeleteYour work is amazing, the fact that you take the time to share and blog about it daily is amazing. What great record keeping!
ReplyDeleteWonderful and giving and gifted you are -- and we DO appreciate YOU!!
ReplyDeleteOk, you win!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your blog, you are such an inspiration! I keep a written log and photograph of every quilt I've made myself and those I've quilted for friends; otherwise, they all blur together. I also have a Pfaff 7570, Babylock Jane, and HQ Avante. Love them all. My Pfaff runs as well as the day I bought it in 1996 and has endured years of abuse.
ReplyDeleteI can't add anything meaningful to what everybody else has already said - for a change, I actually read all the other comments - so I'll just say: amen, and keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteI am impressed by those statistics!
ReplyDeleteHad to come back to this post again today and look at your first picture. I enjoy that quilt on your machine so much. Looks like one to cuddle with.
ReplyDeleteYou are a go-getter when it comes to piecing and quilting, along with gardening,baking and teaching. You're able to do it and do it well. It all makes your blog so enjoyable to read.