small saga, part 2.

I thought that once the layout was completed, sewing all the blocks and sashing together would go quickly. Much more quickly than making the blocks.

Was I ever wrong. It seemed to take forever! My living room was impassible for days. First all the seams going one way, then long seams the other way... at one point I tried to figure it out: ten blocks wide, with sashing, means 20 seams in each row, and there are eleven rows, so that's 220 little seams, and then eleven rows with sashing between means... whatever. I ran out of bobbin thread at least four times. I ran out of entire spools of thread. A big quilt is, well, much bigger than I realized. But finally, with perseverance, it was done.

Not so bad. It has a title: I am calling it my "State of the Studio" quilt for 2007. Some piecing is pretty good

Yep, I can live with that. Other places, not so good

What happened there? I ripped it out and fixed it.

Next step, sandwiching with backing and batting. (In real time there was an interval here while I waited for ordered backing fabric and cotton batting to arrive.) I rolled up the living room carpet and spread out the backing. Masking tape helps when there is only one pair of hands.

On top of that, the batting, then the patchwork.

I spent an entire morning--4-5 hours--scooting around on the floor basting the thing together. Talk about backache. Also a critical reason why crafters need clean feet. As you can see in the picture, there was an issue with one corner, since my living room floor was not big enough to contain the whole thing! Once almost all of it was together I rolled up part of it and finished that corner. Here is a bit of it, you can see the backing with the patchwork. It's not the most perfect choice, but this is a learning quilt. It wasn't in fact my first choice, but on second thought this may be better, because the other fabric I had in mind was darker and less busy and I'm going to quilt with natural colored thread. I hope the uneven stitches will show less on this backing.

There it sits. Still on my living room floor. (The rug is back in place now). Next step, quilting. At some point in my life I had a quilting hoop. Can't find it anywhere. Not in the linen closet, not in the studio, not in the basement storage area. Hmm. So I did a web search and it turns out there are are plenty of people out there that quilt with no hoop or frame. Ok, I thought, I can do that. It's just running stitch, right? Wrong. I've done a few blocks around the edges, but when I tried more than about 8 inches in from the outside, I couldn't figure how to keep tension on the sandwich and make small stitches and not prick my fingers raw. Yes, I know you are supposed to start quilting from the middle. It was a test. I think a hoop would be good for me, so I am now in another waiting period while joe basic quilting hoop is shipped to me. Meanwhile, I have been looking everywhere for information on how to hand quilt. It seems there is some kind of trick to it--I can remember trying to quilt before, and getting so absolutely frustrated. It's kind of funny in a way--so many fiber things I seem to pick up pretty well, but the quilting stitch! On one of my searches I found this tv clip. It is amazing--first of all, because it is so midwest. The accents, the clothes, everything. Did I used to talk like that? Do I still? I am not sure whether to laugh, cry, or just shake my head. Watch that woman quilt. It's at about minute 13 of the video. It's magic, I swear. Unbelieveable. I want to quilt like that.

I'll let you know what happens when I get a hoop. Meanwhile, on with hexagons. Oh, and a funny thing: one of the many quilting books I've been getting out of the library has this piece of advice:

Handquilting can be a very warm activity especially if your quilt is large. You will find it very uncomfortable to quilt during the summer months. Never start quilting your first bed-sized quilt in June.

Shrug.

Comments

[Helene]

Wow, that is going to be a very pretty quilt. I once hand quilted a king size quilt, and I love the work, so relaxing. I'm totally dependent of a hoop when I'm quilting, but all my friends do it without one, don't know how they manage!

[Cassie]

I wish I could just zip up there and give you a quick lesson (if you're headed to NYC anytime soon, the offer stands too). I teach hand quilting, have for 15 years. There are definitely tricks, but they're next to impossible to explain in words. Its all pretty subtle with the hand motions, really.

I personally consider a hoop essential, although I know not everyone does. I'm lucky enough to have a hoop on a floor stand (as well as a full-out frame which is a great backsaver for basting). The floorstand hoop is way expensive, but definitely makes quilting in summer weather much more comfortable.

Anyway, if I can help in any way, just yell.

[Emily]

Your quilt is beautiful. I love the way all the colors go together.

[diana]

Holy crap, the quilt is gorgeous!

[alotta.knittin]

The quilt is beautiful!! And I could not quilt without a hoop. I have both a hoop that can fit in my lap and one with a frame...not one of those HUGE things, a circle on a stand. You can check my blog http://alottaknittin.blogspot.com
and see a picture of Friend #2's hoop on frame. I have one just like that. I'm a relatively new quilter but if there is anything I can do to help, just yell.

[grumperina]

Just like that, a quilt top! It looks beautiful and the muslin neutral moderates all the colors nicely.

[Birte]

Just found your blog a few weeks ago. Really nice blog and what a beautiful quilt!