Thursday, July 28, 2016

Quilting Up a Storm

It's too hot outside to go anywhere, so I've been holed up in my studio for the last couple of weeks doing a lot of quilting - and I'm accomplishing quite a bit! I've had this small Kim Diehl quilt pieced and layered for a couple of years and I finally quilted it and got the binding on. Measures about 36" square.

Not sure why the edges turned out kinda ruffly - especially since I basted the perimeter before adding the binding. I usually like to wash my quilts when they're all finished, but I'm hesitant to do that with this one because of the wool applique - I'm afraid the colors might bleed out and ruin the whole quilt. Does any have any suggestions or experience doing this? Help would be appreciated!

I worked more on my Now & Later quilt - when I start sewing the blocks together I usually do it this way - I think it's called spider webbing? Anyway, makes it so the rows don't get out of order - easy peasy.

I had extra blocks left over so pieced them together and added them to the back which makes it interesting and more fun.


I love this Jan Patek print I found for the back - it was on clearance at my LQS for $4.99 yd. Yay!

When I work on a quilt this big (60" x 80") I like to take it over to the church and lay it out on the carpeted floor in a classroom to do the pin basting since I don't have that much free space in my house. Sure makes it easier!

Years ago I bought some grapefruit spoons at the dollar store that work perfectly for this job. I know there are special quilt tools designed to do the same thing, but they cost a lot more than $1!

I quilted it with a cinnamon roll swirl that is kinda fun to do - and used a variegated thread.

I'll share one more picture of this quilt when I finish stitching down the binding in a few days - that's a nighttime TV watching job -  and put it through the wash. Sure do love that cozy crinkly look it gets afterwards. Meanwhile, a few Delectable Mountain quilts caught my eye one day on Pinterest, so I pulled out a bunch of blue and tan fabrics from my stash and started making one. It's kinda strange to make quilt blocks that aren't square - doesn't happen too often!

Sure wish I was brave enough to quilt feathers in a zig zag pattern, but will probably settle for something much, much easier. Anyway, I'm really liking this color combo! I'd like to think of a clever name for this quilt that pertains to the Wasatch Mountains that I live near.

Sure feels good to be spending some quality time in my studio!

27 comments:

Jennie in GA said...

Oh wow!!! You have been busy! I love all of your projects. As far as washing the wool, it has already been washed to felt it, and if over dyed it has had a mordant used to set the dyes. I would think you would be okay...just my opinion. You are a hooker, what do you think???

Saimi said...

Boy oh boy are you making good use of hot, hot, weather! It's so great to get some quilting done and man have you ever been busy! I love all your projects you are most definitely a talented girl. I don't know anything about wool other than it shrinks when you wash it haha although I love your little quilt I have nothing to offer in the advice department - just don't wash it I guess. it really is adorable. I love how you made the Wasatch Mountains, the blue was a perfect choice! Thanks for sharing Gayle, you are always an inspiration.
Saimi

Janet O. said...

Love your Kim Diehl quilt. If you could wash it and block it you may get rid of the ruffly edge, if it isn't too severely ruffled.
Now & Later looks great, too!
Clever use of a grapefruit spoon. Can't beat the price.
Delectable Mountains in blue make a lovely quilt. Wish I could think of a clever name, but I spent almost 4 hours on the side of a freeway in Southern Idaho on Thursday, waiting for a tow--my brain is numb. :)

Gemini Jen NZ said...

Your Kim D quilt is lovely. You've been busy - I guess in the temps you're all having over there, it makes sense to hide-out inside with air con! I would be too!

Yvonne said...

It is nice to be able to spend some time in cooler places! We are trying to keep cool in our houses without airconditioning......not so easy!
Love the Kim Diehl quilt, very pretty. I would first try to wash it in the tub I think.
What a pretty blue quilt you ar making! looking at all you work make me want to go to my room and sew!

Lesley said...

Your quilts are all so beautiful! Especially love the Kim quilt and someday hope to make one, thanks to your insoiration!

Three Sheep Studio said...

Clever tip about the grapefruit spoon !!
Your fabric creations are very lovely and colorful ! Funny , some become VERY unmotivated when it becomes blistering hot outside , while others dig in and create !!
Rose

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

You have been one busy productive girl! Love the blue/tan quilt--it's a beauty! You are making great use of those grapefruit spoons.

Me and My Stitches said...

Wow Gayle! You always just amaze me at all that you do. I love all of your rugs and all of your quilts too. Love the KD - I don't know about washing it, I would be too scared. But, if you do - I would love to know how it comes out. Delectable mountains is so striking. Maybe it's a good thing that it's been so hot - you sure do have a lot to show for it!

Saundra said...

Beautiful quilt you made and love what is in progress too. All too tedius for me tho.

Sandi said...

Do you pre wash your cottons? Those are the ones I'd worry about. I use Shout Color Catchers when in doubt. Many years ago I had a lovely black and white cotton sweater and had washed and dried it. The black bled into the white and I was heartbroken but couldn't throw it away.

A quilting friend suggested the colour catchers, into the washer and dryer...after all it was already ruined and voila! Came out lovely, no hint of the bleeding dyes!

Kyle said...

When the heats on, you get busy! KD's pattern are always a winner. I don't wash my quilts very often especially small one, but I like the idea of the color catchers. They seem to work in some mysterious way. I like to use time efficient sewing techniques too. It's amazing the amount of time and thread you can save. All those scraps really came together! Wow! Your Delectible Mountain blocks are almost together. You took the idea and just started sewing. The blue and tans are lovely together. If these hot temps continues who knows what I'll get done.

Robin said...

The delectable mountains in blue and white is lovely. When you mentioned the Wasatch Mountains I immediately thought of the first line of my school song; 'Neath the crest of Wasatch Mountains . . . It's interesting, I can't remember what I had for breakfast but I can still sing my old school song - ha!

Sue SA said...

Love your KD quilt. I have never washed a cotton and wool top but l would google instructions and if that dosent help do a warm hand wash with a colour catcher and then block it. I have a wall hanging that needs blocking too, because of wavy edges, very frustrating! Great to see your creative output, love delectable mountains, it has been on my to do list for too long, your lovely version might just force my hand!
Would love some instructions on webbing it looks like a great technique but l cannot get my head around how you do it!

annie said...

Love all the quilts!
What a great lot of work!

moosecraft said...

Great progress on all of these beautiful quilts! Love that Kim Diehl one... it is my favorite of her designs! I limit my wool applique on cotton quilts simply because I also wonder how to properly maintain (wash) them. I would try a cold, hand wash cycle on the machine with very little detergent and a couple of color catchers... light cycle in dryer with a towel. I think this is when using fusible with the wool applique would help it to wear better with washings. Good luck!

Raymond Homestead said...

Great work Gayle!

Karen said...

I recognized it right away as a Kim Diehl design. Mostly because it is one I intended to make. Just never did, though.

Karen in Breezy Point said...

You have some amazing projects in the works! I love the Delectable Mountains in blue--I've been wanting to make one for years. I wonder about washing quilts with wool applique also. I have so many quilts with wool on them, but haven't tried washing any of them myself.

Kristie said...

You sure are busy! Love them all!!!! I keep eyeing the Now/Later quilt and thinking that I need to make one....someday. :) Love your quilting as well. With my years of machine quilting I have yet to use variegated thread....not sure why because I absolutely love the look of it. Thinking that I need to order some.

Have a wonderful and Blessed day
Kristie

scarlett said...

Hi, I agree with Moosecraft, use color catchers and gently wash it with cool water in the machine. I would then throw it in the dryer with other items and dry it about half dry, then lay it on the floor and smooth it out and gently adjust it into square shape if it needs. When dry, lay it on your large ironing board and steam it with the iron(hold iron over it and steam), let it completely cool before moving it to the next section, this will make it flat(no ruffled borders).

If the wool doesn't have drastic temperature change it should be fine.

Beautiful quilt.

Wendy said...

I love the look of washing a quilt as well. Sorry I don't have any insight into washing a quilt with wool. The little Cheri Payne one I just finished didn't get washed for the same reason you mentioned. I guess I'll wait a bit.
Enjoy seeing your quilts.

Nancy said...

Wow, you have been busy! Such great progress, Gayle. I love the Kim Diehl quilt. About your ruffles -- did you pin the binding while it was flat or while you were sewing it? It seems like the times I've tried to just place and sew the binding at the machine I've had edges that ruffle. But there may be some other reason for you.

I've always wondered about washing cotton quilts with wool applique. I've found that even when I've felted wool, if I wash and dry it later, it shrinks more. (I've never sewing wool onto cotton for applique but have made several bottle covers/"sweater" that shrank like the dickens, even after I'd washed and dried them several times before cutting and sewing them. I'm interested to learn how others clean cotton/wool quilts.

Love your Jan Patek fabric. The colors will be perfect for that quilt.

--Nancy. (ndmessier @ aol.com, joyforgrace.blogspot.com)

Wendie Scott Davis said...

As a newbie quilter, it is inspiring to see the work of masters like yourself. Love all the pics - love the leftover squares on the back. And LOVE the variegated thread. Thanks for sharing.

Cheryl said...

I have yet to get the nerve to wash a wool and cotton quilt. I have talked to lots of people about it and have gotten various responses from why would you want to wash them to they will be fine. The wool has been felted is hot, hot water. I would think the cottons would be the problem, so the color catcher suggestion and cold water would be the way I would do it. Let us all know if you get the courage to do it and how it worked out.

scarlett said...

Sounds like a good time for an experiment!

Barb said...

OH my gosh, you are one busy person.....lots of fun things.