Template, and More Quilting

This afternoon I asked Larry if he knew of anything I could use as a template for scallops on one of the sashes.  He didn’t, and went back to his business of working on our addition.  Or so I thought. 

But it wasn't long before he brought me a template, exactly the right size:  the oval hitch plug that used to be on one of Caleb’s vehicles!  The prongs that held it in the receiver hitch make perfect handles.  He used his dremel to give one end the correct slightly-oval shape I needed (I had given him a paper template); the other end is more of a pointed oval, and will work for other things. 

So now I’m quilting on an HQ16, using a Morrissey Ford ruler template. 

Quilting Graceful Garden Quilt, First Row

Let the quilting begin!

I have new Railz (grooved track and wheel system), new HQ microhandles, and new Red Snappers (clamps that hold quilt to leader, eliminating the need for pins).  The HandiQuilter 16 is cleaned and oiled, and threaded with the new thread -- Superior's King Tut 40-wt. variegated Sands of Time color, with 60-wt. cream-colored Bottom Line in the bobbin.  Tension and timing look perfect.

Now, if I could just quilt perfectly, everything would be fine and dandy.  Some ladies are absolute artists with FM (Free Motion).  I instead do FYM (Free Yikes Motion) (very suitable phrase learned from a lady on an online quilting group).  Free Motion is like drawing, and I never could draw worth a hoot.  I was the little girl in art class about whose drawings everyone wondered, Hmmmm, is that a giraffe, or a pig? 

Soooo... I follow pantographs with my laser light or use rulers.  Here's the first row and a half.

Puppy Fleece Blanket for Baby Grant

Wouldn't you know, the fleece I really liked -- this soft, soft, furry puppy-printed red -- was the sort that frays and runs and ravels and sheds.  So clipping and tying the edges was out.  Instead, I sewed right sides together, then turned it.  After stitching the hole shut, I top-stitched about an inch from the edge to give the appearance of a binding.

The red fabric was very stretchy; the white, not so much.  So I was very glad for the adjustable-pressure presser foot.  It took only 30 minutes to make this... but if I hadn't've had a large quilt on the frame, I would have done a large meander with the HQ16 to hold it all together.  It's 60" x 60".  Maybe later... though I already gave the blanket to Baby Grant.

Magnolia Branch Pillow #5

Victoria and I went to Hobby Lobby in Norfolk this afternoon and got some more fancy trim, so that these pillows can be finished with aplomb.  They have all sorts of trim in exactly the right color of brown and aqua, and I wanted every single bolt and skein and roll -- but it was anywhere from $1.50/yard for the narrow stuff to $16.99/yard for the long, fluffy tassels.  But... judging from this pillow, perhaps this price fright saved the remaining pillows from being altogether too, too gaudy. ;-)

Tabby the Inspector doing the catscan thing