Sunday, August 7, 2011

Recovery Quilt

I made this lap quilt for my best friend's mother. She is recovering from major surgery.




This quilt taught me that its great to have a layer cake laying around. and, it taught me that I really really learn how to machine quilt. Other than straight lines. Because straight lines are making me batty. note to self: start experimenting!!

I'm linking this post with Clover and Violet's Stash Project of the Month.  Check out what others are making from stash, and this month, how others are organizing.

10 comments:

  1. How sweet of you to make a quilt for your friend's mother. I am sure it will keep her warm and comforted. I really like your quilting pattern, and will have to try it, although I have difficulty sewing straight lines. You might consider branching out to wavy lines. You can keep the same settings on your machine, and gently move your quilt around to form the waves. Zig zags are another way to go.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You're right. It's good to have a layer cake around. I'm going to go stock up. Any good sales?? :) I like how you did the colors too.

    Okay, machine quilting. Go make yourself a little sandwich. Take a couple of squares (hey maybe some leftover layer cake squares) put some batting in between. That's it.
    Now set your machine: Tension 6-7, drop feed dogs,(although I never drop mine anymore) if you have a computerized machine, zero everything out. Make stitch length, zero. the zig zag one, zero. If it's not computerized, just turn the knobs to zero. You don't want the machine to do anything. You are going to do all of the driving. You do need an open toe foot with a spring. Do you have one? Yes? Great, put it on. You could start by drawing some loopies or circles and try following that with your machine. Or just start moving the material around. Start driving.
    I practice on my sandwich before I quilt every time.
    Be brave, you can do it! And if it seems hard, it is. Don't give up. I just watched Soul Surfer. You have two arms, you can do this! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. whoops, I just read about your broken foot. :)
    Yes, you can replace that at your local sewing machine store or online. Make the call!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I agree...layer cakes are a good thing to have around...and what a perfect use for them!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's a beautiful layer cake that is now a beautiful quilt! I have been feeling the same way. It's hard to think outside the box. My stacked coin quilt uses curvy quilting and a walking foot. Have you tried the flickr group beyond stippling? There is lots of inspiration there.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love how you laid out the squares - what beautiful gift.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello Jenny! How are you? This is so pretty. I wish I could quilt too -- but alas, it's not really my cup of tea. Piecing is enough for me unless it's something REALLY small or if I want to hand quilt for awhile. Take care!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love your layer cake quilt - I bet she will, too! I'm in the same boat with you....guess it's time for us to learn to FMQ!

    ReplyDelete
  9. You're such a sweetheart Jenny! I LOVE those fabrics and that's such a sweet quilt -- I just know your best friend's mother will love it!

    ReplyDelete