Channel quilting anyone?

I started quilting the baby quilt and in 1 hour it is half-way done....the quilting is placed about 1 inch apart. So about 20-25 rows were sewn. It did take a little tweaking but it is working.

I set up the machine with the lower rolling bed which means the machine will only travel east and west...since I raised the feed dogs and added the walking foot, the machine chugs it's own way across the quilt. So cool!!! The only drawback is it only chugs one direction, so every row is made while traveling east. I have to stop at the end of each row, clip threads, and begin the next row back at the beginning. I also have to advance the quilt at the beginning of each row, but it sure beats wrestling the fabric not the machine without a frame.

I don't know if anyone had ever tried this before, but I do see a series of channel quilted quilts in my future. Also I realize that I can re-stretch the quilt and quilt at 90-degrees.

Success.

Three weeks ago I bought a handiquilter machine quilt frame on bay. I have not bought a lot from eBay, but this deal was too good to be true.

I won the bid, and it arrived the following Monday, and in opening the box, I found 2 pieces that were severely damaged. I contacted the seller, knowing that the damage wasn't completely her fault....but decided to let her off the hook because I got such a great deal.

So I started brainstorming and figured out a couple of solutions. $40 later and a couple of hours investment and we are ready to roll.

Last night, I created a small sandwich of fabric, batting, and fabric and gave it a whirl. Although the machine had a few tension issues, the Thing works. I, of course need lots of practice to get even stitches, but I am excited, I have 4 complete quilt tops to quilt along with half a dozen in the works.

I just placed my grand-niece's quilt onto the frame and thought what if I remove the upper bed and just use the rollers of the lower bed and my walking foot....OMG...it basically moves the machine along on it's own!!!! SURE, I am only getting straight parallel lines, but I can turn the thing 90-degrees for a grid. And once off the frame I can go back and work within the squares...until I can stitch evenly on the frame.

The frame didn't arrive with instructions but a kind soul, Applecrisp on Flickr, sent me pictures and offered a video...the pics did it....thanks Applecrisp!

4th of July...independence or dependence?

Holidays are great for an extra day off from work...hopefully you don't bring work home.
Well, of course, I do. The rest of the week depends on my being ready for it...

So Saturday and Sunday I finished another two garments for the Photo Shoot coming up on Wednesday and Thursday. One had sleeve cap issues...which were resolved but had to be reknit and pieced...the other was the frustrating one.

It was a piece I needed quickly for the next issue..so a quick commission (that didn't come out a great as I wanted)is then reconfigured and reknit....hello! Rick!

I started reknitting it last weekend. Amongst it and 2 other projects, all was done yesterday...I have it and a jacket washed and blocked, and the scarf of previous post is sent and on set for the filming of Chasing Christmas.

The last piece turned out much nicer than the original....but now instead of one size only, it will be graded for 3 sizes....more work! Hmmmm...something to be said for job security and keeping myself viable...arrrggghhhh!

{now you know why my posting has been sporadic}

Anyway, I still had a great Saturday evening cookout at Sue's, and last night had amazing ribs...tonight I am most likely going to dine out..cooking when I will be leaving town in 36 hours makes little sense.

Fireworks at the fairgrounds are visible from my deck...so that will be a cool ending to 3 days at home
Hope you had a great weekend!