Saturday, April 10, 2010

Big stitching

I promised myself that I would finish the quilting on this cot quilt that I've been very, very tardy about finishing. In my defense, it is a very warm puffy wool batting, too hot for summer and my GS has just gone into a cot after being in a baby hammock. It's done now but I need to bind it with some orange and I've run out of the stripe I used. Maybe if I got all different oranges and did a scrappy binding? The whole quilt was made entirely from stash in the cupboard and that feels good.
My reward for doing the cot quilt was to get some stitches into this one. I'm using varigated perle cottons, (number 8) and just picking up whichever one takes my fancy.
I'm doing all the straight lines and outline quilting by eye without any marking.
It was hard to come up with something in these bigger spaces, I got there in the end.
I'm loving the quilt even more now it has quilting added. Just a note to those of you who want to give big stitching a go, make sure the knot you pull through is small and be careful, too hard of a tug and you may tear the fabric. Sometimes it helps to press your finger down on the fabric behind the knot to create some tension.
I raced to get some klosje blocks done in time for today, these fifteen were hurriedly stitched last night and added to the pile makes for a total of 
                                                  101
Happy stitching, Janet

79 comments:

Anita said...

Janet, I have just discovered your blog and I LOVE it. I am learning so much from you already. I love your choice of colours. Thank you so much for sharing. Anita

Quilts on Bastings said...

Your big stitch quilting is fabulous - love the results.

Julia said...

I'm going to have to find something to big hand-quilt on Janet...your looks so lovely!
Spool are coming along nicely...How many do you think you'll need!..

Valentina said...

Oh, Looks like your having fun quilting! How wonderful, and congratulations reaching 100 Klosjes! How cute they all are...
:)

Shirley said...

Janet,
I can only look on in wonder and astonishment. The big stitching looks great and really does enhance the quilt design and over 100 klosjes. Superwoman.
Shirley.
ps. if you are superwoman do you wear your undies on the outside?!!!

Sue-Anne said...

Your quilting looks fantastic and congrats on 100 Klosjes!!!!

Amelia said...

oh man oh man that stitching looks great! love it!!!! The pastel on pastel looks really good. You know i had in my head a pic of how this would look and this has blown away all expectation.

The cot quilt looks so fluffy... I think i may have that orange in my stash... will have a look tomorrow for you.

Vickie E said...

your stitching looks amazing. I wish I had time to hand quilt my tops...

PatchworkRose said...

Your big hand quilting is just so neat. Looks wonderful on both quilts.Have fun
Cheers
Lynne

antique quilter said...

love the utility stich, yours are just perfect stitches!
love that your using a variety of threads.
what size needle do you use?
how many stitches to you load on your needle?
Kathie

Maki said...

I love the utlility stich! You imspire me every time I look at your blog. I wish that I had more time for quilting.

FlourishingPalms said...

Your big stitch is fabulous, and totally appropriate to the pattern, design and texture of that quilt. It's going to be smashing! It's already looking smashing!

What needle - type and size - are you using?

Karen said...

As always, something interesting to see on your blog. The big stitch complements your quilt pattern very well.

John'aLee said...

Wow! Is all I can say about your incredible hand quilting! I so wish I had your talent. Keep inspiring us.

Unknown said...

I just love how you are quilting with perle cotton. And without marking it, you are really doing good. It is just beautiful.

katie

Carol said...

Your quilts look great! I finally got the nerve to cut into my Kaffe's and started working on an Ice Cream Quilt. Hope to finish it with the big stitch and your quilts are more inspiration - thanks for sharing!

Crispy said...

Oooo love your quilting motifs for this quilt. I'm very impressed with your eye-balling abilities!! The cot quilt is very sweet and a scrappy binding would be great for it.

Crispy

Unknown said...

I am just in love with your quilt from the Quilt Romance book. It will be gorgeous when complete! Big stitching this quilt is something that I would have never thought of, but it really was meant to be. It is just lovely! So glad you got your GS's quilt done!

Sherry said...

The cot quilt is so sweet. I love the big stitching! Never have seen that but it may be something I could handle much easier. All the little bowties are lovely!

Meredith said...

101 what. How did that happen. That time went quick. Isn't it great to complete a quilt froms stash. I am glad you are enjoying all of your hand quilting. It is very pretty.

Betsy said...

Janet beautiful stitches on your quilt. I made a cot quilt with that same fabric last year. Your spool collection is growing. Love it.

alobsiger said...

OH JANET! I'm having a Saturday morning swoon here! LOVE your big stitch on the Kaffe quilt. Don't look away from it, I'm going to come and steal it. You'll know who it was if it turns up missing. Just stunning! Sometimes I find it can help get the knot through if I gently scratch at the knot where it sits on top of the fabric. Maybe it opens up the fibers a little bit more just to get the knot through. All right, I do not want to go to work today -- I want to work on my quilt.

Anonymous said...

Every time I come over to your blog I just know it is going to be GOOD and once again today you delighted me with that Big Stitch! It is awesome on the gorgeous quilt! Envy here!!

Jan said...

I thought I could not possibly love your quilt any more and then you add the big stitch and *swoon*...I am totally infatuated!! It is positively fabulous!
I have not had electricity for three days so although a gorgeous sunny day and a yard in need of some spring work beckons, I must carve out a little time in the sewing room now that it's finally restored. Your post simply compels me to go make beautiful things!

Terrie Sandelin said...

The stitching looks great! So beautiful.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Oh my your Kaffe quilt is even more amazing with the big stitching. This is something I definitely plan on trying.

Nedra said...

Your Kaffe Pickle Dish just takes my breath away! Even more so now that it is quilted. I've got a few of my finished blocks up on my design wall and I am feeling inspired to keep working!

Marjorie said...

Love the way the big stitches look on this quilt. I have yet to try it...but this post puts me closer. After decades of trying to make my stitches tiny, I just can't wrap my head around this one. :)

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Your hand quilting on the Pickle Dish is amazing! That quilt is so beautiful Janet!

Terry said...

Love the stitching you're doing on that quilt! It's just lovely! Congrats on getting the cot quilt done too! :0)

Annette said...

Your stitching is gorgeous! I love your quilt. And 101 klosjes Wow!!

Lurline said...

Birds of a Feather! Of course, love your big-stitch quilting - love your Kaffe's - admire your exercising freedom at eye-balling lines. The baby quilt looks so cuddly and I received a little pressie yesterday that I am absolutely chuffed about, thanks!
Hugs - Lurline♥

SewCalGal said...

Beautiful quilting! And beautiful quilts.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Sharon said...

Your work is so inspiring. I'm supposed to be rounding up my tax info today and I just want to get in my sewing room after looking at your post! But the tax man cometh, so I best be pushing paper instead of fabric today.

Barb said...

That one middle quilt is so amazing...love all your quilts!!

Kath said...

Ooh that quilting is delicious! best wishes from England

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

I love your quilting! Just gorgeous. Great looking klosjes too! Have a happy day!

Robin said...

I really like the idea of a scrappy orange binding... I think that would be really fun. You should try it.

The variegated thread is gorgeous!!!! I love the look of the big stitches in that quilt too. So cool.

Greener Pastures Farm said...

Janet, this is so inspiring. As Sharon said, taxes must be worked on today, but I'd rather be quilting! Please do share a post here on the size of needle, etc, that you are using. I plan to Big Stitch the next quilt that is going into my hoop, as soon as I finish piecing the backing. Lots of gratitude coming your way from lushly green Washington state, where a wool batting would be welcome at the moment! ; )

Greener Pastures Farm said...

Janet posted on Feb 20th the info we are looking for:
"I love to use the variegated threads, either perle cottons or the Caron brand of sashiko thread.
I still use a lap hoop, keeping the quilt loose in it and a #5 embroidery needle. I need a rubber finger on my index finger to help pull the needle through.
In big stitch quilting, the stitches are 1/8" up to 1/4" long." Click on here Big Stitching link to find this and more info. Thanks Janet!!!!!! Following your quilting adventures is great fun and an educational exprerience! ~ Ronda

Sheri Howard said...

Your hand quilting is beautiful.

Janet said...

I love the quilting on your Kaffe quilt!! What you've done in the big spaces is perfect. 101 spools already - Wow!

imquilternity said...

I'm loving that "big stitch" quilting...it's really looking gorgeous!

Rhondi said...

Hi Janet
I love the quilting you are doind with the pearl cotton. I'm going to get some and give it a go. I'm not good at geting the stitches very small so it might be just the thing for me.
Hugs, Rhondi

wishes, true and kind said...

That Kaffe quilt is absolutely fabulous! And the quilting is just perfect!

Quilter Kathy said...

I love your quilt and the photographs are so enticing that I think you may have convinced me to give this perle cotton quilting a try!

Anonymous said...

Love the effect of the big stitch Janet - it looks super!

Unknown said...

Love that quilt! It's beautiful.

julieQ said...

Jut gorgeous, that is all there is to say. Your quilting adds so much to your Kaffe quilt. I am making spools too, aren't they fun?

Liz said...

Gorgeous Janet and yes, you do have to be careful with the knot don't you?? I do love the Perle thread though, gives a lovely feel and it's nice and quick, that's always a bonus! Can I ask what needle you use?
Have a good week.
Lizzie
xxx

Thimbleanna said...

Oh Janet! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that quilt you're working on now -- it's going to be just fabulous! I love the quilt for your grandson too -- I even think I have some of that print in my stash LOL!

Munaiba said...

The quilting looks really lovely and enhances this beautiful quilt. Well done!

Mary said...

Love your quilt and quilting. I just started making the Klosjes. I have going to try english paperpiecing them. My template is not the greatest.

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh I'm loving how you are quilting that! I"m always so enamored by your perfect stitches. I so want to be you when I grow up!

Don't tell me those leaf shapes are by eye too.....

Unknown said...

Hi Janet...Love what you are doing with the Big Stitching...
cheers

Copper Patch said...

The quilting is stunning!
Your work is amazing.
Abbe

Marit said...

Pretty hand-quilting on the cot quilt, very classic and sweet! The Kaffe Fassett quilt is a beauty, and your quilting adds a lot to it, lovely selection of colors and patterns. Big stitch with 8 perle cotton is on my list of what to try!

Stephanie said...

Hi Janet,
I'm a big fan of the big stitch quilting. Have finished my first quilt stitching with those lovely Perle Cotton No 8s. My husband has just bought me some variegated ones from OS and can't wait for them to arrive. Love your blog, thanks heaps. Provides me with lots of inspiration

Dandelion Wishes said...

I love the hand quilting on your latest quilt (pickle dish?) - the colour combinations are superb. I can't imagine why you didn't like it. Keep up with the quilting, I'm sure it will be become a family heirloom one day!

Joke said...

Love your quilting.
Love your klosjes.

Happy Stitching!
Joke.

Janet said...

The big stitch quilting is amazing. I think it adds such a nice touch to this quilt.

Karen said...

You have that big stitch down perfectly. Your quilting is wonderful. Love that quilt, can't wait to see a picture of the whole thing. I finished my first Klosjes!!! It's not perfect, but I'm excited.

Deb said...

That's big stitch!! well then I HAVE been doing it all along..LOL.. I think my stitches are about that big normally.. yours are so beautifully even and your patterns for your blocks are perfect..aaaaaaaaamazing!!

Lori said...

What fun to do a bit of big stitching. Both quilts look fantastic!!

Katrien said...

What a beautifull quilt.An dyou have already a lot of spools.

QuiltedSimple said...

i love the colors in that quilt. it is gorgeous
kris

Unknown said...

Great work! :) I can't wait to see the Kaffe quilt finished, you are doing a beautiful job. :)

Carrie P. said...

Great quilting. Thanks for the tip. I want to get a top done so I can try it. It looks so great and the colors are so fun.

VikiVictoria said...

Beeuteeful!! I love all things hand quilted. Another tip on pulling knots through is to insert the eye of the needle in first to make a bigger opening for the knot to slip through. I learned that tip from Rusty Hedrick - a prolific quilter in Southern Cali.

Cathi said...

The quilting you're doing looks absolutely fabulous! Gorgeous. Your klosjes are fabulous. Love the fabrics you're using.

Mudpotter said...

I have been trying to do the Big Stitch on my quilts too. I just love that I can take TV hours and turn it into hand quilting!!

Thanks for the tip on the rubber finger cover to pull the needle through. I just discovered using flex-wrap works too.

I hope some day my Big Stitch quilting will look as nice as yours. I need to work on my spacing.

Dolly said...

Your work is always gorgeous, and this big stitching is so yummy !
How big is this quilt?

Joanna said...

Janet, the quilt is beautiful and the big stitching is so perfect for it! It's like Kaffe's book has been brought to life!

esquiltingpassion said...

Your hand quilting is amazing.
Elaine

Gisele said...

Really loving the the way big stitching enhances this quilt top, which in itself is gorgeous!

Barb said...

That big stitch is simply the perfect solution to quilting that beautiful quilt!
love the spools....

Rose Marie said...

Your GS quilt is adorable .... and .... bravo to you for your hand quilting! Just eye balling some of your stitches and they look like you were so precise in marking them up first.

Dawn said...

I love the big stitch quilting, and your klosje blocks are adorable :)

Nanette Merrill said...

You so inspire me. I'm going to post about my gypsy kisses/ pickle dish tomorrow after seeing yours. Love LOVE yours.