Saturday, August 28, 2010

By machine and hand.

When we were learning to write at school, we would practice every day and I'm convinced if I do the same with machine quilting, I'll improve. I'm still learning how the machine should sound in relation to how fast I push the quilt sandwich through. I'm still having some little thread nests on the back at the stop/start points and sometimes, I swear the needle has a mind of it's own.

I was considering having a wine as a relaxant but carried on without it. I hadn't done any practice for about a week and a half and It showed. I had got rustier. There's the first lesson I learnt today.
I don't need to be a super duper machine quilter but I do want to be able to know what I'm doing and I'll get there because my middle name is tenacious.
The applique has been nibbled at, not as fast as the first border but it's going good.
This quilt  isn't mine but I don't think the owner will mind a little peek, I hope not anyway. It needs finishing off with some perle quilting. The quilt begged me to bring it home, take pity on it and finish it off. I really love working on this one and I'm privillaged to be entrusted with it.
Today I was also trying to get some bread made with big holes and crunchy crust, like a ciabatta. The holes taste the best  you know. This was a little left over dough from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, just enough for two rolls for our lunch. The easiest bread in the world to make. If you're inclined to have a go, I found a link for you to the basic recipe here.
If you do a Google search, you'll even find videos.

46 comments:

Marieke said...

Wow, it's amazing what you can do with machine quilting. It looks wonderful. So does the 'squares' quilt. Good luck and enjoy teh quilting and the bread baking!

Stina Blomgren said...

Gorgeous quilting.. loved to make the feather quilting on my Winter White Schnibble.. wiill certainly try and keep up my trining skills.. now that one have got the taste for this...lol... So training and even more training.. but I also know.. I wont ... but at least I am doing it now.. and not afraid of trying!!! :o))

Dorothy said...

The quilting practice doesn't look too bad at all. I know I need to practice. I'm hopeless at it.
The bright block is lovely. The 'square' quilt is soo fresh!
and I've taken a copy of the bread recipe. Looks good.

antique quilter said...

the quilting is looking great, yes its all about practice!
LOL which is hard when we have so many other projects to work on!
cant wait to see the next border I am just loving the look of this quilt.
nothing like home made bread, I am going to give it a try. thanks.
oh red pearle cotton quilting just so perfect for this quilt, keep going!
Kathie

Vicki ♥ said...

Your machine quilting is really good and I wonder how much better you really need to be...its really good :) I need to go and practice :)

liz said...

Did you really only have one workshop to get to the level you are at in machine quilting? What sort of sewing machine are you using? Your work is of such a high quality. Have you ever considered teaching, yourself?

Anonymous said...

Janet - your versatility is amazing...beautiful applique, gorgeous hand quilting and now lovely machine quilting. Pretty impressive!

Anonymous said...

Your quilting looks great to me, do you bring the bobbin thread up to the top before you start sewing?
It will stop the bird nest at the back.

cheers
Christine

Linda said...

That machine quilting looks great. The free-motion is still an "emerging" skill for me, but it's true that practice makes perfect, or at least better!

Unknown said...

Know what you mean about the sound of the machine..my tension isn't the same all the time but I can live with that for now...your Feathers look Great I am yet to have a go at them...they look Tricky.would love to know how you get the holes in the bread..that looks Tricky too...lol
cheers

Sandy said...

The applique, the machine quilting, the big stitch and the bread!!! I wish I lived at your house! ;) Sandy

Unknown said...

The quilting looks wonderful. Looks like you have been doing it everyday to me! And oh that applique is just gorgeous. If you choose to have a glass of wine next time, you should also have some of that yummy looking bread with it!!

Kaaren said...

And did you know that the holes have the fewest calories too? *wink* Looks yummy!

And so does your machine quilting! The only thing I can see that appears rusty is perhaps the color. The quilting is stunning and feathers are my favorite!

Everything looks wonderful.

You've given me my shot of inspiration with which to start my day. Thanks, Janet.

Crispy said...

Wow your free motion quilting is looking wonderful. I can't draw a loop with a pencil let alone with a sewing machine. Your selection of perle cotton quilting was perfect :0)

Crispy

Mimi said...

The holes have less calories, too! By the way, if that is a practice piece on your machine quilting, I don't know what you are worried about. I would hire you! That is beautiful work. Are you doing it on a regular machine or long arm machine? Someday I hope to quilt like that and then I can save my money rather than sending out my quilts. I am thinking you do great in anything you attempt. Wonderful work!

ranette said...

I think your machine quilting looks amazing! Oh and so does your big stitch quilting! Oh and so does the bread! You are one talented lady Janet!

ranette said...

And so does the applique!

Lisa at Sun Naturals said...

I think your FMQ looks great! I wish I could do feathers. More practice I guess :-)

And the bread looks yummy, thanks for the link!

Lori said...

Practice really does help with quilting. One thing I noticed though, is working on a small practice piece and a whole quilt are two different things!!
Love your big stitch and it's nice the quilt will be finished.

Terry said...

Your bread looks yummy! I've joined a quilt-along that is actually going to teach me how to free motion quilt! I can't wait!
:0)

Sandy said...

Your quilting looks beautiful -- I *love* feathers, and they're such fun to do! :)

Teresa Rawson said...

How do I get a pattern for Stars and Sprigs?? I've googled around with no luck...is it not on the market yet??

I love your blog!

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

Darlene said...

YUMMY - word of the day!

Machine quilting - YUMMY

Applique - YUMMY

Cute quilt with perle cotton - YUMMY

Crusty bread - YUMMY

Donna~~ said...

WOW to all of it! Your machine quilting is sonderful. Your stars and sprigs is making me want the pattern desperately. The pearl cotton is making that qulit look fabulous. And your bread is making me hungry for breakfast! You are so multitalented!

catielee said...

Your quilting looks pretty darn good! I just put myself on the quilt every day program for improvement, but I think you are considerably farther along than me!

Kath said...

I love that big quilting, it looks very jaunty!

Quilts And Pieces said...

I actually don't think that machine quilting looks bad at all! heck I practice and practice and mine doesn't look that good!

that bread looks wonderful!

Dolly said...

That machine-quilting is ridiculously WONDERFUL!

And it may have just helped me a bit, to see your feathers. I've thought that I had to go back along the side of one feather to get back to the stem, but I see that you didn't, but then you echoed the outside edge and made it all look great ! I want to try that.......batting gets expensive for a lot of practicing doesn't it?

Barb said...

I am trying to practice my free motion...but yours looks awesome, mine looks like chicken scratch.

Kim D. said...

Janet do you have a long arm or are you using your domestic machine? Your quilting looks fantastic to me. I've been practicing on small quilts, your right practice makes perfect. I love to doodle. Your appliques is so gorgeous.

Janet said...

Your machine quilting looks just beautiful to me - your feathers are lovely! I'm glad you border is coming along - what a finish that quilt will be!!
Your big stitch quilting is wonderful - just perfect for that quilt.

alobsiger said...

Good for you, Janet! Your quilting doesn't look like it suffered too much from inattention -- looks like you're going gangbusters with it. You're right, tenacity is an important ingredient in home machine quilting, IMHO. And what isn't accomplished through tenacity is carried on with audacity! hee hee Gosh, you'll be dangerous with practice. ;-) Ahh, swoony-swoon, that applique: MORE fABUlousNESs! Lovely quilt you're stitching on there too. ANd that bread looks YUMMY!

Lynda said...

I was wondering how you were going with the red/pale blue quilt - I heard it crying out your name that weekend - it's looking wonderful, and so is your appliqued border and machine quilting.

Munaiba said...

Gosh your machine quilting looks ace to me. I haven't done any since June! Goodness knows how rusty I'll be.

Lisa said...

Janet, how on earth do you get so much more done in a day than anyone else I know?! Sewing AND baking, and I suppose your house is showroom perfect too. I don't see the rust in your machine quilting pic at all. :)

Marit said...

Janet, it all looks delicious! I really love the applique block with that soft background, it is so spot on...
You are the best of inspiration, and one day I will cut into the Kaffe stash, too. At least I have started dreaming of it!

; )

Annie said...

The quilting is FANTASTIC! I Love it!

Abby and Stephanie said...

Wow your machine quilting is absolutely fantastic!!! I smell fresh bread from here.

Anonymous said...

Sweet web site, I had not noticed quiltsalott.blogspot.com before during my searches!
Continue the excellent work!

Nedra said...

Your machine quilting turned out very nicely! I think you have already mastered the art very well.
And how nice of you to provide a rescue for a lovely quilt.

Thimbleanna said...

Your machine quilting is looking great Janet. I love the pretty pearl cotton stitching you're doing too!

Anonymous said...

Your quilting is absolutely wonderful!!! Love it....absolutely blown away!!!

kim mclean said...

Gorgeous machine quilting Janet! I wish I can something like that - I'm in awe of anybody who can do machine sewing! cheers, Kim McL

Anonymous said...

A delight for ALL the senses!!! Thanks for sharing your multitude of talents and kind spirit too. ; )

Browndirtcottage said...

Woo Hoo...you GO GIRL!!! Looks like you are coming along GREAT with your machine quilting! MUST be that wonderful combination of a multi talented operator and that lovely Bernina. Did yours come with the 'stitch regulator' and if so...are you using it???

Robin said...

Pretty, pretty! I'm so impressed by how quickly you are progressing in your machine quilting skills. You give me hope! :) I do love the look of the perle cotton and all those yummy aquas and reds. How sweet of you to offer to finish it.