Quilting Event Update

If you read my previous post, you should already know that I have finished the custom quilt I was working on!
In case you missed it, you can check out my latest post, HERE.

Here is a picture of the final product again! I cannot stop looking at it!

First, I need to apologize for my unintentional break from blogging. I never realized how busy the end of the school year was for teachers. Oh. My. Goodness. is all I can say about that. However, it was a wonderful experience and I loved every minute of it. I would come home and not want to do anything. Therefore, the quilt was put on the back burner.

After my first full week of summer vacation, I decided it was time to start working on the quilt again. I just thought it would be easy for me to jump right back into quilting.
WRONG!

Rule #1 of returning to a quilt: Check all of your sewing machine settings.
Somehow, my tension got completely messed up. I have no clue how this happened. I thought I was just having an “off” quilting day. {When this happens, I normally walk away from the quilt and come back another day.} I tried many times, and ripped seams out every few stitches. After an hour and a half, I decided to stop.

The next day, I was determined to make progress on it. I threaded my sewing machine again and changed by bobbin. While changing my bobbin, I noticed there was a loose part. PROBLEM SOLVED! That is why I was having the most difficult time with my bobbin.

I quilted a few hours every day, and voilà…quilting was finished! It was the greatest feeling knowing that I successfully quilted my FIRST OFFICIAL quilt, and it just happened to be a QUEEN size! I say go big or go home! :)

Next, it was time to sew the binding! It’s not perfect, but I was satisfied with the outcome!

After sewing the binding, it was finished and ready to wash! I have heard horrible things about washing quilts, even after the fabric was washed previously. I pre-washed ALL of my fabric. After all the hard work that was put into making it, I did not want any surprises. So, I made sure I washed the quilt with Shout Color Catchers.

Image from Google Search

I have never used these before, but I couldn’t imagine what the quilt would have looked like without them. After removing the quilt from the washer, I couldn’t believe what I saw. The color catcher sheets were 100% BLUE! I’m giving the quilt purchaser several of these to use the first few times he washes it. I’m not sure if he will see the same result as I did, but it definitely will not hurt to use them! :)

I’m not sure how soon I will make another quilt, but I cannot wait to try something new! Do you have an easy quilt that you recommend for a beginning quilter like myself? I would love to hear about it!

With love,

 

Getting Started {Quilting Event}

My quilting is beginning to pay off! I have received my FIRST order for a custom quilt. Therefore, I have decided to blog about the making of this quilt (especially so the customer can get updates on it). I will blog with things I have discovered along the way of making this piece, so if our followers have experience they can provide me with their expertise!

Alright, so my first customer requested a blue, queen sized quilt. He left it up to me to decide how the quilt should look, but said he did not want a “low-quality, store quilt.” I was very excited to begin this project. But, it was really difficult deciding on the perfect quilt pattern/layout.

Since the quilt will be displayed on a bed, I decided to go for a more traditional and symmetrical look. Here is a sketch of the layout…

I have chosen the following colors: navy blue, royal blue, and white. The quilt needed a contrasting color, so I decided to go with white. I feel that the white brightens the quilt and makes the blues stand out.

If you look at the sketch I made, you can see I designed the quilt with a double border. The border will have a thin inner border, which will be a light blue. The outer border will be twice the width of the inner border. I am considering a navy blue fabric for this border.

I have already purchased the majority of the fabric needed for this quilt. I wanted this quilt to be high quality, so I bought Kona Cotton Solid Quilting Fabric from Joann’s!

So far, I have purchased three yards of each fabric color (navy, royal blue, and white).  I wanted to make sure I bought plenty of fabric! I did not want to make an emergency trip to the store to buy more fabric.

However, I’m still trying to figure out the best binding and backing fabric.  If this quilt was for you, what would you want? Is there any particular brand you liked or didn’t like when quilting? I would love to hear your opinions and experiences!

With love,