Quilting Around the Long Arm

I've been asked about the long arm. Where is it? What is it? Questions about various things that get used around the long arm. So, I took some pictures today of what is going on around "Polly".

This is an old picture of when I first had the long arm installed in 2009. I've personalized it a lot since then, and even turned the whole frame and machine around so that I'm looking out towards the living room. Actually it's so that I can keep an eye on Sassy, and I have a better view looking out the sliding door to the yard. We also have our TV, recliner sofa and chairs in the room. It all works out. The frame and quilts are interesting to visitors who have never seen a long arm.

"Polly" is built by company called Prodigy Quilter in SC. The frame is about 10' ft. long. I ordered it that length because I don't quilt overly large quilts, and because the long arm sits at one end of our long living room, and will live there forever--- the machine arm space is 24" inches. All 4 spidery looking handles are very adjustable, as is the frame. There are hydraulics to roll the quilt, to raise and lower the quilt, and to raise and lower the frame. The frame is very heavy so hydraulics on each leg, and a handle that lowers or raises the whole frame is appreciated. When you initially look at "Polly" it can be overwhelming, but you soon realize the machine, frame and how it functions are really very user friendly.

This pics. shows the end of the frame and rollers, magnetic pin dish is velcroed to the heavy aluminum frame support. There are my Grip-Lite side tension clamps. Luv them!

The round plastic container on the top holds an assortment of marking pencils, tweezers, needle tip fray check bottle and of course the always useful thread/seam ripper!

The paper cone coffee filter cone taped to the side of the machine is where I toss thread trimmings.
This is the Tadl Tales quilt and batting protector hang on the front of the frame. I float the batting and the quilt top, so this nylon protector keeps everything encased and out from under my feet---and also keeps Sassy from building a bed in the batting. It is suspended by velcro on both ends of the frame. Don't you wonder how we ever lived without Velcro! :o)
Someone on the Homequiltingsystems group asked about thread nets. I use this one on my slippery polyester threads. It's longer than what you see showing on the cone, and the part you don't see is tucked up inside the thread cone and metal thread spindle.

Here's my small wooden tote that has most of my everyday supplies.

I'm quilting on a Quilt of Valor that Mildred in Southern Calif. sent. It took me about a week to decide out what designs I wanted to stitch on it. And even then, I frequently change my mind about what I like once I start. Sometimes I can jump right in with an idea, and other times ----I have to study the quilt for awhile before I get inspired.

Here are some pictures of what is going on right now---I'm about half way finished, and then I will be turning the whole quilt 90 degrees to complete the side borders and inner sashing. It's just easier that way than trying stitch at an angle down the side of the quilt. I'll be turning the quilt once I have the top and bottom borders finished, and the sides basted. I'm free motioning some of the borders with a shell like design.

Here I've used a Simplex Expandable gauge to mark out some reference marks for the sashing design in the light area of the quilt. In the small squares I've stitched some continuous curves across, down and up the squares of fabric. This gauge is a neat tool to have.

Some small feathers in and around the embroidery.

Mildreds Quilt of Valor embroidery.

I haven't posted a picture of Sassy for awhile. She is 7 months old now, 8 lbs. of love and energy! We have a lot of fun with her! Here she is playing with her food dish which an every morning event! PS. Sorry the photos are so dark. New iPhoto application and new Lion operating system on my iMac is taking some getting used to. Especially iPhoto's latest edition software. :o(

Jelly Roll Race Quilts

Except for the turquoise binding on Cosmos, the jelly roll quilts are finished. They are a wonderful palette of fabrics for machine quilting. I used the Circle Lord template boards to do the quilting. Hence the name "Cosmos" and "Sakura".

The quilts are very fun to do, and if you like surprise endings---you will enjoy doing these as you never quite know what they will look like until the final finish!

These two were made from batik jelly rolls I found on sale. I'm sorry I didn't keep the wrapper names.

"Cosmos" is very soft pretty pastel with lots of pinks, lavenders and turquoise blues. "Sakura" is a beautiful combination of dark indigo blues, teals and purples.

I think it's important in the overall appearance of these horizontal strip quilts to finish them off with a inner sashing border, and a large outer border to frame and enhance the "jelly "centers. I can also see the opportunity to embellish them with appliqué and machine embroidery motifs. I plan to do more in different color combinations.

"Cosmos" and "Sakura" Jelly Roll Quilts

71" x 53" "Sakura" batik Jelly Roll

Sakura design with Circle Lord template board

"Cosmos" Jelly Roll Quilt 63" x 74" Batik

"Cosmos" Circle Lord template board quilting

"Sakura"

"Cosmos"

To Learn more about the Jelly Roll Race and the Fun involved in making these abstract quilts please click Here

Fleece Quilted

I finished this fleece quilt yesterday. It's a pretty soft Debbie Mumm fleece I found at JoAnn's Fabric on sale early last Spring. I couldn't resist! It finished out at 50" x 70". I used a Patricia Ritter pantograph, "Agave" with Superior Lava thread in a cocoa brown color top and bobbin. Sassy approves!

(click pic. to enlarge)
I've made several fleece quilts in the past. They are done on the long arm. Here is the link to Vivian's tutorial that inspired me to try these snuggly quilts.

Fuzzy Inventory

I've been looking for an easy to use App for simple inventorying of my long arm threads, rulers and books. One that I could upload to my iPad and have handy. "Fuzzy Inventory" seems to fit the bill so far.

Above are the thread categories I created.

I clicked on So-Fine and can see Fern is getting low. I entered that it was "low".

This is the list of So-Fine that was created in Fuzzy Inventory of all the So-Fine numbers & colors. I can list if they are getting "low", or if I have "none" or "some". I use the term "some" to let me know I have an adequate supply of a So-Fine color. The yellow bars showing next to the colors are showing me Rose Petal, It's a Girl, and Fern are getting "low". Green bars mean I have an adequate supply for the time being.

I've just started using Fuzzy Inventory, and I'm sure there are other options for listing categories and sorting them. But, with keeping it simple in mind, the "add Fuzzy Item" option works the best for me when it comes to threads. "Add Quantifiable Item" is another choice that can be used. Neat App! and it's free!

JoAnn's Quilt of Valor

This is recent Quilt of Valor that JoAnn in Ukiah, CA sent me to quilt. I think the military themed silhouette panels of fabric in the middle section of the quilt are really nice. She also did a wonderful job of adding camouflage fabric in the sashing borders. One of our soldiers is going to enjoy this quilt.

Here are some detailed pictures of the fabric panels.

(Quilted with the Circle Lord Swirls template boards)

Forever Project Finished!

As a quilter, I assume you have one of those "forever projects". You know the one you drag around to soccer games, husband is still shopping the hardware store--- you've returned to the car, dentist appointments, doctor appointments, watching TV, quilt guild business meetings, coffee clatch. Or just about anywhere you have a few moments to sit and people watch and take a few stitches. "A Patriots Dream" was one of those projects.

I love to do redwork, or any type of embroidery. To be able to incorporate it into a quilt is an added bonus. I'm sure over the years of reading my blog, you have occasionally seen pictures of this ongoing project---always listed as "unfinished". Here are some sections of the quilt. I sat at my sewing machine for most of the quilting as I did a lot of outlining of the various redwork and bluework. I also loaded the partially completed quilt onto the long arm to do some of the background fills in areas like around the cannon, or lines in the drapes surrounding Uncle Sam.

Betsy Ross

Cannon with flowers

I tried to not do too much quilting as I felt that could detract from the embroidery design.

I have been saving this tiny, tiny black buttons just for Uncle Sam's coat!

It doesn't show up in this picture, but I added a bit of blush with a paint stick to Uncle Sam's cheeks. He was looking a bit too serious!

A Patriot's Dream---Finished.

52" x 45"

Wet blocked and drying on the design wall.

Yes, I see that line of stitching is missing. :o)

(This is an Indygo Junction pattern designed by Marge Wooters.)

Sassy helped celebrate my Birthday

~Angie

I Spy Sunday

Paint Chips on Our Bed

Remember Judy Laquidara's blogging efforts to help the neighboring community of Joplin, MO who have suffered through so much since the tornado and Judy's Quilt Give Away to inspire many of us to donate to this worthwhile cause?

Judy has received $11, 470 in donations for the Red Cross as of this date! Plus some quilters sent her quilts to give to residents in Joplin.

She generously gave away 12 of her own beautiful quilts in a Quilt Give Away to people who sent in money. For every $25.00 you donated to the Red Cross, your name went into the drawing and you had a chance to win one of Judy's quilts.

We won one of the quilts! "Paint Chips" by Judy Laquidara. It looks wonderful in our bedroom!

It is so pretty! And--- If you want to make this quilt, it is one of 23 quilt patterns in McCalls latest issue of "America Quilts for the Home". We love it!

Thank you Judy for all you have done.

Update for Summer

I haven't blogged for awhile. A lot going on around here considering we live a very low key lifestyle.

We had our puppy, Sassy, spayed June 8th, and she did not do well with the procedure. We spent a lot of time day and night nursing her through it all. It was days before she would walk, or eat well. She is finally ---two weeks later---recovering.

Sassy

We had a wonderful visit from our granddaughter Holly, who we don't see often enough. Our grandaughter Amanda, who lives close by is spending part of her summer vacation with us. We are doing some gardening, and reading out under the cool shade of trees in the back yard. Summer has been in full swing here with 90 degree temps most days. But, hey---we are not complaining as it has been a cold wet Spring up until this past week. Welcome! Summer!

Bill, Holly, Angie and Amanda

Here are some results of that overabundance of rain.
Our favorite reading spot. The lawn has never been so green!










I'm sitting and quilting on "Patriots Dream". It's slow going--as compared to the long arm. But, I wanted to do a lot of straight line quilting in very small areas, and this is still the best way to machine quilt on smaller projects for me.

Patriots Dream

Hoping you are enjoying your Summer-time!

On The Long Arm Today

Actually it was on the long arm yesterday, but this is as far as I got. More quilting today as it's another rainy day.

I decided to quilt this on the frame instead of doing the traditional tying that is frequently used for crazy quilts.

The free motion quilting does not show up too well on the borders when you are looking directly down onto the quilt, but that's O.K. as it's more about the embroidery blocks than the quilting. I'm doing a bit of straight stitching on the inside of some of the crazy quilt blocks to 'tack' them down. I'm using Essential Pro Thread from Connecting threads in a light teal color. Hobbs 80/20 batting----more later.