Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Free Motion Rookie - Double Wedding Ring Update

The top of the DWR is FINALLY done and ready for quilting. I'm so nervous and excited and emotional!!! I was going to try something in free motion for the centers. But I have chickened out and have bought a stencil to use for this project. Because this is SUCH a special quilt, I want to ensure that it comes out perfect. And knowing my lack of detail and precision, I need all the help I can get.

I was planning on using the wax paper method to copy this onto and then stack them (I would need 2o patterns for 20 squares) and sew through the stack of wax paper with no thread to "copy" onto each template and then just follow the holes to quilt each square. Sounds like a great plan, BUT I recently took a machine quilting class at The Charlton Sewing Center and the intructor, Holice Turnbow, mentioned that he heard that the wax paper gets stuck in the threads and it's a real bear to get it out. Imagine pulling teeny, tiny threads out of 20 squares!!! UGH. Thanks for saving me a HUGE headache Holice!! He's my new hero. He gave me a quilter's pencil to try. He said to simply trace my stencil and that it will come right out when I wash the quilt. I'll report back to let you know how it worked.



I'm so pleased with how the top came out. I was concerned that the squares would not lay flat at the corners. There are some minor flaws. No big stand outs though. PHEW! Anyway, I'm of the firm belief that each quilt should have some flaws because after all life isn't perfect now is it?
And phase 2 will be using this lovely stencil that I found at a local quilt shop in New Hampshire whose name is escaping me right at the moment. I can't wait to see how this will look......so excited..........and terrified!! This is my project for this coming week-end. I'm determined to get all 20 squares done so I can get this treasure bound and ready for gifting. (Huge smile on my face right now just thinking about it).
For some free motion quilting fun:
Hop on over to Leah Day's blog 365 Days of Freemotion Quilting for TONS of amazing ideas on free motion quilting filler design ideas to try. She has a mini video for each design she creates. I'm totally addicted to her site!!
Today's blessing: I'm thankful for all of you out there in blogland! It's an awesome outlet for me and I've been meeting some really nice fellow crafters and quilters.

18 comments:

  1. I love a double wedding ring quilt, but I don't like to make them. Your colors are soft and very pretty; what a nice quilt to put out in the spring.

    Thanks for the birthday wishes!

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  2. Hey Neighbor!

    The quilt looks great. I'm sure the quilting will be amazing - Good luck!

    Holice is great isn't he? Super nice. I'm taking a class with him in January, can't wait.

    I'm also in love with 365 Days of Freemotion. It is really helping me to move away from only stippling!

    Can't wait to see what's next,
    Jaclyn

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  3. What a beautiful quilt...I just love the colors and that pattern is a fave of mine! I'm glad you're feeling a little more confident...can't wait to see how things turn out for you and thanks for the heads up on the 365 days!

    Blessings! liking the picture of a huge smile on your face when the quilt is finished and oohed and ahhhhed over!

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  4. Love this pattern, but I don't think that I have the patience for it yet!!! Great job!
    Blessings!

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  5. Beautiful colors you are using in that Double Wedding Ring quilt...

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  6. this is such a beautiful quilt top...looks hard to make....great job

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  7. Beautiful. The colors are great and the workmanship is obvious from how well it lays. Wonderful!

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  8. The quilt top is beautiful! I hope you'll update about the quilting:)

    Vicki

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  9. That looks so beautiful! I just heard on a podcast that you can quilt through freezer paper. The podcast was Within a Quarter Inch. I haven't tried it, but it may work if you don't end up liking marking with quilter's pencil

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  10. This pattern is one I want to make for next year. Yours came out beautifully. Great colors too. Looking forward to seeing it all quilted.

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  11. Well done in finishing this beautiful quilt top. Awesome job! Good luck with the quilting. I too have recently come across the 365 days site. Such great ideas and tips. I have 2 quilt tops waiting to be quilted but I'm still procrastinating as to how I will do them.

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  12. The quilt is stunningly beautiful! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the quilting. :)

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  13. Your double wedding ring quilt is going to be stunning when it is all quilted!!!

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  14. What a beauty! Love your choice of stencil, too. It's going to look amazing when it's quilted! :o)

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  15. Beautiful quilt!!! I can see why you want the quilting to be perfect!! Good luck with the stencil and the quilting. I am sure it will be as gorgeous as your quilt top. I look forward to seeing the finished product. Thanks for sharing.

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  16. I'm afraid of free motion as well. Good idea using the stencil. Your quilt is beautiful. great job!

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  17. This is beautiful and you are so ambitious with that quilting pattern! I'm sure it will turn out great!

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  18. This is wonderful! If you want to go with the paper method for quilting, I love the Golden Threads Quilting paper. It comes in different width and tears away easily. No problem with your machine. Good luck!

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So tickled that you stopped by to visit my quilting kitchen! I treasure and respond to every comment.

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