Thursday, February 15, 2007

It doesn't hurt to ask...





















Moving around so much - well, it can be a bit frustrating... my machine might be in one country, my rulers in another, my fabric in a 3rd. Ugh. It takes a bit of planning to get all the components needed for quilting together, and sometimes, despite my best intentions, it doesn't happen.

Oh yes, please do oooh and aaaah over the Green Ocean Waves quilt - all quilted (by Judy). Last week I ran into the quilt shop and bought a light/dark green mottled leaf print for the binding - you can see just a tiny bit of it on the bottom... It was a bit funny because I was standing there agonizing over the decision - so many choices - when I finally came to my senses, grabbed one fabric and had it cut - so many would have looked good and this one looks just fine too... heck - any binding sewn onto a quilt so you can USE it is already a step ahead of finding the "perfect" binding fabric. Only problem... I like to put my bindings on using a walking foot... and the machine I am borrowing from a sister doesn't have one... and, well - those things are expensive, and I don't want to buy a walking foot for this machine because I already have a walking foot for my own machine (which is in Canada). So you see - I had to put my thinking cap on as to where I might get my hands on a walking foot.

And then I remembered - a distant acquaintance, who lives in town, quilts and I was fairly certain that she would have a walking foot. Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained - right? So, I look her # up in the phone book and call her. And guess what? She DOES have a walking foot (on a beautiful Bernina sewing machine, might I add), and YES indeedy I could come over to her house and use it to put the binding on my quilt! And when I got there she had her sewing table all cleared off for me, the foot attached AND a new needle in the machine. Wow! And while I was in her wonderful sewing room I admired her chicken pin-cushion so she gave me the pattern for that, plus the felt for the beak and comb. She has lots of lovely wall quilts displayed through-out her house too so I had a mini quilt show! After I got the binding on she fixed me lunch and a hot cup of tea and we visited and then she invited me to go to a small gathering of women for hand work/visiting session. Well, that worked into my schedule so off we went and when I got there they gave me a stack of old quilt magazines, which is great because I miss my quilting magazines and books. And, of course, it is always nice to meet with people and see what they are making and chat. I really, really had fun and I am so happy that she said yes and then one thing lead to another - all good things!

So, how is that for a red letter day? All because I picked up the phone and asked someone if I could use their machine to put the binding on my quilt! It doesn't hurt to ask...

AND - my quilt binding is done, done, done!!! I cut my binding 2 1/4" wide, sewed it on to the BACK of the quilt using a scant 1/4" seam - then folded it over to the front and top stitched the front of the binding down. The binding is narrower in the back so when you top stitch the front you don't catch the bottom binding, but the backing of the quilt instead. I really like this look! One more look at the quilting...


28 comments:

Doodlebug Gail said...

Oooooohhhhhh and aaaaaahhhh! LOL

No seriously Evelyn, that is gorgeous and I can see, as usual, that Judy has done a superb job on the quilting. Her workmanship always enhances the piecing. I am so glad that you had such a great day and aren't quilter's the best people ever?

How does 'little boy' take to all the travelling and moving around? Do you travel with a lot of his things or do you leave things at each place to stay for him?

Have a good evening.

Unknown said...

Beautiful green quilt and the quilting is great! Love the way it looks on the bed with the light shining on it.

Fiona said...

The ocean waves has quilted up beautifully. Sounds like you had a great day - the best times are often unexpected.

Vicky said...

Ooooh - aaahh - the quilt is absolutely gorgeous! You and Judy make a great team!

It sounds like you had a perfect day! It's always such a joy to get together with quilters!

Congrats on a beautiful finished quilt!

Cher said...

it all came out gorgeous! and well done on asking for help with using a machine-it pays to have quilty friends!

Saska said...

The quilt is very pretty and yes Judy did a good job on it.
How fun to find somebody close that could help you out.

Gail said...

Wonderful quilt, you both did a great job. Sounds like you had a fabulous day-how perfect!

The Calico Cat said...

NICE! I love it!

Shelina said...

Ooh and AAh! This is indeed a beautiful magnificent quilt. So glad you had a red letter day in getting the binding stitched on. May this quilt always provide you with wonderful luck.

Samantha said...

The quilt is stunning.

Really stunning.

Hooray for asking!

Laurie Ann said...

Thanks so much for the binding tip! I don't hand-sew my bindings down either and your method of going from back to front sounds great! I tried to put the binding on Oodles of Poodles last night front to back and the backing kept bunching and now I have to rip it out. If I had gone back to front I would have avoided that problem. Thanks for the tip!!

Mary Johnson said...

It looks beautiful. Sounds like you had a fun day and got your quilt finished too.

Unknown said...

Well, that was surely worth asking about. What a great day you had and I'm betting your friend was thrilled to get to spend time with you and help you out.

Glad you got the quilt finished - it's beautiful!

Nicole & Phil said...

This is a gorgeous quilt, and the quilting on it is stunning!
It is great you have a quilting friend close by that can help you out a bit as well!

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

Lovely quilt! And no, it doesn't hurt to ask... and yet, sometimes we think we may be imposing or bothering someone and we don't pick up the phone or reach out in any other way for help. Look what we'd be missing! Thanks for a wonderful post today!

Shirley said...

A beautiful quilt in my favorite color. Green. Judy did a great job on the quilting. I was once told if you want to make someone your friend ask them to do something for you. It works. You picked a good one. Wish I knew her.

Joanne said...

It is truly a beautiful quilt and what a wonderful unexpected day besides! Good for you.

Sweet P said...

Ocean Waves is stupendous! Who gets to keep it? I hope it's you and little boy.

MARCIE said...

Sounds like a wonderful way to spend the day! And you got your binding on as well. Beautiful quilt and the quilting is fab also!

Joyce said...

I was going to say that you need a set of quilting supplies in each country but then you would have missed a wonderful afternoon. I am definitely going to try that binding method. I don't enjoy hand stitching them down.

Hanne said...

What a lovely quilt Evelyn - and what a lovely day you had.

sewprimitive karen said...

What a wonderful ice skating day. And your quilt is gorgeous. Nice binding technique, I've got to try that at the next binding opportunity.

Susan said...

Beautiful, beautiful quilt! perfect color =) It sounds like you had a lovely day with your friend, too.

Carol said...

Your ocean waves quilt is just beautiful...Judy's quilting is awesome! Ice skating on the pond brings back such wonderful memories.

Wendy said...

Love the green quilt, so inspiring. The quilting shows beautifully in the picture.

Katrina said...

Wonderful quilt! It is stunning :)

Blanca said...

wuuuuuuauww!!!! This quiltin is very, very, very beautiful!!! You're an artist.

Kairle Oaks said...

Sounds like an amazing day! Good for you!

I'm in love with your ocean waves quilts. What a beautiful job you've done!
Kairle