Tree Skirt and HQ-16

My, oh my, it has been far too long between posts. I've not been idle though. Our church group made an I-Spy quilt which I've basted and will quilt today. It will be my last quilt of that size done on my domestic machine, for I am buying a longarm today!

It is not one of those that cost the same as a nice car. This is the HQ Sixteen. I tried a Porsche (APQS Millennium) a few weeks ago and liked the huge sewing space, but found it very hard on my back and hard to maneuver. Free motion and trying to follow templates was humiliating.

So I tried the HQ, first for maneuverability, then following a template. It was much easier, in fact the results were much better. Also, since it sets closer to the edge of the table, I could stand erect and my back was fine.

The biggest problem is space. I have a studio room about 10.6 x 24, windows on three sides, with a huge U-shaped computer desk in the middle, 6 IKEA cupboards, 3 IKEA tables, a craft table, 3 bookcases, and other assorted stuff like rolling drawer units and a serger table. Don't ask me how, but they fit and I can work in this. So the big question... where do I put a 8-12 foot quilting machine? My GH thinks I've lost it! He is probably right, but that is another post. LOL!

Amazingly, it will work. I took out a couple things that fit elsewhere, consolidated two large tables to hold the quilter, moved the craft table out since I don't need it for basting any longer, and rearranged a few things. The room actually looks bigger now. It is still messy with thread, iron, machines, etc. all in the wrong spots, and the longarm is not here yet, but I will post a photo when it is done.

In the meantime, here is a photo of one of my first quilts. It was supposed to be a tree skirt, but I didn't have the heart to cut it, so it now adorns a table during the Christmas season.

And speaking of that, the tree is up and I'm thinking of ways to enjoy this celebration. We love the turkey and gifts, but also love the Reason for the season. May every one of you experience a restful holiday and great joy!

A Garden Path - Finished

This quilt is finished! One down --- nineteen to go --- unless I get some bright ideas that interfere with good intentions!

Find out more about the origin of this idea at my PhD (Projects half Done) site, which also has a larger photo. The link is on the right.

Quilt Show in Korea

I've posted all my photos from the quilt show in Seoul, South Korea! The page takes a while to load, but they are so interesting. Go here to have a look. The link is also at the right side of this page, so you can return anytime for another peek. Have you ever seen quilts like these before? The traditional ones, yes, but not those 'fairy tale' designs. They are wonderful!

Sorry, there is no way for anyone to comment on that link, but you can comment here. I'd love to hear what you think of these quilts.

Unexpected Quilt Show

We went back to the quilt shop yesterday and figured out from the sign on the door that the shop was closed because the owner was at a quilt show. With a little English on the mostly Korean sign, we knew that the show was "Quilting from Fairy Tales" and had a website and the dates. I looked at the website but it was all Korean. I took the URL to the front desk of our hotel and the man at the desk looked it up, then told us where to find the show. After some searching, we found it in the "art gallery" of a large department store.

The search was worth it. All the quilts but one were pieced and quilted by hand. They were elaborate and wonderful. I was allowed to take photographs so I have one or more of nearly all the quilts. I cannot post them (forgot my camera's USB cable at home), so decided when I get home I will make a page for them similar to my UFO page, and you can see all of these wonderful quilts, full size rather than a shrunken version that will disappear off the bottom of the page after a few days. So come back next week, and the page will be available through a link on the right.

Just one more note: the fabrics are cottons, not as good as USA cottons, but the colors and patterns gave the quilts a wonderful variety and good tonal contrast. Several of them were heavily embellished and all were well designed. I can hardly wait to share them with you!

Unexpected Quilt Shop

We are in the huge city of Seoul, South Korea. Yesterday we went for a long walk and one of the first little stores we saw was a quilt shop! I didn't expect that. It was closed but through the window we could see a shelf of cotton fabric, a few tops, a Bernina serger sitting on the floor, a cutting table, and so on. Since it is only a few minutes from our hotel, we will likely go back. My funny hubby kept shaking his head saying, "They're everywhere, they're everywhere."

Vacation

Early tomorrow morning, BH and I are hopping on an airplane for South Korea to visit our granddaughter. Our hotel in Seoul is supposed to have a desktop PC in the room, but if the keyboard is in Korean, you won't be hearing from me for a couple weeks! Otherwise, I will try and post some pictures of interest from South Korea.

PROGRESS REPORT

This is the result of a few days working on my PhDs. This one goes by the working name of Black and Red Grad Challenge. A group I attend was challenged to make a 12" asymetrical block, then move it around to make the quilt. I added one small extra plain block in the center so I could arrange these like I did. I've a dozen photos of other placements, but this one pleased me most.

Anyway, it is finally quilted - heavily, in a whimsical floral and leaves, free-motion pattern. I used variagated black and red thread so the quilting appears and disappears, but really shows up well in side lighting. It has been trimmed and blocked, so is still on the floor with pins around the edges. I couldn't get high enough to take a picture of the whole thing. When I get the binding on, I'll post the entire quilt.

I've another one not on the UFO list yet. It is a simple design that uses up some small pieces of florals. The top row is sewn together. The squares finish to 6" and the sashing to 1 1/2" to make a quilt about 48" x 56." I'm not a flower person, but am enjoying this one so far.