Friday, October 3, 2014

Baby Charm Pack Quilt Finish

This quilt was made as a donation to our local Children's Relief Nursery for an upcoming fundraiser. It measures 36"x36" square. I especially love it's bright colors along with the rik-rac and yellow polka-dot borders.
Yet, what started as a simple charm pack quilt, actually ended up teaching me some very valuable lessons as a quilter. See, I am still a very notice, long-arm quilter and I still find myself  actually intimidated by the machine. I had every intention this past summer to really build my confidence and experience. But as life happens, other events distracted me and I have not done a lot of practice using my long-arm machine and all it's components.

 Earlier this week, it was actually during an afternoon spent frustrated with first, the encoder sensors, then, the next day, thread issues. (Which I think ended up just being a bad spool of thread...who would have thought!) that I found myself gaining confidence and the intimation dissolving! Yep! I mean, you guys, I was unplugging, moving things, and even lifting that machine around! I felt like I was tackled the beast! LOL!
And look what I got done today:

I used my Quilt Magic and quilted these cute daisies in the center of the quilt:

I was going to free-motion a design along the borders, but chose to continue working with my Quilt Magic, and I chose this border of little birds to quilt along the borders:

Here's a look at the quilting from the back:
Whew! I think I beat the beast don't you! I learned that I am ready and need to take a TinLizzi Quilting Class. I have a lot to learn about my machine and I'm excited about that! Our greatest lessons always come with a little struggle and that's okay...thank goodness I have a husband who reminds me of that when I'm frustrated! LOL! And, quite honestly, all your comments earlier this week on this post: My WIP/Wordless Wed.helped too! It's easy to get overwhelmed and lost in comparing ourselves to all the wonderful work out there. But we also need be gentle with ourselves  during the process of learning something new. I'll work on the binding during the evenings, but can confidently say, I don't feel so intimidated anymore. I'm so glad you stopped by and thanks again for your quilty support!
With smiles,
Val:)




14 comments:

  1. You go girl - just take out your cape next time!

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  2. I can just see you tackling the intimidating beast. My mom has a long arm she would let me use, but I find it intimidating. Glad you learned some lessons and created something so beautiful.

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  3. Hang in there, Val, I am still learning after having my machine 5 years. I took some longarm classes at AQS in Charlotte this year, and it is still intimidating to just do it. I am just so much more comfortable with pantographs. But you have inspired me to do more practice this weekend!

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  4. Pretty quilt and pretty fabulous quilting! Whoop whoop!!

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  5. How much fun! This came out wonderfully.

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  6. You are just like The Little Engine That Could! And guess what? You did! It looks beautiful!

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  7. this has worked beautifully lovely quilting and I do like a spotted binding, it is one I use a lot too

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  8. I so understand the feelings about your machine. I have them too. But you did do a nice job on this one.

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  9. Congrats on overcoming the difficulties. The quilt was definitely worth it, lovely quilting.

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  10. I always thought it would be fun to try long arm quilting. :) Your result is very cute!

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  11. Sweet little quilt. I admire your attitude towards that @#$% machine. I would not have the patience. Atta Girl!
    Hugs

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  12. Oh I think your quilting turned out beautifully! So happy for you...it is a good feeling to feel like you are "better" than you were before :)

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  13. Great baby quilt, I love the yellow border!

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  14. Glad your gaining confidence. This turned out great. Love the yellow border.

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I have to admit, your comments make me smile! Thanks for sharing and for letting me know you stopped by. I Hope your day is awesome!

Val:)