Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Works in progress & a VERY satisfying finish

{measures 40" x 40"}

Ever have one of "those" projects that maybe isn't the most awesome thing you've ever made, but actually getting it finished ends up being so satisfying? My Kaleidoscope donation quilt was one of "those". In fact I think it was just last week that I declared I would not be talking about it anymore, and really I was this close to pitching it. BUT, I was just dying to try machine quilting on my Elizabeth and this was the only project that I had all supplies needed, so I took a deep breath and a) ripped out all previous stitching I had done, b) balled up the polyester batting into a bag and took it out to the garbage can, c) re-pressed the top and backing, and d) sandwiched it back together with a 80/20 batting that I have used before and already know I really like. Machine quilting on the new machine went off without a hitch and it was so enjoyable to just be able to GO and not worry about puckers or tension or anything like that. I am totally sold on this machine!


Okay, so on with W.I.P. Wednesday.

1. Chrysalis Quilt - no sewing progress on it this week, but I did buy my backing fabric and I love it. It is called "Scrappy and Happy" by Janet Selck for Northcott Fabrics. It is absolutely perfect for this project - the orange is a perfect match (even if it doesn't quite look like it in the photo). I don't have batting yet, but this quilt is next up in my queue for machine quilting.



2. Sparkle Quilt - finished the top this week! Next will be to decide what to back it with, and how to quilt it.


3. Sewing machine cover - some progress, but nothing photo worthy yet!

4. Still contemplating the Modern Mini Challenge - I want to participate, because little quilts are so fast and fun to make, but I don't need another mini that I don't know what to do with.....if only I had this......so if I do make a mini for the challenge, I may end up doing a giveaway for it. Would you lovely readers be interested in that?

That's it for me for this week, and I am looking forward to seeing what the rest of you have been up to!

WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

Fresh Poppy Design

15 comments:

Debbie said...

congrats on the kaleidoscope!! So glad you are happy with your machine! whew. Love the backing for your sparkle blocks too - that should be easy to quilt up! And I confess - I hope you join the modern mini challenge - a give-away is a great solution!

felicity said...

Oh Mah GAH! That sparkle quilt is just awesome!!! So glad that ditching the icky poly batting had such great results for you. YAY! For new machines!!

p.s. YES do participate in the Modern Mini Challenge - there are AWESOME prizes!!

Poppyprint said...

Yippee for stress-free quilting with 80/20 on the new machine!!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Great finish!! I LOVE the quilting :)
The Chrysalis is gorgeous and that backing looks scrummy!

Kate said...

Yay! Kaleidoscope got finished! I'm trying to use the leftover poly batting I have in small projects so I don't get frustrated. I think I'm close to the end of the pile so I can just throw away the remaining bits and stick with what I know works.

CityHouseStudio said...

Beautiful job with the Kaleidoscope quilt, it's just awesome! And I love your sparkles!

Abby said...

You got so much done this week. I'm so impressed you not only attempted the kaleidoscope quilt but you finished it! Your quilting is amazing on it. Your sparkles quilt is way cute too. Great progress!

Katie B said...

Your Kaleidoscope is fantastic! I'm so glad the new machine is treating you well.

Alisa said...

Great job on the Kalaidescope finish! It looks great and I am impressed that you took it all apart and finished it up. I dislike picking thing apart so that is admirable.

Chelsea said...

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Whoops! Not a comment, that was the cat, but it's funny so I won't delete!

I love your kaleidescope, the colours are gorgeous! What is up with poly batting? I finished a customer's quilt today and by the end I was almost crying because of her stupid poly batting. It was some super thick stuff from walmart and I hate it. It kept throwing my tension off, I couldn't get straight edges, and any time I touched the skin around my eyes they burned. Ick!

hwscutie said...

Those are all awesome!

Sue Daurio said...

so many gorgeous projects. The Kaleidoscope with the brown and the circle in the middle is just stunning! Love the sparkle quilt too. Beautiful!

Lucy said...

i love that backing fabric you chose xxx

Linda Beth said...

I love the design of that Chrysalis quilt! Great use of those fabrics. And that kaleidoscope quilt looks great, too! Congrats on working through it.

CitricSugar said...

You have been BUSY! I love the quilting on the kaleidoscope.

I'm really interested to see how you quilt the Chrysalis quilt. I have a charm pack of that line but haven't a clue what I want to do with it yet...