I chose the dyed border fabric and went back and forth about whether I was going to put the gradations going horizontally or vertically against the center of the quilt but the many lines made it too busy so even though the gradations aren't completely straight (and I had to piece occasionally) I think this brings out the center better.
Can you tell that I changed one of the pieces in that bottom green circle? (In the Winding Ways III post it was the original way). It used to be blue but when I'd put it all together it just jumped out at me too much. (I had thought it would be good against the dark border). Anyway I CHANGED it. And WHAT A JOB! Are you going to accuse me of being a perfectionist? I figured if I didn't change it now, I'd forever look at the quilt and only see the blue piece down there. So I ripped up the border and did the lower part again.
Now I get to make decisions on how to do the quilting. I'm thinking of using a walking foot and quilt inside the circles. I have to buy a walking foot first though... Any advice on how to use one of those?
That was one FUN quilt! I've got the batiks. Do I want to do this again?
23 comments:
this is absolutley gorgeous! I love the colour variations in the border, and the way the circles extend into it. You've done a great job and should be very very proud of yourself!
This is beautiful, and both traditional and art-y at the same time. It will make a lovely addition to your home. As for the walking foot, I have one (it came with the machine) but don't use it much. I will be looking for comments on your experiences with one. I need to learn because it will make quilting in the ditch for my Project Linus quilts much easier.
Wow! I'm impressed. I love the colors and the way that you let the circles spillout int the border. I think that this quilt is one to be very proud of.
It looks awesome!!!
I love what you did with that quilt! I use a walking foot quite a bit for straight line quilting such as grid work. It's vry simple to put on your machine and keeps all the layers together nicely. Just be sure that the "arm" of it is over the needle bar, increase your stitch length, and you should do fine.
I have not used a walking foot for curves but my impression is that it works best for straight lines. If you get a walking foot, practice curves on something else before trying it out on this beautiful quilt. Your batiks are wonderful and this pattern was perfect for them.
Kathie
It turned out very nice! Enjoy quilting it.
Tanya,
Winding Ways turned out great! A walking foot is a wonderful addition to your machine. In addition to quilting with it, it's great for sewing on binding - the initial seam to attach it to the quilt. Like anything else, you'll probably want to practice a bit first before quilting on this great piece. I use mine for piecing, too. I enjoy reading about life in Japan and your pets. Keep up the good sharing. Lois
Tanya, what a beautiful quilt and good use of your batiks. I love it!
Tanya,
It is absolutely beautiful! I use a walking foot when I machine quilt---can't imagine machine quilting without it. I haven't done any circles with it yet, but have done lots of curving lines, and it does fine. Puckers on the bottom are not a worry when I use it, because it feeds the quilt nicely. I suppose you could drop your feed dogs and just do free-motion quilting, but then you have to worry more about stitch length as you are the one moving the quilt. Whatever you do, I'm sure it will be lovely!!! I used a verigated thread with most of the colors of my quilt when I quilted my batik quilt, and it blended in nicely.
Doesn't this look great! And I've loved reading about the making process too. I use my walking foot a lot, especially if I'm sewing anything with three or more layers together, as it stops them shifting about - great for adding binding, straight line quilting. It's fine for gentle curves too, as long as you go a little more slowly and sometimes manually adjust the direction (needle down, lift the presser foot and twist the fabric just a little). If you get a spacer bar with your foot you can use it to evenly space your lines of quilting. Straight line quilting would complement your curved design rather well I think.
Stunning!!!
Hi Tanya
I like your works
You were wise to change the color spot that bothered you despite it being a lot of work.
It is a lovely quilt.
Tanya, your quilt is wonderful! And you finished it so quickly....I tend to start something and hope to get back to work a little on it withing 3 or 4 months (that's what owning a quilt shop will do for you!). I'm so glad you enjoyed your batiks.
Wow - it looks amazing! I love how you have brought the blocks into the border.
It is beautiful - love how the circles extend into the border. You are quite an accomplished quilter. Using a walking foot is just like using a regular piecing foot, only noisier. As someone else already said, just make sure you install it correctly - with the arm on the right side of the sewing machine bar - so it goes up and down with the needle instead of getting in the way.
I use the walking foot all the time - to quilt and to put on the binding.
FYI, I used it to quilt my drunkard's path quilt. I just lined the curves against the edge of the foot, and I was able to make nice curved lines with no marking. I got carried away and made more and more curved lines until there was a curved line every quarter inch or so.
Your quilt is just gorgeous. I agree with everyone that the circles going into the border really makes it spectacular.
I love my walking foot. It is so nice not to have puckers when sewing over 2 layers of fabric and batting. You will love it too.
You did a marvelous job on this stunning quilt!
I love your Winding Ways! I don't know about "advice" for a walking foot, but I can say with conviction that a walking foot is a wonderful thing. I don't know how I would do without mine!
Tanya,
Your quilt is spectacular- I love how the circles are in the border- I am pretty sure that the girls who finished their Winding Ways quilts quilted them - in the ditch following the football shapes( I am not totally sure about that because I haven't got that far- What ever way you decide to quilt it - it is just so beautiful- Perhaps you will have enough to do it again- Aren't batiks wonderful...
I loved your story about sending an essay to your daughter- I am sure that reading and writing in another language is quite challenging- We write in a different form than we speak and certainly book language is different than the way we speak.
It is terrific that you and your children can speak both languages.
I learned French in school but I am no where near fluent even though I took it every year from Grade 4- 12. I learned how differently oral French was from Written French in university. I took it the first term but quit at Christmas time because I was in way over my head. I was a good student in French in high school but it was all oral not written and university was the opposite. I just couldn't get my head around all the verb conjuncations...
I wish I did have a second language ...
I think your cat straight jacket is pretty interesting. I am sure that Mars would not be impressed with it..
Be well,
Regards,
Anna
This is just beautiful, a lovely use of your batiks.
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