Quilting for a Holiday Runner

[Dixie H.]

I have a question about SID.Do you SID and then quilt spirals all over and would you do the same for a longarm? Thanks, Dixie

[Rita C.]

Hi Dixie, I don't know about a longarm but on my domestic machine I would SID all seams and then do the spirals. I would imagine it is the same for a longarm but somebody else would be better qualified to answer that.

[Renata L.]

Hi, Dixie--I'm taking a class on Craftsy with Cindy Needham right now and she recommends to SID ESS (every stinkin' seam) with a light weight polyester thread that won't show, like Superior Bottom Line, for example, to stabilize all the seams and so that you don't get uneven bumps and lumps in unexpected places after you've done the free motion quilting. So, for example, on my current project, the holiday runner, I've done SID ESS with Bottom Line thread in a neutral color that blends into the fabric (in my case a medium grey) before starting the actual with quilting with King Tut 40 weight that will show clearly on the surface of the quilt.

[Margo C.]

Just be aware that if you SID ESS then quilt your swirls, you will loose the dimension in the swirls because they would be broken up by the SID. In this case, I would SID just the outside of the blue patches.

Because I have never been able to do pretty swirls freehand, I would like to suggest that you try to do a meandering line and double back on it to create a ribbon effect in the white where it will show. Until December 31 (2012) you can watch Libby's threadplay video to see how she creates this ribbon effect: / (check about minute 15)

SID the blue logs to give them some linear definition and freehand a design or find a pretty stencil to showcase in the outer border.

[Renata L.]

Great idea, Margo. Because I did the SID along the major block lines vertically and horizontally and then outlined the outside portions of the blue logs, it would be quite easy to unstitch the SID I did on the vertical and horizontals to leave the pale blue open. I think i would like that much better.

In the meantime, the original color thread I chose for the FMQ in the light areas, King Tut Angel Teal, blended so beautifully into the fabric that you could not see the design at all. That was not my intent! Good or bad, I really think you need to see the quilting in the pale blue area so I played with King Tut Ascher Teal and liked it much better. I did take a quilt sandwich with all the fabrics I'm using and tested everything and documented what I did so that I don't have any surprises on the backing!

This is so much fun. I just wish I knew what I was doing! Anyone out there hosting a homestay program for not so young quilting students? I cook good Chinese and Italian food! :lol: :lol: :lol:

[E.M. T.]

:?: :?: :?: :?: :?:

[Renata L.]

Oh Marilyn... which part is :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: ?

[E.M. T.]

Oh..The quilting will be just fine...whatever you end up with !!! It's my hardest part ,too... Just didn't know what
"homestay program" refered to.... :?:

[Renata L.]

Just didn't know what "homestay program" refered to.... :?:

A homestay program is where international students go overseas to study, live with a host family, usually pay rent, and the purpose of living with that family is to get the cultural experience of a country while improving their language skills while often attending a local university. So, Marilyn, you want to teach me how to quilt? :wink:

[E.M. T.]

:idea: Sure ! Anytime..I'm sure we could swap skills ! You might find life in central Idaho country town quite
a culture shock, too. :shock: :shock: :lol: :lol: :lol:
ps: I'd always called these "exchange programs. :roll:

[E.M. T.]

Renata, if you'd like to learn a bit of longarming, you can come to Atlanta and play on mine! I for sure will get the better end of the deal -- you will have to cook and work at learning quilting!! I will only have to teach and eat!! LOL

[Rita C.]

A trip to Ireland could be on the cards after that - except that I couldn't teach you much, but we could have fun. Especially if you do the cooking and I do the eating. :mrgreen:

[Renata L.]

I've spent most of my life living out of a suitcase... I can do this! Time to start planning my "homestays around the world!" I forgot, I've also been known to train siamese cats to sit and stay, so if you have any ornery kids or cats, I'll be glad to offer my services (that might expand the list of host families... :lol: :lol: :lol: ).

[Renata L.]

Are you any good at training hamsters?....we've got him started with coming to the squeak & the rattle of the food box :wink: It would be make your own thimbles here.

[Renata L.]

No hamsters... but, you never know? :lol: :lol: :lol: Okay, okay... back to quilting the holiday runner... yes, I'm actually quilting today!