UFO completion competition...how many do you have?

[Eileen K.]

Ann,
Do you ever cruise the east coast when you're RVing?
eileenkny 8)

[Eileen K.]

I've been doing really well lately with finishing UFO's or WIP's. I did 3 quilts on a long-arm machine myself that I rented time on.

Now I realized that it's April and I have 2 high school graduations and a baby shower, all in June! Yikes!

Good thing I have a retreat this weekend. I've got a batik and a flannel Turning Twenty already cut out and ready to sew. The pieces are large, so hopefully I'll get them both pieced. Then back to the long-arm! I may also have a chance to start the baby quilt. I've got the Pooh fabrics all washed and a pattern in mind...

[Eileen K.]

Nancy,
What shop do you rent your longarm time in? Or do you know a longarmer who rents time on her machine?
eileenkny 8)

[Eileen K.]

It's called Discount Sewing Center, Jackie Lynn's and it's in Irondequoit, which is the northern most subburb of Rochester, NY. It's a nice shop with great teachers, quilting fabrics and notions but also some of the other fabrics, patterns and notions that a regular sewing store carries. She has 3 HQ 16's in a back room and does classes on them as well as renting them out for $15/hr. They show you and help you pin everything on and take care of the bobbins and any thread breaking or problems. I'm thrilled that I can finish my quilts myself and don't have to invest in a machine myself! Nancy- gorgeous day here finally!

[Eileen K.]

I finally finished and have posted the DWR quilt I made my SIL using the faced binding. I have to say it was one of the easiest and pain free bindings I have ever done, and that is a lot considering the edge on this quilt was the most complicated one I have ever done as well. It is hard to see in the photo but the edge has points sticking out between the curved edges of the rings making LOTS of little corners to work around.

I told you all a while back I would let you know how it went. Here is what I did. First I sewed a scant 1/4" from the edge all around the quilt as I quilted it - this served as a sewing guide in sewing on the binding. I DID NOT cut away my excess backing and batting yet - I always leave that till the binding is sewn on one side to help stablize. Next I precut 6" wide strips matching my backing material. Then I layed these right sides together on the front of the quilt and pinned it well to make sure it did not shift. At the corners of the quilt I treated the strips like I was doing a mitered border and sewed them together using a Y seam. Next I flipped the quilt over and sewed using that 1/4" row of stitching as a guide and staying just inside it. Once I was done sewing it down, I carefully cut away the excess, trimming the seam to about 3/8" to 1/2", clipping inside corners and cutting off tips of outside corners. Then I turned the binding to the back and turned out all the points using my scissors (carefully!!!) to push the points out sharp. After that I pressed the edge well and on the back of the quilt I used a blind applique stitch to tack it down just like any other binding.

It sounds far more complicated than it really was. It worked out so well it is almost scary.

Mandy

[Wanda M.]

Mandy, your DWR quilt is beautiful! I hope your SIL appreciates all your hard work. WandaM

[Mary R.]

Mandy your DWR is soooo wonderful The colors are so bright and happy. I love the way you included the pictures and text. You're SIL is one lucky lady!
Mary

[Judy M.]

Mandy, beautiful quilt!

[Judy M.]

Mandy
Your quilt is beautifull

Margarita in Auburn, CA

[Eileen K.]

Mandy,
Your DWR is awesome. I have one for my DIL that I've had the binding sitting here gathering dust for a few months. You've given me a good idea. Thanks!!
eileenkny 8)