Block Party....

A while back I mentioned that I was getting re-acquainted with my sewing machine.  I started out with the little project bags that I have shared with you to gain a little confidence in my abilities again and it's helped. :)

I have also been playing around with machine quilting.  Years ago I did a lot of hand quilting, but this is my first foray into machine piecing and quilting and it's a whole new learning curve....but I have been having fun with it.

One of the things I am working on is a quilt for Ashley and Brian.  She had mentioned to me once a while back how much she disliked the brown quilt on her bed, so I thought that this would be a nice present. 

One of my very first pattern book purchases a few years ago was Happy Hour.  After seeing how nice Terry's quilt came out...I thought that this would be the one I would make.  Back just before Thanksgiving I took Ashley shopping to pick out fabrics and these are some of the blocks in process...

 

 

Every time I think I have made my favorite combination I love the next one even more.  They are so addicting............good thing too because I have to make 99 of these suckers for a queen sized bed. 

I have 50 completed and hope to finish the remaining 49 over the weekend so that I can send the quilt to the long arm quilter next week.

You may remember my sharing my practice quilt with you back in the early fall.  One of the things that I am going to work on next year is being a little more disciplined about finishing things.....so before I got too involved in the Happy Hour quilt, I set about finishing this disappearing 9 patch quilt top. (I have the Christmas kit too...eek)

 

It's not perfect by any means, but I am really happy with how it came out.  I learned a TON about machine piecing while I worked on this quilt. 

I am actually toying with machine quilting this one myself, but then I am afraid of destroying it, so I keep wavering.  I think I will do a few more practice pieces and then try to decide.  Most days I really do think I could do it..........but then.......... 

I'll let you know what happens. :)

Comments

[Lorraine]

Kim- If I can do it, you can. That one should be easy, just quilt in the ditch.

It's when you have the giant queen size ones- they're a little more challenging.

[Beth]

Lovely projects! You're making me want to get my quilting fabric back out. :) I know you can quilt that yourself!!!

[anne]

that quilt in those colors is SO woolen rabbit! congratulations; it looks beautiful. you don't hav to decide just yet about the quilting . . the quilt will tell you!
(just kidding; i'm, pretty sure quilts don't talk . . you should go for it)

[Marcia]

I took a machine class with Judy Irish when she was still on the east coast (she does Kaffe Fassett's machine quilting!) and I'll share several of her tricks. Make a bunch of muslin/batting/muslin sandwiches and practice on those. Doodle designs on big pads of newsprint....it helps with the hand coordination. Don't be afraid to let loose! And, with your BSR, you'll do fine! Just jump in! Neat looking quilts, by the way...must get that book.

[Wool Winder]

The 9 patch is very pretty! I don't think you'd mess it up if you did the machine quilting yourself. Give it a try.

[Pat]

Beautiful Kim! Give machine quilting a try - I just do straight line or gentle curve quilting and it works just fine - that way you don't have to spend gobs of money sending your quilts out...and you made them ALL by yourself :-)

[margene]

You're doing such wonderful work. You have quite a talent with the sewing machine and the colors you choose are interesting, yet nice on the eyes. Beautiful!

[kate]

Oh, I fell back into quilting this year too! I took one really good beginner class and it helped immensely. Now, I'm starting a step-up from beginner class in Jan and have a tree quilt on the machine.

I'm nervous about sending something out to be quilted... I like having the control.

Keep up the good work!!!

[Renee]

They look great`~ Happy sewing!!