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Topics - Lowena

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106
Title says it all really. I want to make a quilt with batiks but was hoping to use quilting cotton for the sashing and border. Would this be a good idea?
Supplementary question.. I have some bobbins already wound with Aurofill. I've run out of top thread. Can I thread the needle with Guttermans and still use the prepared bobbins?
Thank you sage ladies  :ninja:

107
I have, to date, made 18 quilts. Mostly lap or sofa quilts ( before I discovered hand quilting was ideal for bigger items )
6 have been given away, whether wanted or not  :D ( don't worry, it's not a Maths problem  :D ) but what to do with the other 12 ( soon to be 13 )? At the moment they are folded and piled in a plastic crate, in the workshop. They are only ever looked at when they are refolded. One is for the sofa, but OH keeps hiding it when he straightens the cushions  :devil:
What do you do with your completed quilts

108
I have spent all morning determined to conquer fgs.
My problem, I have discovered, is this....... I can never find the diagonal line I draw, or fold, on the square with the needle.
It's difficult to see through my plastic shielded foot ( I don't have a completely open one ) and I can't see where the needle is dropping in relationship to the line. There are no marks on either the foot or the machine that I can line up to ensure accuracy.
I decided to give the Mystery quilt a rest and to do some practice blocks for  a completely different project..... the first block of which......involved need I spell it out??
My spleen has been vented and I'm off for a calming cup of tea  :ninja:

109
Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside / Jelly Rolls
« on: July 29, 2017, 17:22:50 PM »
I want to make a quilt from my Jelly Roll Book as I have reached an impasse with the Mystery Quilt  :|
I found a good pattern and suitable background / border fabrics ( 1.5m of each )
However try as I might, I cannot find a suitable JR. The problem is..... and I bow to the superior knowledge of Brenda / DOB for instructing me when I first started .... I need a JR with different colour tones and a mix of varying sized prints...which I can't find! I want a mix of blue pink, mauve yellow and aqua, but, all the suitable JRs have only pastels, or a mid-tone. I'm not buying lots of separate fabrics ( when it's a jr pattern ) so... any ideas please??
P.S. my local( ish ) emporium The Sewing Studio, claims to have the largest stock of JRs both instore and online, however, lots are "out of stock" so I can't even browse!!

110
Tech Know How / Is anyone else having problems?
« on: July 28, 2017, 19:58:05 PM »
For the last 2 days I have had trouble getting onto the boards and once on, the recent Unread Topics say there are none, likewise Unread Topics. I have to trawl the various boards individually.
My histiry / cache is cleared every time I finish using the computer and I am having no trouble elsewhere. Just wondered if anyone else was having problems? I am on a p.c and use Chrome exclusively

111
Hiya, sometimes I worry ( I'm a great worrier ) that I come across as negative. I truly am not. I don't have much self belief and have no family or friends who are remotely interested in what I do and how I do it.
I look upon my Dark Side friends as the only true quilting friends I have and value your opinions. Sometimes it's easier to open up to "friends once removed" and air worries,angsts and concerns, especially when you know that they really do give a damn  :D
I love TDS and love making things. However, to myself, I never seem to improve  :| and sometimes need a kick up the rear or a big hug ... in equal measures, where appropriate so that I can go on and challenge myself to attack more difficult projects ( Mystery quilt, BOM, FPP being prime examples )
So, sorry if I seem like a moaning minnie but you are my tutors, classmates, friends and soulmates and are treasured as such. I'll try to keep quieter from now on... but, if you can, please ( as they say on Miranda ) bear with.... <3 <3

112
I have heard from my d.i.l that the girls will not be coming to stay in the summer holidays
They are now at the age.. 17,13,11 and 9 where friends are playing a bigger part of their lives and they are more independent. We don't mind at all, ( we'll see them in September ) and I thought way hay perhaps I can go to the FOQ after all  :D
But...... no can do  :'( I'd have to travel by National Express and the times don't work at all  :( It would necessitate 2 nights in a hotel , plus fares,food,tickets and spending money ... I just can't afford it at this late stage  :'(
However.....perhaps next year will be doable as I can get everything well in advance and I won't be spending out to go to Exeter in April as it wasn't very good this year.
So... start saving peeps and perhaps some of us will be able to get together August 2018  :ninja:

113
Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside / Ideas Please
« on: July 12, 2017, 10:23:44 AM »
I am ready to begin a new quilt..... however, I cannot for the life of me think what to do  -<
I need suggestions,please for..........colours ( don't you dare!!! ) designs, size of prints if relevant, finished size of quilt ( anything from cot size to King size, whichever suits the pattern best ).
I have some money  :o to splash out on new fabrics ( I have recently been doing small projects to use up my remaining old fqs ) and would love to try something different  as I tend to stay within my comfort zone when choosing designs ( especially if the shapes can be cut with the  Sissix  :| )
I'm terribly sorry to admit this ( and please don't see it as a criticism, as I love the completed blocks so far ) but...I really don't like the Shimmer block quilts. I never have, so, please don't suggest anything similar  :* Nor am I overkeen on pictorial or panel quilts.
Right... the gauntlet has been thrown down... I'm raring to go..... please help  :ninja:

114
Current Projects / Project Linus Quilts
« on: June 27, 2017, 19:20:05 PM »
I decided to do a disappearing 9 patch, baby quilt for PL. It came together quickly... then....I did Imi's trick and ran out of one of the main fabrics I needed  :\
I added a contrasting, squared border and this afternoon have managed to sandwich the quilt, using some bright batik fabric from Doughty's ( bought at Exeter ) which I haven't used and some 80/20 wadding.
Now I have done the first line of quilting and am pleased with the result so far. I think it measures approx 36" x 45" so the binding shouldn't be too onerous.
Not sure if it'll be good enough to send, but I'll wait and see.
Hopefully I'll have some photos by the weekend  :)
 :ninja:

115
Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside / Sashiko cushion
« on: June 18, 2017, 13:51:09 PM »
I have finished my Sashiko cushion and wanted to share as it is my first attempt.
I used thin linen in indigo and a traditional flower pattern.I had cotton backing and perle thread.
I actually used several pastel colours but they don't show up on the photo. The colour changes are very subtle.
For a first attempt I am pleased with the result  :)

116
My first 2 offerings to Project Linus UK are to be a Disappearing 9 patch quilt and a 1/2 Log Cabin quilt, both using up fat quarters I already have.
The LC will be fine as it's strips and small squares, my query is about the DNP.
Is it better to use yardage and have all the 9 patch blocks the same? If each 9 patch block was made up of different fabrics would it just look a mess?
It's difficult to tell on Pinterest, but they mostly seem to use restricted fabrics  -<
I don't want to use sashing as the quilt will not be very big
Thank you  :ninja:

117
It's difficult in the summer to always find time for sewing I find  :(
So many calls on your time....gardening, outdoor living, visitors,outings, weather too nice to be indoors etc etc.
So, to give our Mojos a boost I'd be interested in hearing about what you are working on at present.
I ( unusually for me ) have 2 tops which need sandwiching and backing. It's easy and enjoyable to do the tops....not so much the rest of it  -< I try to complete a project before moving on, and I don't know what happened, :| but finishing is a priority.
I am also doing the Mystery quilt.
I had visitors last week and showed my friend the quilts I'd made ( even though she wasn't interested and only glanced at the fronts momentarily) Her comment was....." why are they all folded and piled in a crate, never seeing the light of day? " This got me thinking......I have now decided to make some quilts for Project Linus. They'll have to be perfect so I don't know if I'll be up to it, but I'm going to give it a go  :)
But.....today......I have to refold my finished quilts and repack them in the crate........I'll drool over them ( there are some I'd forgotten I'd made  :| ) and might even take photos ( probably won't )
I'm now re- energised, will back the 2 unfinished quilts with fleece to make throws and get started on planning for my charity attempts ....whoo hoo  :D
Can't wait to hear about your projects.....

118
I have finished my latest quilt top. I am going to hand quilt it, using Perle no.5.
I usually do straight line quilting, as, although I don't mind the actual quilting, I'm an impatient soul  :devil:
However....I am, at present, tracing an interlocking ( ish ) curved line pattern from a template ( using frixion pens).
Trouble is....I didn't register the relationship of the pattern to the quilt top size  :o :o
I think I'll be at it for ever!!  :ninja: :ninja:

119
Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside / Quilt backing
« on: May 26, 2017, 09:39:45 AM »
I'm interested in hearing your views on quilt backing.
My least favourite part of quilt making is the sandwiching. I don't usually bother much about what I back the quilt with as it's not usually looked at. I either use up "out of favour" old fat quarters or buy a cheap cotton sheet.
However.....I notice that Iminei, in particular, takes time and trouble over the backs of her quilts ( I know she does qayg usually, therefore handling less fabric ) and they look good in themselves.
Fabric is so expensive, but, should I be buying proper patchwork fabrics for the back? Do you? Do you see the backing as a feature or a necessary chore?
I don't label my quilts ( no one looks at them except me and they'll be thrown out when I shuffle off  :D ) and I have hitherto seen the backs as a necessary evil........ should I have a change of heart?  :ninja:

120
Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside / Disaster!
« on: May 18, 2017, 16:44:02 PM »
To use the words of Craig Revell Horwood.....it's a disarstah darling
I had made half the blocks for a quilt. Stupidly I had sewn those blocks together and even added sashing.....it looked good. Then I calculated that not only didn't I have enough of one of the main colours...but I haven't got enough black for the sashing strips  :angry: :'(
I have spent the last 2hrs unpicking!! and it will probably take me the rest of the evening  :'(
Don't say ( as OH did ) you should work it out first .... obviously I thought I had done.  :ninja:

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