the blue blog archives: are we quilting yet?

We have a quilt top! I love that term. Sounds like blacktop or something. But it reminds you that all this piecing and patchwork is just one part of making a quilt. I've made 72 little four-patches, added frames to half of them, sewn all the finished blocks together and added two borders, one of which was pieced with the other 36 four-patches in the corners. I've still got one final brown border to add and then, in the last class, we'll learn how to quilt. Yeah, then we'll learn to quilt! "Quilting" is actually the process of sewing together the quilt top, batting and backing- who knew?! - so I may have made a quilt top or two (see below) but no quilting yet.

The top of my Bend-the-Rules lap quilt is also just about ready for quilting. I need to trim the top and bottom edges to square it off, but otherwise, I'm just awaiting further instructions.

Homework for this week's class is to make a mini-quilt top of four blocks to practice our machine quilting on. In case there are a few of you out there loving this process as much as me, I'll show you some step-by-step piecing in the next couple of days. In the meantime, I'm going to keep pulling out my quilt tops and admiring them.

posted by alison at 12:23 pm | in are you going to start quilting now?!

Comments

I'm making a BTR quilt too! I got everything sewn together and just need to put the binding on, which is terrifying. Of course, every step was terrifying because this is the first quilt I may actually finish AND it is supposed to be a gift. No photos on my blog yet, but hope to have some up by end of the week.

Posted by: heather t at November 5, 2007 12:48 PM

I just got the BTR book last week because so many blogs were mentioning it! But darn the errors in the book - For once I follow directions and it messed me up. Ah well. Such is life. But I think I will really enjoy making some of the projects! The scallop edged blanket is going to have to be a 'MUST' project.

Posted by: Deana at November 5, 2007 1:11 PM

WOW, your quilt top looks great!! You knit beautifully and now you quilt wonderfully too!! It looks FABULOUS!!

(I've been a long time fan/lurker so it's time to delurk!!)

Posted by: stickchick at November 5, 2007 1:25 PM

Would you mind sharing where you are taking the class locally? I've been buying fabric online so much lately because I have lost track of the local fabric stores. There used to be a great one in Chinatown that closed many years ago and I still haven't gotten over it.

Posted by: Lisa at November 5, 2007 1:29 PM

Awesome use of color. Geez I wish I could do that. Beautiful.

Posted by: Jean at November 5, 2007 2:07 PM

You do so many crafts. It's just great to see the creativity bursting out of your blog.

Posted by: Seanna Lea at November 5, 2007 3:38 PM

You are doing beautifully! I'm a wee bit ahead of you in the learning of quilting, but just a weeeeee bit. :O) I'm actually making a quilt all by myself, the second top I've done on my own, and tomorrow I begin to quilt it. Wish me luck! The hubby put up the long folding table in the living room for me to work at. :O) And no cats or dogs can help me in there! It is an interesting process isn't it. I love the logic of it, and of course the colours. Your quilt tops are beautiful! I'm thinking of doing the one from Bend the Rules for another Christmas gift. First I must quilt this one, ready to be sent for Christmas. I'll be waiting to see the next step in your quilting! Great job so far!

Posted by: samm at November 5, 2007 4:17 PM

Wow, both quilt tops look fantastic!

Posted by: Oiyi at November 5, 2007 4:47 PM

Oh, it's sooo lovely! :)

Posted by: Jessica at November 5, 2007 7:51 PM

They both look wonderful! I really want to learn how to quilt in the next year or so, and your quilt-y posts keep inpiring me even more!

Posted by: Violet at November 5, 2007 8:00 PM

Bwa-ha-ha... welcome to the dark side. Quilting rules. :-) You are doing a fantastic job. Both quilt tops are lovely!

Posted by: Anita at November 5, 2007 9:27 PM

It's beautiful!!! Very proud. Have fun with the quilting :)

Posted by: Sarah at November 6, 2007 7:27 AM

What a great eye you have! It is no surprise to me, but really your quilts are colorful and unique and very very pretty!

You're a natural!

Posted by: Miz Booshay at November 6, 2007 9:16 AM

Today was my first quilting day! Not feeling particularly encouraged after seing your os so beautiful quilts! I love the coulour combination. Congratulations!!!:-)

Posted by: alexandra at November 6, 2007 11:59 AM

Both you tops look wonderful!

Posted by: karin at November 7, 2007 4:39 AM

your quilting is beautiful!
i've tried it before..... i love to sew... but ugh. i just can't bring myself to quilt. any blankies that come out of this house are from hook or needles! :D

Posted by: rebecca at November 9, 2007 9:44 AM

Your enthusiasm for quilting is so wonderful. I started out just like you about 13 years ago and never looked back. Now, here I am knitting, feeling the same excitement that you feel. I think crafts of any kind really do release "Craft Endorphins" that make us very happy and for long periods of time.
Unfortunately I am afraid the new addition we are building, which includes my sewing room (the biggest room in the addition)is not going to be large enough for my quilting life and my knitting life. I hate to have to tell my husband he needs to add another room! ;)

Posted by: Julie at November 13, 2007 2:20 AM