Monday, June 15, 2009

Quilt Along Week 5 Free Motion Quilting Tutorial -- Stippling

TIMES UP. SEE NEXT POST FOR WINNER!

If you have made it this far with me in the quilt along then . . . well . . . er . . . um. Bravo! You are over half way there! Over half way to a completed quilt. Over half way to winning the brand spankin' new Janome 6600.

Let's talk quiltin'!

A quilt is composed of a quilt top, a layer of batting, and a layer of fabric for backing. The term quilting generally refers to the sewing together of these three layers. Securing them together. Making it so that when you wash the dang thing the batting doesn't get all bunched up and lumpy inside.

There are several ways to turn your quilt top into a quilt. There is hand tying, hand quilting, machine quilting and long-arm machine quilting. I am no expert on the first two. . . ok, on any of them . . . so if you choose to hand tie or hand quilt your piece then I won't be of any help whatsoever. That in no way minimizes the effectiveness of those methods. It merely means I don't know squat about them. If you want to hand tie or hand quilt then I would visit a local quilt shop near you and ask for some guidance.

Although I've only recently started machine quilting, my Janome 6600 makes it sooooooo easy. Like butter really. Easy peasy. So easy that it makes me cringe thinking of all the hours I spent on my 1950's Kenmore trying to free motion quilt.

As an aside, if you still brand new to sewing, check out this article for more comprehensive information on the actual sewing process.

Anywho. Here is what I know.

You will need:

- your completed quilt top
- batting (Warm & Natural 100% cotton batting is my constant choice)
- backing fabric
- masking tape (or blue painters tape)




- quilting safty pins
- scissors




-thread (You will want to go ahead and fill several bobbins full of thread to begin with. The larger the quilt the more bobbins you'll need.)



-darning foot (or a free motion quilting foot -- NOT a walking foot for this type of quilting. That's different. I'm sure this will come up in the Flickr group so if you have questions please go there.)





And let's see . . . what else? Oh yea! A sewing machine.






Here you see the special foot on the sewing machine. Totally different than your average sewing foot.



Oh. And before I forget. Make sure you lower your feed dogs. And check your sewing machine manual for the tension settings and such that you need to use for free motion quilting. If your manual doesn't tell you . . . well, then you'll have to play around with it. Practice and practice and practice some more.





To ready your quilt for quilting you will need nice open floor or work table space. Preferably a smooth surface but you could make it work on carpet. You'll just have to be careful when it comes to pinning that you don't accidently pin it to the carpet.

Take your freshly ironed quilt back and smooth it out flat on your work surface. Use your masking tape or painters tape to tape the backing fabric securely to the floor. Like so.







Then lay your batting on your taped down backing. You will notice that the batting is a bit smaller than the backing. However, both the backing and the batting are larger than my quilt top. Why? Cause I just always want to make sure that they are big enough and that I don't wonk it out and have batting showing when I'm done quilting and notice that it wasn't positioned right in the first place. If the backing and batting are both bigger then I can't make that error. Know what I'm sayin'?






Then down with the quilt top.

I'm demonstrating with a smaller quilt that I made with the extra 7"x11.5" inch blocks left over from the bigger quilt. I could have demonstrated with the larger quilt but I'm having that long-arm machine quilted. By Russ. Cause it is impeccable. And beautiful. And mostly because I'm out of town for a bit and away from my beloved Janome. I only had time to do this little bit before we hit the open road.




Now you will use your handy quilters safety pins (they have a slight bend in the under portion of the pinning mechanism that makes pinning the three layers together easier) to pin all three layers together at about every 6 inches or so.

There are other methods. Basting stitch. Spray adhesive (specially for quilting). Um. That is all I can think of right now. But I like the pinning method. Choose your poison people. They all achieve the same result . . . keeping the layers together smoothly and securely while quiting.



Can you see the pins?





The whole thing is pinned. Then, if the backing and batting were lots bigger than the quilt top I usually trim them down a bit. You don't have to. I just like to cause it means less bulk trying to wrestle with through the machine. Plus it makes it prettier. I'm all about the pretty.





Now here is a video presentation of actual free motion quilting. Someday when I win an Oscar (or would it be Emmy? Or perhaps a Webbie?) for this masterpiece I'll be sure to thank the cinematograper, my lovely husband, Razor. You'll see I make a mistake in about the middle of the video. Since the feed dogs are lowered and therefore not pushing the fabric through the machine, all of the movement of the fabric is up to me. Part of mastering free motion quilting is getting the speed of the actual sewing and the speed of the movement of the fabric through the machine to be in perfect sync. Harmony if you will. And in the video you will see that I screw that up a bit. Just a small bit. And not a big deal bit. Just a bit. And I bet when the quilt is all done and washed and dried and given to it's new owner they won't notice it at all.

And if they do. Well. I'll. Um. I won't really care.






I haven't covered everything. You will have more questions. I know you. You'll have questions. So go to the Old Red Barn Co. Quilt Along 2009 Flickr group and get your answers fast. And speedy. And from the nice people that are so helpful there.

Da-da-dahhhhh!!


How about a giveaway.




The Back Porch Quilters (a.k.a Russ and Rhonda) are giving away 1 free long arm machine quilting service. Ya-hoo!!!

And get this. They are offering all of you $.01/square inch pricing plus only $5 shipping. Just mention Old Red Barn Co. when you contact them. You won't be disappointed. Guaranteed.


Leave a comment here to this post before 7:00 pm US EDST on Wednesday, June 20, 2009. I'll pick a winner by random draw soon thereafter. Only one entry per person. International entries welcome.

And I get this question alot. So I hope you're still reading. Some of you aren't reading and will ask me anyway. That's ok. Yes you can still enter the giveaways, ANY OF MY GIVEAWAYS, even if you are not making a quilt. Participating in the quilt along earns you extra entries. But you still can enter. Leave a comment. Only one comment per person counts. Comprende?


More cool stuff next Monday.

Ten-four.

Big buddy.

Over and out.



-dana

438 comments:

1 – 200 of 438   Newer›   Newest»
karen said...

Hi Dana

This is where I take a big gulp because I really want to stipple this quilt and the actual quilting is a big leap for me.

Thanks for the quilt along I really appreciate it and all that I am learning and the fellowship of other quilters.

Rafael's Mum said...

Yay Dana! Have a super weekend/week, whatever it is you are doing, are going.. You deserve it! Hope you have a brilliant time! I'm sewing the strips together now.. so still behind a bit. But reading along of course. I have 12" blocks so will end up with 11.5". 36 of them in 6x6. Why It thought it was 12.5"? I very carefully positioned my ruler (with full inches on one side, starting with half an inch on the other) and made sure that it was micro millimetre accurate... then read the wrong end of the ruler.. Duh... So guys. Do not do that !! Have a great time Dana!

A New Season said...

This is such fun and now that my quilt sandwich is made. I am off to a meeting. I hope to finish quilting it before we have company again as I have to rearrange my dining room since it is the best sewing area. I got a little excited and used some of my left over pieces to make part of the backing.

free indeed said...

I'm loving the quilt along, but am having 4 of my grandkids visit for the next week or TWO so will have little time to catch up with everyone. Love 'em, but hate when it interferes with 'my plans'...horrible huh? Anyhoo...it might help to have it quilted by someone else....hehehe

Taya said...

I finally caught up. Hooray! Now to send my quilt off to be quilted.

Anonymous said...

Dana - You are doing a great job of describing each step!

Janet said...

It would be fun to win a long arm quilting service. I have always quilted my own either by hand or machine. I do enjoy the piecing more than the actual quilting! Again thanks for the quilt along.

Wendy said...

Yay, I'm so excited to be half-way done!!!!! :)

Gail said...

I am enjoying this quilt-a-long, it is so fun!!!! I have always hand quilted, but I have looked a walking foot for my machine. Please enter me in the drawing, if I were to win, it would be much easier (smile)! Have a blessed day!

Bonus Mom said...

I am so excited!!! I love the way my quilt is coming together! I am using my vintage sheets and it is so soft! I hope I win this, because I will be attempting to quilt this on my 1950's Kenmore!!! Oh no! You just warned against how crappy that is going to be LOL!

WendyLou said...

We've been without power for a few days. But now that it's back, I'll be working feverishly to sew up the quilt top and catch up to this point. AWESOME giveaway and AWESOME discount!! Thanks!!

Jocelyn said...

YAY! Thank you so much for the video... I can't wait to try it myself. Also I wanted to tell you that I L-O-V-E all the music you have on your site. I often open your blog just to listen to your play-list while sewing... so nice!

Kelly said...

Excellent post. I'm working on my very first quilt and your instructions make the actual quilting process less daunting! Have a great time.

1953 Osage Drive said...

Been on vaca for two weeks - now I'm back and as of last night all caught up!! I'm off to get backing and batting. I'm planning on using Golden Threads to help me with the free motion - I'll include some photos to explain. It's kind of a b__ch to rip out all the paper but I think the results are worth it. Thanks Dana for doing this - it's fun and my hubbie thinks I'm nuts which makes it extra fun.

Zeynep said...

Thanks for the video, you made it look like really easy. I guess I don't have enough hand coordination or courage to try it on this quilt therefore I really need a professional help.

Kim said...

Yea! I'm thinking that since I'm giving my quilt away to raise money for the Breast Cancer 3-Day, I'm probably going to pay to have it quilted, but it would be oh so nice to not have to pay!

Barb said...

To have my quilt professionaly quilted would be a real gift. I have always done my own quilting, but would love to skip that part and let someone else perform their magic. Thanks for the chance to receive this gift.

Unknown said...

I don't know if I'm too scared to try free motion - I want to but I'm such a baby!!!

I would however LOVE to win the quilting by Russ, so enter me!!!! Thank you x and thank you again for all of your hard work and this great quilt along. YOU ROCK!!!!

Anonymous said...

Have a great mini-vaca Dana and family!! you deserve a happy break. Thank you for all that you do :)

CB Mauro said...

I'm sending mine out, I can't be bothered to baste and wrestle with a big quilt in a tiny machine. So Pick Me, Choose Me, Love Me...........

Kristin said...

Okay here goes. I am going to be practicing like crazy till I find out if I win or not. But I am excited to try. Thanks for you tutorial.

Jules said...

Pretty, pretty, pretty please pick me Mr. Random Number Generator. My sewing machine has decided to be quite disobedient and I stare at my quilt top and nearly cry. This fabric goodness just can't wait!!!
Thanks for all of the fabulous instructions. I love this process, mean machine and all.

Gretchen said...

Pick me "Random Generator"! Me me me! I just do the tie method, and I would love, just for once, to have a quilt that's actually QUILTED! Besides that, I've worked extra hard on this one, and I'm almost caught up.
Please, Mister Random Guy?

Heather said...

I have already found someone that will quilt this for me locally if I choose to not try out the free motion quilting capabilities on my sewing machine. Either way I am having so much fun making this, thank you!

abby a said...

I just quilted on my machine for the first and last! time. It is too much for me. Maybe if I had a better machine. Anyway, thanks for this great project!

Claudia said...

I am hand quilting my quilt along quilt because its rather small, & I'm away from home and have only a Featherweight to work with - but I sure would love this generous giveaway for the larger quilt that I am finishing up. So, consider me entered. Thanks Dana, I am having such fun!

The Random Muse said...

Oh my this would be lovely; this would make me actually finishing a quilt that looked nice exponentially more probable. I'm going to head over to the flickr group and find the easiest method since I probably won't win.

Rachael Adele said...

Thanks for being so generous! I already finished quilting mine, and just need to bind it. I completed it in just 2 weeks.

bagels said...

Um, so yeah. I think I should go figure out how to lower my feed dogs... Ugh. Or maybe you'll choose me and I can put that off a bit longer! :) Thanks for the tips and the video!

Amy R said...

Wow! Winning this would be wonderful! I have a wedding gift quilt to make and this would help so much! Your blog is wonderful, btw. I'm using google reader now and I can easily follow! How wonderful!

Tami Fulton said...

I'm not quite ready for the quilting part...but I'm getting there....hopefully tonight I'll finish the quilt top!! YAY!!! Bought batting this weekend...now I just need to WIN the quilting so that I can spend my time while it's being quilted for me to practice on placemats and coasters so that I can quilt the next one all by myself! :) I'm having LOADS of fun!

Tami

Mushyhed said...

I just finished my quilt top last night so I'm ready to quilt.

Great giveaway!!!

Pamela said...

Eeeks, no quilting for me until I sweep and mop the kitchen floor to put everything together. What better motivation!?

Elissa said...

oh, count me in here! guess i should've asked you that a long time ago... here i was thinking i could even give a try! here's hopin' :-)

Jess said...

i am kinda behind... summer+flu-energy+3littleactivekiddos=couch and movies all day long. slowely but surely i will catch up.

Anita said...

Whew hew, a chance to win professional long arm quilting of a quilt. I love the look of long arm quilting. I just can't seem to achieve it on my home machine and can't afford to send my quilts to a long arm quilter.
thanks!

MeganAnne said...

I'm loving following this quilt-along. I haven't been brave enough (or energetic enough) to jump in yet. Some day though, hopefuly I will!

Michele said...

You make it look easy!

Terri said...

You are awesomeness personified, and I really want to win this long-arm service. Thank you for hosting this awesome quilt-along!

~Michelle~ said...

I would love to win Russ's services...that would be awesome! Of course, if I don't, I think I'm going to attempt to quilt this monster on my own, but no stippling!

Unknown said...

Ohhh! I've never had a quilt finished by a long-arm before! What a tempting give-a-way! Thanks for all the great tips.

Bee said...

Have a super weekend. Thanks so much for running this whole quilt-along thing. I'm having fun, and the whole virtual company thing is making the project go so much faster than it would on my own.

DianeY said...

I'm still practicing & not liking my results too much-so a service would be great!

Evelyn said...

I love that you showed a little goof in your video. That's reality!! :-)

I'd be thrilled to win this giveaway, as I'd love to have a quilt professionally done some day...

Dorrie said...

This is still too fun! All the quilts are so great! I'm cheating, but only a bit, my friend has a long arm service so she's letting me throw my quilt on her machine and I can go for it from there! I REALLY like basting spray, but Warm & Natural also make a fusible batting that's pretty cool too! I better get busy!

Rossie said...

Ooooo...I have a quilt top in dire need of Russ's help!

Isa said...

Great prize. It would be so fun to win a long arm quilting. I never tried it before.

Kymy said...

Ooh... I have been looking into have my quilt sent out because I just don't have the room in my house to deal with it right now, this would be awesome!

Jessie Keating said...

Oooh...long arm quilting service? Count me in!

epban said...

Can't wait to go home and watch your video! For some reason free motion terrifies me...guess I need to make a few potholders to practice on and gain some confidence! Would love to win the longarm quilting...I have my daughter's graduation quilt ready that I'm afraid to make my first attempt!

HMaas said...

WOW - I really can't wait to get to this step - thanks for your clear and descriptive instructions they are super helpful!!!

sallgood said...

I have a BUNCH of flimsies in need of quilting!(Unfinished quilts in the closet don't keep anybody warm...) I'd love to have Russ make a tiny dent in the giant
stack o'tops!!!!

plainjanesews said...

Can't wait to get started on this step! This is so much fun. Thanks again for hosting this project.

Cat Carrigan said...

Dana... Thanks so much for all this information... I can't wait to get my top done and better if I win Russ's services..

Rachel said...

I usually hand quilt everything, but I'd love to get something long armed. I'm seriously tempted to get mine quilted with that offer.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad I found your blog!! It is so inspiring! You are very kind to share your great talent!! I am glad to see that it is okay to make a mistake! I would love to win the give away!! Thanks, Happy Quilting! Jeannette M

liz @ longview builders said...

Oh Please, Oh please let me win this one. I would be ever so so happy! Thanks Dana!

yarnivorous said...

This is where the fun starts! I'll have to go to a local quilting shop (with quilt and backing) to buy batting and pin the quilt up there. We don't have a flat surface big enough in our one bedroom apartment.
Hope your travel is going well.
And that quilting offer from Russ is pretty good!

Cristin said...

Thanks for all that great info! The more I read about free motion quilting the better I get, (I think!)
And I'm crossing my fingers I win the long-arm quilting prize! That would be sooo cool!

Unknown said...

I need long arm machine quilting service. I'm on 4th step.

Autumn said...

Great prize!!! I would love to win. I just happened upon your quilt along, so I have yet to start, but I will bookmark and get right on it soon. Great tutorial. LOVE IT.

Barb said...

Hi Dana! Thanks for this great quilt-along. I don't need to win your prize from Backporch though, becauase I already won free long-arm from Marianne Penner, yay! So if I do win, please pick another name! Thanks again.

Casey said...

While I found your site late in week 4 of the quilt along, I have just finished my first pieced quilt (a rag quilt for my daughter's crib bedding) I LOVE reading your instructions and can't wait to start my quilt like this!!

Veri said...

to get this price would be very fine :-) Thanks again for sharing your work - hugs - Veri

Donna said...

another amazing giveaway! someone's gonna be mighty happy ... could it be me?!! I'm loving this whole process; thanks so much for doing this!

Andi said...

Oh, my! I've been following (reading only) with your quilt along and I love your blog. I can't believe you are giving away a machine! I never win anything but I'll cross my fingers.

Andi in Alaska

sclangs said...

Great tips! I haven't bitten the bullet and tried free motion quilting yet. Maybe one day....I'll just hope to win the free long arm quilting until then.

Brenis said...

Hi Dana, oohh please enter me for Russ' service!! I would be absolutely thrilled to pieces!! I am looking at this honker quilt wondering how in the heck I am gonig to be able to quilt it! LOL But am attempting the stippling on my smaller one! Praying...Please please let my number come up in the generator!! lol

pippinsequim said...

I am so afraid of quilting. Definitely going to do practice pieces...

Lindsey Rion said...

Thank you for all of the help that you have given.
This is my first attempt at leaving a comment as I have no idea how the Flickr group works (If anyone could send me an email about what I need to do that would be wonderful [lindseyrion@hotmail.com]).

Again thank you for your tips and advice.

Lindsey
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Anonymous said...

Thanks for showing how to free motion quilt!! I may get brave and try it.

Sharyn said...

I'm really enjoying this whole process - thank you for taking so much time to share the steps with us!!

grendelskin said...

Thanks for the next set of instructions, Dana! I'm excited - scared too, but excited. I don't have a darning foot so will be using the walking foot for my quilt. A darning foot is on my Wish List though, so I'll be bookmarking your video!

SherriB said...

I can't wait to see the finished quilts!! I am going to try stippling one of these days. Thanks so much for the quilt-a-long!

Treasuresofjoy said...

I am off to get the quilting foot today. I think I can I think I can.
I sure would love to win the long arm quilting service and I would just practice quilting on some smaller projects. Thanks for the great explanation and video!

Cassidy said...

Oh, I think I might have to practice on several mini quilts first. This sounds pretty intimidating right now. Here goes!

Miss Mary said...

Thanks so much for this great tutorial! The actual "quilting" part is where I get tripped up, so I am happy to see your tips! I hope I win your giveaway!

rachel griffith said...

yayyy!!!
i love stippling!!!
:)

off to my machine now.

The Army of Four said...

Basting a big quilt is my mom's least favorite part of the process. I don't know why - me and my 3 fellow Sibes are always willing to help! Woo!
I'd love to win for my Mom!
Luv,
Dave
Guide Dog for the Color Blind

roseylittlethings said...

Great tutorial! I am still sewing my blocks together, decided to make a Q, YIKES!

Deanna said...

Can't wait to watch the video! I'm about one week behind... okay, a week and a half... but I'm getting there. I would love to win!

Feather Webb said...

Great tutorial... I am off to find the quilting foot got my machine....

Sameday said...

Count me in, I still have a water color quilt that needs quilting - to big for me to do.

Beth said...

ACK! I'm still behind! Must...catch...up....

dolores said...

Greetings Dana....yikes...it's quilting time...I need to find a site that shows all the different kinds of patterns people have come up with for free-motion quilting but I'm sure I'll just do some meandering lines!:)Thanks for everything!

mo said...

See, that's what is so great about this quilt a long- even though I have made a couple of quilts I just winged it and here you are with all sorts of great tips. The tape (should have been common sense!) is genius to me. And I am going to go get one of those feet because I used a walking foot last time and was not too impressed. I am excited to see what this one does. Thanks so much! Oh- and I have been using reg. safety pins and the curved ones sound much better.

John said...

I've been quilting along but I keep forgetting to enter the giveaways. Silly me! Anyhoo, this one is TOTALLY worth entering -- I've never had a quilt professionally quilted, and this would be a great gift. Thanks also to Russ & Rhonda for the wonderful pricing special!

Liz Jimenez said...

That's an excellent giveaway!!! I would love to win, as this one is the biggest quilt I've made to date and am rather intimidated by the idea of quilting it myself. :-)

My top is almost done, I LOVE it!

Jodie said...

Still catching up, but I love the fact that you put in the video even with a little bump in the road. Mine always have bumps and that is how you know it really is handmade and special because it has the marks of your special bumps. Thanks again for doing this and oh how I drool over that machine.

Mama Said Sew said...

I'm SO far behind! Oh well, I'll get it done eventually. :)
Thanks for the great video Dana. I've got lots of practicing ahead of me.

Raspberry said...

Thanks for that - I love free motion but am sometimes scared of it and don't want to wreck a beautiful quilt. (I also have a Janome.)
And I am SO excited about the sale from Russ for quilting....ah it will SO get used. I have a beautiful quilt sort of 'made up' as we went (my husband and me, since he did most of the cutting) of equilateral triangles of dark purples, blues, and greens. Gorgeous stuff.
:)

Juls said...

"And the webbie goes to.....Dana! of old red barn co for her performance in "Quilting, old red barn co style" !!!!!!!" *and the crowd cheers as you wipe tears and thank your lovely husband Razor, your producers, your screen writers for such a fabulous script, Paula Prass, Janaome, and all the participants in the Old red barn co quilt along....Thank you and good night!!*

ok that was corny lol. What a generous prize!!! My fabric is on back order right now so I won't even begin washing and cutting until next week, but I have been dutifully following along and commenting in the flickr group. Such great tops and fabrics going on, Looking forward to seeing everyone's done. I am considering turning mine into a duvet cover once it's been quilted. instead of binding it, just macing it into a sort of case so it can be big and soft and fluffy :)

Amy said...

I do love video tutorials. Thanks for posting it! And count me in on the giveaway...what a GREAT one!

Anonymous said...

i've just had one quilt long-arm quilted - and it is wonderful! What a treat to make the top, package it up, and send it away, then POOF a finished quilted quilt returns to you. Hope I can do that again!

pigbook1 said...

I am hoping to try my brand new (I even took a class!) free motion skills on this. That is if I ever get my &@#$%^&* machine cured of it's pain in the butt tension problem or buy a new machine (a girl can dream)

jodie said...

WOW! I would love to win this giveaway. My quilt would be so happy to be in the hands of someone who knows what he is doing!

Thanks for the chance!
jodie.marie
at
verizon.net

Tina said...

I have just the quilt that could be quilted. Too large for me to attempt. Please put my name in the drawing. Thanks

Little Miss Shabby said...

Awesome! Russ is quilting my quilt--so, it sure would be nice to get it free!! Thanks so much for another great giveaway--I am really enjoying this quiltalong!

Ariel said...

thank you for the discount tip on long-arm quilting...what a steal!

Michelle said...

Yes, AWESOME giveaway! And if I don't win, I am going to take Russ up on his offer - Thanks!

Katie B said...

This is so helpful! Thank you! When I was looking at your quilt taped to the floor, all I could think of is all the dog hair I'll need to sweep up before I get started...

Unknown said...

You guys are making me scared...what have I gotten myself into? Oh well, I'm up for a challenge!

Jodi Nelson said...

What a great give away! And how nice to offer such a great deal to your readers. The quilt is coming along so well!

Jane Ellen said...

Loving this quilt along! With a new baby I'm a little behind, but will hopefully catch up this week. You're give-aways are awesome. Hope I win!

Betsy said...

Ooooh! I am so contcting RUSS! I love that.

Julie S said...

Invaluable video! Thank you. You make it look very easy, but what do you do about the spot where you stopped because of slippage? Just leave it as part of the beauty of imperfection in a the quilt? I have a few practice pieces ready to try my hand at machine quilting. It is a whole new experience for me!

jglitter said...

Thank you for the FMQ tutorial, and I love your attitude about "mistakes", there are none!

tara said...

I will just have to take a deep breath and jump in. I have wanted to free motion quilt for a while now. Now or never.

Brooke said...

I am officially behind. Sigh. Still sewing my strips together. But I am going to catch up this week!

picknstitch said...

I only started on Week 3, but I'm almost caught up. the quilting part scares me a little, so thanks for your video and encouragement. Here I go!

Deb said...

I'm behind, too, but I'd still like to enter the giveaway for the longarm quilting services! What a great deal that would be! Thanks!

Angel said...

What an awesome giveaway! (forget that, I am still contacting them as soon as I finish a quilt I am nearly done with!

Hopefully I will get all caught up this week--we had company who INSISTED in sleeping in my sewing room! AHHHHH! Love company, hate being away from my sewing.......

EB said...

I can't wait to start practicing!

Charlene said...

Oh! I just found your blog, and have had fun exploring and reading!!! I love to piece quilts, but hate quilting it - but love putting the binding on and hand stitching it down. Weird, huh? Anyway, I would love, love, love to win a quilting prize - I've got a few tops just sitting around waiting for me to get to the quilters or to finish up....

Loralynn said...

I love the way you just gave a giggle on your "boo-boo" and then kept going! Makes me think that maybe I can actually quilt this on the machine! Thanks for the video!

Gnomemade said...

I really am loving your Quilt-A-Long. I'm a self-taught quilter, and it's great learning some tips and seeing what I've taught myself correctly by reading all your tutorials!

trish said...

LOVE THE VIDEO! But I'm bumming on my old sewing machine now. It's not nearly as cool as yours. :(

Jen said...

WOW! Now that's a very very generous giveaway!!!
Love the quilt along!!
Jen

Unknown said...

Good stuff Dana! I just finished my top this morning - whew - it's big! I'm crossing my fingers :)

Valerie said...

I just cut my strips, sewed them all together, and cut out the blocks this weekend. Yep, I'm a tad behind, but I sure caught up with those three steps as quick as I could. I plan on working on the quilt top this afternoon, so maybe this week I can completely catch up.

Although, I would SURE love to win the quilting service! I want this baby done, and I'm not sure my little Huskystar can handle such a big quilt, but I guess I might try it.

KevinB said...

Love this quilt. Will have to go to the quilt shop here and pick up some fabrics. Winning the quilting (even though $.01 is almost as cheap) would be great.

BTW, just my inner proofer coming out, lay the backing fabric "good side" down on the floor. It's obvious, but it looks so pretty laying on the floor, that sometimes it's easy to forget that you should be looking at the "wrong side" of the fabric when you layer the batting down on it. Oops!

Eleanor said...

What a beautiful quilt. I am inspired to do a quilt with my daughter. I just have to get a couple of projects out of the way. Have a great trip

Barb said...

I do stipple but am always up for more information since I just taught myself...just sat right down and just played around...for all I know, I may not be doing it right? who cares...right? It still turns out nice.

tracy_a said...

thanks for the demo! i think i can, i think i can!

Meg said...

Boy, a free quilting would be a real treat! Count me in!

Expedition Escapes said...

Well, now comes the hard part--putting it together and trying to come up with a design...but, I am up for the challenge. Love the directions, very helpful.

Jessica said...

Happy travels to you!

Pick me, Pick me because well, I'm actually making a quilt with you. I'm almost completely caught up (sort of) and I'm all over that flickr group. So, you see, I'm the obvious choice :)

kate said...

Good idea on a 2 week period for the quilting portion. I was cruising along with the rest of the quilt along and then something happened over the past 2 weeks and I also got *sidetracked* ha! I would be right back on schedule if I had a free long arm quilting service ;) wink wink. Or I could use this as practice on my free motion quilting. Either way it is a win - win for me!

Alisa said...

Ok...I'm pretty caught up and almost ready to begin quilting. This has been so much fun. Thank you for the wonderful tutorials and inspiration. Your work is so darn pretty! :)

Alyssa said...

I'm readying myself to start my first quilt and I've found your tutorial to be such a big help! You have a matter-of-fact steady approach that really demystifies so much of the whole quilt making scene.

The free quilting would be awesome!

Jamie said...

Love your free hand quilting video. I have begun learning to free motion myself and it is challenging. I have done 4 quilts so far, and it sure gets easier every time!

Is this $.01 just for this quilt we are making? Will they honor that price for a different quilt if we mention your Co. ?

Thanks for the tutorials!

Frieda said...

I am excited to try free motion quilting on this.I love Russ and Rhonda's service.

Elle said...

Hey,
I'm almost still with you- I'm trying to keep with AmandaJean too. Thanks for keeping us up on this.

WillowBean said...

awesome! I've never tried free motion quilting before, and I've never sent my quilt anywhere, either...this should be super fun! thanks a lot

Anonymous said...

Oh, my! You people are FAST! Fast at commenting...fast at quilting. I guess that means I need the quilting service since since I can't keep up as it is! I need "easy-peasy"!

Michele

Libby said...

This is sooo fun! Can't wait to see these quilted!

Diane said...

I would love to win the quilting. I have not paid anyone yet to quilt for me. However that is a very GOOD price. Thanks.

betseykerr said...

I'm swooning over the idea of a long arm quilting machine! Pick me please mr. random!!!!!!!!!! I would think I hit the lottery! Love to see all the quilting going on...I have 4 others to finsih before I can start this quilt!

Paula said...

Thanks so much for getting me soooo excited about quilting! I'm really enjoying the process and your step by step instructions are awesome (not to mention the lovely music you have on your blog that I listen to as I sew along!) Thanks for a chance to win!

andrea p said...

Here's hoping that 139, or 140, or whatever number this is will be my lucky number. I want a pretty quilted quilt, but I can't afford to pay someone else right now.

Dawn W said...

I love your blog - thanks for letting us all get our hopes up on the giveaways - it keeps us on our toes, and what fabulous prizes. :)

Leah said...

Thanks for showing all these steps, hopefully this summer I will get started on a quilt for each of my kids. I didn't have time to enter this quilt-along contest, but am following along.

Thanks for the chance to win

Andy said...

Thanks for doing the quilt along - I'm a little behind, but seeing everyone's lovely quilt tops helps to inspire me!

Carol said...

I'd love to win this prize -- then I'd have to have a drawing for all my tops to see who gets to go to the quilter!
Thanks for all the instruction! Someday I'm going to practice that free motion stuff. For now, I think I'll do the quiltalong with straight line quilting.

Kate said...

Thank so much for the video - it's the next best thing to having you come over and hold my hand while I *try* to find a rhythm. I'm following the quilt along - love your fabric selection! And I think I've just now decided it will make a great project for my girls 8 & 9. We have a box of vintage fabrics that might be fun for them to use to make a reading quilt.

Cherold said...

I love your blog...thank you so much for this giveaway!
hugs,
CheriS
cheris56@yahoo.com

whiskerchase said...

The quilting is the part that always scares me. I love the long arm quilting you have had done and I am definitely looking at doing this with my quilt. Of course winning it would be even better though!

Anonymous said...

This part totally freaks me out. Thanks so much for walking us through it and for putting together such fun giveaways!

MelissaS said...

Ok, I almost have the top done. Then I've really got to get to the quilting.....ack ack!

Nichole said...

Time to get to the quilting! Can't wait to see everyone's finished quilts! thanks for the info here and the giveaway.

Leslie said...

The video is great...I could probably have looked a similar one up on YouTube but I probably wouldn't have thought about it. You make it look easy and DOABLE! Thank you!
Oh, and I hope I win :)

White Way to Light said...

This is my first quilt - but I am excited, yet terrifed to begin free-motion quilting!

Thanks for the video - that will help me along a lot!

Anonymous said...

I've been working on my first quilt and following along your quilt along has been a big help! Not having to quilt the monster would be an even bigger help! Thanks.

Heather McG said...

Wow!!! You make it look so easy!!

debbifav said...

I just started my quilt on Friday and got all my strips sewn together. I have gotten a few strips cut into blocks, but I am leaving on vacation on Saturday and don't know how much time I will have to work on the quilt this week. I was hoping to have the top done before I left. Oh, well.

I sure would love to win the long arm quilting for my first quilt ever!

chp said...

I love it! You continue to inspire me! I am working on catching up...piecing the quilt now, and hope to get to this step soon!

Karen Annette said...

My quilt turned out too pretty for me to try and quilt this myself. Mine is going to someone who knows what they are doing!!! I've had fun doing this - thank you for doing this and all the giveaways!! I'm off to the back porch quilters!!

Jessica Christensen said...

So, I don't understand how participating in the quilt-along earns me extra entries, but I would love extra entries. I'm doing the quilt-along. I joined the flickr group. I have a billion UFOs at my house, some of which just need to be quilted, so I would LOVE to win the long-arm quilting gift. Thanks for the chance!

TaDa! Creations said...

What an awesome giveaway! I'm sure I'll be sending mine to Russ too.

CJ said...

I need to catch up but I cant' wait to stipple my second quilt!! I love your video and especially that you showed that you bobbled a bit too. :D You are right, it won't be noticeable in the finished quilt.

Jennifer said...

Just finished my quilt top. I'm going to have to work up the nerve to do the quilting!

forever folding laundry said...

I'm one of those that is halfway there (or maybe even 60%?) but I'm still plugging along and am totally excited about it!! I do appreciate your step by steps.

And I would love to win this quilting service. What gorgeous work.

Thanks!

~Keri

Alyssa said...

The video was great. It really helps to see how this is done up close. Thanks for the giveaway.

Jocelyn said...

Wow what a great giveaway. I have never had a quilt professionally quilted. What a great way to start! Thanks for your quilt along. I have not participated, but I have been following along :-)

Linnea said...

Your writing is so fast and fun. I smile all the time while reading it. Thanks for the video and giveaway!...if you get a chance to read all gazillion comments and have time for a question...do you leave your layers taped while you pin? I spray baste and then add a few pins here and there but would love to do away with the spray

Kristine Hanson said...

ooooooooooh I would love a quilt machine quilted for free! What a treat!

Love to Stitch said...

I really want to try the machine quilting but it is usually easier for me to tie. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

quilt530 said...

Would LOVE to have my quilt professionally quilted! Jill and I own a longarm, but we are just beginners. Please enter my name!

Susan said...

Loving this quilt-along! It's been quite fun and I hope there's another one when this is finished. With 2 under my belt, I might be inclined to offer one. Thanks Dana!

ladmquilter said...

I always send my tops out to Christine in Dexter, Michigan she does a great job. But I am thinking of trying this myself but I am definitely nervious especially since I made mine a queen size. I am still deciding what to do it will be nicer if I send it to Christine but I have to start somewhere.

napworks_quilting said...

Thanks soo much for the video. It is great. I am looking forward to quilting my quilt - long arm style!

Ashley said...

I am hoping to try the quilting myself. I have tried once before with the free motion and it was a disaster. But I will try again. But I would love to win a free quilting with Russ. :)

Margaret said...

So mesmerizing watching the video! Can't wait to see the finished quilt.

Lori Hudson said...

Would love to win this. Little afraid to quilt it myself!

craftytammie said...

Oh, please let me win this! I do not think I can finish this quilt on my own, not without a whole buncha drama. I will have to take advantage of their generous discount for sure!

Denise said...

I'm all caught up and ready too go. I'm excited about this part I think? Could be fun, or not. I guess I'll find out shortly.LOL

Lisa N said...

Yay! What fun this has been! So much fun that I after I finished the quilt top for my dd I had to make one for me too:-) I'm defintiely thinking of sending that one in to be long arm quilted though. It's pretty big and kind of intimidating:-)

audrey said...

I'm in the planning stages of doing 2 quilts for Christmas for my kids and would love to have them long arm quilted. I just discovered this blog and I'm already in love, wish I would've known about the Quilt a long when it started!

tmac said...

Your video is great! I would love to win the long arm quilting service! Thanks!

Amy said...

I could use this when I finally get around to making my queen size quilt, and your quilts you get back from Russ are always beautiful!

Andrea said...

I'm trying to see the video and it's not working for me. Ill try and refresh and reload. Great tutuorial for this part, it's always the scariest part of the whole quilt process - I use a ton of safety pins, so I don't have any puckers.

LISA said...

Yes, a quilt quilted would be great!
Thanks for the chance.

Anonymous said...

I can't believe I'm caught up. I am going to try and quilt this myself...but would love to win a quilt service!!!
Lisa M.

lmetson(at)wws-ius(dot)com

Liz D said...

Thanks for the awesome video! Quilting is new to me so I am not participating in the quilt along but I think I'm going to make this quilt after I finish my first one. I don't know if you will get the chance to read all of these comments but if you do get around to it I would like to know how you decide on a free motion pattern. Do you plan ahead or just do whatever feels right as you go along? Thanks for all of your awesome instructional posts, I'm eating it all up!

Andi said...

I've started hand quilting already,
Really enjoying this quilt along
Andi :-)

Anita in Florida said...

Yeah...we are almost there. Time for the quilting!!!

bethany said...

How exciting. I was excited about this week (and now glad we have two). I love all the giveaways....Thanks for hosting this fun quilt-along. I am learning alot!!

scottylover said...

Wow that is a wonderful give away! I have 4 tops here that need quilting.... :)

Karen said...

I'm having a hard time deciding on my quilting pattern...I may end up sending my quilt out just because I'm really busy with work this week...Having a blast making my quilt along with you...Thanks;)

BitnByAQuiltingBug said...

Well....I'm going to be just a hair behind....my poor machine had to go the machine hospital for a short visit. I should have her back for the weekend though...and I'll be going for it then!
Thanks again for all the time you've given to do this quilt along! Regina

Jensmom said...

I just started quilting my quilt....It is only my second quilt. I hope all goes well. I sure wish I would have bought a machine with Cruise Control Heheheh

Brenda said...

OK! This would be so cool since I totally DON'T know how to do this! YEAH!

Ducky said...

Beautiful...maybe having the long arm opportunity would encourage me to get further along on this project. Love your quilt!

Dina said...

Thanks for the the instructions and the video clip! I'm a little behind, but should be to this step by tomorrow. I'm a little nervous about the actual quilting part I must say, but I think I can do it :)

Anne said...

oh this would be nice! I am such a beginner and could use the help!

Dawn said...

Holy Cow!! I really want to win this one!! Thanks for all for the great giveaway!!

Anna Willett said...

so so beautiful!!!

Trish said...

WoW! What a great giveaway. We alway have extra quilt tops laying around

Busy Little Quilter said...

I'm like a lot of other people, a little behind. I have all my pieces cut out and the strips in groups to sew together. I just need to get into my sewing room and start sewing!

Wow! A free quilting service!! How sweet of them!

Bettina Groh said...

Hip hip hooray... I've caught up! The top is done and I'm ready to make my quilt sandwich!
Would love to win !

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