Saturday, November 26, 2011

Finally - I got something done.

Some of you will remember the pattern I developed called "Japanese Lanterns."  I made the top and sold some patterns (still available on request!) However, the top got packed away along with the backing I bought for it and it was almost forgotten.
Then something happened.  Joanne Lendaro at Splitting Stitches had a Quilting Stimulus giveaway.  I won half price quilting. Joanne's other blog is called Insanely Cheap Quilting.  Her prices are good already(we are talking $65 for queen size!), so half price was an excellent price!

I sent in the top and backing. I chose to buy the batting from Joanne and save on shipping. I also chose the Hobbs 80/20 batting.  I have to say it worked out well!
Here are a couple of (badly taken) pictures of the quilt and one close up of the quilting.


Quilting Close-up
Oh, what did I get done?   I squared and trimmed the quilt so that it is ready for binding. Now, I just have to decide on the binding fabric. Ha ha.

I did the trimming at a friend's house.  I was planning to use the big open floor, but I watched a video that showed trimming/squaring  on a table top...so I tried it.  It worked great and my back and knees thank me.
My friend looked at the table after I was finished trimming and said "Sure looks like a lot of waste!"

I said, "That isn't waste a lot of it will be used in other projects."  And it will.  This picture also shows the rulers I used for trimming.  I have to say that I love this 16 1/2" square ruler for squaring. It really assisted nicely in getting it squared. I also used my 6 by 24" ruler ( you can see a bit of it in the lower left corner) After getting the corner squared, I used the longer ruler to trim up to the next corner.
I want to try some free motion quilting with the extra Hobbs 80/20 batting and compare it to my usual Warm and Natural/ Warm and White. From the feel of it, I think it will work just as well.

8 comments:

Pat said...

I can't wait to see this with the binding on it. It is a great pattern!

Cyndi said...

That really is a cool pattern, Gene. And the quilting is lovely...can't beat that type of deal, either! I, too, cant' wait to see what binding fabric you use!

XOXO,

Cyndi

Barb said...

I will have to keep that batting in mind when I go to do my next project or...or..use up all 15 yards of batting I have waiting on me...

Glad you figured out a better way to square it up.

Vesuviusmama said...

Yay, an almost finish!

Eat Sleep Quilt said...

Gene, that quilt is simply beautiful! I find it hard to square up on the floor too; I'd thought of calling my library to see if I can use the table in their conference room.

Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Doesn't it feel great to have another top out of the closet and quilted?!! Looks great!!

Anonymous said...

That is a lovely pattern! I would love to know the video you used to trim on the table!

IHaveANotion ~ Kelly Jackson said...

I guess you did get something done!! Wow...great job Gene.

I too love my big square...I have the 20 1/2" one....so much easier for me. I still have to use the floor because my tables are not large enough...I dream of a ping pong table.

Smiles,
Kelly