Saturday, July 9, 2016

Finished: Make it Easier

In early June I finished this "Make it Easier" quilt. It is my own quilt design, meant to teach new quilters methods for making different quilt blocks. I had originally designed a quilt with more blocks, and therefore more labor intensive, but students in classes at the Lifelong Learning College gave me feedback that they wanted to make something with fewer techniques. Hence, "Make it Easier" was designed.

It finishes at 52" X 58", and it does a nice job of providing opportunities to make blocks using different techniques. And all that negative space is an invitation for different FMQ designs.

Batting is double. It's Quilter's Dream - a layer of Request loft poly with a layer of wool on top. Quilting is with Aurifil 50-weight thread. I started quilting with orange thread to do the ruler work arrows. Those are inspired by KathleenQuilts longarm designs. If you need quilting ideas, be sure to follow her blog as she provides lots of inspiration and design ideas for doing what she does so well on an APQS machine. I'm still trying to emulate the look of longarm quilting.

Those circles that look like "drops" on the points of the green and orange chevrons were also inspired by Kathleen's work. 

I'm tickled that I was able to meet-up with Kathleen when I attended QuiltCon 2015 in Austin. We agreed to meet at a particular time in front of my "Shapes" quilt, my bias tape challenge entry. Kathleen is a fun and funky Canadian gal with loads of talent. I admire what she can do, and being so young too! She'll be teaching at QuiltCon 2017.

I also used this quilt as an opportunity to show how four different fabrics can be used for binding on each of the four sides of the quilt. It's the method I've named "No Tails Binding: Mitered Corners by Machine."

MQG members can register to watch my September 29 webinar on this technique, but if you're not an MQG member, you can check out this method on my 2009 No Tails Binding tutorial. After the webinar, I'll be updating that tutorial.

I'm happy with how "Make it Easier" turned out. Especially since I started quilting it on my Pfaff Grand Quilter with all its problems with skipped stitches and broken threads. (Turns out the problem wasn't with the machine, but rather the foot! Happily though, I was able to sell the Pfaff when I learned there was nothing wrong with it!) I finished quilting this on my new Janome 1600P.


 All's well that ends well. Linda

16 comments:

  1. Dear Linda, I also like your quilt make it easier. It is so fresh and friendly! I just have a smile in my face because I am remembering our 4"block challenge ;-)

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  2. It did end well. It's gorgeous! You look great Linda. I wonder what part of Canada Kathleen is from? My neck of the woods?

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  3. What a fresh and pretty design! It looks very approachable for your newcomers to quilting.

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  4. Very nice! Love that this fun finish is a 'learning' quilt!

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  5. I love your quilt and the fabric you choose is so cheerful . . . it makes me smile:) I am also excited about your "No Tails Binding: Mitered Corners by Machine." and I have got to give it a try.
    Thank you for the tutorial. You're a sweetheart.
    Connie :)

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  6. What a great quilt Linda and I'm sure the class will have alot of fun makingit. I love your quilting on it and that wonderful pop of orange thread. Kathleen is so inspiring-love her work.

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  7. What a great quilt Linda and I'm sure the class will have alot of fun makingit. I love your quilting on it and that wonderful pop of orange thread. Kathleen is so inspiring-love her work.

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  8. What a lovely quilt!!!! Sure would love to take one of your classes. Just a great use of different quilting designs....wonderful.

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  9. You do such lovely work Linda- designing the quilt, quilting it so beautifully and then passing your expertise onto others! Congratulations on a great quilt in your signature colour palette! Very Linda!

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  10. I really like it and as usual your bright colors only make it more appealing. Nicely done.

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  11. You're awfully nice too me :) the quilt looks amazing!!!!

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    1. Not being "nice," Kathleen. :-) Just honest. Your quilting is amazing, and I'm grateful for the inspiration you share with me. Thank you! (You're a no-reply commenter, and I don't know your email address, so I couldn't reply privately.)

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  12. I'm sure you must be happy the way your quilt has turned out Linda. It is so fresh and clean looking - Lovely!
    I am wanting to machine quilt a King size quilt on my Bernina - Domestic machine, but I would like to do it in sections to make life easier! Any suggestions? :-)

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  13. Linda, I love the Colors of your designing quilt. Why are you not going further? I think it will work. Just Keep on going!

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  14. I follow Kathleen's Instagram and I'm always saving her photos for ideas. I agree with you that she is terrific! I also love your quilt that you designed and I think now you can call yourself a designer. No more thinking you can't do that! The quilt is gorgeous.

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