Monday, November 5, 2018

It Was a Ring Me Quilt

Last week was mostly spent piecing Ring Me, the quilt I started in a workshop with Amanda Jean Nyberg. As I mentioned in my last blog post, after making 50 blocks, I decided the quilt seemed sort of plain, and that with a lot of solid scraps still left in the bin I should play around with other layouts.

I made a whole lot more 1-1/2" X 7" pieced strips, added them to white strips, and sewed them onto two sides of a block.

Because I set the blocks on point, I had to make setting triangles for the outside edges.

This is my first layout of that idea. After posting it on Instagram, and asking for input, the majority of commenters thought the side triangles were too heavy. They basically concurred with my own impression.

Then I made more 1-1/2" strips that I pieced onto white triangles. Better. But I wasn't happy with the corner. Last night I went to bed with this on the design wall. 

This morning I positioned a couple more blocks over the corner, and I like it better, though it will take a bit of a remake there. The black line is where I will trim the quilt when I've finished quilting it. Now the quilt design isn't "Ring Me," so I need a new name!

This is what I faced in my sewing room this morning! Yikes! What a jumble! Working with scraps is messy business. Little bits of thread are everywhere. I even found some on Hogan's back! But I'm certain that once the top is done, and scrappy binding is cut and pieced, the remaining scraps will be set to rights. I'm also sure that the aqua canvas bin (far left), where I store solid scraps, will be downright spacious! 

Then, by Friday my entire sewing room needs to be broken down to make way for Tay and Aesa, 8 and 9 year-old grandsons who are coming from Kansas City for eight days. This space needs to be a bedroom!

In other exciting news - at least to me - I've bought a sewing machine like this one. Just today I plunked down money for a Bernina 770 QE (Quilter's Edition). I'm wriggling with anticipation to get it!

Al, the owner of Sharky's Vac 'n Sew in Wildwood, Florida, has become a Bernina dealer in the past month. I have been a Bernina owner since 1976 and think it's the best brand of sewing machine made. So when Al was willing to accept my two year-old Janome 1600QCT as trade-in, my dream of owning a Bernina with a 10-inch harp came true. I first used the 770QE machine in a workshop at QuiltCon in Savannah, and immediately loved it! I've asked to take possession of it the week of November 19. No sense having a new sewing machine in the house calling my name while grandies are here. So that's something fun to anticipate!

Also this week is my interview with Pat Sloan, for American Patchwork and Quilting Radio/Podcast.

I'll chat with Pat by phone this Thursday afternoon, and our conversation will be broadcast live on Monday December 3, from 4-5 pm Eastern time. After that it will be available on the podcast.

So many good things to look forward to, including seeing our daughter and grandsons. I'm walking on clouds these days! Linda

16 comments:

  1. Your beautiful scrappy quilt reminds me of a kids gameboard. Sorta. :D Don't know if that helps with a name idea or not! So you're graduating form your 440 eh? Will that now be your backup machine?

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  2. Love the scrap quilt....each design looked good to me! HA And congrats on the purchase of your new machine. I too have a Bernina (actually 2! 1090 and 440 QE) and love the machine!!! Have fun with those grands!

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  3. What a fun quilt! I bet you loved digging through all those solids!

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  4. Congrats on the new machine! What fun! The way I see it a few stray threads on the dog's back is fair play, after all how many dog hairs have ended up on your quilts?!

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  5. Your scrappy quilt is such fun! I do like the setting triangles you've come up with now!
    FUN to have family coming AND a new machine to console you once they are gone. Fun times!

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  6. Exciting news about the new machine! How wonderful to have that and your interview to look forward to! I think you made the right decision with you quilt! It's looking great!

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  7. I love your scrap quilt and your process. Happy sewing with your future new machine!

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  8. Your Ring Me quilt looks great. I love any scrappy quilt but this is what I would call controlled scrappiness so I like it even better. I've got the 770 QE since last year and it's been love at first stitch ;)!

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  9. Such a fun and happy post, Linda! So glad you are walking on air, and yes...I love that quilt you are working and think the improvements you've made are just the ticket. Have fun with your grandchildren!

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  10. I do like your remake of Ring Me. Can't think of a new name though. I'm terrible with quilt names. Congrats on your new Bernina. I too am a Bernina gal, as you know with 2 oldies but goody ones. I think I won't venture to look at buying any more, but I agree that Bernina was and may still be the best machines out there. Like everything, companies are changing up the parts to make more profits, so I'm not sure Bernina has done this or not. A few friends have had complaints with there Berninas, but they were not the top of the line models. Also, thanks for reminding me about your interview with Pat Sloan. Can't wait to hear it. Have fun with the grands.

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  11. Your quilt reminds me of a square dance. I am not sure why.
    Have fun with the grands. I had two here all day. Lauren is only 6 months old and smiles all the time. I do not think she knows how to cry. Sarah is 3.5 and we went for a long walk in the woods. We live in a park. It has been two years since I have walked on the paths.
    Lucky you. Enjoy your fancy machine, you deserve it, Linda

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  12. Have no idea of what to name your new quilt except for "hard at work." I'm delighted for you to get the new sewing machine. I'm looking forward to your podcast as well. Let's facetime soon.

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  13. I love your quilt, it is so bright and happy, reminds me of you! Congratulations on your new sewing machine, 10" is so awesome!!!! And have fun with those grands :^) I will try to tune in for the podcast!!!!

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  14. Seeing the bigger quilt on your design wall in the background of that one photo reallyhelps get a feel for the entire quilt. Setting it on point activates the space and all the color is just glorious. Those open centers will certainly give you lot of space to fill with your wonderful quilting. Enjoy the grandsons and then the new machine.

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  15. What a splash of splendor! I am so in love with your quilt! It looks incredible up on that design wall. I just know that AJN will be over the moon if ever she sees how she inspired you to create. I enjoyed reading all the comments that have been left so far, esp. Quilting Babcia! She makes an excellent point :). Turn about is fair play! I am looking forward to listening to your podcast. You wear celebrity very well! Last but not least, congratulations on your new sewing machine, Linda. I hope you two are very happy together. I was teaching a quilty friend yesterday and she was working on a Bernina. I couldn’t help but be impressed at what a sweet stitch it made. Have fun with those boys! Eight days! You’re so lucky!

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  16. I love this quilt! The tiny squares are so colorful together against the white background!

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