Lake Farm Park Quilts 2015 Show Part 1

Yesterday was my 34th birthday and as a wonderful surprise my Husband arranged the day for my Mother and I to visit the local quilt show.  I was so thrilled with this thoughtful gift as we're nearing in on the last weekend of the show and I was afraid I might miss it this year.

Quilts 2015 is a regional show held annually at Lake Metroparks Farm Park in Kirtland, Ohio.  Quilts are generally from residents living within a few hours distance of the Farm Park and they do frequently acquire nationally known quilters to teach and lecture.

This years featured artist is RaNae Merrill of New York, NY.  The quilts she brought to display were really fantastic and of course, beautifully quilted - and by some very well known highly respected quilters I might add.  It was really fun to see some of beautiful quilting up close and only a short drive from my own home town.

Below is the largest piece of RaNae's on display and was definitely my favorite.  All the gradients and play with color and geometric shapes were really a treat to look at.  Not to mention I'm a bit of a sucker for blue.

Up close of some of the quilting - I really tried to get good quilting photos from all of the quilts I took pictures of, as of course, that's where my own passion lies!  This one was quilted by well known quilter Linda Taylor.

This next piece was my second favorite on display from RaNae - I just loved the colors!  This one was quilted by another well known name you're sure to recognize, Terri Lucas.  I really loved the gold metallic thread feathers in the dark purple fabric.

I cannot remember just how many of RaNae's quilts were on display but it was a really  nice selection and I enjoyed them all thoroughly.

It's been fun to watch the progression of this quilt show over the years - it has always been a really great show with lots of talented quilters and beautiful quilts.  From a machine quilting perspective I have watched as quilting has really taken on a life throughout the quilting world and it's kind of amazing to see the trickle down into local quilting and how that's advanced.  I remember several years ago when people were pretty much machine quilting their quilts or sending them out to be machine quilted - but I don't know if the skill was quite where it is today.  Every show there are one or two pieces that are so well made and intricately quilted I suspect they would hold up quite well in the national circuit.

Here are a few more of my favorites from the show - this one in particular I apologize for the blurry full shot.  When I snapped the photo I was sure that it was in focus but didn't realize it was blurry until I got home to view it on the computer.  It was one of my absolute favorites from the entire show.

I just loved the nautical theme with the storm at sea quilt blocks, the appliquéd waves, and that beautiful compass that I would imagine is paper pieced.

This next one I was immediately drawn to simply because I loved the quilt block pattern and the colors.  Once you move in close the quilting is just beautiful as well - very neat and beautifully done!

I was excited when I looked at the name on the tag and saw that it was pieced by the mother of a quilting pal of mine who owns a quilt shop not far away.  It was also quilted by a local and talented quilter whose quilting I have admired for years.  Her name is sure to pop up on a number of quilts every year as the quilter when I walk through this show - and she has a style that you can almost spot out from a distance.

Because I'm always paying attention to the quilting - I enjoyed the simplicity of the feathers and pebbles with just a hint of geometric quilting thrown in...and it totally fits.

I have quite a few more photos to share but I'm going to break it up into two or three posts so it's not so overwhelming!  I've got a busy couple of days here planned but will try and get a second post up within the next few days.  :)

Simple Custom for Darlene

I'm a little behind on sharing photos of this one, but here are a few shots of the simple custom I finished for Darlene last week when Millie arrived.  I am amazed at how much easier tensioning this machine is.  If you ever began sewing on an older machine and then bought one of the newer fancier high end machines...I liken it to that experience.  Before purchasing my Juki I sewed on an old 1970's Europro, then a Simplicity Quilter's Classic and a White that my mother gifted me.  When the Juki came home, it was as if the angels were singing when it came time to tension finicky threads.  Same with Millie Mouse!

Not only is the tension easy to master and much more consistent, I am finding that having that stitch regulation allows me to work with a broader range of threads with a lot less fussing.  I have actually been using the same size needle between 40 wt. glide, metallic, 100 wt. invisifil and 100 wt. silk.  Of course I had to loosen up the bobbin tension a bit for the finer threads, but I was kind of pushing it leaving the same needle in (I only have one 3.5 left so I was trying to see if I could get away with it without having to wait for an order of new needles)...and surprisingly I had only one thread break that was more from my hastily pulling at the threads than stitching.

This was a fun quilt to work on - not terribly labor intensive so it was very enjoyable without a lot of thinking behind it...also those pretty lovely consistent stitches are great to look at!

I actually started this one on the Ulti when the handles went...so it was really fascinating to compare how much easier it was to quilt after Millie came home.

I am definitely enjoying my new machine!  :)  Working on another beautiful and giant quilt from Cindy today and as always I will share photos when I'm finished.  She has requested the pantograph Sonnet by Patricia Ritter and I - it will be my first time using it and also my first pantograph with stitch regulation - I'm very excited!

A Little Progress on My Dahlia Quilt

I have two or three days in between my last client and next client quilt - so I decided to get as much done on my dahlia quilt as possible.  Yesterday my goal was to stabilize it enough I could take it on and off the frame without distortion...today was just play.  Get as much filling in as I could...without getting sloppy.  Gosh that is harder to do than say!

I started using blue metallic but it just looks so thick and heavy and got sloppy looking quick.  (No sloppy allowed, remember?)  So I ripped and started over with blue Bottom Line.  The black is all Invisifil.  I bought silk for work in the actual dahlia, which if I can muster up enough energy after dinner I might begin working on tonight.  I don't think I'll be able to get too much done over my "weekend" when all the kids and Hubby are home.  We need a good family day all together though so I'm ok with that.  :)

I did finish quite a bit more than I'm showing here but it's hard to get a full on photo...well that and I'm hiding in the computer room for a few minutes of peace.  :)

Hope all in blogland are having a good weekend so far!

- Valerie

The Millennium is HERE!

Well, my Millennium has finally arrived!  Truthfully, it was shipped out far quicker than I had ever anticipated it would be.  To say that I am excited, in love, over the moon - not only is a given but the understatement of the year!!!!!

For curious minds - this is a certified used 2000 APQS Millennium that I purchased directly through APQS.  I have for the past two years been quilting on a 1999 Ultimate 1 that had no stitch regulation - really no additional features outside of the one stitch button.

I am not going to lie I am in love with my new machine...but the Ultimate I was really good to me.  There are not a lot of companies I will stand by in this day and age...but I must confess to you...and I tell you this in the spirit of total truthfulness as other than being a loyal customer (and somewhat of a forum stalker LOL) I am not affiliated with APQS in any way...I get no kick backs or payments or benefits for liking their brand...but they have been nothing less than AMAZING.  I bought that Ulti from a private seller - I was the third owner of the machine.  When APQS says they offer lifetime support, no matter what number owner you are or where you bought it - they really mean it.  Even though I didn't buy directly through them and was a total nobody special in the long arm world when my machine came home...they answered my questions and took their time to help me...I never felt as if maybe I wasn't as valued as any of their other customers.

I bought the Ulti 1 because it was what I could afford to get started in long arming...and I really built a foundation on it.  Now that it's been a few years I could afford the upgrade...and I am SO happy I was able to do that directly through the company.  I was able to get a warranty which is a HUGE relief for me buying a used machine.  Also it's come directly from their factory so I know it's been given a good testing to make sure all is in good working order.  I am now familiar with the machines so I know there are many repairs I can make myself...but I can sleep at night knowing the big scary things that I cannot do myself are covered by APQS.  I also now have experience shipping a machine and it's really taking the fear out of that for me or ever having to send it in to Iowa.  It's always a gamble buying independently...and if you can buy direct, even used, I 'd say DO IT EVERY TIME!

In any case I now have features I only dreamed of having.  I feel like I've graduated to a big kid machine!  I plan to continue upgrading as I can afford and I will not forget the over the top customer service APQS has given.  I have never felt alone with this company even though they are several states away!  That's a big deal in 2015 where it's hard to say that about anyone really.  Is there a company you could say that about anymore?  Though APQS is well known and highly respected in the realm of quilting...we're talking  a small handful of folks who handle the day to day operations.  It just says a lot about them - and it's something I'm willing to pay for and really give my loyalties to.

Anyhow enough of my love affair with APQS.  I'm just one very happy girl.  Here are some of my first stitches on my "new to me" Millie.  We have named her...Millie Mouse!

The accuracy I now have with a stitch regulator is amazing.  It's not that this kind of work was impossible on the Ultimate 1...but now it is just SO much easier.  I have the ability to move in a way similar to how I move no my sit down machine and oh...it's just wonderful!  I am also really impressed with the quality of the stitch regulator.  I nearly purchased a Handi Quilter the first go round - and even considered it again before buying the Millennium...I think HQ machines are wonderful and I certainly don't want to diminish their quality...but I do think the stitch regulator on my Millie is far better (at least to the Avante that I tested when shopping).  I would be sad to pass that up had I gone to HQ.

Here is my Ultimate 1 getting ready to be sent back to APQS...she will be pieced out and become a part of making someone else's dreams come true!!  I will never regret this machine.  It toughened me up, made me brave, and opened up a whole new world of quilting.

Oh and the best part...Millie came with a bow!!!  I have seen them on the new machines but didn't know if they'd put it on my used one...they did! It made it so special!!!  Quilting is my business and my absolute passion.  I am keeping the bow forever with my quilting ribbons!  LOL!  I so appreciate that they do that!!!!

So that is my exciting news and I am so tired from a very busy long day getting Millie set up that my brain is a bit mushy today.  I have a bit more playing planned and then I'm loading up customer quilts and getting back into the routine of things.  I will try and share a video in the next day or so with a little more detail on Millie's features and some of the new advantages I now have!

My Favorite Rulers and Some News!

Oh this is going to be a jam packed blog post - and I'm going to try and not get TOO long on you - but you all know I rarely have a shortage of things to say on any given subject!  :)

First I have two important things I want to share - probably the biggest thing next to baby happening in my life right now...is that as of yesterday I am the owner of a "new to me" APQS Millennium that will be arriving in about a week!  Woohoo!  So that much desired stitch regulation along with quite a few other bells and whistles are soon to be in my reach!  :)  I will elaborate on the story in another post - but very much wanted to share the exciting news with my quilting pals!

Second, I wanted to share that author, teacher, and award winning quilter Karen Neary shared a very kind post on her blog about the quilting I did on Darlene's New York Beauty quilt!  Karen is the designer of the pattern called New York Roundabout Again - and a while back Darlene had tested the pattern for her.  I am honored to be the one who was able to work on this beauty...and so very flattered at the kind words Karen had to share about my work!  Definitely stop by her blog and check it out!

Sew Karen-ly Created
http://sewkaren-lycreated.blogspot.com/2015/02/eye-candy-for-quilters.html

Ok!  Now with the fun news shared - many of you have been asking me about RULERS!

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Long arm rulers (often referred to as templates) are as much like candy for quilters as thread!  For the past two years I have been having a blast using rulers on my Ultimate 1 - without stitch regulation and with the older APQS style spoon foot.  It has taken some practice but I am convinced no matter what machine you are quilting on you will want to take some time to experiment...but it is SO worth the effort!

I am going to share with you my MOST used rulers...in descending order as to HOW frequently I use them.  There are just TONS of options nowadays for long arm rulers and new ones are popping up all the time...so keep on the look out for new ones!

Ditch Ruler from Quilter's Rule

My absolutely MOST used ruler is - the ditch ruler.  This one is made by Quilter's Rule and is just your average ditch ruler.  This one just happened to be available to me - I believe I purchased it from a vendor at the Sewing and Quilt Expo in Cleveland the year I bought my long arm.

The groove along the edge of the ruler is for your machine foot.  The straight edges of the outer ends is lined up with your "ditch" seam, and then you guide your foot along the edge within the groove.

Now - that's how you're supposed to use the ruler, but I'll be honest, I never do.  Why?  Not because I'm lazy...but because even the best piecer's don't necessarily sew a perfectly straight seam.  So a ruler like this doesn't allow for womples!  LOL  I like this ruler because I don't like to use most rulers from edge to edge...and I feel like the center most portion of the ruler is what I use the most.  Like with all things it takes getting used to - but I probably use this ruler on just about every quilt that comes to me!

Here's a video I took recently of me using the ruler on my APQS Ultimate 1...be forewarned that you may have to open this video in another window or view directly through YouTube for it to be viewed properly.

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Judy's Applique Gem from The Gadget Girls

My second most frequently used ruler is Judy's Applique Gem from The Gadget Girls.  This ruler literally changed the way I ditch around appliqué.  Now - this could have something to do with not having stitch regulation...most appliqué rulers were very difficult for me to use - this was the only ruler that really  helped me get up and close with unusual shaped appliqué.  I use this on ANY and EVERY quilt that has appliqué elements!

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12/13" Arc Ruler from Quilts on the Corner

My next most frequently used ruler is my 12/13" arc ruler from Renae Haddadin's online store, Quilts on the Corner.  She has full sets of arcs that I have just yet to invest in - but this one in particular is sold on it's own and EXTREMELY useful.  The inner arc is 12" while the outer arc is 13".  I use this one for almost all of the curved cross hatch I do no matter the size, and lots of other curved stitching.  While every quilt doesn't require a ruler like this, it is definitely one I could not live without!  The design possibilities are really immense with this ruler!

Here are photos of some recent client work where I used this same arc ruler to create curved cross hatching:

Curved Cross Hatching on Client Cindy DeUnger's Quilt - Created with 12/13" Arc Ruler

Curved Cross Hatching on Client Darlene Gerber's Quilt - Created with 12/13" Arc Ruler

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QP Curve Template #10 by Linda Hrcka from The Quilted Pineapple

This ruler is new to me but I am finding more and more uses for it.  I purchased it directly from Linda, but I see she has an online shop now - and if you are not familiar with Linda's work you SHOULD BE!  Visit her blog The Quilted Pineapple and I promise your won't regret it!  

Because this ruler has a half circle/moon shape unlike any of my other rulers I have found it to be extremely useful.  In the short time I have owned it I have already used it on several quilts.  I use this for circular appliqué, swags, and curved cross hatch.

This is a larger ruler than I normally work with.  Generally I prefer smaller rulers because of the awkwardness and difficulty to handle large rulers.  The way I have found I use this ruler is to mark first - then use the shape of the ruler to stitch along the pre-marked shape.  I anticipate this is going to become one of my "never let it go" rulers!

Here is an example of a recent client quilt where I used this ruler to create a swag design:

Swag Quilting Design Using QP #10 Template - Client Joyce Coburn's Quilt

Swag Quilting Design Using QP #10 Template - Client Joyce Coburn's Quilt

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Creative Grids 1" Ruler - NOT a Long Arm Ruler

Now this last ruler is NOT a long arm ruler/template.  The difference is the thickness.  Long arm rulers are generally about 1/4" thick to accommodate our machine foot.  You would never want to use a traditional cutting ruler on your long arm except for marking.  That is exactly how I use this ruler.  I thought it was worth sharing because it is absolutely invaluable.  I use this for measuring out small sections to quilt or creating geometric shapes.  I also use this to create registration marks for creating feathered borders (something I do frequently) or just lining up shapes and designs so they are neat and straight.

This one was actually gifted to me from the owner of a local quilt shop in exchange for some work I did.  I'm so glad I have it because I use it ALL the time!

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Some Things to Note and A Few Resources:

- Long arm rulers are THICKER than regular cutting rulers.  You never use a cutting ruler on your long arm as it could slide under your foot and cause damage to your machine or YOU.  That does not mean you won't LOVE traditional rulers for marking...and using them in combination with a good long arm template for carrying out your design.

- There are absolutely TONS of people who sell long arm rulers.  Do a quick google search and be sure to check at your local shows - particularly ones that will have long arm dealers with machines to test.  A great place to start is with the brand of whatever machine you are long arm quilting on.  Handi Quilter in particular has many rulers available that can be used on any long arm.  Also many of your favorite quilting artists and teachers have rulers available for purchase (Jamie Wallen, Lisa Calle, Deloah Jones, Linda Hrcka/The Quilted Pineapple, Renae Haddadin - just to name a few).

- Using rulers on a sit down machine is possible!  The way that free motion quilting has taken off with quilters on their sit down and domestic sewing machines - now is ruler work!  There are a number of great online resources to get you started with this technique, but a wonderful place to start is Patsy Thompson's YouTube channel.  She is an author and teacher who also has some wonderful free motion quilting tutorials and classes available.

- If you subscribe to or can get your hands on the latest issue (March/April 2015) of Machine Quilting Unlimited there is a fantastic article by Margaret Solomon Gunn on curved templates with some great examples of how to use them creatively.  Just another resource available to get you going with long arm rulers!

-  This is really just the tip of the ice berg in terms of what is available out there.  I do have many more rulers all of which I use some...but those shared above are my absolute use every day - cannot get by without them rulers!  :)

A Fine Example of My Lack of Organization - Ruler Storage

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I think this is a good starter list of the rulers I use the most!  If you have an absolutely "I can't live without it" long arm ruler I'd love for you to share!  I am always looking to add to the collection!

Darlene's New York Beauty - Finished!

It is always SO gratifying to FINISH!  I love that moment when you pull a quilt off the frame after looking at it and being so close to it for days, sometimes weeks.  This one I dilly dallied a bit with just because I had appointments and things to do this week...but I knew it was going to be gorgeous on both sides when finished...so it was even more incentive to get to work!

I am still working at finding a place or a way in my home to get great photographs.  I have had some complaints of them being dark or taken at odd angles - truth of the matter is I live in a very small ranch home and space is extremely limited...I cannot even begin to explain the lengths I go to attempting to get good photographs!  I know they are not all ideal, but I'm working on it!  Now that baby is coming soon we plan to do some renovation and hopefully, I'll have my own private studio area and a place to lay out quilts.  I cannot wait!

The back you know is always my favorite.  I feel like it's my stamp on the quilt.  :)  This is the part I feel like I'm good at, and where I get to show off a bit!  Above I did use some filters on Instagram to allow you to better see the texture.  Below are natural light images with no filters.

This design was much easier to draw out on the computer than it was to carry out!  Not that it was too terribly difficult, but I had to really pay attention to measurements and keeping things the same size.

After a lot of time and practice I've decided I'm just sold on using the same color in the bobbin as in the top.  Not that I won't use a thinner thread in the bobbin - but I'd just much rather watch my back tracking and bury threads than try to tension out two contrasting colors.  I think it turned out so nicely too!

My children are getting antsy and I have to make dinner, but I PROMISE a post on rulers up next!  :)

Progress on Darlene's New York Beauty

Happy Valentine's Day!  I had wanted to get farther than this today but life just got in the way.  Kids were feisty and I started cleaning up my sewing room (still didn't finish) and it seems the day just got away from me.  I am really happy with the progress though, and let's hope I can replicate those feathery rays and pearls on the opposite side as evenly spaced!  I think I will be able to manage it if I go slowly.

For minds that are curious I am using Bobbin Line thread by Fil-Tec in the creamy tan batik fabric, also in the blue, and Glide in the pink.  Bobbin Line is very comparable to Bottom Line by Superior Threads in that they are both somewhat shiny polyester and 60 wt.  I use Glide quite a bit but this is my first go with Bobbin Line.  I'm really liking it so far.  I'm sure I will use it again - my only gripe being I wish they had more colors!

Using my blue 12/13" arc I bought from Quilts on the Corner for curved cross hatching and below, the sort of feathered ray curved design with the pearls...I used Linda Hrcka's swag ruler again.  I'll try and post a photo of all the rulers I used for this when I'm done.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and hopefully you're not in the path of the blizzard!  We've got quite a bit of snow here and I'm longing for spring...  :)