I was fascinated by the little video that Ruthie has put on her blog Threads of Mine showing her long arm quilter in action. One of the things that I have noticed on the quilting blogs is how many people seem to have their own long arm machines. Are they cheaper in the USA? I enjoy quilting by hand - but start to get bored by doing the same quilt long before it's finished. I enjoyed the free motion quilting I did on DH's quilt, but my machine wasn't too keen and I had to do it in chunks as I couldn't manoeuvre very much at a time. I don't think I have the skills or the patience to do anything more precise either. One answer would be to send them out to be quilted - but the cost is prohibitive (it seems to cost about twice as much here in the UK - like fabric). I think my favourite method of quilting so far is hand quilting using big embroidery stitches. At least I can change them regularly and don't get too bored.
Yesterday I made a card for my mother-in-law, finished Number 3 on the Mr Men sampler and made a few crumb blocks - destined to make a second quilt for Rosie so that I can have two to alternate and wash. That cat moults so much - the first quilt I made a couple of days ago already looks like it's ready to be washed. I don't think I'll get much done today, as I was really poorly last night - probably a reaction to the latest anti-biotics. Do other people have so many problems finding medication that doesn't upset them? I don't seem to be able to tolerate anything these days. Rosie seems happy that I'm still in bed though!
Well, reading this back it seems like one long whinge after another! Sorry folks.
5 comments:
It is ok....I whine sometimes too...lol. Hopin you feel better!
Sounds like you got quite a few things done for someone who wasn't feeling well. I hope you are feeling better today. Getting along with medicines can be a challenge, I know I can't take some antibiotics, and my husband is always trying for a good balance. I noticed the same thing when going on the blogs. A lot of people have longarms. I am still a dreamer, but luckily I have found a lady who is very reasonable, and since I spend so much time looking at quilts on the internet, and thinking about them, I don't get too many done. If I did, I would be wondering how to get them finished, I might have to do some tying as I am not such a good DSM quilter. I have done some hand quilting and enjoyed it, but I have pretty much given it up as I am too slow.
About the longarm... I don't know how much it cost out of the US, but they run from the low thousands up to 40 thousands $ here! (that's with the computer)
The card & embroideries are very cute. Rosie is even cuter!
I like doing big stitch quilting too. It's quick and fun and I don't worry about tiny stitches - there's alot to be said for the primitive style. You are right sending a quilt out is expensive, probably to help pay for the longarm. I sent one quilt out and loved the results - it was a special quilt, but I would feel guilty sending more unless it was a very special something. I'm new to cat ownership - why is my cat obsessed with getting comfy on laundry that I'm trying to fold. My sewing desk is in front of a window that has lots of birds outside of it - he insists on sitting on the table looking at them - they other day I had black kitty on white squares :(
Feel better soon:)
I think that when it comes to doing machine quilting on your home machine it just requires some patience and lots and lots of practice. I do all my own machine quilting on my home machine. Just keep on practicing and I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how much you can do....and at how well you can do it.
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