Yes, I’m hand quilting again. I had absolutely no intention of hand quilting this baby. I mean, this quilt has a deadline. BUT, I made just a teeny little mistake, just a small oversight. One of those blonde moments that I have when I haven’t had a certain problem for, say… 6 months, I then forget that this problem exists, and go on my merry way, and bumble right into this mistake again. So I’m hand quilting!
Explanation? Yes. Here it is. When the top of your quilt is predominantly white or very light colored, DON’T use black or a really dark color as a backing fabric! I mean, you can if you want, but getting your machine quilting to look nice on both sides? Tricky! Hairpulling! No fun at all!
So I realized this too late, but I didn’t want to unbaste the whole thing and make a new backing, so we’re going with the flow. Besides, I really do love the contrast of the blackish backing and the white and scrappy sort of vintagey looking front. And then hand quilted with a yellowy orange perle cotton? Yumm!!
I’ll be showing you the full quilt soon, together with a tutorial…
how cute that will be!
I usually always have a hand quilting project for the winter-it's so comforting to be working under a warm quilt.
I can't wait to see the finished quilt (and for the tutorial). I have yet to hand quilt anything!
Can't wait. Sounds absolutely fabulous!!
How I adore hand quilting, especially with orange perle. 🙂
I would love to try some hand quilting! I can't wait to see the full quilt AND the tutorial?!! lucky us! thanks!
oh i think this is the quilt version of the granny square! i am sooo soo excited!
looks great so far!
I don't think I knew about the conflict that would present itself with a dark backing and a light top, however, I'm eager to see how you have solved it with your hand quilting. It's a nice excuse to slow down and enjoy the process, I bet.
My goal for 2012 is more hand quilting. Anxious to see the rest of the quilt and the luscious hand quilting!
It's looking great, Jolene! It's going to be a stunner hand quilted!
Can't wait to see this in all it's glory! Orange perle sounds delicious !
We all have our ultra flaky moments. Mine usually involve Pregnant Brain or trying to cook without my glasses. The worst was a combination of both. I was multiplying a recipe and switched tablespoons to cups. I don't think I can ever live that one down.
The quilt looks great. And I always love hand quilted quilts.
I just found your blog this evening, and I am SMITTEN. I'm fairly new to quilting, and I feel like I've found the motherlode of inspirational quilting porn here!
I love your granny square quilt & hope to make one sometime soon! Regarding the light top/dark back: I'd just use white thread in the top and bobbin and say to heck with it. That probably makes me a rebel quilter, but I think life is too short to mess with tension! It never looks perfect which makes me crazy, so I just go with "oh the light thread on the backing? That's a design element."