Seth's Xmas present came early this year! The Epic Game of Thrones quilt is finished! 

I was really anxious about how the quilting process would go. I even considered having it sent out to be longarmed (something I've never done). In the end, I wanted to give Seth a gift that I made entirely by myself, so I put on my big girl pants. Time to do a large custom FMQ job.

On each banner, I did a small scale stipple pattern on background using matching thread, then closely outlined each animal so they would pop. I considered going back and quilting the animals with matching thread, but I was worried about damaging the hand embroidery. Plus they ended up looking pretty cool without any quilting.

I quilted an upside down clam shell pattern on the gray background. The result looks like the banners are hanging on a brick wall. Totally unintentional, but very satisfying.

I stitched a double wavy line (is there a technical name for this?) in the outer border.

I used wool batting (that loft!) and a black sheet for the backing. The solid sheet made for a very interesting back that shows off the quilting. I bound the quilt with more Kona Cotton in charcoal, the same color as the outer border.

Size: 60" x 72"

Fabric: Kona Cotton solids (charcoal, pewter, silver, curry, pepper, rich red, caramel, and tomato)
Pattern: FPP patterns from Misha29 (200%) + original layout (I'll post a tutorial soon)
Quilting: Clamshell background, stipple in banners, and double wavy line border
Completed: August 22, 2015

Do What Works For You

Prior to attending Quilt Con 2015, I watched the lectures from 2013 on Craftsy to get a feel for the event. Angela Walter's lecture on modern machine quilting stands out in my memory months later, not because of her awesome quilts (which are breathtaking), but due a simple phrase that changed my perspective on so many things. "Do what works for you."

During the Q&A session at the end of her lecture, she repeats the phrase to the point that it because a bit of a joke, eliciting laughter from the crowd. She does answer questions about her thread and batting choices, techniques, etc. based on her personal preference and experience, but she concludes with, "Do what works for you."

I have a bit of a learned type A personality. I think being raised my former-accountant-turned-stay-at-home dad explains that. For the longest time, I was trained to see things as correct or incorrect. At the very least, there would always be a "best" answer that was twice as good as the next option. When I started quilting, I spent countless hours pouring over books, blogs, magazines, and video tutorials trying to find the "correct" answer to every question. Which batting is best? Do you have to match the thread and batting type? What kind of needle should I use for quilt piecing vs quilting?

The more people I talked to, the more I realized that everyone's opinions on these matters differed. Some are like my dad and insist there is one correct (or best) way to do things and any other approach is bad juju. For example, I frequently use flat sheets from Target as inexpensive backings. They only cost $10-15, require no piecing, and are snuggly soft. When I mentioned this to one particular quilter, she replied in a steely voice, "You should be shot." Whoa, lady.

Sheets work fine for me!

I was curious if that woman knew something I didn't, so I did a little research on some quilting forum discussions on the topic. Some posters wrote that sheets should never be used for quilts because the thread count is too high and difficult for the needle to pierce. Meanwhile, there were lots of posts from quilters who reported using sheets without issue. I haven't experienced a single problem using sheets, so hey, it works for me. Haters gonna hate.

What are some "incorrect" quilting techniques and tips that work for you?

MRW: Quilt Edition #5

When I have to figure out how much binding fabric I need:

When my sewing machine eats knit fabric:

When the LQS employee tries to show me their selection of batiks:

 When I geek out about fabric when talking to friends who don't sew:

When my dad reminds me that his birthday is the same day as my Lizzy House Meadow Quilt workshop:

When I spend an entire afternoon FMQing a large quilt: