Sunday, October 24, 2010

Propeller: an "antique" block

Back in May 2010, I found a block that would allow me to use up a LOT of bonus half-square triangles.   From my quilting friends, I found out what the name of the block was .. "Propeller", circa 1928.

I pieced the top and put it on my pile of Quilts to be Quilted.  Well, the day came when that quilt popped to the top of the List ... and I had no other immediate, non-quilting activities to distract me.  :-)

Being a small quilt (42"x62"), it was quick to quilt, although I had a lot of quilting going on.  Even with all that quilting, it is *not* stiff ... it's still nicely drapeable. :-)

While there are *some* pictures here of the quilt, for the ENTIRE saga, please surf on over to my web page, Propeller, and you'll be treated to my usual verbosity :-)  and lots of pictures.  LOTS of pictures.   I describe the thought/design process I used in the making of this quilt, problems encountered & solved. :-)






Although not proficient, I'm definitely getting *better* at this free-motion quilting thing!  I don't mind pantographs so much, but because of my specific set-up, it's a real pain to get to the back of Lizzie to do them, so I have been focusing on free-motion quilting.  It's simply wonderful to be able to do what (you think) you want where you want it! :-)

I really, really, *really* like the way this quilt has turned out!





For all the gory details, links and more pictures, please visit my web page for the Propeller quilt.




Writtten by at

6 comments:

  1. Quiet Quilter10/24/10, 6:50 PM

    I 'member this block! And it turned out so well!

    Yea! for you.

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  2. Jo Vandermey10/24/10, 7:11 PM

    This is a beautiful quilt. And I love the quilting. You might feel that you are not a "pro" but your feathers look great!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Shelley: the Dread Pirate Rodgers10/24/10, 7:23 PM

    SewingGeek ... thank you! They are the EASIEST feathers in the world to do. Sally Terry's "Hooked on Feathers" is absolutely awesome. I can't wax enthusiastic enough about it!

    In fact, I've *only* done her basic feathers ... they've been so much doggone fun to do, I haven't ventured further than that. I really ought to load up a doodle cloth and play with the other versions. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Linda11/4/10, 10:35 AM

    Shelley, Your quilting is amazing! Is your machine stitch regulated? I would love to see some of your machine quilting tips :)
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  5. Shelley: the Dread Pirate Rodgers11/4/10, 12:32 PM

    thanks, Linda! My Tin Lizzie does have a stitch regulator and I use it almost exclusively. My main concern is that the stitches look nice when all is said and done; the stitch regulator helps ensure that.

    Lizzie also has a speed regulator but if I use that then *I* am the "stitch regulator" by how fast/slow I move the machine head. I don't have competency in that (simply because I don't use it that much) and I do prefer the stitch regulator.

    Tips ... ppp. Practice, practice, practice. :-) Honestly, that's it. Didn't your handwriting get better, when you were learning, as you wrote more? Didn't you get better at riding a two-wheeled bike when you did it more? Ditto with swimming and driving? So it is with longarm quilting.

    There is simply nothing like practice. I use my toddler charity quilts and veterinarian cage liners for that practice. The recipients aren't looking that carefully and don't really care if motifs are 'off', if you know what I mean.

    Also, I have found that Sally Terry's "Hooked on Feathers" is FABULOUS for easily doing feathers. Darlene Epp's series of Free-handing books are FANTASTIC for many, many designs to do free-motion for all-overs, borders, sashings, blocks. Make no mistake about it, you CAN do these designs, even if at first glance you will swear they are too complicated! They are NOT and Darlene shows you how to build up to them. I can't wax enthusiastic enough about these books. :-)

    So .. go practice. :-)

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  6. Marika11/14/10, 9:07 AM

    I like it very much the duvet your work wonderful.your blog onto many useful sides and I got to councils .this the duvet sample I like it very much i hope so you allow his completion me.
    My patchy greeting.Marika

    ReplyDelete

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