It has been unseasonably warm here for the last month. June is the hottest month on record since 1976, the year I did my GCSEs, we had our English classes on the school lawn. It is a terrific month for having a picnic, time I finished my picnic rugs. We haven't actually had any picnics, but we might have, if my Jam Sandwiches and Red Lemonade quilts had been ready. But its too hot to sit in an airless room and baste and quilt. With foresight, I should have done these in the spring. Hold on, I was doing these in the spring. I may even have doing these last summer and sprinkled them over the lawn.
The state of play is that one is quilted and the other is half quilted.
Keep it simple is always my mantra with quilting. Wobbly straight line quilting, a sewing foot apart. I have quilted along the columns of red pluses.
One quilt the quilting lines go across the width. That's 3 rows of 5 pluses.
The second quilt the lines go vertically. That's 5 columns of 3 pluses.
I wonder which will be quicker to do?
The wadding, if you remember, is an Ikea polar fleece. My Pfaff seems to be coping with it ok. It's nice and dense, perfect for keeping the chill off delicate bottoms. One of the mantras of my childhood was, don't sit on that damp wall, you'll get piles. Now I won't. The thread is a variegated quilting thread bought in my lqs, I was afraid it was a bit orange for the red, but it is perfect. For binding I have to go with my favourite Rose and Hubble spot. If it is not raining en route either way to the hair dressers I shall hopefully get some today.
We have our annual family picnic on Sunday. My cousin and I organise the wider family, descendants from our grandparents, to meet up a Sunday near Midsummer. Bring your own food, turn up if you can. We never know how many will be there. At our peak we had 64 one year, plus dogs, this year it might be hubby and me! My cousin in crime is recovering from an operation, the aunt and uncle generation has greatly deteriorated or disappeared and then interest starts to wane. My own children are away. Some have caravans, holiday homes. Some probably only went because their now deceased parents insisted! Two sets of my aunts and uncles are unwell. Times change. But most importantly - will I have my picnic rugs finished?
My best friend doesn't know it, but she has a particularly photogenic picnic table. Perfect for a photo shoot and picnic? If she invites me for coffee I will bring the picnic. OK Liz? Jam Sandwiches and Red Lemonade ok?
Helen x
linking up with Finished Or Not Friday with Busy Mom Quilts
The state of play is that one is quilted and the other is half quilted.
Keep it simple is always my mantra with quilting. Wobbly straight line quilting, a sewing foot apart. I have quilted along the columns of red pluses.
One quilt the quilting lines go across the width. That's 3 rows of 5 pluses.
The second quilt the lines go vertically. That's 5 columns of 3 pluses.
I wonder which will be quicker to do?
The wadding, if you remember, is an Ikea polar fleece. My Pfaff seems to be coping with it ok. It's nice and dense, perfect for keeping the chill off delicate bottoms. One of the mantras of my childhood was, don't sit on that damp wall, you'll get piles. Now I won't. The thread is a variegated quilting thread bought in my lqs, I was afraid it was a bit orange for the red, but it is perfect. For binding I have to go with my favourite Rose and Hubble spot. If it is not raining en route either way to the hair dressers I shall hopefully get some today.
We have our annual family picnic on Sunday. My cousin and I organise the wider family, descendants from our grandparents, to meet up a Sunday near Midsummer. Bring your own food, turn up if you can. We never know how many will be there. At our peak we had 64 one year, plus dogs, this year it might be hubby and me! My cousin in crime is recovering from an operation, the aunt and uncle generation has greatly deteriorated or disappeared and then interest starts to wane. My own children are away. Some have caravans, holiday homes. Some probably only went because their now deceased parents insisted! Two sets of my aunts and uncles are unwell. Times change. But most importantly - will I have my picnic rugs finished?
My best friend doesn't know it, but she has a particularly photogenic picnic table. Perfect for a photo shoot and picnic? If she invites me for coffee I will bring the picnic. OK Liz? Jam Sandwiches and Red Lemonade ok?
Helen x
linking up with Finished Or Not Friday with Busy Mom Quilts
These are so perfect for picnicking! You will have them done before you know it, practically in a blink and you will be outside enjoying them in no time. Our family reunion has dwindled down over the years and it's kind of sad. But children have grown up and moved away and no one seems to want to take over the responsibility of organizing it. Maybe we all just don't want to admit we are as old as we are?
ReplyDeleteThat is going to be a cute quilt! I love the red and white combo you are using.
ReplyDeleteWell Helen: You just seem to be cruising through your finishes thee days. Your picnic quilts make me want to go on picnics as well. Maybe if I make a picnic quilt I'll feel inspired.
ReplyDeleteYou must get these finished! They are so amazing! Gone are the days when family from everywhere meet in one place I think! These days people are always on the go and move all over the country or world! I hope you have a good turnout!!
ReplyDeleteI love plus quilts and low volume on anything, so your two really make me smile. I love love love them!!!!
ReplyDeleteThey'll be finished before you know it, and just in time for this lovely weather to disappear, I'm guessing!
ReplyDeleteHi Helen,
ReplyDeleteI just love your quilt. The little image on Busy Hands link just drew me in - I had to read more. I agree, your friend does have a photogenic picnic table, just perfect for pictures and friends to enjoy an actual picnic. Thanks for the smile today! ~smile~ Roseanne
Gorgeous. Congrats on your finish.
ReplyDeleteProgress looks great, and I hope that you have a turnout this weekend for the family gathering. I can't imagine your friend Liz being upset with you bring a picnic in trade for a photoshoot. :)
ReplyDeleteYour quilt mantra is my mantra--I love simple and straight. We also don't get together often with our family and I fear that my sons don't know their cousins and could very well be standing next to them around town. I love both of the quilts and hope you get them done in time.
ReplyDeleteI love these red crosses! And your quilt mantra is my mantra as well - simple and straight. I love the texture slightly wobbly straight lines add. As for family get-togethers, I am lucky. Every year, about 40 of us spend a weekend on Lake Michigan. Every few years that number swells to 60 or 70. It's a lot of fun. (And also very nice to get out of the thick, sticky heat of the southeastern US summers!)
ReplyDeleteSo lovely! Every time I read about these quilts, I get hungry. I think the vertical quilting will go faster, the 3 rows of 5 pluses. Let us know which one wins the speed race :)
ReplyDeleteLooking great. Is everyone having great weather than here?? We have a day or two of good weather, and then it rains. Sigh.....
ReplyDelete