I Miss Quilting

While my house is being remodeled all quilting has come to a halt.

The machines are covered in sheets and then plastic. The fabrics are put away, and the notions are covered too.

I cannot even hand quilt on the turtle quilt because there is so much dust around and everything is in such disarray.

I had been doing so much quilting in the weeks before this remodeling started that I am having withdrawal symptoms.

The great thing is I will have so much more light to quilt by when everything is all done. Plus I can hand quilt out on my new patio by my new fountain. YEAH!

Top Two Quilt Stores in my Book

I have rearranged my list of favorite quilt stores since shopping at "Quilt Mercantile" in Celeste, TX, and "Stitchin' Heaven" in Quitman, TX.

Quilt Mercantile

• The people that work there are extremely friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. They don't mind sharing their knowledge but once they answer their question they back off and leave you alone until you need something else. I don't like to be hovered over in a store.
  
  
• The store is laid out in a fashion that if you are in a hurry you can go to the area you need and get your item and leave. Everything makes sense.
  
  
• Lots of quilt top examples on the walls.
  
  
• Patterns and books galore.
  
  
• I love their Christmas room!
  
  
• Good sale area.
  
  
• Lots of little gift items for those you love.
  
  
• Kits, kits and more kits.

I purchased a kit yesterday to make for a very special baby being born in Oct. I didn't care for the theme the parents picked out for the room so I went with something that would be helpful to the baby as he gets older.



Alpha Buddies by Nancy Murty


Stitchin' Heaven

• Very friendly as soon as you walk in the door. The store manager met us and offered us a tour of the shop showing us where everything was, including their internet store area and mailing area.
  
  
• If we couldn't find what we wanted on the shelf, they went and looked in their inventory to see if they had more.
  
• Helpful in picking out fabric but understanding when you didn't like a certain fabric.
  
  
• Lots of different patterns made up and on the walls.
  
  
• Kits available for quite a few of their patterns, many made up in nice packages for gifting.
  
  
• Sent a hand written thank you letter, mentioning my exact purchases, and asking me to come back again.
  

I purchased several items, but the one I am most excited about is the Magic Squares Pattern by Helene Knott.

Of course my fabric is in shades of green and the border fabric has turtles.

Both of these quilt shops are worth the drive, and the drives are very pretty from my house.

Baby Quilt 2 Complete and On the Way to Baby

Front and Back (Minky)


Completed Quilt



Up Close and Personal with Free Motion Quilting Design


Overall Quilting Design

Excuse the Mess

Playing with blog design, but too tired to decide what I want after a full day of quilting.
TQ

Minky Fabric

I read all the blogs, I read the tips, but I don't like quilting on minky fabric. I think minky fabric needs to be used where there is not a lot of stitching to be done. The woman at the fabric store said she used it for baby quilt backing all the time. I should have asked her how much quilting she did on the baby quilt.

It is turning out okay, but it is tough to move and I am not getting a good free motion movement.

I do like the pattern for the top and might use it again if any more babies come through my life.

Baby Quilt 2

I am making my second baby quilt. This one is for the first grandchild of my boss due in July. Her name will be London Grace.

The backing will be out of minky. I have never worked with minky before. Should be interesting.