The quilt

You know the one. The holiday quilt. All wrapped up in bows. It's really a small quilt. I wouldn't want to do this kind of quilting on anything much larger. It started at 42" square and ended at 41 1/2. That's pretty good, I think. I could certainly see how a quilt could shrink more, just from all the thread.

Haven't washed it yet. I won't put it in the washing machine. Wouldn't do much good as it's quilted so densely that it won't really get wet or be soft like the washing machine needs. I'll lay it in the tub....after cmas. That and snip any leftover threads.



I think my favorite thing about the quilt is that the quilting didn't distract from the pieced top. All the time that I was quilting it, my focus was close-up. I only saw the quilting and the colors and fabrics melded into a solid in my eye. But, when I was finished and looked at it from a distance, I could still see the original quilt top.

And, the back. I used a cute holiday card print on the back, and just like the front, I thought it would be distorted, but I can still see the cards in the print.

I am so happy with this quilt. It's great when it all comes together.

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Technical details - I quilt on a 25 year old Bernina 930 that is an almost silent workhorse. All metal inside, all I have to do is give her oil and she'll do anything I ask. I don't quilt at a very fast speed; just fast enough to keep up with my hands. It's not a race. I used a new thread this time and I liked it. I used a Coats and Clark machine embroidery thread, 40 wt, 100% poly on the front and on the back, Coats and Clark machine quilting cotton, 50 wt. I am always going to prefer cotton thread because it is easier to pull and I rip a lot. Using cotton in the bobbin, I can pull threads from the back and it's a whole lot easier than trying to pull two poly threads against one another. Size 80 Schmetz universal needles. Supreme slider. Two magic genie bobbin washers in the bobbin to make my bobbins fit the bobbin case better. Quilting gloves, but only when my hands are dry. I don't like the gloves because they restrict my fingers and I can't thread a needle...anything with thread is harder in gloves. So, if I'm hydrated, I don't need them. And, if I'm all dried up like a prune, I use them.

Okay, so we're trying to get our rears into holiday gear. There is not one gift wrapped. Not one card sent. Neither Rob nor I are in the holiday spirit and Sydney is still kid enough to be absorbed in the presents. Tonight is my holiday party. I need to get to work early to help train a new co-worker.

I'm watching TV and there's a commercial with people celebrating what they've completed for the holidays. Fist pumping the air and shouting "Done!" as they complete things on their lists. They suck.

Have a great Weds.

Lane