with WIPs (works in progress).
Most of them are finished tops that need
to be quilted. I have them neatly
folded on hangers.
They are patiently waiting..
Every time I open the door it's like they
are calling out to me. I choose one and lay
it opened on the bed for a couple of days
to decide how to quilt it.
The one that I picked was a coin quilt that
everyone was making a couple of years ago.
It's a child size quilt and I love the fabrics in
it. I'm just staring at it and it tells me that it
would like to be quilted with Big Stitch and in
colors. hmmmm good idea!
Again, I'm using DMC no. 8 and a embroidery
needle. I have 3 needles threaded in different
colors.
I just find it easier that way with this quilt.
I was wondering where this idea of Big Stitch
came from? And then the other day on
Celebrate Hand Quilt Facebook page;
Pepper Cory http://www.peppercory.com/
gave us a little history on Big Stitch.
She said that during the 1930's when women
were making quilts of wool; because of the
thickness, larger stitches would have to be
taken. (sometimes called Utility)
(That reminded me of the old woolen Welsh
quilts where the size of the stitch didn't much
concern them.)
And then in the 1980s Jo Clover went to England
and took a few classes and made some wool quilts.
Seeing that the small traditional quilt stitches
would not show - she coined the term "Big Stitch" -
starting using perle cotton thread and started to
introduce, promote and teach it - and it took off from there.
Jo has 4 videos on YouTube - here is the first
one - she tells you what supplies that you'll need.
And so my quilt is half way done.
It is being quilted in my Quilter's Floor frame
by Dritz and it's made with PVC, snaps together
very easily. I can take it apart and store it back
in the box when not in use. It measures 39" by
28" small enough to fit in my sewing room which
is a very small room only about 12' x 12'.
I bought it in Joanns a couple of years ago -
used my coupon!
I have it tilted for easy quilting although I have
to say it's only good (for me) to do straight line
quilting; anything else I use my hoop.
I also used it many times to base quilts. I don't
pin them - I layer on my dinning room table -
roll it up - then bring it to the frame and base.
There are 4 plastic covers to adjust the tension
which is great for me.
Hopefully I can have this quilt finished by the
weekend. (fingers crossed)
Update - You can see the finished quilt Here
It is also for sale in my Etsy shop Here
Happy Quilting!
