The Evolution of Atlas: A Breeding (and Chat) Thread

[seminolewind]

Those colors are definitely "Cynthia in Georgia".

 

[speckledhen]

Those colors are definitely "Cynthia in Georgia".

I'm trying to get out of a rut and use colors that I don't always use, like the ones in this new table topper I'm working on. I took cues from the gray floral fabric and pulled colors from it for the other coordinating fabrics. I like it, but it may be an acquired taste for some folks. Ignore the polka dot flannel on my design wall-it's definitely not part of the piece.



It's been raining for most of two days now. Land work stopped yet again. And it will have to dry out on that lot before he can maneuver his big equipment without becoming stuck in mud. Sigh.

 

[Peanutsmomma]

How did y'all get interested in quilting?

 

[speckledhen]

How did y'all get interested in quilting?

I grew up with grandmothers who quilted. And it was when my own husband said he wanted to learn to quilt that I decided I'd do it. He never did and I just took off with it, way back in the mid-80's.

 

[seminolewind]

My Bff picked up quilting and it was all she talked about. Yak yak yak. Then I got a sewing machine and we both made so many quilts I can't tell you. We both ended up buying those sewing machines that do everything but make coffee (no embroidery for me) and we were sort of OCD about having perfect stitching and such. Then she went and made me a quilt that was hand quilted! It took her about a year. I do cherish it. In that picture you can see that I got into applique for a while which is very relaxing.

I do think that there are few people that actually know how precious hand made quilts are. Like nobody in my family!!! Even my mother has a king size quilt I made her-must be in a closet somewhere. Okay, end of rant, LOL

 

[speckledhen]

My Bff picked up quilting and it was all she talked about. Yak yak yak. Then I got a sewing machine and we both made so many quilts I can't tell you. We both ended up buying those sewing machines that do everything but make coffee (no embroidery for me) and we were sort of OCD about having perfect stitching and such. Then she went and made me a quilt that was hand quilted! It took her about a year. I do cherish it. In that picture you can see that I got into applique for a while which is very relaxing.

I do think that there are few people that actually know how precious hand made quilts are. Like nobody in my family!!! Even my mother has a king size quilt I made her-must be in a closet somewhere. Okay, end of rant, LOL

Yeah, unfortunately, that's why I don't do quilts for family. I've made one exception for my niece, Ranee, who it was very apparent understood the value of a handmade quilt. She said she'd pay me anything I wanted to make a bed quilt for her. Took two years to get it done, between other projects (I see her only once a year, usually), and she says it's one of her most treasured possessions. Naturally, I did not charge her a dime and she cried when I gave it to her. But, I do NOT do king size quilts for anyone, ever. Quilts are not made to be put in a closet or hidden in some trunk. Mine are made to use. I was tired of hurting myself and spending my time, painstakingly choosing just the right fabrics and putting a quilted piece together, only to have it tossed aside as no more than some crappy Walmart trash.

I still need that straight stitch machine. I may have to get the Brother 1500, which is a good buy at about $600 and has great reviews. Can't really justify the Juki, not unless I come into some unexpected $$, but it's hard just getting up the cash for the Brother. I also need a table for it so I can have my L-shaped workspace. And there are no dealers around me who sell it anyway. Would have to drive to Knoxville, TN, two hours north of me, or just buy online.

 

[1muttsfan]

My mom does about a quilt a year, completely hand-done. They are gorgeous.

 

[speckledhen]

My mom does about a quilt a year, completely hand-done. They are gorgeous.

I bet she doesn't try to sell them; she'd never get a dime for her actual labor hours. I even pieced mine by hand until about 5 years ago. Carpal tunnel, related to my thyroid issues, is to blame for me almost giving it up. At least, when I piece by machine, it leaves my hands free for the quilting part, but even then, that is becoming almost impossible, which is why I'm trying to learn machine quilting.

I'm sure I've mentioned this before here, but I finished a huge Dresden Plate quilt for a 95 year old woman who couldn't see to finish it for her granddaughter. It had about 35 blocks and a ten inch wide border. She had done most of about 18 blocks, but some weren't entirely completed. So, just doing that took me 114 hours and over a month to finish for her. It turned out beautifully, was actually a king size (she called it an "extended queen", but it was almost to the floor on a queen bed). I put aside my own queen bed quilt to do hers, then went back to mine. Takes me so much longer to do now. I used to be able to do an entire queen quilt in about 4 weeks, start to finish, but not anymore. I do much prefer the look of fine hand quilting to machine quilting.

The Amish sell their queen size quilts most of the time for over $1000 each, but they might have 10-20 women working on each one. I'm a labor force of one, but my stitches are as good as theirs, I've noticed. Wish I could get those prices! Folks won't even pay me $40 for a hand quilted table runner most days. An antique company did buy one of mine, I found out later, to resell at a quilt show with other hand quilted pieces. Bet they got twice what they paid for it.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
I did get a Brother back in 2002. I think it was a 900. It was top of the line under the one that embroidered. I picked it up on Ebay for 1/2 of what it costed new and also got the lady to throw in the attachments. I love that machine. It cuts the thread with a button. It threads the needle (Yes!!!). I also learned to quilt without the foot for free form shapes where you move the material as it stiches. The auto tension does work. My friend bought a Pfaff at the time and I still think the Brother beat that. It was $1,000 machine I got slightly used for $600.

 

[1muttsfan]

I remember that quilt, you posted a picture of it, it was very pretty. You are right about my mom, she has never sold a quilt, just gives them away, and I think those lucky enough to get one have appreciated the quality of her work, even if they do not completely understand the amount of effort put into it.