Machine Quilting Progress

 I have diligently been working on machine quilting the Tone It Down quilt. It's made up of 20 blocks surrounded by sashing. There are no outer borders. Each block takes me about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to quilt. I do a little at a time. I find if I machine quilt for too long, I become sloppy,

It's difficult to take a good picture that really shows the quilting. I find using no flash works out the best. However, it still isn't that good.

I think you get a good idea of what I'm doing to the block. I've completed 7 blocks and have started block 8. I really like it so far. I'm using a Sue Pelland ruler to make the stems of the feathers. It works great! I don't think the ruler was intended for this use, but it works for me!

I encountered a problem now that I'm working along the unfinished edge of the quilt. I have to account for the binding that will be sewn on after the quilting is complete. I've decided not to finish the 9-patch squares since I'm not sure exactly where the binding will be. I usually take a 3/8" seam as opposed to 1/4". I'm making little curves on either side of the diagonals that looks like a leaf or petal when complete. It's impossible to figure out where the binding is going to land on this particular spot. I've decided to add them later after the binding has been added.  I think they'll be placed much better this way and I won't be cutting off any points I would have quilted. You can see I made a space on the side of the feathers where the binding will be. I think the points are harder to determine. I'll do the 9-patches later.

We've put away all the Christmas decorations. I brought my Rock Candy Quilt back out again. I found Molly laying on it. So glad she made herself comfy while I wasn't looking. I'm hunting for my lint remover. Thanks so much, Molly!