Finished Dust Cover

Here's my completed dust cover for my Avante. I changed things up a little bit. I could have cut out an opening on either side to accommodate the poles. I decided against it. The openings would only work if the machine was pushed all the way to the back.While quilting, I just leave the machine wherever I stop. I felt this would keep the machine better protected against dust and any fur my cats may throw around in the area!

Here's a closeup of the front of the machine before I applied the binding. I love the sewing machines! I wasn't convinced I needed I binding so I zig zagged all the edges. I suppose I could have left it but the binding does give it a nice finished look.

I also placed small velcro dots along the top that has a built in opening for the thread pole. I may use something else eventually. I feel those dots just keep coming off no matter how hard I press them down. Either way, I think it's a nice way to protect my machine.

Longarm Dust Cover

Here are my pieces all cut out to make a dust cover for my long arm.

Here are the directions. I've read through them and they don't really make sense to me. I hope I'll have a better idea of what to do once I start sewing. The pattern is a free download on the Handi Quilter website. 

The weather has been so very warm and humid. It feels like middle of summer. I'm happy to stay indoors and sew!

Fun Quilty Friday

Isn't this the neatest cake!?? Bits N Pieces, my local quilt shop, is having a 15th Anniversary weekend. They're having the best sales! They're also supplying cake and chocolates! If interested, the shop is located in Pelham, NH. It's worth the trip! The sale ends on Sunday.

I bought these quilt clamps. They come in handy of you want to test your tension while working on a quilt. You can secure a practice piece to the frame and check your quilt stitch. I've had my eye on them for awhile! 

I've been quilting my fabric to make a dust cover for my longarm. It's coming along very nicely! It's so fast. I'm almost done.

Here's a closeup of the quilt sandwich. I'm just doodling away! I'm stippling, feathering, and clam shelling! It's just a fun way to practice and make something at the same time. 

Have a nice weekend!!

Slab Runner Quilted

Here's my slab table runner. I'm enjoying the process of sewing down the binding. It's a great excuse to watch television!

This is the backing fabric. I've had it in my stash for years. I bought it at Keepsake Quilting. It was in their bargain area. I thought the colors as well as the print was just perfect for this runner. 

This is the first time I've loaded a smaller item onto the longarm. It was pretty easy. I finished it so fast!

 

I quilted all over feathers. I thought this would be a great way to practice. I made small feathers and large feathers to fill different area.I think they came out well. I'm happy with my table runner. Such a fun project helped along by my blogging friends!

More Projects!

Our guild, Tewksbury Piecemakers, held it's first meeting of the new year last night.  Anyone who took part in Show and Tell had their name entered into a drawing and I won! It was so fun! I "showed" my Arcadia Avenue quilt. I won a package of 2.5 inch strips and a pattern that I can make with them. I felt the new year started with bang! For me, anyways!!

I found out that Handi Quilter has a pattern to make a dust cover for my long arm. I usually throw a sheet over it! I went to Joann's and found the perfect fabric! Isn't it adorable?? I'm going to use backing from my stash. I figure you'll only really see the top fabric. I'll quilt it first and then cut my pieces. Should be a fun project! (Just another one to add to my ever growing list!)

Slab Table Runner

I put my slab blocks together to make a table runner. I'll have to admit that I took a little sewing break. After sewing that huge log cabin quilt, I felt a little break would be good. I decided to work on these colorful blocks as my next project! I'll probably use it in the spring. It reminds me of nature with all the pink and green. (My favorite combination!)

Here are the blocks without the outer border. I've been practicing a new free motion pattern and that's how I'll finish this one. So nice that my blogging friends made these lovely blocks. I think of them every time I work on it. Thanks so much!!

Monster Log Cabin

Happy Labor Day! I'm enjoying this holiday and hope you are too! I'm not sewing today. I finished sewing my neighbor's Log Cabin quilt. It was a sewing marathon for me! I finished it up yesterday while it was raining outside. I thought I earned a well deserved break from my sewing machine. 

Here's another view of the quilt! It's huge! I think the backing is all cut but I'll have to sew it together. That can wait for another day.

Craftsy is offering All-You-Can-Watch Day. You can view classes for free! I'm already on my second class. You have until midnight tonight! Enjoy!!

Large Log Cabin Quilt!

I couldn't include all the blocks in this picture but there are 42 blocks total. They measure about 16 inches square. I finished all the blocks and just wanted to see how they would look when sewn together. It can be difficult to mix blocks made by 2 different people. We all have our own personal way of sewing. I was hoping it wouldn't be too hard to sew them together. 

My daughter thought it was funny to see me taking a picture of the blocks. Here I am trying to take a good picture!

I did sew 3 rows together. I think it looks good so far. It wasn't really that hard to match up the seams. The blocks are not completely uniform but it seems they're close enough to sew together without any major problems. I'm half done, 3 more rows to go! I think this will be a great quilt to stipple all over but I'm going to check with my neighbor before I start the quilting process.

I was busily sewing and not paying attention to my cats. I found Lily sleeping calmly amid a toy she had destroyed. So fresh!!