Saturday, March 14, 2015

Finish Number One and Giveaway


I set a goal for myself this year to try and finish some of my many quilt tops overtaking my "studio" closet.  Notice I didn't say all!  Even I am not that foolish.  I resolved to join just one sew along and I did that just so I could do some piecing in addition to machine quilting and sewing on binding.  Here's my first finish that occurred in mid-February.  Oh my, what a time I had with this top!


Before I go into that ordeal, here's the back.  My clothesline is too short to allow for it to hang right without dragging on the ground.


I hope you don't mind all the pictures but I am most proud I finished this top and now it's a quilt.  What's ironic is that I started with this top thinking it would be easy.  It's from a few years ago and made from all leftovers from other projects.  I first tried to machine quilt a zig-zag with my walking foot.  Ended up ripping out about five rows after not liking it.


Then I figured I'd use my Bernina Artista 180 which I hardly ever use.  I used stitch number 4 to make serpentines every half inch or so across the top.  I had such problems with just the top shifting.  I had pin-basted every 3-4 inches, and tried decreasing the presser foot pressure to no avail.  I'd quilt about 6 inches or so and run into such shifting I had to stop and unpin the basting, then re-pin the part I was sewing into.  I had to do this SEVEN times. The only thing I can think of is that I was sewing across the bias of the blocks.


I'm proud of my seam on the back and how well I matched the pattern! The backing is from Joann's from several years ago.  It's a really nice quality.
Here's another look at that seam  



The texture is great with the quilting. I could pet it all day.  

ETA:  It took a whole spool of Aurifil thread to quilt it, 1422 yards of color 2021.  That's amazing!





Now about that giveaway.  I was asked to try out a new product that's really neat called StoryPatches.  It came out a few years ago but I'd never heard about them.  I think the idea is rather clever.  It's a small patch that you sew onto the back of your quilt.  It looks like this, 

and is about two inches square.  The package has directions on how to attach audio, photos, or videos to the label via the stkr.it.com website.  The account at the website is free.  To hear the message or see associated video that the person who used the label left, you scan in the QR code.  Pretty neat!  There are also iron-on versions of the label but the one I am giving away is sew-on.  

To sweeten the deal, I've got a book to giveaway along with 3 fat quarters,  



So leave a comment about whatever you'd like and I'll choose a winner for one StoryPatch sew-on label, A Single Thread book, and three fat quarters of Alex Anderson fabric. Be sure to leave an email where I can contact you if you're a no-reply blogger.  I'll choose a winner on Tuesday.


Giveaway Closed

~~~ Thank you for your comments!  The giveaway is closed and the lucky winner is Betsy.  I've already notified her by email.  A reminder, if you are a no-reply blogger you need to leave your email in your comment so I can contact you! ~~~

15 comments:

Betsy said...

Marianne, your quilt is beautiful and reversible. Very unique. I like it! The bar scan label looks intriguing. Thank you for the chance

Emily C said...

I love your quilt. Definitely worth the extra time you put in. I have a large quilt I'm working on. Mine is taking a lot longer then I thought it would, too.

Unknown said...

I love the pattern of your quilt and those colours are so very pretty!! It's hard to believe that you used so much thread quilting it but it looks amazing and it must feel incredible too!!

Shirley said...

Marianne,
I love this quilt! I have so many 2 1/2 " squares I need to do something with. Yours turned out so lovely!

sherryberrybim said...

Beautiful quilt. I would love to win the Alex Anderson fabric.

Lee said...

I love your quilt - great work! Thank you for the giveaway. I would love to try one of these labels!

Deb said...

Beautiful quilt! And thank you for the giveaway! Very useful.

LM said...

Thank you for the giveaway, I enjoyed your post.

Unknown said...

Love this! Thanks for a chance to win.

amy said...

That is one gorgeous quilt-you did a great job! The fabric on the back is lovely too.
Thanks for the giveaway!

Lynn said...

What a beautiful quilt.

Laura Ferdal said...

I love your quilt design - I would love to make one myself. Another one on my list of to-make quilts.


merryorganic@gmail.com

http://annalsofcreation.blogspot.com/2015/03/my-first-quilt.html

claire ross said...

Gorgeous quilt and I am intrigued by the bar code label, that seems like a cool idea! Thanks for the giveaway x

Unknown said...

lovely quilt and a great giveaway.

SonjaM said...

Love your quilt!!!!! Thanks for the giveaways:-) I could really use the fabric!!!! sonjamclane@yahoo.com