Sunday, September 29, 2013

Cycles 2 - in progress

Cycles 2 - basting

Friday night and yesterday my cold/flu was back in some force so I stayed home from Sew Day with the EMQG. But in between naps and tea, I started cutting and making more circles. By last night, I was well along the way in my second planned selfish sewing project, a variation on my Cycles quilt. There it is during basting, just before I added the pins.

Cycles 2 - basting

I think the picture above is actually how it would hang on a wall, if you were hanging it. It is about 39" x 43", I did not want a square and I might trim the background once it is quilted. Oh and the pictures were after dark so the colours are close but not quite right. The fabrics are Kona solids and Essex linen, with the background being linen too.

Cycles 2 - quilting detail

I decided on more matchstick quilting, I love the effect. This is where I stopped last night, about 4" are quilted and I counted 40 lines done - and two bobbins worth of this 40 wt. Sulky variegated thread. The lines are purposely not even and a little wobbly, and I have to say it would be much easier to aim to get them even. However, I favour the modern industrial style of this.

Cycles 2 - back, quilting detail

I put a piece of Kona white on the back, it was handy. I debated a print but thought the better of it, I expect that this is a wall piece and no need to give up over a yard of anything pretty. I am pretty sure that I will have many moments of regret at this dense quilting but I expect that the ultimate effect will be striking. Oh and I set my stitch length to 4.

Cycles 2 - quilting in progress

Here is a photo from this morning, the colours are better but it is gray and raining here so the light inside is still not great. I pinned this more than I often pin and you can see how the dense quilting draws in the fabric and makes the wrinkles in the unquilted part. As I move the quilt in the machine, I use my hands to pull the upcoming part - top, batting and back - tight and wrinkle free, thus avoiding puckers and such in the quilted part. I can get a nice rhythm but it is not sewing at breakneck speed. I expect several more hours of this, I might have to find an audio book to listen to.

Making circles

Here are some of the circles, actually some of the better ones I now see.  They are not perfectly joined, I focused on having the centre seam as perfect as I could because that is where I think your eye is actually drawn. The imperfections will disappear in the quilting. The other thing I did was made the "L" shape background piece wider on both sides and then after making the DP (quarter circle) unit I trimmed them down. The quarter circles are 4" unfinished and so the circles finish with about a 6.75" diameter.

she can quilt

Tomorrow the link to link up your Q3 Finish - A - Long finishes opens, and you will have a week to get them up. And you can start thinking of your Q4 list, the things you hope to finish before years end. The link for the Q4 lists will open on October 8.

Enjoy your Sunday, I am going to be stitching lines I think.

Best,

Leanne

21 comments:

Esch House Quilts said...

Love the colors and the matchstick quilting! I'll have to try it that tiny one day :)

Tennjenny said...

It's looking awesome so far. Question: I have not done matchstick quilting, but I expected to see you quilting at intervals (say, an inch) to secure the main panel there, and then go back and fill in. I'd love to try matchstick quilting, so I wonder have you ever tried that and it wasn't a good technique? Just curious.

Catherine said...

I do love the stitching . It's going to be another beautiful one.

Sarah said...

It's such an intensive process but you always achieve such stunning results and I suspect this will be just the same. Keep at it!

MariQuilts said...

Love the colours....love the quilting!! So sorry you are still sick.

Susan said...

Love this.... Happy quilting! I hope you have a good book to listen to?!
P

Leanne Parsons said...

This is beautiful. You're right, the eye is drawn to the center of the circle, so imperfections on the edges aren't as noticeable. I use muslin on the backs of almost all my quilts...it's cheap and the quilting really shows up well. Plus, I hang many of my quilts, so my pretty fabrics are left for more visible uses.

Annabella said...

The colours are so pretty and I just love the quilting...hope you are feeling better Leanne.

Jess @ Elven Garden Quilts said...

I love this even more than the first version. I hope you're feeling better soon!

Adrianne @ On the Windy Side said...

This is really gorgeous - I just love the cool, soothing colours. I think I would be cursing myself for choosing that matchstick quilting (I've done it before and it is slooooowww) but it looks so good! Hope your cold clears up soon.

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Now I am liking circles!!

Debbie said...

I'm so enjoying this come along. Hope you are beginning to feel better.

Jo Jo said...

This is very beautiful! Can't wait to see it finished. Hope you feel better soon :)

Charlotte said...

the quilting will absolutely be worth it! It's gorgeous!

pennydog said...

It's looking great- that quilting is way too much like hard work for my liking ;)

Unknown said...

It looks wonderful! Makes me want to attempt it. Your quilting looks intense and fits perfect!

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

I can't even imagine quilting this densely. How are your shoulders feeling? This is beautiful

Catrin Lewis said...

I loved version one and am really liking where this is going!

Katy Cameron said...

Aww, sorry you missed sew day, but this looks fab :o)

dutchcomfort said...

Hope you feel better soon! The colours of the circles are amazing!

Marci Girl said...

Oh this one is beautiful and I LOVE LOVE LOVE that matchstick quilting!