Design wall Monday
It’s been absolutely ages since I participated in one of Judy’s design wall Mondays, but I’m back home, back quilting, and happy to be involved! Down on my design floor today I have a few more blocks assembled for the monster quilt (118 x 118) and the rows are being assembled as I go, so I can pick it up and move it out of the way as I progress… I have no floor space that large!
This will be the largest quilt I’ve ever made, as I’m more of a wallhanging/throw quilter. I’m a little nervous about a king size batting being large enough though. Quilter’s Dream batting in king size are 122 x 122, and I’ve never attempted to use a batting so close to the top size, but the girls over on the APQS forum assure me it will be okay if I’m careful as I roll up the quilt.
It will be six pieced blocks across and down. I designed this one so that it could be custom quilted fairly quickly, as I’m in a bit of a time crunch to finish it, especially once Jim gets back home and we start working on the land again.
My EQ representation, which changed several times! I can’t wait to start working on burgundy side!
And my proposed quilting motifs. I may change them, but I like this pretty well and will probably stick with it. The world should come to a standstill and take a moment of silence here, because I never plan anything this far in advance! The thread colors are just so you can see the motifs.
I need to be able to get two blocks a day done, and piece each row and sashing row as they are finished to meet my deadline. That’s a lot of sewing for one day, so I probably won’t make my self-imposed deadline, but that’s the goal anyway. I know most people would chain piece all the half square triangles first, then build the blocks assembly line process, but I never work that way, I do each quilt a block at a time and I doubt I will ever change my method. I need the gratification of seeing my plan take shape, plus it affords me the opportunity to change something early if I don’t like what I see.
Totally awesome, CJ! You are a woman that I SEW admire!
My goal this week: get rid of this nasty “crud” that is lingering.
Happy sewing!
Oh I’m so sorry you’re sick Cindy, especially during your birthday week! I hope you feel better soon!
It’s beautiful, CJ! I can hardly wait to see how the “real thing” looks after it’s quilted! I know what you mean about large quilts, too. I usually do wall hangings or other smaller pieces, and bed quilts just don’t get done. I’m not sure it would be any different if I had a longarm machine, either. LOL!
Thank you Sandy! I can’t wait to quilt it either, this one will look a bit blah until that happens. Small pieces are just more fun to do! I get burned out on large projects.
that is a lot of quilting. I agree with forum –of which I have not looked at in awhile and didn’t know you were on it – a king size batt should be plenty as long as everything is center right and rolled right. I have used them for extra large quilts and always have plenty left over on the sides. But maybe my 3 roller hand quilting frame rolls a little differently than your long arm? I’m not sure how much your batting pulls in when you are quilting, When I use quilters dream it sticks to the backing and top so well that what you see on the ends is normally what is still there when I finish.
Karen, I normally like to have at least 4 extra inches of batting on each side of the top, to allow for shifting, draw up, etc. Especially when it will be so densely quilted as this one is going to be. I will keep my fingers crossed!
Wow, this is gorgeous, CJ. What a treasure this will be!!
Thank you Denise!
Just gorgeous! I love watching this grow.
Boy you got that right Yvette, “grow” being the key word here!
Oh such a lovely quilt, I would be nervous about a big quilt too because my leader cloths are only 120 on my long arm. It will be so pretty when completed and your quilting motifs are lovely.
Thank you Vicki, I am fortunate that I have a 14 foot table… but you know what I never thought to measure my leaders, OMG! I’m off to do so!
I’m with you on the one-block-at-a-time thing. I like to see my quilt grow and play with colors, etc. I chain-piece for each block, but only one at a time. Meanwhile, quilting had slowed down here as I found out yesterday I have the shingles in my left arm. Time to lay low and relax. I’m having a hard time doing it…
That’s how I do it too Chris, chain piece one block at a time. Shingles! Oh you poor thing, I hear that’s very painful. I hope it passes quickly for you! Hugs!
Wow, that is going to be a gorgeous quilt!
Thank you Jennifer, I hope it turns out well!