I like it...tumbling along....

I was excited Sunday as I had time to get this Tumbler quilt loaded and quilted. I ordered a couple of new pantos recently and have been dying to try them. They both push the limits a bit on how wide I can quilt with my midarm. I have a range of about 9" when I start, but then as I quilt and the quilt rolls up in the throat space, that decreases my range. So I usually use pantos that are 5" - 6.5" so that I don't run out of room for my design. 

Starburst is 7.75" but I loved it and decided I had to get it. After all, not every quilt is a queen! I had made this 52" x 55" Tumbler but never got it quilted, so it was a great one to practice on. I used white thread, so it's hard to see the quilting, but this gives you an idea.

I was getting close to the end of my limited space by the end, so will make a note of it for future reference.

I had pieced the backing last week, so it was ready to go! I will try to get some better pictures after I finish the binding.

pieced backing

This is my binding fabric, another leftover fabric from another project. I worked on getting the binding sewn on last night before class, but didn't get it quite finished. I have a class again tonight, so hopefully I will finish it. (When I have a night class I usually go straight to the shop after work, as there isn't much point in going home. So I have about an hour of sewing time if I take something along to work on.) I like sewing bindings on there as I can push a couple of tables together to help with the weight of the quilt and keep it off the floor.

Piecing a back...and voting still open

A few years ago I made this scrappy Tumbler quilt....it's about 54 x 58, just right for a baby quilt or a throw for just about anyone.  I didn't have time to quilt it at the time. I taught a class on it and put it away.

I got it out last week for the quilt show as someone was doing a demo on tumblers, so I thought they might want another example. So it's been in the back of my mind all week....I have some new pantos to try out too so it would be perfect to try one out on this small quilt. 

After catching up on some cleaning and straightening of the quilt room, I decided to see if I could find something to use for a backing for it so I could get it quilted. I had a nice blue plaid fabric but only had enough for one length and 40" isn't wide enough. I dug around in my fabrics to see if I could find something to pair it up with and came across some scrappy strips that I sewed together a few years ago, just because I had them and thought they would be handy to have sewn together for a piano key border or something. I had enough pieces to fit the length of the quilt and after squaring them up to 17" wide, it would work with the blue plaid to make a wide enough backing. 

 I cut the blue plaid down the middle, so I had two pieces 22" wide and sewed them onto each side of the stripped piece. The stripped section looks really good with the front too.

Close up of the blue plaid.

 I prepped the top as well and they are both ready to be loaded on the machine. I'm excited now to get it finished. I have a class tomorrow night, so maybe I can start it Tuesday after work.

Hopefully you are not getting tired of looking at this quilt!

Voting is still open for viewer's choice at SewCalGal's Red and White Challenge: Show IT... a virtual quilt show featuring red and white quilts that quilters designed and made. Go take a look at the eye candy! To vote, you put your curser over the quilt link you like, and click on the gray heart. When it turns red, you have voted!

Tumbler Explosion!

 During Saturday's Tumbler Quilt class, everyone relaxed and had fun. Some were even exchanging tumblers as everyone made theirs scrappy.

 I didn't end up doing any sewing Sunday, though I did work on some quilting related things. I also went shopping for awhile, which was fun. I got a new purse, among other things.

Yesterday it was back to work....but it is easier going this week, knowing that we have next week off! Spring break...oh yea!

 I have so many things planned to do next week, that I may need an extra week to get it all finished!

I am teaching a Sampler Club class tonight and have a few models to hang for other classes, so I plan on going to the store right after work. A couple of the ladies in that class were in Saturday's class, so I hope to see more finished Tumbler Quilts!

Short work week, Tumblers and kitties...

 I have been wanting to make a Tumbler block quilt for a long time.  I used a lot of my left over pieces from other projects. I cut strips, then cut out the tumblers. This one is a perfect size for a baby gift.  It was fun and easy...might have to make the next baby quilt this way.

We have a short work week this week...three days of school (yea! casual day today!), a professional day tomorrow, then no work Friday. I love long weekends! It is the end of our second trimester. One more to go...

Conrad and Smokey were laying in the same chair the other day and he just rolled over to snuggle next to her! It was so cute. She didn't know what to think, since when he gets that close he usually wants to wrestle! She sort of growled quietly for awhile, then she accepted the fact that he just wanted to snuggle. He really is a sweet kitty!