Carpenters Wheel or “I wish I may”

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Quilting by Martha

The Carpenter’s Wheel quilt block has been around for a long time and is also known by a few other names … Star of Bethlehem and Carpenter’s Star.

A customer made a beautiful 100×120 Carpenters Wheel quilt top and I quilted it.  The pattern showed the quilt top with no quilting. I prefer some inspiration, even if its to show me how not to quilt it.

When I first saw all the muslin in the quilt, I thought of the Dixie Chicks song, “Wide Open Spaces.”  I decided to think of all the muslin as wide open quilting space that would enhance various quilting designs.

She supplied Quilters Dream Cotton white batting and muslin for the backing.  She wanted it quilted in a traditional pattern.  She chose Omni cream thread by Superior.

I loaded the quilt on my Handi Quilter (HQ) frame.  I chose Anita Shackelford’s computerized design called pinebark for the center area, rotating the design.  To break up all the muslin in the sashing I placed the HQ sawtooth star in the middle of the blocks.  Due to the pattern layout, two of the borders were quilted on a diamond grid and two were quilted as a zig zag pattern.  The borders have the HQ flower twist design. The carpenter wheels muslin squares were quilted with the HQ designs pinwheel spin and loops in loops.  The center has the HQ sawtooth star and I outlined all the blocks.

I hope you are inspired by this quilt and the quilting designs!

 

 

 

 

 

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The Love of my Life Shirt Quilt!

Posted on November 12, 2015 by Quilting by Martha

I love meeting quilters and hearing their stories.  I met Mary at a quilt guild meeting, she is in her eighty’s.  She came right up to me and asked if I could quilt a king size and I told her I could.  She went on to tell me that her husband had passed away and she cut his shirts into large squares and sewed them back together to make a quilt.  She said she was working on her Bucket list!  How precious is that for her legacy.  We talked about binding and I suggested the extra shirt fabric.  Mary brought back the binding and I was able to attach the binding to the quilt on the long arm machine.  She decided to hand sew the binding to the back, and she will attach a label so this special quilt will be enjoyed for generations.  She called the quilt, “The Love of my Life Shirt Quilt!”

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A very special baby quilt!

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Quilting by Martha

IMG_0870 IMG_0871Every quilter makes a baby quilt! We look forward to making something special for the little one.  I started embroidering their names and birthdays in the center and then adding fabric that goes with their life.  This quilt is a two-sided quilt.  It is adorable and personalized.  Don’t forget the label!

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Marking a quilt top!

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Quilting by Martha

Marking a quilt top is fun and challenging.  It takes time to decide what would look best on the quilt but it gets easier the more you practice.  I like to mark with Tailor’s chalk, Chaco yellow chalk roller and blue washable Wonder Marker. Always check the marking tools on extra fabric before applying it to the quilt to make sure  the marks leave the fabric.  It is very important that after quilting to remove all the markings  from the quilt. Enjoy the entire process and don’t be so hard on yourself! Have fun and make your quilt come alive with the quilting.

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Four techniques to baste a quilt top.

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Quilting by Martha

Four techniques to baste a quilt top:

  1. Basting gun – quick and fast, but be careful not to cut your quilt top when removing the basting tabs.
  2. Basting pins – low-cost and reusable, but it is time-consuming and you have to remove as you quilt.
  3. Basting spray – quick but sticky.
  4. Basting stitch on the long arm machine – ensures the back is smooth and wrinkle-free. 
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Simple Free Motion Quilting Demo

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Quilting by Martha

After marking a quilt it is time to move to the sewing machine to begin free motion quilting. You will need an open or closed toe foot and the ability to drop or cover the feed dogs. You need to be relaxed and have a slow but consistence speed on your machine. I prefer the Machingers gloves because they have grips on the tips, but not on the bag! 😉 Always remember to remove all markings from the quilt after quilting!

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A quilt for Mothers Tears

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Quilting by Martha

http://www.aquiltformotherstears.org/IMG_0719

An organization near and dear to my heart is the quilt for mothers tears.  I worked on the police department that this mother lost her son in the line of duty.  I loved being a police officer where I served for twenty years.  By the Grace of God I was able to retire and open my own long arm quilting business.  To give back I quilted this for the organization that will present it to the family of Officer Vernon Brown Jr. from New Orleans Police Department killed in the line of duty on 7-17-2015.  This mother comforts other mothers on their tragic yet heroic lost.  Quilters across the nation volunteer to help this mother keep her son’s memory alive.

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Quilting Makes the Quilt!

Posted on October 4, 2015 by Quilting by Martha

IMG_0735Quilting can make the quilt come alive!  This quilt was very plain before the quilting.  The quilt came alive after the quilting!  This is a quilt for charity and I can’t wait to see what the quilt maker thinks of her quilt after I quilted it.  It has high loft polyester batting that gives it a very plush look!IMG_0731

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Recipe for a Great Quilt!

Posted on October 3, 2015 by Quilting by Martha

IMG_0724Need: 100% cotton fabric, 1/4 seam foot and an iron

To make a great quilt you will need to start with good quality 100% cotton fabric found in quilt stores.  Quality fabric does not distort, fade, bleed color nor is it see through.

Secondly, a 1/4 inch seam allowance is a must.  A straight and steady seam when piecing the fabric together will make the quilt lay flat and the points match up.  The more time you spend on your 1/4 inch seams the more accurate your quilt will finish to the intended quilt size.

Third, pressing the fabric and NOT ironing will keep the seams straight and in line. When adding borders measure the center of the quilt, then cut to the size.  Start pinning from the center and match up to the ends.

Finally, whether you quilt it or take it to a long arm quilter, both will be happy with the outcome when you start with the right ingredients.

Debbie’s quilt is a great example! It is Tea Time!

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Memories Memories with T-shirt Quilts!

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Quilting by Martha

I love to make T-shirt quilts because I always have plenty of them!  I love keeping the memories of the places we have visited or the sports the kids have played.  T-shirt quilts make great gifts for graduation, wedding, birthday, anniversary and Christmas.  Or give as a gift just for the joy of it!  I am working on a customer’s T-shirt quilt that she is giving to her husband for Christmas.  It is the quilt on the frame in the video. Enjoy and recycle those T-shirts!

 

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