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Nothing but quilting going on here.  What have I been quilting??  Practice, practice and practice quilting.  I wish that patience could be one of those “P” words.  My patience is definitely being tried.  I have spent the last several days, except the days I worked, practice quilting on Annie.  I’ve been practicing backtracking, all over designs and feathers.  I’ll be honest with you, it’s hard when you want so badly for your quilting to look really good and it doesn’t.  It looks better every day, but I want perfection NOW.  I’m trying really hard to stay positive.  I know that much of it is because I am a perfectionist and I am overly critical.  Fortunately, Scott has been my personal cheerleader and counselor.  I’m pretty sure last night he could have been wearing a jersey with the initials “QP” on the front with pom poms in his hands! πŸ™‚  We made a pact that he would give me his honest opinion on my quilting.  If it looks bad, then he’ll tell me and I promise not to get mad at him.  I need a voice of reason because sometimes I swear I think my quilting is worse than it really is.  If Scott tells me my quilting looks good, then I know he’s not just saying that to be nice. 

Remember “Butter Churn?”  It was the Le Petite quilt for November.

I decided last night this would be my next flimsy to quilt.  I’m almost done with the quilting.  I was going to finish it up, but it was getting pretty late.  I can finish it up this morning.

I did an allover over swirly feather design in the body and a feather border.  I am very pleased with my quilting.  AND a bit relieved.  I think I like to see the quilting in pictures.  I have a better appreciation for how it looks.  It’s hard to tell while I’m quilting it.  I’m trying to learn to quilt feathers from all directions especially in the borders, so I don’t have to turn the quilt.  I just have the last part of the body of the quilt to do and the four patches in the corners.  Not sure how I’ll quilt the four patches yet.  I also did a partial float on this quilt because it’s so small.  Saved me pinning the quilt top to the leaders. 

I have my next quilt top on deck to be quilted.  I’m doing a much bigger one next.  I’m thinking these small quilts take almost as much time as a big one would!!

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!  The girls have the day off today.  We are going to have a nice, relaxing day at home today. 

30 Comments

  • Sue says:

    Linda, I think your quilting is beautiful and you are so lucky to have the longarm to do this with.
    I really love the churndash too. Your fabrics are great!!
    Keep up the good work!

  • Loves to Quilt says:

    Great job, I can see the improvement and, I love the quilt!

  • Lori says:

    It is such a cute quilt and the quilting looks really good!
    Its great you have a cheerleader;)

  • Yvette says:

    You are doing fantastic! Are you doing all of this freehand? WOW!

  • WoolenSails says:

    You sound like me, I am my own worst critic.
    I have to remind myself with free motion, that i have to practice and not worry about being perfect, just enjoy the process. I do so much better when I relax and enjoy it.

    Debbie

  • Joanne says:

    Your quilt looks fantastic! You are definitely too hard on yourself. I always find that a real quilted project seems to look better than a practice piece – so much more rewarding than just practicing.
    Do we ever reach perfection any way? We can only do our best.
    Have a fantastic day with your loves!β™₯

  • Impera Magna says:

    There's an old saying that goes… God give me patience and I want it RIGHT NOW! *lol*

    You're doing VERY well and I love seeing photos of your work!

    Happy Valentine's Day!

  • Darlene says:

    You're being way too hard on yourself, dear Linda! Your quilting looks fabulous – BREATHE!

    Happy Valentine's Day – enjoy your day with the girls.

  • Candace says:

    Oh I'm so envious of your work, Linda! I did another practice this past week and learned that turning the quilt is really easy! Check out Dawn Cavanaugh's video on YouTube of how to do it! I also always "float" the top of my quilt – Linda Taylor does that and I've found it works really well, plus my dealer does that as well!
    Cheers!

  • Mama Pea says:

    You are really doing awesome, and I'm not just saying that to be nice. It really looks good. Can I give you some of my quilts to practice on? Please? I'm serious. You're really doing a great job!

  • Kelly says:

    I think your quilting looks great! (Waaaaay better than mine so far.) Having Scott to cheer you on has to help a lot, too. I'm sure Charlie (my pup) would cheer me on if he could, but since he's been known to lay on any quilt (or anything else) that finds itself on or around the bed or floor, his judgment is questionable. =) Keep up the good work!!!

  • Sheila says:

    Linda , if I could quilt like this I would be ecstatic , it is beautiful ,don't be so hard on yourself .Enjoy the process as much as the outcome πŸ˜‰

  • Valerie Z says:

    I think the quilting is wonderful! The design really brings this project to life and anything with a feather or swirl just does wonders for any project! Congrats on a great job!

  • Wendy says:

    LOL! You took the words right out of my mouth! (or my head). That is so how I feel. I think I'm getting better, but not near fast enough. But your stitching looks lovely. Practice! Practice! Practice!

  • Sunnybec says:

    I wish you would stop beating yourself up about your quilting. If I lived nearer I would bring you my quilts to "practice" on everyday. sheesh you are far better than I am. Hugs Linda x

  • Quilts And Pieces says:

    Wow! You are doing wonderful! Butter Churn looks wonderful!

  • West Michigan Quilter says:

    Don't be so hard on yourself. You are doing a great job! I think this quilt is really beautiful.

  • Kristin says:

    Sister-
    Bottom line you ROCK at quilting on the LA! Seriously, like you have been doing it for years!!! Happy Valentine's Day, I love and miss you!! xoxoxoxo

  • Patti says:

    Ok, Linda…first listen to your sister up there. After talking with you, I really had no idea what it would look like. Holy smokes I LOVE IT. Where did that design in the center come from? It is gorgeous. We have nice weather coming this week, the DD is opening up, spring is almost here, things are on the up swing.

  • Terry says:

    Your quilt is beautiful and so is the quilting! Love it! :0)

  • Denise in PA says:

    Linda – your feathers look great! Woo hoo for you! I agree, when you are quilting, you are far too close and overly critical. It is importan tohave a cheerleader – it means a lot!

  • Michele says:

    Your quilting looks great! Wow…..you are moving right along πŸ™‚ I would say don't be so hard on yourself, but I totally understand! I'm really hard on myself when I'm quilting too πŸ™‚ It does look amazing πŸ™‚

  • Karen says:

    This little quilt would be a good one for the 4th of July since it is in red, white, & blue.

  • Unknown says:

    Linda, I just got my longarm on Thursday so I feel your pain. I have spent so many hours just looking at my practice designs that I can't tell what's good and what isn't. Your top looks great!

  • Wendy says:

    Your quilting is fantastic! Keep it going.

  • Linda says:

    Tammy,
    I'm responding here because your email is not available on your profile, so I hope you read this. Thanks! Congratulations on your new long arm!! It's a journey! πŸ™‚

  • QuiltSue says:

    I think we're usually our own worst critics, so it's good to have someone who is going to be honest about it. I have also found that things I worry don't look good when I'm working on them, look far better when they are off the frame. By the way, I always do a partial float, regardless of size. I find it's far easier to keep straight when I'm winding on, etc.

  • Carol says:

    Linda your quilting is looking great! You're amazing!

  • Joan says:

    My goodness – you are going so well… and so fast!! How are the glasses πŸ™‚ I love the quilt…

  • Sinta Renee says:

    Your quilting is just beautiful… all your doodling has paid off.