Life being the operative word in my post title. Life happens. I cannot believe it has been a month since I posted! Actually, I CAN believe it because I have been so busy that in order to stay as focused as possible, I avoided the computer as much as I could. So much has been going on, not to mention MAJOR quilting. So much quilting that my machine is mad at me. Oh yes, she is!!! No joke. I barely finished my last quilt for Market in time because I was having so many issues. Very frustrating. New bobbin winders, parts, hours on the phone, $$$, new gray hair and still not running properly. Soooooo, Annie, aka my machine will be on sick leave for a few weeks. Like I said, life happens. Naturally, I was really stressed out about the down time, but now I am looking at it as a sign. Everything happens for a reason. π
Looks like I can start sharing some of what has been keeping me so busy, since Lisa Bongean’s recent post here. Lisa’s post cracked me up because she phonetically spelled the correct way to pronounce my last name. Not at all pronounced how it is spelled. Hrcka…pronounced HERSH-KA. It is Czech, which should explain the lack of vowels. π What cracks me up about it her post is when someone knows the proper pronunciation, they become very protective over saying it correctly. I never correct anyone, but I have been places where someone says my name and then I hear someone else immediately correct them. The girls have commented when they have a substitute at school, the sub understandably pronounces their name wrong, their classmates are very quick to say “IT’S HERSHKA!” LOL!!! Anyways, on with the show…
Let me introduce “Tree of Life” designed by Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings. This absolutely gorgeous quilt is all in flannel!!!!! Beautiful. Flannel Gatherings IIis a brand new line coming out in July. The quilt is one of many featured in her new book, Flannel Gatherings. Also to be released in July…I think. π I will keep the conversation at a minimum and let the photos do the talking.
It is a nice size quilt at about 100×100.
Feathered delight. π
I quilted different styles of feathers throughout the quilt. In the outer green border, they are hilly feathers. Up and down the hilly spine. A nice way to fill those 10-12″ borders. I knew feathers would really pop in all the light fabric areas and would contrast beautifully with those 1″ pumpkin seed quilting in the the big green triangles. YES, 1″!!!!! Crazy but worth it!!! π
Straight lines in the HSTs to create contrast and dimension between the feathers.
I took lots of pics of the back because you all know what I am going to say next…I LOVE it!!!
Looks so cool!!! Now some specifics…all the quilting is freehand. So NOOO, its not perfect, but looks pretty good. π I used my straight ruler and curved rulers. Thread is all So Fine by Superior. I think 4 thread colors. Batting…Dream Orient (silk, bamboo and cotton blend). A new personal favorite. Quilts up beautifully!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will have more follow-up on batting soon. I don’t know how many hours it took to quilt because it took forever. Pretty sure the hours quilting are about even with the hours I spent crying. Lol. Not really funny, though. π I could not have completed this quilt without the help of Scott and my BFF Patti. Not only did Scott take care of everything so I could quilt but he helped with the design. He didn’t even know I took this pic…
While I was still quilting another quilt, he chalked out the 1″ grid, so I could quilt the pumpkin seed quilting. Took him 2 nights after work and he did a perfect job!!! I cannot tell you how much I love this man!!! My friend Patti helped in the end. She is a binding master, so she came over and attached the binding by machine, so I could overnight it to Portland for Market. She worked until 11:30 PM helping. Best Friend EVER!!
I wanted to share some as I was quilting pics. Many of my readers enjoy those pics. Kind of shows that I don’t just wave a magic wand over it….I WISH!!!
I did chalk the spine for the outer border before I loaded it. That way the spine turned out pretty even and I could continuously quilt while advancing the top on my machine.
Just starting the pumpkin seed quilting.
I pretty much just eyeball things. So technical…I know. If I like it on one side, then I try to recreate it as close as possible on the other.
I quilted as I advanced. I try to do that whenever possible. It just is easier than rolling back and forth and just the thought of turning a quilting this size is entirely daunting.
Oh and my lights completely quit working as well. I had to use my Ott Floor lamp, which was cumbersome and useless. The majority of that pumpkin seed quilting was done without the aid of light!!!! Until I taped my bendable sewing light on my machine.
Whew!!!! Now that is a post!!! Making up for the last month!! Oh and before I forget…are any of you on Instagram??? I posted being on Instagram last year. I detest social media…yet I blog and love Instagram. LOL. It is so easy and fun AND FAST. It is not FB. I tend to post peeks at what I am working on. A lot of quilters are getting on the bandwagon. There have been ton of Market posts. You might want to join in on the fun!! You can find me as hrckal. That is hrcka with a lowercase L on the end. Hope to see you there!
Hello! The Quilted Pineapple is a welcoming space with tutorials & tips, design inspiration, quilt patterns, and helpful tools. Whether youβre a seasoned quilter or new to quilting, I hope youβll find some inspiration and encouragement here for your quilting journey! ~ Linda
Such lovely quilting, but then that is nothing new! All of your quilting is so magnificent. I'm sorry Annie is having tantrums! Hopefully she will be happy after her "spa treatment" or whatever she has planned for her time off. I'm Czech on my father's side. My maiden name is Lane. Funnily enough, it is pronounced "lane" ha ha. My grandma's maiden name is Hroza, though. It is pronounced "her oza" so not too difficult, etiher. Have a great day!
I saw that on Lisa's blog and love the quilting you did on it.
I was going to do free motion yesterday and my machine broke, so it is in the shop. I decided I could work on my hand quilted projects and rest, then we found water in the basement, so now we have no water and have to wait for permits to dig and have it fixed, glad I can laugh at life, lol.
Ode to pumpkin seed…amazing!! After seeing this tiny 1" wonder…i really really want to do the same. wowza!! I'm off to Market in the morning…oh so can't wait to see your work up close and personal!!!
You are a true master quilter, as usual I am in awe at your quilting, wow! But also admire your perseverence, which really comes out in this blogpost. Lovely how this quilt has become something of a team effort! I saw Lisa's blogpost and am so glad I now know how to pronounce your name! I Always wondered…. I love IG too, you are right, it is so fast and a lot of fun. Follow you there love seeing the pictures come by.
Beautiful quilting. I can only imagine the frustrations with all those "challenges." what kind of chalk do you use to mark that doesn't rub off when you load the quilt and it is rolled before advancing?
Most long-arm quilters in this area refuse to quilt on flannel. I am beyond impressed with the quilting and the fact that the quilt is flannel! Is the backing also flannel? And, yes, interested in what batting you used. The quilt is beyond gorgeous. Definitely a prize winner in my book.
This is just beautiful! Your quilting makes this quilt – great job – all of you! I was just looking for a pattern for a "tree of life" quilt and came across this . . . WOW – what a find!
Such lovely quilting, but then that is nothing new! All of your quilting is so magnificent. I'm sorry Annie is having tantrums! Hopefully she will be happy after her "spa treatment" or whatever she has planned for her time off. I'm Czech on my father's side. My maiden name is Lane. Funnily enough, it is pronounced "lane" ha ha. My grandma's maiden name is Hroza, though. It is pronounced "her oza" so not too difficult, etiher. Have a great day!
You out did yourself with the quilting on Tree of Life… once again and to no surprise!!! Magnificent!!!
I saw that on Lisa's blog and love the quilting you did on it.
I was going to do free motion yesterday and my machine broke, so it is in the shop. I decided I could work on my hand quilted projects and rest, then we found water in the basement, so now we have no water and have to wait for permits to dig and have it fixed, glad I can laugh at life, lol.
Debbie
I am in feather heaven!!!
What marking pens/chalk do you use?
Great job girlfriend. Miss you!
Quilting is great as always, but that binding….wow! Lol
Ode to pumpkin seed…amazing!! After seeing this tiny 1" wonder…i really really want to do the same. wowza!! I'm off to Market in the morning…oh so can't wait to see your work up close and personal!!!
That quilt is just stunning. I don't know what part of it I like the most! I hope that Annie is fixed soon!!
Linda…..I'm at Quilt Market – are you????? Gosh how I love this quilt and your totally artistry on it!
Cheers!
You have truly found your niche! As always, it's beautiful. I envy your skill. A lot. Patti is a gem. No doubt about it!
You are a true master quilter, as usual I am in awe at your quilting, wow! But also admire your perseverence, which really comes out in this blogpost. Lovely how this quilt has become something of a team effort! I saw Lisa's blogpost and am so glad I now know how to pronounce your name! I Always wondered…. I love IG too, you are right, it is so fast and a lot of fun. Follow you there love seeing the pictures come by.
I am sooooo sorry to hear about Annie! That must be terribly frustrating with all the deadlines you've had. I feel for you!
Your quilt is so beautiful as always Linda, and what a blessing to have Scott and Patti help you out as they did!
I hope Annie is up and running in no time, but maybe this will be a good rest for you. You certainly deserve it!
Beautiful quilting. I can only imagine the frustrations with all those "challenges." what kind of chalk do you use to mark that doesn't rub off when you load the quilt and it is rolled before advancing?
Most long-arm quilters in this area refuse to quilt on flannel. I am beyond impressed with the quilting and the fact that the quilt is flannel! Is the backing also flannel? And, yes, interested in what batting you used. The quilt is beyond gorgeous. Definitely a prize winner in my book.
Goodness me, it's marvellous!!!
I saw it in person at Quilt Market prominently and rightfully displayed front and center. Gorgeous!!! You are amazing and you have an amazing husband.
Linda – you're AMAZING – there is no other word to describe your ability!! This is simply AMAZING!!!
Simply spectacular!!!!!!!!! Thanks so much for posting how you did it π I appreciate learning from you π
Hey Linda Hershka, you did a FANTASTIC job!!!
Oh Linda Hershka this is just fantastic!!! π
This quilt just takes my breath away….I just spent a full half hour just looking at every beautiful detail….YOU ARE AMAZING
This is just beautiful! Your quilting makes this quilt – great job – all of you! I was just looking for a pattern for a "tree of life" quilt and came across this . . . WOW – what a find!