Let me tell you a secret... making a quilt completely by machine is sooooooo much quicker than by hand! Don't worry, I have not completely turned my back on hand quilting (it is such a beautiful method of quilting), I just have a new found appreciation for quilting on my machine.
I have always been a strong 'hand quilting' advocate, but for quilt gifts that need to be made in a reasonable time machine quilting really is a good option. Some benefits of machine quilting:
> You don't need to plan quilt gifts two years in advance (yes I am not the quickest hand quilter around).
> Your stitches will be even.
> There are so many different stitch options - classic stitches, fancy stitches, embroidery stitches.
> The quilt is able to be washed by machine.
> Machine quilting is perfect for summer when it's too hot to have a quilt on your lap when working on it.
> A machined made quilt perfect gift for babies as it can be washed umpteenth times if it gets dirty.
> A machined quilt makes a perfect picnic blanket.
I made this quilt for a friends new baby boy (the one I made those bibs for). I had started this quilt prior to our move, and had not had a chance to finish it until we moved and unpacked all our boxes. These friends visited us recently so I was finally able to give it to them.
The quilt is made up of nine pin wheel blocks (five blue and four yellows) set out with a 3" calico sash separating them. I chose 1930's reproduction fabrics and tried to stick with a 1930's feedsack and cotton theme. I had wanted to bind this quilt in blue, but I was unable to find the 'right' blue, so settled on yellow. My friend said she preferred the yellow binding as it made the quilt a bit more gender neutral.
He appeared to like the quilt! It was always intended to be a floor quilt, something my friend could lie him on and scatter his toys around him. He is such a sweet little boy :-)
And of course, I couldn't leave out some machine quilting photos...
What is it with quilts and cats? When ever you take out some sewing to do, suddenly the cats appear!
Machine quilting is simply a breeze on my new machine. There is enough space to the right of the needle to fit a rolled up quilt, and the IDT system means that there is no bunching of the bottom fabric when stitching.
I didn't stray too far from the familiar - choosing the mock hand quilting stitch.
Babies are wiggly!!!
I will put up a post later this week with some basic instructions on how to make this quilt yourself.
Hope you're all going to have a brilliant weekend!
Sam xox
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