Also, my new machine is here! Don't ask, but it was actually available when I ordered it on Monday (they had one in stock, apparently, that I could have had). Oh well. It made me get a couple things done in preparation. But here she is! I've done some quilting on her already. Now I just need a name. Any ideas?
Here's the dress from the KwikSew pattern I mentioned in a previous post. I like my fabrics way better than the ones in their photo. It's all done, except that I need to add the buttons and corresponding buttonholes. I have never done this before, so it will be an adventure. One thing I did discover is that Aurifil thread (cotton mako 50) is not really strong enough to do gathering stitches. It's great for other sewing, though. It has hardly any lint, so it's become my favorite piecing thread.
They're three dimensional flying geese. So, you could stick your finger under the legs of the triangles. They were really easy to sew. There's a video here at Ricky Tims' and Alex Anderson's The Quilt Show.
Anyway, I traced the outlines in pencil, figuring I'm going to cut them out anyway. But I wanted to make the notches and other notations permanent. So I traced them with a Sharpie. I ended up putting wax paper underneath so the Sharpie wouldn't bleed. But look at my hand!
There must be a better way. Help, garment sewers! What should I do in the future?
It looks cute, but not bold enough. Then Ann at the shop suggested Shiva Paintstiks. Here is my first attempt. The colors aren't quite right (the light blue is too teal, for example), so I'm glad I did a practice run.
Here is the logo in the center white block of the quilt. I'm going to use my practice block and try outlining it with embroidery to sharpen up the fuzzy edges. But I am happy with the colors.
I'll post photos of the embroidered sample when it's done, but I have to let the paint cure for three days first. I really don't want it to smear!
The auction quilt top is basically done. I took it in to the school today to show the kids. I am going to try embroidering the school logo in the center block. Well, actually, I'll probably embroider one on a plain bit of fabric first and hold it up to see how it looks. If it comes out, then I can use that on the back. Anyway, the kids all did the nine patch blocks. The other squares are just to frame them. It's way more traditional than last year's quilt, but I think it's pretty. It's being auctioned off along with a book of fairy tales and a bedtime story read by the teacher. I'm hoping for big bids!
