Innova

Anne’s Sunrise

3 Comments / 2016 Finishes, Improv, Innova, Spike, SSMQG / By

In 2015 I was the president of my local Modern Quilt Guild, South Sound MQG. One of my outgoing acts as President involved working with the outgoing Vice President to come up with a challenge for our yearly quilt show that takes place during Spring Arts Walk in Olympia, WA. The fabrics we selected were from V & Co Color Theory. I got the Navy Poppies colorway.

This color way is right up my alley, I pretty much love all things blue. The other part of the challenge, because picking out one fabric wasn’t enough for us, was that the quilt needed to be an improv quilt. Meaning that there should be no real pattern used, make it up yourself.

As I was pulling fabrics for the challenge I got in my mind this image of my daughter, Anne, standing at our upstairs window looking at the sunrise before school this winter. The sky turns these brilliant shades of blues, pinks and yellows and it always makes her so happy, mostly because when we see these colors it means it isn’t raining and in the winter in Washington we always enjoy a rare break in the rain!

I decided to make a sunrise quilt for Anne. I pieced together different width blues and grays for the sky and then I sliced the piece apart with slight improv curves and inserted curvy rays to make a sunrise.

Anne's Sunrise - https://test.sewbittersweetdesigns.comI had so much fun quilting this quilt on my new long arm! In the background I used Magnifico by Superior Threads and quilted flames, and in the rays themselves, I quilted pebbles with a yellow thread by Signature. I absolutely loved quilting this one, it is a custom design and while there is at least one pucker, which is mostly due to the nature of improv quilting and I’m still learning, I am 100% happy with how the quilt turned out, and more importantly, so is Anne!

So yet another finish f0r 2016! If you live in the Olympia/South Sound area, South Sound Modern Quilt Guild will be exhibiting at Canvas Works in downtown as part of Arts Walk on April 22nd and 23rd. Stop by and see all of the incredible improv quilts that were created by the talented members of the guild!

signature

Marvel Comics Quilt is Quilted!

3 Comments / Do.Good Stitches, Innova, Long Arm Quilting, Spike / By

Spike to the rescue! I have managed to get a Do Good Stitches quilt quilted! All that is left is to bind it and take a final photograph.

Here is the top before it was quilted.

Marvel Quilt - Do Good Stitches - https://test.sewbittersweetdesigns.comWhen I asked the wonderful ladies of Do Good Stitches to make Marvel themed quilt blocks, I told them they could simply use themed fabrics or let their imaginations and talents run wild. Clearly these ladies have talent!

I got the top pieced together last Friday and I quilt it on Spike on Tuesday. Last night at my guild meeting Heather from Heather’s Creative Blessings took a picture of it for me during sew and share. Once it is bound I will take a picture outside so you can see it in all it’s finished glory. I’m hoping to have it done over the weekend.

Marvel Quilt - Do Good Stitches - https://test.sewbittersweetdesigns.comI did an all over jagged quilting design because it reminded me of the action and word bubbles you see in comic books, like when they write the word POW! The white blocks I used white thread on, next time I might change that, but overall I am super pleased with my quilting choice. I’m turning the back to the front for a binding, and the backing is three different Marvel fabrics so it should look pretty cool.

I just love being able to bang out quilts!

Spike’s First Quilt! (and mine too!)

5 Comments / free motion quilting, Innova, Long Arm Quilting, Spike / By

Yellow Bee Quilt - https://test.sewbittersweetdesigns.comI loaded my first quilt on Spike yesterday and started quilting the first block today! I am very excited. My brilliant friend Vicki from Orchid Owl Quilts recommended getting some plexiglass to draw on and practice designs over the top of the quilt.  Vicki has the same machine as I do, except she has Lightning Stitch – a more advanced regulator.  Yesterday I went to home depot and picked up a sheet of Polycarbonate plastic, not quite the same as plexiglass but it serves its purpose – though I did learn I can’t use Expo Markers on it, they leave a stain, but Crayola brand dry erase markers work fantastically!

Practice drawing - https://test.sewbittersweetdesigns.comI have a doctor’s appointment today and won’t be able to do much more quilting, but I wanted to at least get this design in. I may still do something in the background of the block. This quilt is a sampler block quilt and now it will be a free motion quilt sampler too!

Yellow Bee Quilt - FMQ - https://test.sewbittersweetdesigns.comI hope everyone has a very happy Friday and a wonderful Easter weekend if you are celebrating.

signature

Meet Spike!

10 Comments / free motion quilting, Innova, Long Arm Quilting, Spike / By

Sorry I didn’t post this earlier, I was a bit under the weather, but seeing as today is National Quilt Day, it seemed like the perfect day to introduce Spike to you!

Spike - The Innova - https://test.sewbittersweetdesigns.comSpike is a 22″ Innova Long Arm with a standard regulator.  He sits on a 12 foot table that is squished into my studio. It is so awesome to have him here.  Anne and I have already been having fun quilting with him!

First Long Arm Piece - https://test.sewbittersweetdesigns.comThis is the first thing I made on Spike, really just trying to get my quilting legs under me. Trying out lots of different designs and seeing what I like best. I have my first quilt picked out that I want to do on him, it is a sampler quilt so that I can try lots of different designs out and one that is for my home so if it isn’t perfect, no one will know but me!

Last night I loaded some white linen that has been sitting in my stash for 4.5 years to practice on. Capri, my Innova Rep and wonderful new friend recommended drawing out an 8″ square grid to practice in and helped me a lot, less blank canvas feeling. Having a defined space to work in helped me a lot. Here is some of what I stitched last night.

FMQ Sampler - https://test.sewbittersweetdesigns.comI am having so much fun and Anne is too! I will post a video tomorrow of her on the long arm. As soon as it was set up the first words she said to me were “Mommy, can I please go first?” She had to wait and go second, but she was super excited that she go to long arm quilt. This is the beginning of awesome things for both of us!

Have a great National Quilting Day! Make something cozy!

signature

Scroll to Top