Vintage Quilting on the Handi Quilter Infinity

I've been playing with my Handi Quilter Infinity, learning how to use it, trying out different threads and practising various free motion quilting designs. I'm sure that this machine is smarter than me and it works its hardest at making my attempts look as good as it can. Having said that, I definitely need to practice more to achieve the perfect quilt motifs I hope to one day create.

While filming my on-line course, The Joy of Vintage Sewing Machines, I needed to create several samples of the projects created in the class. I hadn't yet quilted some of these samples, so they were perfect to play with on the Infinity. The only challenge with this particular sample (the vintage sewing machine cabinet cover) was that I had used the pillowcase method to create it, so the quilt top, batting and backing were already stitched together. I attached extra fabric on both sides so I could use my grippy things to hold the edges of the quilt out to each side. Yes, "grippy things" is a quilting term. This worked very well and I had no issues with tension in quilting this project.

I used the seamed fabric as a registration mark for the bumps, hill, monster's teeth quilting: I put two of these motifs in each fabric strip - or tried to. 

If I'd really wanted the centre squiggle design to be even, I could've marked it. Maybe I'll try that next time.

I like swirls, but am used to making them over a larger area. The challenge with these was to keep them in the white strip of fabric. I need to work on making them look rounder, rather than an oval or deflated O.

I stitched in the ditch around each seam - always difficult to do without a vertical locking system on the long-arm. I winged it and didn't do too bad. Maybe next time I'll try to use a ruler for this part of the quilting. I suppose you don't have to SID on a long-arm machine, but it does stabilize the quilt more and can make certain areas of the quilt more prominent.

As you can see, I used simple designs on this project. I could've stitched it with white thread and smaller motifs to just give texture, but I wanted to try out the Superior Thread's So Fine variegated thread that I had recently purchase. Plus, I love the green and aqua colour of the thread.

Let me know your favourite quilt motifs so I can try them on the Infinity. Just leave a comment below.

Creatively,

Telecast Thursday - Janome Circular Sewing Attachment: Stitching Circles

In a previous Telecast Thursday I gave you an overview of the Janome Circular Sewing Attachment; this week I'm going to show you how to stitch circles with it.

It's an easy and effective attachment to use - just watch out for that pointy pin! Much like using my rotary cutter - cut and close, cut and close - I always want to replace the plastic cap on the pin as soon as possible to avoid injury. I've jabbed myself a few times with it and it hurts, so do as I say, not as I do, and keep that cap on unless you really need to use that pin!

You can watch the video below or on my Youtube channel.

Next week I'll show you more uses for this amazing attachment.

Creatively,

First Gluten Free Recipe - A Success Story

I love baking, but seem to find little time for it lately. Luckily I had an excuse to bake - a visit from a quilty friend! This particular friend has a gluten sensitivity so I was challenged to come up with a gluten free recipe (hey, that rhymes!). Since I like quick breads, I decided to make banana bread.

I found the recipe for The Best Ever Super Moist Gluten Free Banana Bread (boy, that's a mouthful) at www.gimmedelicious.com. It was definitely moist! It was also quick dense and heavy and made a very large loaf. The recipe called for chocolate chips, but as I'm foregoing chocolate for a few more weeks, I omitted these. 

This is the first time I've made a gluten free recipe and I found the texture different than what I was used to - not bad, just different. It also took much longer to cook than the recipe suggested. The banana bread was very tasty and my friend gave it a thumbs up.

If you're a whiz at gluten free baking, share your favourite recipe with me in the comments below. I'd love to have more recipes in my repertoire for upcoming visits. 

Oh, and we did find time to do some talk about quilting and my new Handi Quilter Infinity 26. More about what I've been creating on it in an upcoming post.

Creatively,

Telecast Thursday - Book Review: Moda All-Stars All in a Row by Lissa Alexander

Have you been swept up by the row quilt craze? I have yet to make one of these, but they do look like fun. 

I recently received Moda All-Stars All in a Row from That Patchwork Place (a division of Martingale) and wanted to share my thoughts about this book with you.

First, it's a book about creating row quilts - I guess you could tell that from the title :) This book contains over 24 rows (designs) from some of my favourite designers. There are pieced rows and appliquéd rows, so it appeals to all types of quilters. The designs in the book allow you to create your own custom row quilt or not: there are suggestions for combining rows to create wall hangings and other smaller projects. 

I liked the designs in this book a lot and while I don't know if I would create an entire quilt, I could certainly see me making a table runner or small wall hanging using these rows.

Watch the video below or on my Youtube channel to see more of Moda All-Stars All in a Row.

Have you created a row quilt or or considering doing one. Let me know your thoughts on row quilts in the comments below. To get your own copy of Moda All-Stars All in a Row, click here.

Creatively,

I am an Amazon affiliate and will receive a small amount of compensation if you purchase by clicking on the link in this blogpost. This helps me to continue posting video tutorials and information for you. Thank you!

Spring Sale at Chatterbox Quilts

Although spring hasn't officially arrived yet we've been enjoying spring-like weather in Calgary all through the month of February. We've had above average temperatures and below average snow days (only 1 so far!). This gorgeous weather makes me feel like celebrating, so I'm having a sale at the Chatterbox Quilts store. Enjoy savings of 15% on all patterns from March 1, 2016 until 11:59 p.m. March 8, 2016. That's quilt designs, embroidery patterns and soft toy designs too. Just enter SPRING2016 in the Coupons area when you check out to receive your 15% savings on your entire order. 

There are lots of great spring designs and there is still time to whip up an Easter wall hanging.

Here are a few of my favourite spring designs.

Blossoming

Baaack in Blaaack

Easter Blooms

If you need help in completing the embroidery or fusible web appliqué projects, check out my courses on Curious.com. If you'd like to save 20% off a Curious subscription, just send me an email at kim@chatterboxquilts.com for a special savings code.

Remember, the sale ends on March 8, 2016 at 11:59 p.m., so shop soon.

Creatively,