Thread: International Patriotic Challenge

Originally Posted by dublb

Jennie - I'm the opposite of QE. (Don't get me wrong, I respect & like her very much. We just have different opinions here.) I can see lovely patriotic symbols (stars, flags, Liberty Bells, ect...) quilted over those lovely square patches that are separated by the stars. Then SID around the Stars. As a hand quilter that is what I always do, look for ways ta hand quilt. I'm learnin' ta FMQ now 'cause I don't have the time ta hand quilt all of the ideas I have. Basically, it's your decision, & whatever ya decide will be great.

HI DublB ... First of all, the same back to you, please don't get me wrong .... it's not that I don't think she should handquilt ... I'd love to see it on EVERYTHING! ... just that I don't think it'd be seen enough to be appreciated (plus, I got the feeling she didn't really want to hand quilt this one!)

I love this board 'cause we can have different opinions & not have hard feelings. Jennie; What ever ya do will be beautiful!!!!! QE {{{Huggs}}}

Originally Posted by dublb

I love this board 'cause we can have different opinions & not have hard feelings. Jennie; What ever ya do will be beautiful!!!!! QE {{{Huggs}}}

There's nothing wrong with good discussions and differing opinions .... we all can learn from each others rationale. And sometimes we end up thinking a little differently (saying this globally for lots of different topics!). At least, I know that in many other cases, that with the info provided I've seen a little different side, and changed my mind. One case being that I didn't see the sense of setting seams ... read and learned and guess what? I'm now a seam setter!

Like I said before this board is like goin' ta college, a lot of info & different opinions.

Well I love all the different views and yes it helps me greatly to make a decision. I dont feel that my FMQ on the machine is of standard to try to quilt this on the machine myself at this time. I feel comfortable doing baby quilts on the machine or wall hangings anything bigger at this time I pretty much draw the line. I love hand quilting its very relaxing for me, however again this is so big of a project and I am still pretty much of a novice at doing much else than SITD. I think what I really really would like to do is send it off to be quilted on a long arm by someone who knows what they are doing. I just need to get over my my worries and find someone and send it to them for quilting. I suppose this afternoon I will look on the board and see who is offering services and go from there.

Good discussion here. Jenniky, how about SID on your machine and then hand quilt the other areas. You get more comfortable on your machine without worrying about ruining your fabulous quilt and everyone gets to see your great hand quilting, too. Seems like a win, win. You also don't have to pay someone to quilt it for you and can say you did the whole thing yourself.

Ooh, would daughter want to learn SID? Or should that be on a smaller project?

Me, I'm still stitching binding. Good thing I got the rest of the quilt done earlier as there is no time for anything now. I still plan to be finished this weekend.

Originally Posted by Muv

Here's a thistlehead. Prickly enough?

Muv, I really like your prickly thistle. It reminds me of the time I planted thistle in my garden because I love the purple flower it produces. When my 'master gardener' Uncle came to visit, he couldn't believe I was planting thistle. In his neck of the woods (Montana) they are mostly considered annoying to have around.

I am a Linda-come-lately here, are you hand embroidering on your appliques? If so, how many threads are you using of embroidery floss? I really love the way it looks.

Great Discussions, I have to tell you Ladies how much I appreciate you. I agree with Dublb that this board is like college. Many times I get very ambitious and I have to remember Im only in my second year of quilting college. The main reason that I am reluctant FMQ is that I need more practice on smaller projects first. Im still not as comfortable with it as I would like to be prior to taking on a large quilt. Hand quilting I am very comfortable with,however I agree with QuiltE and think I would not be happy with the hours spent versus the result and I would like to use this on my bed when the weather turns cold again. I dont think I could have the entire quilt done by then if I hand quilted. I want to study quilting designs more and how others fill in their spaces on quilts, then I would have a better feeling about my decisions on hand quilting such a large project. I think the final deciding factor is my project board. Here is a picture of it.


I like to multi-task as I have said before. I think that hand quilting such a large project is more like a late third year or early fourth year project. This fall I am hoping to purchase another sewing machine. Heavy duty that I will feel comfortable FMQ with. I've jumped off the fence and made the decision to send the Scrappy Patriotic Quilt to a LAQ person. I've started drawings on my next Patriotic Pictorial Piece. IM Calling it The Three P's for short.. or 3P Quilt. Attaching a picture of the first block in progress. It will be a 16 sq inch Block of a Fire House Decorated for the Fourth of July.

Muv - the thistle looks great. I love the little "prongs". Definitely add to the prickly appearance.
SewExtremeSeams - Glad you are staying in touch. Are you any closer to pulling some fabric?
Jenniky - glad we spurred you to a decision. I like your project board but I see the deadline dates are in write-on wipe-off ink. For shame. All the rest of us stick to our finish dates, don't we? (Tongue very firmly, and somewhat painfully, in cheek.)

And I love your new idea. It never would have occurred to me that you were still a relative newby at quilting. You have attempted more than I have, that's for sure. I look forward to seeing progress on the new quilt as well as the original all done.

What do you do about labels? I do mine on the computer. I mostly use my own photographs and put them either on cream printer sheets or iron-on sheets. Am not too happy with the new batch of iron-on. It refused to stick to the background fabric and then ended up scorched. The label is going on the quilt anyway.

I have been printing my quilt labels on the computer fabric sheets that you Iron on. I dont like them too much but It works4me for now... LOL (tongue in cheek)

You did see all the NA's on that project schedule.... I only have Deadlines for Swaps and the BOM. I figure there is no reason to get behind on a block I have an entire month to make.