Baltimore Cheater practice quilt(s) and lessons learned
 

I purchased what was supposed to be a 90x108" cheater cloth on eBay with the intention of using it to practice different skills on my longarm. Without thinking too much about where I was going with this project, I loaded it up (with a poly batt and bleached muslin backing) and started quilting. I practiced outlining the motifs in the fake applique, tried to think of different ways to fill in the white spaces, decided to leave the fake sashing unquilted. When I was done, I took it off the longarm and started thinking... what am I going to do with this thing??? The dimensions turned out to be 84x118, instead of the 90x108 that was in the eBay ad. (I didn't measure before I started.) Not good dimensions for a bed, not that I had really planned to use it on a bed. DH suggested cutting it in half, and I thought that would be a good idea - so I cut it. I swear I counted twice (counting blocks rather than measuring inches) but I cut in the wrong spot. Oh well, the big piece that remained was a nice shape and size - but the smaller piece was too long and skinny, so I cut it in two. I wound up with 3 quilts. Still not sure what I'll do with them... Two are good sizes for baby quilts. The big one is about 70x82.

The first picture is the gigantic quilt before I started cutting it up. If I had thought about this ahead of time I might have cut it up before quilting and added some borders to come up with better finished sizes, but the real purpose of the exercise was to get some much-needed practice on the longarm. Now I feel like I'm ready to tackle an appliqued quilt (if only I had one to work on).

Just in case anyone is wondering - I was actually pretty happy with the quality of the cheater cloth. I have washed the finished quilts, and there was absolutely no problem with the dyes running. (I was worried about that, since I usually prewash, but I didn't this time.) The cheater cloth cost about $25 including shipping.

Lovely! A cheater Baltimore is the only way I'll ever have one... Thanks for sharing.

Quilting looks great! You're definitely ready for the real thing. Donate the big one to women's shelter and smaller to family services for kids. They'll love them.

Great way to deal with issues! They all look great!

You can proceed with confidence! Your practice was perfect.

wow, you did great on the quilting. it was quite the adventure!

As always, an absolutely beautiful job of quilting. I would be proud of any of the three, cheater fabric or not. Thanks for showing us you 'practice' project.

That is very pretty and on the computer, looks to be qppliqued. Beautiful quilting, BTW.

Wow that is a beautiful cheater quilt and pieces. You did a great job quilting it.

Kat

wow

just love the quilting and the quilts

wow, that is beautiful work.

It looks like you did some awesome quilting on it! It served its purpose and you have some quick quilts too. Good work!

Looks awesome Dunster. You most definitely can do applique with confidence now.

Oh my goodness, I see why you bought it. it's lovely and three for the price of one!!! you go girl!!!

Cheater cloth or not, they're beautiful. I'd have to say you're ready for the real thing!

Your quilting looks great. That was huge for a custom piece. I hope you feel lots of confidence after finishing.

I think it is a wonderful project!

Love them! I've been looking at sites with these and wonder where you got yours. The ones I've seen online don't look as good as this one....but could be the picture quality on the site. I don't have a longarm but have thought they'd be good to practice fm on my dm. Like your idea of cutting them up into smaller pieces. You did a beautiful job on these!

Fantastic work! Who'd ever know it was a cheater cloth?? Sure fooled me! Excellent quilting job and what a deal from eBay!! :thumbup:

It's beautiful! Well done!

That is one pretty cheater quilt. And your quilting looks fantastic! I think you had a great idea to turn the 1 quilt into 3. Good job!

This is the eBay seller that I purchased from. http://www.ebay.com/sch/558wilson/m....p2047675.l2562

I've seen DWR cheater cloth after it was quilted, and it was lovely. There are quite a few other nice designs out there, and I do think it's great for practicing.

Those are three gorgeous quilts. Nice work with the quilting.

Wow what a score! It looks wonderful for a cheater cloth! Your quilting is really wonderful!

Sorry about your size problems!! Your quilting is wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fantastic work and I loved your story!

looks to me like you didn't need to much practice! It looks nice and I like the different sizes for different uses. no borders also looks fine.
How can you lose with this one (three)!

Just beautiful, great job and thank you for sharing
Have a Blessed day
Ellen

Wow, I got the same cheater, and I started on it right before Christmas! I feel like I'm always "just a few more blocks" from being finished!! I love it!

Very nice.

That is stunning the way you put it to gather you did a great job on the
quilting, Congrats.

I love them!! Now you have me thinking maybe I should buy a "cheater top" like that...not only for practice, but because yours really turned out lovely!! If it was larger, I would use it on my bed!!:thumbup:
K

Nice job on the quilting.

Beautiful quilts

Great looking quilt. Thanks for sharing. I am impressed with your quilting skills!

It's beautiful. Maybe I should try a cheater panel since my blocks don't seem to turn out so great and I've had 2 nasty, stitches type cuts when using the rotary cutter. Hubby said I shouldn't be allowed to have sharp objects. LOL

Beautiful quilting

Your quilting is beautiful...I think you have several gifts in your future...lol...

Nice quilting.