Quilting Commences

I was just about to write a post yesterday when Pokey knocked my tall glass of water all over the computer keyboard. Aiyee. Thank goodness it's not a laptop, so shaking the water out of the keyboard and letting it dry out for a day has done the trick.

I know, I know it's my fault. I left my waterglass unattended around my demon water kitty. geeze. And no, still haven't gotten sippy cups, so I am doubly at fault. After the water went sploosh and I'd frantically mopped it up while baby stood in the midst of the spill happily lapping it up, I retired to the recliner with a book. Pokey curled up on my lap, sweetest baby ever, butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. She just knows she can get away with murder.

At the moment I'm listening to the Tour de France, so you're not getting my full attention. I will endeavor to be coherent.

This is a photo from two days ago when I'd just started quilting on America With Flag. I was standing back to take a look at it and of course Lily had to jump into the pic.

I'm quilting with 100% cotton white quilting thread using a large-eye size 10 between needle. With such thin letters in this quilt, I knew perle cotton would be overwhelming. I was even worried that this much quilting might be too much.

I kept quilting, hoping it was okay, but I did double check yesterday by hanging the quilt up, standing back from it, and taking a photo. I can still read "america" clearly and this is after the quilting has gone above the letters:

The hand quilting with perle cotton is definitely more noticeable on Blue With Stars. Well, maybe not in little pics on tiny computer screens, but it's apparent to me when I look at these pics blown up.

In fact the perle cotton is almost too much. Keep telling myself I like this much emphasis on the quilting. I use embroidery needles size 10 to quilt with perle cotton thread - more details can be found here. The white stars measure 1.25" across.

By the way, I am using a flexi-curve to mark the lines for quilting. [Thanks, Jan, for reminding me I own this tool.] I want undulating lines to make the quilt look like it is blowing in a gentle breeze. When I've tried quilting this pattern freehand my lines just keep getting flatter and flatter and flatter. So yes, I "cheat" and mark them. Not making them exactly the same and I'm using thick chalk to mark with, so they still look freehand.

Pokey, taking advantage of me putting the quilt down for marking:

Pokey has decided the flexi-curve is a toy and keeps attacking it. And Bibi has become fascinated with the quilting thread and want to sit on my lap and paw at it. Silly cats.