Friday, August 31, 2007

Isn't This Where We Came In?

When I first posted a pic of Blooming Horrors after I started working on it again this year, I ended up with a Pokey. And here she is again on the completed top (by the way, woohoo!). I was trying to take photos and there she was, squirming around wanting belly rubs.

I kept trying to take photos then realized what an idiot I was. Belly? I'm taking photos instead of loving belly? So I did that for awhile and made myself and baby happy.


I've got the three layers of quilt top, batting and backing all together and what appears? More Pokey.

I did my usual lazy method of layering unironed backing fabric (hey, to be fair, I had ironed it after I washed it way back in the 1980's), leftover batting that just fit, and the unironed quilt top.

Does it freak you out to see that? I once had to wadge a bit more batting in at the edge when I got to it - worked out fine. I used to leave a couple of inches of backing and batting all around the edges just like the books said to, but eventually realized that I never had a problem. My quilts never shrink up and it was all wasted. I guess it's helpful when you're using a hoop or frame to have all that extra to hold your sandwich in place, but it's unneccessary for my method.

I got my sandwich all pin basted and I've started on the quilting. There are a few little pleats on the back, but who cares. I don't. I just quilt through the extra here and there and have never had a problem. The back of the quilt goes against the wall (or bed or body), I don't care what it looks like.

The pic of my Blooming Horrors looks dull without Pokey on top of it. I think you're just going to have to wait until the quilt is completed to see the whole thing. But if you're in the mood to see a fun Halloween bouquet, go check out Knit One Quilt Too Kristin's marvelous work. Plus she's got a great way to make skinny bias stems.

Laura at Pine Ridge Quilter is one of my favorite people. She makes fantastic, personal quilts, loves Halloween, and I know there is a list of movies that we could happily sit together and quilt too. She recently completed a marvelous ode to her dog Bullvye AND freehand fan quilted a little liberated Amish bits-of-leftovers quilt. Hoopless, hurrah! Oh, and another thing we share? A goofy love of aliens. Go way back to her January 2006 archives and check it out.

I recently posted pics from my inspiration notebook and one of them was a wonderful, lively quilt by Beth Reisman. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Jan at Be*Mused had been pondering works by the very same quilter. Go look at them, they are fabulous. I see life and humor (more Elvi peeking out)... I don't have the right words. I've looked on the web and the most recent information I can find for Beth is two quilts in the Quilter's Connection 2003 show in Massachussetts. Does anyone out there know more? Send me an email, please.

I was very productive yesterday and it felt good. Finished a quilt top, walked in the sunshine, and hand quilted. You know, I'm watching that Battlestar Galactica just to have something to watch, but gotta say it's not way high up there on my list of favorites. The Dresden Files surprised me - I quite liked it. It was a good idea to have Bob appear human so that Harry has someone to interact with, not just a skull. Darn it, I just looked and the show has been cancelled. I swear, it must be the kiss of death for me to love a show. Not that I loved this one yet, but it could have happened.

14 comments:

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Pokey is so gorgeous! I can't blame her for wanted to be in all the pictures!
The quilt has turned out well..very colourful.
I just wanted to say thanks for the recommendation of the Gwen Marston book about 4 block quilts. I bought it right after I read your post and I just love it. I definitely want to make one of those! TTFN

mereth said...

Perhaps you'd better turn this into a table topper so Pokey can adorn it at all times, a sort of 'interactive embellishment' thing.It does set off her eyes beautifully.....
And I've added the odd strip of batting to the too small edge as I quilted, who's gunna know?

Quiltdivajulie said...

well, after all, cats and halloween DO go together...

Holly said...

Isn't that just like a cat?! Made me chuckle to see Pokey in all the shots. Your blooming horrors looks so fun!

Laura said...

Pokey is such a beauty! Cats are so funny. We have two in the house but you wouldn't even know they were there if it wasn't for all the cat hair. They are both not very sociable. Annabelle our outdoor cat comes indoors to eat and will always come rub up against you before she goes back out.
I know there are a ton of movies we could watch together. We would be regular little couch potato's quilting in front of the tube.
And just so this won't be short, I have also found with your method of no hoop that I don't need all that extra batting and have trimmed the last 2 right to the edge.

kcdi said...

Your quilt, the parts that I can see, looks wonderful! I love Halloween and this is a great project! And Pokey is a sweetie.

Lori said...

Pokey looks as if she's saying "this is for me, right?" The quilt turned out wonderfully! Such fun colors too.

Clare said...

Pokey is so gorgeous. Funny you should mention shrinkage. With Little Acorns I noticed that I had none and ended up cutting to waste. Obviously my quilting is getting better :-)

I think it's this weekend that the Parisians flock back. La Rentrée is Tuesday.

Journeying said...

I think you're my new hero. Heroine, I guess I should say. Your cat's beautiful, your quilts are wonderful, and your ideas and methods simply MUST be tried. I love bright and wonky stuff but have been too afraid to just "go for it". Wish your online class weren't already full.
Keep inspiring us!

Fiona said...

From what I can see of it ... Blooming Horrors looks great fun. I'll look forward to seeing how you quilt it.

Magpie Sue said...

I've cut it pretty close on a couple of my quilts too. But I don't think I've ever had to stuff in extra batting at the end! I'm always having to trim some batting off the edges after quilting. Being a compulsive rule follower, though, I still make sure there's some peeking out around the sides of the top when I baste it.

Is there a cat in your Blooming Horrors quilt? Maybe Pokey just feels there ought to be one if there isn't!

Feeling Simply Quilty said...

That is a great fun quilt. Is it your own pattern?

Cool quilt and cool cat.

I want a Pokey cat. There's a great singer here called Pokey Lafarge-it's french I suppose.

Quilts And Pieces said...

I don't know.... your bloomin horrors and Kristins versions are tempting me to put one together.... now wouldn't it be fun to do it this week with Laura!!!! I could raid her halloween stash!

Judy said...

Absolutely..belly rubs are way more important!!

Everything looks fabulous!