Kathy Schmitz Calendar Blocks

 I am contemplating what quilting to do on the Kathy Schmitz calendar blocks.  I am using the blue print as the back so I first have to select thread.  I recently read a blurb from Superior about monopoly and BottomLine thread.  I know that the monopoly has a sheen that one can find objectionable while BottomLine comes in many colors that can blend when you do not want the stitching to show up.  I had a Masterpiece blue  and a BottomLine blue that I potentially would use.  I was having tension issues when I was piecing with a combo of Masterpiece and Bottom line to create the block so I decided to use a beige BottomLine on the top and a blue in the bottom.

 I think the combo worked very well.

 I stitched using the number 37 foot and the feed dogs engaged.  I stitched around the snowman, next to the running stitches on the clock, around the house and the large bird.  On to another month.

While I wait for thread.....

I am waiting for my thread to arrive from Superior to finish the quilting on the Blooms for Julie project so I decided to work on another OMG.  I have now finished all the clues for Gyleen Fitzgerald's  pattern that I created as a part of the Bricks, Cobblestone and Pebbles QAL.  This makes a square quilt.  I plan to extend it somehow to a rectangle.  This was built from my scrap box so I have plenty of other squares.  I just need to wait for a design idea to hit me over the head.

Running out of thread

Oh, no no no!!  Looks like I do not have enough thread to make my OMG.  I have ordered some more, but it is doubtful that it will arrive in time to meet my goal.  I have one more long side plus a corner left to stitch.  I think I will work the corners into the center of the last side.  I can at least start working on the binding whilst I wait for my thread to arrive.

One Corner Done- Three to Go

25% of the Big Stitch is done.  I like how the grey looks on the back as well as the front.  Neutral colors are your friend.  It is very hot outside.  Quilting today is a WARM prospect, but I am continuing and looking forward to the temperature falling when the sun goes down.  I like both sides of this quilt equally well.  Even though both sides could be used face up, I do not consider this truly a two sided quilt.  In order for it to be a true two sided quilt, I think the quilting has to be related to both sides.... otherwise any quilt is a two sided quilt.  

Oops I did it again: Big Stitch Revisited

I basted the other 3 sides of the quilt with Vanish Lite and I decided that they were all a quarter inch seams and this first one was very uneven.  I decided I could use the practice so I unstitched what I had done so far and basted that seam again.

I forgot to show another piece of essential equipment: the top of the lobster pot.

 I marked an arc with tape so they would be more or less uniform.

And then I scored the quilt with my hera marker.  Back to Big Stitching.  Maybe this will speed up when I get the hang of it.

Big Stitch: First Steps

 Tools for center quilting:  Leather roller foot #55, Roxannes Quilter's Choice pencil and medium Kurumi.

 I traced around the Kurumi with a white pencil and stitched over the line with the roller foot.  Then it was on to the new adventure:  Big Stitching.

 Tools for Big Stitching:  Hera marker ( I started with Roxanne's Quilter's Choice silver Pencil but I switched after I flummoxed my first markings), number 7 embroidery needle, needle puller on my thumb, snippers, Fons and Porter's pin cushion, leather thimble for my underneath finger, hoop and 12 wt. grey Sew Sassy.

 When I get to the applique pieces I rock my needle so that it does not pierce the applique but still catches the fabric and batting from the backside.

 I basted the top edged of the quilt using Vanish Lite so that I could tell where the edge of the back is from the front side.  My hope is that I can line up my binding on that line and use it for a guide for my big stitch.

 The grey Sew Sassy does not stand out as much as I thought it would.  The project directions calls for stitching around all the applique before doing the curved stitching...but that was assuming you fused the appliqued,  I needle turned mine so I think I will not do that.  I may add some embroidery.  Who knows?  Hmmmm...That's a decision for later.

Phase Two Quilt As Desired: July OMG

I have finished quilting over the Vanish Lite around the little grey squares.  Using the roller foot allows one to take advantage of the feed dogs while quilting to achieve stitching that is quite even.  I chose to set my stitch length to 3.  I also decided to use the Fantastico #5001 knowing that I would see the gold show up on the top.  Here is my stitching so far.  My July OMG goal will be to finish quilting this quilt.  I have the embellishment of the swirls and the big stitch quilting in the borders yet to go.  I do not have my hoop with me at the moment.  Oops.  I hope I have enough Fantastico left to accomplish this goal.  Otherwise It will be another month that I did not meet my goal.  I am a Superior Thread Club member so I get free shipping as long as it comes with my club order.  If I need more, it will have to wait until my club order arrives. I may not get it in time to meet my goal.  DUN..dun...DUN..dun..DUN..dun...Oh the suspense.  Back to my bobbin quilting.  I need to figure out whether I want to mark my embellishments or if I will free motion....Hmmmm....The great lesson of this quilt is to learn that Quilt as Desired is so much fun!!!

I think this 12 wt Sew Sassy really puffed up nicely.  I think I still have space to embellish around this.  

Here is the first embellished motif.  I stitched using my leather roller foot after I marked with my Bohin pencil with a white lead using Kurumi to trace around.  I like the result so I will continue this process.  If I run out of the gold Fantastico, maybe I will just switch to a red one.