And here's how it looks from the back:
I used one of the fancy stitches on my sewing machine for the light gray border.
There are a couple of things I have to keep in mind when using these fancy stitches for quilting:
1. I cannot use the Bernina Stitch Regulator when doing fancy stitches.
2. I cannot use the walking foot when doing fancy stitches.
3. That's okay because my 750QE has dual feed, meaning that it has "feed dogs" both above and below the fabric. I have a walking foot for my machine, but I have yet to use it. The dual feed is very effective at moving a thick quilt through the machine.
So with all of that in mind, it is still important not to put any drag on the quilt as I'm using the fancy stitches. If I place my hands on top of the quilt, they create just enough drag to distort my stitches as you see in this image below.
I wanted to keep the presser foot right along the edge of the border on both sides, and I figured out that the best way to keep the stitches looking nice was to put my hands under the quilt and just keep it heading in the right direction. Also, I had to be careful not to pull it in either direction. I simply raised my right or my left hand depending which direction I wanted to make an adjustment. It isn't an exact science, and my stitches are not perfect. Still, I decided they were good enough. When looking at the quilting as a whole, one really won't notice the few places where the stitches got a little wonky.
The outer border was quilted with the same wavy lines I used in the middle panels to suggest the flight of the birds. You can still see the chalk mark I made to remind me to turn the corner.
With this being the largest quilt I've ever quilted myself, I'm happy enough with how it turned out.
Now I'm excited to see how it will look when I get the binding sewn on. I'm expecting to have this finished sometime this weekend.
Tomorrow I need to leave around 11:00 for a doctor's appointment. Tomorrow's appointment is just an annual check-up, and then I'm going to the grocery store. I'm hoping for some time to finish the binding before I leave. If not, then I probably won't sew again before Saturday. Friday, I'm seeing the surgeon about my knee, and then we're going out on our boat in the afternoon. A busy couple of days ahead, but the weekend is free and clear.
18 comments:
Your quilt is beautiful! Thanks for the information on the walking foot. I just got a Bernina and thought the walking foot was something that I needed right away.
Wishing I had a Bernina, but I still don't think that would solve my brain to hand to machine problem....giggle. Your quilt is wonderful and I love the quilting.
As always, you chose the perfect quilting design to complement your quilt! I love that free-flowing line design and the way you adapted it on the different areas of the quilt :*)
It turned out JUST right! Good job Barbara!!
I'm picking up the blue & white quilt from the quilter tomorrow - and we even had the binding done by a "binding expert" too - I am so excited to see it finished! All we have left to do is the label - and handing it over to Chelsea & Sean.
Enjoy your trip to the grocery store, I know it's one of your FAVORITE things to do!
I just love this quilt and the quilting that you did is fabulous! It's kind of electric and bold! Great job!
A wonderful job - the quilting compliments the quilt design and color - great movement.
This quilt is looking great! I need to experiment with various stitches on my Janome for quilting. Your stitching looks super and after the first wash even you won't notice any wonky stitches.
Love the fancy stitches you've done on the grey border Barbara. Must try that one for myself one day. I have a 430QE with the stitch regulator, but I find that I am better off just doing FMQ without it. I have tried and tried and just can't get the hang of using it, so it is sitting in the cupboard pining. I use the walking foot a lot - it is terrific for putting binding on.
I like this quilt a lot!
The fancy stitch quilting looks good. I had always thought using them would be a short cut, but it sounds like it is more work! Still, they create a nice effect.
I hadn't thought about using the decorative stitches in this way for border treatments. Very cool! I'm going to have to try that with my Brother 6000, which has similar stitches available. Great FMQ ideas too. Thanks for sharing!
You are certainly in the home stretch with this quilt. Beautiful work through and through.
Have a great day.
Always,Queenie
It looks fantastic! You've got me thinking I might need to get a little more modern machine to play with!
You quilting looks beautiful..in fact, the entire quilt is beautiful. It's always satisfying to get a large project done.
It turned out great, little oops and all.
If anyone is looking that close at your quilting, you should tell them to back off and try it themselves! It is beautiful. I love the fancy stitches on the Bernina machines!
The quilting looks great, it's a very dramatic quilt. I love the red, black and grey. Congrats on getting all the quilting done.
So it looks like you've had your 750 awhile...do you love it still?
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