Sunday, March 30, 2008

Stepping Up to the Plate

I'm just about back to my old self again. Thank goodness. I'm not any good when I'm sick, just ask any one around here who has dealt with me for the past few days. Haven't gotten as much done as I would have liked...too much basketball viewing. It was a good way to rest and recuperate. I did finish the Zig Zag quilt top. There are 3 red zigs and 2 blue ones. I'm pleased with it. I think the quilting will really enhance this one. I have some leftover colored squares so I'm going to piece those and combine those with something in my stash for the backing.
AmandaJean of Crazy Mom Quilts is making a quilt that has to be completed in 12 days. I mentioned on her blog that I should work along with her and challenge myself to finish my quilt-a-long quilt in that same 12 days. Remember this one?

She thought that was a great idea and so here I go. I agree with her that it helps to have a deadline. I've been letting this one linger in the closet because I just didn't know what to do for the backing. I have this panel city print that I want to use, but it isn't quite big enough for the quilt. So, yesterday I pulled out the quilt and the backing fabric and played a bit. There are 6 panel repeats. I ended up cutting the panel in two sections. I'm going to extend the width of each section on opposite sides with this Alexander Henry Kyoto Hollyhock fabric. I'm also going to put a band of the Kyoto Hollyhock fabric between the two panels that will extend the length. I played with it for awhile yesterday, and I think I'm satisfied. I'm going to try to get the back pieced tonight. Then on to the quilting. I'm probably going to get stuck at this point too. I do love this quilt, but I don't have a clue how to quilt it. I could hand quilt, but how? If I machine quilt it has to be something with straight lines only because that's all my machine can handle and all I know how to do. Ideas...thoughts?

7 comments:

QuiltedSimple said...

Your zig zag quilt is smashing - I love it.

I like the idea of finishing your B.O.M. quilt in the next 12 days to. Why not machine quilt it in straight lines going both ways (horizontal and vertical) 2-3 inches apart across the quilt? I love to meander quilt all of a sudden, but straight lines go very quick.

Can't wait to see what you decide on. . . if I were closer, I'd meander quilt it for you (but you'll never get it done in 12 days time with shipping)
Kris

Laurie said...

glad you are feeling better...the zigzag quilt is great and you are so right about the quilting...a cool feather pattern in the zig and zag would be cool!!!
laurie
ps...on my king quilt...i had the blocks done yesterday, it was putting them together with the border rectangles today...

Sara said...

Love the zigzags! have been thinking about making one of those. Just too many other projects I want to finish before Spring really comes! I also love the block of the month one that you are doing for the 12 day challenge. I think that city fabric and strip are going to look great on the back!
Sara

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Your zig zag quilt it looking real good.....good luck with your 12 day challenge...

Yummers! said...

I really like the 'Zigzag Quilt'.
It's so clean and crisp looking. Very appealing!!!
Joni

Amanda Jean said...

how about quilting a grid on the diagonal over the entire quilt? much like the quilting in this quilt,

http://glittergoods.typepad.com/glittergoods/2008/03/andits-finished.html

although the grid wouldn't need to be that close together.

figuring out how to quilt something is just so much fun, isn't it? ;)

Anonymous said...

I am absolutely LOVING your zig-zag quilt!!!! So stuning!