Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Baby Drunkards Path

You can take the girl out of the sewing room, but you can't take the sewing out of the girl!  One thing I was sure to bring with me on vacation to the beach was a bit of hand sewing.  I love early mornings when I can sip my coffee and take in the quiet of my surroundings.  Where better than the beach?  The quiet peaceful lapping of the waves puts me in just the right state of mind.  Combine all that with a little hand stitching and this girl is in heaven!


One of my goals before leaving town was to quilt my little baby Drunkard Path quilt, add the binding and take it along to the beach.  It was stressful trying to finish it, but I knew that once I was at the beach all the stress would be alleviated and I could chill and relax. 

BABY DP
29" X 40"
 Once I had a basic idea of how I was going to quilt this wee one, I focused and went about the task at hand. 



I picked a spot and began with 1/2" curved lines going one way and then the other.  The remaining 1/2" lines were added randomly throughout the quilt, except there were some strategically placed spaces left wide open.  



I've been trying to expand my quilting horizons by using quilting rulers.  They aren't easy to use, but as I've been reminded ... practice, practice, practice!  



When we had our Guild destash last month I was able to sell off enough fabric to buy a set of circle quilting rulers.  With many options for circles, I went with a set by Amanda Murphy called 'Every Circle'.  There are five (5) rulers with circles ranging in size from 1/2" to 7" and the rulers have a nonslip back that helps to keep them in place.    



There are times when I want perfect circles and often wondered how a person does that!  Let's hope these rulers do the trick!  I still struggle with keeping the foot right next to the ruler, but I'm still learning.  



The circles on this quilt are 1 1/2" and fit inside the spaces I left open for them.  I still have a hard time figuring out how to use some of the lines on the rulers, they are confusing to me, but it's coming along as best as it can with the time I've devoted to ruler work.  



In the end the quilting turned out better than I expected it would!  There might be a few imperfect circles here and there, but I can't complain!



I'm anxious to give it another try!  I went with a scrappy gray binding in an effort to use some scraps, plus it fits with the scrappy gray in the quilt.  I like when I can make use of bits and pieces left over from other projects.  


You might be seeing more of this color combination in the future.  I'm slowly working through my scraps but they are never ending!  I've decided to retire them to the closet!  

SLICE OF LIFE
14 1/4" X 54"
My first project using the circle rulers was with this table runner.  Let's just say it was interesting and leave it at that!! 



I wasn't able to add circles to all the half circles, mostly because I was getting frustrated!  In the middle of quilting I threw in the towel, thought of a simple easy design for the remaining half circles and moved on!  



I may have hit the threshold of frustration for my first circle try, but it did encourage me to try, try again!  And I did!  And I'll do it again!  But first...I'll have to make another quilt!  Now I have a valid excuse to start a new project!

LINKING:
PEACOCK PARTY   TGIFF ● WHOOP WHOOP FRIDAY

23 comments :

  1. Thank you for this post. I'm struggling with ruler work too, and recognise the frustration. This gives me hope, and a push to keep trying!
    Your baby quilt is beautiful and the quilting perfectly complements the patchwork.

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    1. I knew I wasn’t alone with ruler work! I also have hope and will continue trying especially on small quilts!

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  2. You quilting looks really good to me and compliments the quilt and table runner very nicely! I've never tried quilting rulers (and may not ever). Nadine W. N. Cali rnwillis@velotech.net

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  3. Hi Jayne! I can feel the stress on those circles by the end of the post, but your vacation site should have that all ebbed away by now. What a beautiful finish and I just love that photo with the water behind it. I have issues using rulers and keeping my foot on it myself. Especially when I go in one direction - in front of the machine from right to left. You would think that would be the easiest to do but not so much for me. I think your quilting looks fabulous! Just stop and admire the backside on that lovely gray fabric. Don't look for wobbles! Just look at the overall pleasing appearance. It looks great! No one but you will ever know there is a wobble and who cares anyway. Great job. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  4. I love the photo you took of this quilt at the beach! Such a perfect spot for those colors! The quilting is fun to look at, too - I like the straight lines that do an unexpected curve and cross over each other. Did you use your new rulers for that part?

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    1. I had to take one quilt picture at the beach! I like how the circles ended up for the most part. Ruler work adds another dimension and gives me options! I didn’t use the rulers for the straight lines. I know you can, but it’s easier with the walking foot for me!

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  5. The detailed quilting and colors in this quilt are wonderful! Your work using rulers gives inspires me to work on this.

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  6. All I can do is ditto what the others have said. I'm working on a new baby quilt ... great grandson #2 and I really like what you did. It's a great quilt!! Oh, but wait!! We need an excuse to start another project??? Oh, no! I am in such trouble!! Grats on your quilting!! Perfect!!

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  7. OMG! I love the Drunk Baby!!! But that table runner, oh my, I adore it!!! Great quilting all around, I am "waiting" for your quilting method book to be written so I can buy it!

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  8. Quilt, quilting, the color combo, the photo shoot, AND your A Slice of Life runner... LOVE!!!

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  9. How can you not like that color combo? I think you might need to save some of it for those long winter days, when a splash of color is needed. I love this quilt, and I also like that runner. Your beach photos look wonderful and relaxing!

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  10. Oh the colors and the textures of the quilt and the table runner. Ohh la la! Gorgeous!

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  11. Amazing quilting and so perfect for the quilt!! Glad you took a photo of the back, that really shows off the quilting. A really fabulous finish! I like your table runner too!! You may have gotten frustrated, but I do like the end result :)

    -Soma

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  12. I love the added element of the circles with the straight line quilting, it adds lots of interest. Love both your projects. Adding the 'other' design in your table runner slices was a great idea!

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  13. I haven't tried rulers yet, I think your circles look terrific!

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  14. Most excellent colorway paired with the gray!

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  15. Anyone who quilts their own quilts gets a “high five” from me! I have done a few table runners, bit that is all. Great job!

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  16. Congratulations on a spectacular finish. I am glad you have a valid excuse otherwise...who knows you would have started a project without one and that would be unprecedented :-D

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  17. Beautiful quilting Jayne! And I love this color combination. This is a perfect quilt and location to end the summer season.

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  18. The baby quilt and runner are both just fabulous! I love the cheerful colors. I know you may see imperfections, but I do not. Your quilting is gorgeous!

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  19. Very nice! I really like the four patch additions in the corners to add a small bit of contrast, yet keeping with the rest of the quilt.

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  20. I think your circle quilting looks amazing, and I would never have guessed that this is a new skill for you, seriously!! Are you quilting with rulers on a longarm frame or with a sit down machine? I've got some longarm rulers that I want to experiment with some more, but I'm still (STILL!!) dealing with mechanical issues with my machine. Fingers crossed that the part that was supposed to be here yesterday will show up on Monday, and that it will solve the problems for good!

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  21. Love your straight line quilting with a curved corner, thats a great idea and definitely one I feel comfortable trying, thanks!

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