Good Afternoon, Quilters!
After weeks and weeks of record snowfall here in Minnesota, we are finally looking at warmer temperatures! It is going to be 48F today! Spring is around the corner! The birds will be singing again.
I would even relish a little rain!
Singing in the Rain, A Whole Cloth Quilt
This is one of my favorite little whole cloth quilts. The machine quilting is stitched with heavy weight, Sulky Rayon white thread and heavy weight, Superior, King Tut, blue cotton. Though both threads are heavy weight, the contrasting color stands out and the matching blue thread creates an interesting textured pattern.
Lori Kennedy Quilts Website Update
Faye, Nora and I are working to make Lori Kennedy Quilts the best machine quilting resource online. (You may hear me say that a lot–as our reminder and our pledge to YOU.)
Thank you for your patience as we continue to tweak the site to fix the email and other technical issues. We have a great team working on this, but it does take time.
Tomorrow: The Best Quilt Marking Tools!
Hope Spring is on the way in YOUR neighborhood!
Are YOU singing a happy tune?
What are YOU stitching!
We’d LOVE to hear!
Watching for Robins in Minnesota,
Lori
PS…All machine quilting and other tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to Lori Kennedy Quilts. For all other purposes, please contact me Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com. Thanks!
25 comments
Lynette Caulkins
Lori, this spring mini quilt is ADORABLE! If I didn’t have so many pressing tasks on my plate and spread all over my master suite, I’d do one up as a quilting study! I just finished piecing Heather’s graduation quilt top, so I’m taking a break from that project’s intensity and working on a Halloween UFO and a Valentine’s hand applique UFO. In the home remodeling vein, I’m currently focused on the finish-work of the bathtub surround and the mantel. I’ve got the primary sanding finished and an initial coat of shellac to seal up the wood’s resins done, and have yet to do the fill work, caulking, marking of faux panels, then texturizing with the base color, color-washing the panels, sealing the verticals, and then four coats of semi gloss on the stair treads. For the mantel, I only need to get two more coats of paint on the architectural filigree so Scott can install that this weekend, and then I can caulk the corners and put on the last coat of paint. . . It goes on and on and one – so glad to have quilt UFOs that give me the satisfaction of a finish every few weeks!
D. Joy Summers
Give me a break! Who really needs to make a mistake on purpose because only God is perfect. Of course only God is Perfect, I don’t make a mistake on purpose because I can’t make a perfect anything. So I use my mistakes for an opportunity for creative designs and such. I find that fun and a learning time too.
Lynette Caulkins
There are many cultures that use the addition of a purposeful “mistake” into their crafts and arts to symbolize the relationship between humans and God. Amish, Navajo, Persians, Punjabs, Islamics, even the Japanese Wabi sabi concept. Like you, I know that my pieces already have plenty of non-perfect aspects, so I embrace my humanity and celebrate the beauty that emerges in spite of, and sometimes because of those imperfections. I respect those cultures that include imperfection points on purpose, though, because it’s akin to making a little prayer. It’s a mindful gesture rather than a latent acceptance like mine.
REBERTA
Lynette–
So nice of you to respond in such a lovely and respectful way.
REBERTA
Hello, Everyone–
Yesterday, before 10:00 AM, the temperature here in Las Vegas, Nevada, was 68 degrees. Early this morning I went out for a long walk. I’m almost finished repairing the bear paw floor pillow I made for my son a few years ago. It was damaged during his move from Colorado. I’ve also planned my next project.
No robins here, but the trees are in full bloom and absolutely beautiful. I’m feeling energized. This is the year I am promising myself to be brave and try FM quilting. You all are so inspiring. Can’t thank you enough.
Marta
Hey Reberta, If you see our son whizzing by on his bicycle out in Red Rock, tell him his quilt is underway! I finally found a pattern to use, He requested hexagons… big ones, not tiny ones! He is getting in shape for a fundraising ride in May. Enjoy your weather. We have had 31′ to 82″ off and on this past month here in South Georgia. The robins came thru and kept on going… LOL Enjoying the azaleas in full bloom now. PS I have to choose which FMQ designs to use in the center of the hexagons…..
Marta
Thanks…I would love to meet you. We are supposed to go for Thanksgiving and hope we can swing it. Marta
REBERTA
If you are ever out this way, give me a shout.
Phyllis Arnold
In the 70’s in Texas today so spring is finally here. Organized fabric in cabinet yesterday and weeded out those remnants that I cut into sizes that will be suitable for a quilt in the future.
Maggie Martin
I am working on a 2 fabric checkmark wall hanging for my master bedroom, finally, something for me!
It is 50 degrees here in Carson City, NV and all is well, Spring is on the way.
Hope you warm up soon.
mazlarkin
Hello to everyone, especially to Lori, Nora and Faye, what a formidable team you are becoming. Well whilst all your responders have been eagerly awaiting the warmer weather, here in Australia 29 celsius today, we are hoping autumn will bring us much needed rain and cooler days. Each summer seems to be that much hotter than the last, but that doesn’t stop up avid quilters keeping on making quilts, nothing can stop us. Today I am off to a quilt-in to make quilts for those families who lost their homes in the latest round of bushfires. Lots of quilt as you go projects will help us get through as many as we can.
Donna Johnson
No sun shine in northwest Indiana today. Hoping for some tomorrow. Working on a Detroit Redwing quilt for my son( made his Dad’s Chicago Blackhawks quilt first😊).
Susan
Here in west Michigan it is a balmy 48 degrees F., but cloudy. I saw the first two robins this past Sunday in our front yard. I am working on sewing/repairing holes in sweaters and gloves.
brendaintheboro
weather here in the UK is up and down. The spring flowers are blooming but I am surprised they haven’t been washed or blown away but spring is coming. I am working on finishing up a quilt top. have finished knitting some woollen sock as well. Off out cycling tomorrow I hope
Barbara
Hey Lori & Girls,
It was a happy Thursday afternoon when I found your great message. It is misting rain here in Knoxville, TN but as long as there aren’t more deluges & flooding we will not complain. I am not quilting at all right now as all needed fabric & supplies are boxed for our eventual move to a smaller footprint.
Our Robins arrived on Valentine Day & have been busy worm hunting in the wet, grassy lawns. We also saw our first Humming birds Monday & am already making the syrupy nectar.
When I was at the cancer center a few weeks ago there was a gorgeous high heeled shoes quilt displayed & I am now looking for the pattern. Each heel was different, embellished, or the shoe part was made from goofy fabric with rhinestones down the spike heel. I’ve never heard a group of women so complimentary of quillwork but it was the shoes I’m sure.
Again Lori, thank you for stopping by today.
Becky Shaffer
Hi Lori! We have had snow all winter here in my part of PA and it’s been really cold. We don’t usually have such cold snowy winters, so I am really ready for spring. I can feel that it’s on its way. Hooray! I have been practicing collage quilting. It’s fun, but having little bits of fabric all over my studio is driving me crazy. I have also started experimenting with free motion couching which is a lot of fun. I discovered a post that you did on couching about five years ago that was helpful. That Bernina 43 foot is amazing.
Sandra
When your speaking of the heavy weight threads you used in the whole cloth quilt, what weight is it?
Janette
Kinda cloudy today , high of 9C, and some rain, here in Ontario Canada.
Working on UFO’s to clean up so l can start new. So far staying focused, have finished two since the first of January. Lol…..Might lose now that you have shown me the adorable whole cloth quilt.
Have already seen my first robin, while walking the dog.
Christina Petee
I just used the paperclip border design on a little boy quilt. I was perfect!
Christina Petee
It was perfect! I’m far from perfect!
Arvilla Trag
I don’t need to make mistakes on purpose – they just happen naturally! Who knew I’m an Amish Navajo?
Laura Barnes
The Navajo weavers do the same thing in their rugs because only the Creator is perfect.
Mary
I’ve been told that the Amish make a mistake on purpose on their quilts because only God is perfect.
Lynn
Hi Lori, from central Alberta.
Working on a “ warmer” quilt for grandson. Any thread , batting, quilting tips for cotton top and flannel back quilts? I have never used flannel for anything bigger than a table runner. Also , I am so looking forward to your marking tips. This is an area I struggle with, esp on whites and blacks. Love your new website so far.
Caryl
Wash and dry the flannel to shrink it before you use it as a backing, especially if fabrics for top are not washed. I like to stay stitch or zigzag the cut edges before washing to reduce raveling during wash. By the way, once washed and dried, flannel never ravels again. For extra warmth in Canadian winters, you might look for an extra thick high-loft batting or use 2 layers. Some machines can’t handle the thickness, so tying might be a better finish technique than actual machine quilting. Or you could try the large-stitch (1/4″ stitches) hand quilting using something like Pearl Cotton. Good luck!
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