Good Morning, Quilters!
Today, we will focus on machine quilting applique blocks. It can be challenging–and lead to procrastination!
I have finally returned to a project that has lingered way too long…my Boxes and Vines Quilt.
Spontaneous Quilt Design
I started this applique and pieced quilt nearly ten years ago. The quilt just happened, without a design. I had some hand-dyed trimmings from another quilt. I didn’t want to waste them so I stitched the trimmings around solid white blocks. Next, I set them on point with more solid white blocks. Then I added a few borders, including more orphan blocks.
Later, I decided it needed a little (or a lot of) applique. Everything just flowed without a hitch. The quilt came together beautifully!
However, once the applique was finished and the quilt top complete, the quilt lingered….
Procrastination
The quilt top lingered for a very long time.
Basting quilts is one of my least favorite aspects of quilting.
Eventually, I made a backing and layered the quilt.
Paralysis by Analysis or FEAR?
Again, the quilt lingered…
One of the reasons I procrastinated on this quilt so often is I like it too much!
I really don’t want to ruin it with my quilting!
Sound familiar?
After each phase of quilting, I am struck with paralysis by analysis.
Getting Applique to Pop
My original plan for quilting the applique blocks was to quilt heavily around the hand applique flowers and leaves to really make them pop!
And they do…
But they look naked…unfinished!
Modifying the Original Quilting Plan
I decided to add a little bit of detailing within each flower.
And the best thread choice was a heavy weight thread.
How to Travel Stitch with Heavy Thread
You know I LOVE heavy weight thread because it really shows off the quilting line.
However, when you need to travel from one applique to another–heavy quilting still really shows off the quilting line.
Now here’s the dilemma…
In order to travel from one applique to another, I either had to design a quilting motif that would connect the applique or cut off and create a knot after each row of quilting.
I HATE KNOTS!
So I tried to design a continuous quilting line for the applique.
More Procrastination
My first attempts at designing the applique were not working out, so the quilt got shoved aside.
And there it lingered!
While cleaning my sewing room a few weeks ago, I folded it neatly on my sewing table–front and center!
It was time to make a decision.
Do the Hard Thing
Sometimes, procrastination is because we don’t want to make a decision, other times it is because we don’t want to do something hard.
I decided to go with the knots.
While knotting off after each applique will take many extra hours than a continous line, for this quilt it is the only answer.
I would regret anything else.
BERNINA 770QE to the Rescue!
I have two sewing machines set up in my studio, A BERNINA 770QE domestic sewing machine and the BERNINA Q20 sit-down long arm. I LOVE them both!
The Q20 has a huge harp space, but only the B770QE has the convenient push-a-button knot that cuts the bobbin and top thread at the same time!
While I did all the background quilting on the Q20, I decided to move to the B770 to complete the applique.
Relax and Enjoy
Now that I’m settled in to stitching and knotting every applique, I am enjoying the process!
And really, what’s a few more hours?!
What about YOU?
Do YOU ever procrastinate because you don’t like a phase of the quilting process?
Have YOU ever let a quilt linger because you are afraid to ruin it with your quilting?
Do YOU ever suffer from paralysis by analysis?
Have YOU ever decided the “hard way” is the “best way”? (Is quilting an allegory for life–LOL???)
We’d LOVE to hear!
Signed,
Your Very Patient Quilter,
Lori Slowski
PS…All 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 at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com. Thanks!
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