CONTEMPLATING QUILTING

 I've been thinking about how I want to quilt Spider Legs.  I keep coming back to quilting it on the diagonal.  Which means loading it onto the longarm on the diagonal.  I've watched a few how-to videos on YouTube.

I think I might do it.  So, now I'm wondering how I want to quilt it.  I printed out a photocopy of the quilt and started drawing lines on it.

Since it's called Spider Legs, I thought about putting hairy spikey things on the legs.  So, one of the legs on the photo has straight spikes the other has curved spikes.  I'm leaning towards the curvy ones.  And then there's what to quilt in the black legs.

What do you think?  Any ideas or suggestions?  I'm open for input.

BACKING FOR SPIDER LEGS

 I've been procrastinating, but I finally finished making the backing for my Spider Web project.  I've named it Spider Legs because it doesn't look like a spider web anymore.  

I think I'm procrastinating because I don't know how I want to quilt it.  I've got a few ideas, but I haven't decided on anything yet.

FINISHED BROKEN BRICKS

 I made some binding and got busy sewing onto the recently quilted Broken Bricks quilt.

So, it's officially finished now.  That's finish number 12 for the year.  

Close-up of the quilting.

For those of you that inquired, here's a few of my tips for machine top-stitching the binding on the top. 

First, I like a tight binding.  I cut the continuous bias binding at 2-1/4" wide and press it in half.  Then I sew it onto the backing with a 1/4" seam allowance or so.  After, I give it a good press to the outside.

A lot of folks use those little clips all around the quilt.  Not me.  I use a couple of them, one to get it started and another when I get to the corners.  But, my secret weapon is my wonderful little awl.

I use it to hold the binding where I want it as I go, stitching a few inches at a time. 

When I get to the corner I trim away the corner of batting and a little of the batting to the approach and some from the next side, so the bulk of the binding will have a place to go.  

Then I fold it the way I want and keep it clipped as I approach the corner.  I remove the clip, which has pressed the binding into submission, then hold it in place with the awl.  Sew up to fold, making sure I get just one stitch into the fold and then leaving the needle down I raise the foot and turn the corner.

 Continue on around the whole quilt.  

Those are my best tips.  You can do it.

FINISHED PLAID BRICKS QUILT

I made the binding yesterday. I auditioned several colors and settle on a Kona Stone. Today I sewed it onto the Plaid Bricks quilt.

It's done!  

BROKEN BRICKS QUILTED

 I finished the quilting on the Broken Bricks quilt.  I used the same pantograph I used on the Plaid Bricks quilt, but I made it a little smaller.  It quilts out really nice.  

FINISHED BIRDS IN THE AIR

 I made the binding and sewed it onto the Birds in the Air quilt today.

So, it's officially done.  It is my tenth finish for the year.

This quilt top was made in 1994.  Included are blocks made by some of my friends in the Issaquah Quilt Guild on which most signed their names and the date.  

PLAID BRICKS DONE QUILTING

 I finished up the second half of the quilting on the Plaid Bricks quilt.

It looks great.  This pantograph stitched very nicely and it looks great with the straight lines of the quilt.