UFO

It is such a good feeling to finish a UFO.  This one has been hanging around for a long time.  It is a block of the month by Leah Day.  I liked it because each block was made separately and machine quilted before putting the twelve blocks together.  Leah Day, not only provided the pattern for the block, but also provided the quilting pattern.  Her quilt was made with orange and yellow fabric.  I did change the colors.

I was unhappy with the way that the blocks looked when I put them together.  Something didn’t look right.  I was using Georgia Bonsteel’s  method of lap quilting to join the blocks.

ne night, I took all the seams out and started over using Leah Day’s method.  When I un-sewed, I found out that I didn’t line the right seams up. No wonder it didn’t look right.  Leah Day’s method sewed three lines around the block before squaring up the block.  It seemed like an unnecessary waste of time, but it was well worth the extra effort in the end. The blocks were perfectly square and went together perfectly.  Things that I have learned while making this quilt.  Finished is better than perfect.  Don’t quilt on  cling wrap.  It is hard to get off and threads pull out when it is removed.  It turns black, probably from the ink used to draw the quilting lines.  If it doesn’t look right, it probably isn’t.  Don’t be afraid to un-sew and start again. Not all quilts need a border.  Make the backing compatible in color with the thread that you are quilting with.   It’s o.k. to change the quilting thread color within a block.  It is impossible to follow a predetermined quilting pattern.  You have to concentrate in following a line, coordinating the pedal and your hands.  That’s just too much to think about at the same time.  If there are pebbles, quilt your own.  Quilt straight line from point to point.  Tie off and clip beginning and ends of quilting lines as they are quilted..  Don’t wait until all the quilting is finished. Make sure that the bobbin thread is brought to the top every time that you start a new quilting line.  If you don’t, the bobbin thread will be in a nest on the back.  Don’t be in a hurry to finish a piece and go on to something else. Maybe there is a reason why you have a UFO in the first place.

After all this,  it is a pretty quilt and it will keep someone warm.

Have a great day and happy quilting.