Day: May 29, 2011

Turkey Tracks: Millie Young’s Quilt

Turkey Tracks:  May 29, 2011

Millie Young’s Quilt

Coastal Quilters have an annual auction in the fall.  Two years ago, Millie Young generously donated a beautiful quilt top and over 5 yards of backing and at least 2 yards of fabric that would be lovely for the binding.  I bid on the quilt, but not vigorously since I knew it would take me a long time to quilt it.  I loved the colors!

The quilt showed up again at the fall 2010 auction!  And this time, I had a long arm.  I can’t remember what I paid for the quilt, but it was, truly, a gift.

 I used a pantograph on a smaller quilt–generously donated by quilter Prudy Netzorg, so I could learn how.  Learning all the tricks of a long-arm machine is a huge learning curve actually.  So, Millie Young’s quilt became my second pantograph experience.  I chose a big pattern–hyacinths–and it came out so pretty.  When the light catches the quilt, the pattern forms raised areas and creates all kinds of lovely shadowing.

I just finished binding the quilt last night.  Here it is flung across a bed:

And, here’s a close-up which shows the quilting:

I did a great job with the pantograph–but learned to think about how the first and last sweeps of the pattern will play out on the quilt.  I looked at a quilt I have done by a professional and can see that the quilter organized the sweeps so that they are even on both sides.  But, that’s the kind of detail few would see, too.

I chose a peach-colored thread, which came out lovely.

I’m throwing ZEN (you can have the work but not the fruit of the work) out the window on this one.  It’s staying here!  I believe, given the history, that I was meant to have it!

Turkey Tracks: John’s Socks

Turkey Tracks:  May 29, 2011

John’s Socks

Earlier in the spring, I visited Halcyon Yarns in Bath, Maine.  Halcyon Yarn is famous in Maine.  I can’t imagine why I haven’t ever visited since I go by Bath not infrequently.  Here’s the web site:  http://halcyonyarn.com/.

I bought a ball of yarn I fell in love with.  Zauberball yarn:  http://halcyonyarn.com/products/yarn/06716600.html.  I saw socks, not shawls.  Ok, the truth.  I bought 2 balls.  One I fell in love with, and one I knew would make a pair of socks that would go with a winter sweater and pair of corduroy pants I have.  I don’t really have socks that work well with this combo.

Of course I started with the ball I loved.  As I worked, John thought he loved the developing socks too.

 In retrospect, this beautiful yarn–lovely to work with–would have taken a pattern with no trouble–without taking away from the changing pattern in the yarn itself.