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!
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