Friday, July 4, 2014

Monkey Business (a finished quilt)

Big news, here! I have completed not one but two 2nd Quarter FAL goals!

Here is my second finish of the 2nd quarter, the Monkey Business Baby Quilt!


I actually had help piecing this one, over 2 years ago, from my mom.

I started quilting it with a walking foot on my old machine, but had wicked tension issues.
Then it got packed up with everything when I moved.

I didn't have the heart to re-start it until I bought my new machine this March.

It was a completely different experience the second time around!

I finished up the simple zigzag/stitch in the ditch quickly, and immediately stalled again on binding.



Fortunately, one of the perks to being in a local guild is that you get to pick people's brains for trick and tips! Just last month, One of the CAMQG members did a demonstration on bias binding.

 I took notes, seriously nerdy, right? But you know what...
it was exactly the guidance and confidence booster I needed!

The binding is machine stitched, per the instructions from Quilts for Kids 
(it needs to hold up to frequent washes).

It took a little time to get the handle of it, but I went slowly, used a small army of wonderclips, and TADA!  My binding looks decent! Those wonderclips are my new best friends.

 Perfect?  Of course not, but I am exceedingly pleased with the results, and am ready for more!


Quilt Stats:
Name: Monkey Business
Size: 36 x 48"
Fabrics:  Robert Kauffman
BindingStash
PatternQuilts for Kids
Quilting: Free Motion Quilting - Lines with walking foot on my domestic machine 
Completed: June 2014


Projects aside, I feel like I have made leaps and bounds over the last 3 months as a quilter.


From chasing that perfect scant 1/4" to conquering my fear of bias binding,
it seems like the things that I would have previously stalled on, are not so intimidating anymore.

The confidence and energy I've drawn from my fellow guild members has also pushed me further than I thought I could go in just 3 months. 



Time for me to get back to business, which at the moment involves going to the hardware store. Hubby and I are planning to build some much needed shelving... wish us luck!

Also, if you missed it, details on my first finish this quarter is here.


Linking up this finished quilt to the 2nd quarter FAL party Katy is hosting here.
Finish Along 2014

Also linking up linked up with Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish It Up Friday and  Quokka Quilts for TGIFF.



2 comments:

  1. love it, and the machine binding looks great

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  2. What a sweet quilt, those monkeys are so cute! And I love your previous finish too, such gorgeous colours. Keep up the good work!

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