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Monday, July 29, 2013

I've been working hard to get ready for a show that is coming up this weekend.  It's the Four County Quilters Guild Quilt Show in Frederick, Maryland.  The show is Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Frederick County Fairgrounds.  More information is available on their website Four County Quilters Guild.

I finished this quilt top this morning ....... the one I said I would finish about 2 months ago!


I did this applique on the machine using Aurifil Lana Wool thread.


I've had so many customers ask if they could use the wool thread in the sewing machine that I thought it was about time I should be able to give them a first-person opinion.


It worked like a dream for me!!

I used my Bernina 440QE, a #80 Schmetz Metallic needle, #45 stitch, #34 presser foot and a 50 wt. thread in the bobbin.  I didn't have to change the tension at all!!  I did "drive" it very slowly.  Like "driving the mayor in an open car in the Christmas parade" slowly.  It took quite a while to finish it but well worth not being frustrated.


The pattern is Calico Baskets by Cheri Payne and is available on the website on the pattern page and the kit page.


I still have the basket handles to add and some decorative stitching between the blocks but I am just tickled at how smoothly the machine applique went.  I will probably stick with my hand applique since I enjoy it so much but at least I have an alternative that wasn't as painful as I thought it might be!

Blessings, Cathi

8 comments:

Beardie Mom said...

Lovely -- Thanks for sharing I also have a 440QE and adore the Lana wool Aurifil but have only used it for hand work . . . appreciate your hints!

Libby said...

Love it! Have a great show.

Shuttle, Hook and Needle said...

Never thought about using the wool Aurifil on the sewing machine. I really like using it for hand stitching. Nice quilt!! Look forward to a pic of it finished!

The Old Parsonage said...

Cathi you always amaze me my friend. I really like the pattern!

Hope that you are having fun in MD!

Leann

Karen said...

Interesting concept to use the machine. I think I will stick with hand stitching wool but nice to know there is another way to do it.

Anonymous said...

I love your post. I can actually relate on some of your post, especially the quilts. I love quilting and been doing it for quite some time now. Thank you for giving me idea on other quilts. I also love the other posts like the documentation of the baby’s development.



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Angie Berry ~ Berry Homespun Primitives said...

It is absolutely beautiful already Cathi and you aren't even finished! Drive it slowly like driving the mayor... that had me lol-ing!! I hope you've recouperated from your show and finding some time to relax~

My Colonial Home said...

Hi Cathi,
Well by now your show is over and I hope it went well.
The applique is beautiful even unfinished.
How great to try the machine to applique - I haven't had the nerve to try that yet - maybe someday.
Karen