Reversible Embroidered Quilt

This quilt was started with a class I took back in 2008 through a (now closed) local Bernina dealer. The class and project were meant to highlight machine embroidery as a quilting option as well as to teach a quilt-as-you-go method of construction.

I actually completed the quilt itself back in 2008. I just didn't get the binding on it until December 2015. :P

To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of this quilt. But I learned a good number of things through the making, including that I'm really just not a fan of quilt-as-you-go. I also like more quilting in my quilt. I learned that machine binding can be an awesome thing (and nowadays, I machine bind many of my quilts... though I don't use the exact technique that was taught in this class). Also-- machine embroidery, while lovely, is really boring to do.

I plan to donate this one, so no label.

While it is maybe not my cup o' tea, the colors are happy and overall, I think it is a pretty quilt.

I am happy that the quilt is finally finished!

Weekend Progress

Despite being sick (nasty cold, caught from the boy) (am I doomed to catch everything he gets???), I managed to have a rather productive quilty weekend. Yay!

Firstly, I got caught up on my Dear Baby Jane blocks, fixing K-7 and completing C-3. On the downside, I keep thinking about C-3 and its wonkiness. At first, I was determined to keep it as is, trying to convince myself that it had character (rather than just plain wonkiness). But I keep obsessing thinking about it. I think this means that I will need to revisit it. Probably not re-do it (because I'm too lazy for that!), but maybe try and fix it so it isn't quite as off kilter in that one particularly bad row.

Then, I got my homework done for the Reversible Embroidered Quilt. (Hmm... I really do need to think of a better name for it.) It is now complete but for binding (which I'll be learning how to do in class on Wednesday) and label. I've attempted to show the quilt's reversible nature by showing the front and back in this picture:


Finally, I got Fairy Flight basted and quilted. Huzzah! All that's left now is the binding (which I've begun) and the label (which I'm thinking I'll wait until baby is born and named before making). Hopefully, I'll finish the binding this week so I can share some pictures.

Tonight is more freelance work. But I'm hoping to at least start on the latest Dear Baby Jane block, B-2. Though Anina has provided some excellent guidance on this one, I'm still feeling intimidated at the prospect of handpiecing it. In fact, at the moment I'm trying hard to remember why it is I decided to handpiece this quilt. :)

Progress report: reversible embroidered quilt

This week was supposed to be the last meeting of the reversible embroidered quilt. So on Tuesday night I frantically began working on my "homework" from the previous class, including finishing work on the individual blocks.


I was even able to get so far as assembling them into rows.


During nap time on Wednesday afternoon, I even managed to get the rows together (mostly... still have some sashing that needs to be completed).


Woo hoo! I am enjoying how quickly this quilt comes together. I don't think it's really my style of quilting, but I am having fun learning a new technique.

Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), I got a message about an hour later that class was canceled and rescheduled two weeks from now. On the bright side, this gives me the opportunity to get further on in the project. Since the last class is going to be focused on binding, it would be cool to actually have a completed top to work on. But the real challenge? Not procrastinating until the night before again this time.

Class: Reversible Embroidered Quilt

Last night was the first class in making a "Reversible Embroidered Quilt." The class is at Bernina Northwest. Unfortunately, it's a little ways from where I live and traffic was not my friend, so I got there a half hour late. On the bright side though, the instructor was very understanding and welcoming. :)

After going to class, I'm even more excited about this project. Many of the techniques are new for me, and I'm anxious to see how it all comes together. The project is a large crib/small lap size quilt, made in a quilt-as-you-go process. This will result in a reversible quilt, with both front and back having blocks and sashing.


I've only ever tried one other quilt-as-you-go project (my African Bargello quilt, pictured above), and I was not thrilled with the results. But this class is featuring a version of the technique that works on a block-by-block basis, as opposed to piecing the quilt together on top of a completed back—so I won't have the same issues with dealing with the awkwardness of piecing on a big ol' background, or with funky folds appearing as I sew.

I'll be using my embroidery machine to do the quilting (it is the "reversible embroidered quilt" after all). I'm also looking forward to doing a binding by machine (I've always used handstitching to finish my bindings).

Another nice thing is that we have 2 weeks between the first and second class meeting. Having this extra time will be very helpful. Now I just have to finalize my fabric selections and get going!