Bad pictures, good things.

The utility quilting class was fab.  The whole technique came much more naturally to me than plain old hand quilting (which I WILL like....someday).  Utility quilting basically employs embroidery stitches to tack (or "quilt", I suppose) your piece of work.  I love the simplicity and ease of this way of hand quilting.  I have so many thoughts about what to make now, and I feel like I could actually finish a quilt on my own (well, minus the binding....I learn that next month), which is very liberating!

Let me apologize in advance for the quality of the pictures.  The class was at night, and that probably isn't the exact right time to take pictures of handwork.  But anyway...

We practiced with two fat quarters and batting.  Our teacher suggested using a fabric with a grid (gingham, plaid) until we become more comfortable with our ability to be consistant.

Here is a closer, but no less crappy, view of my practice stitches:

We worked on fairly simple stitches that I'm very familiar with, but that really allowed my mind to wander and explore the possibilities.  I can imagine making a quilt of solid colors, utility quilted with a contasting thread.  Or wait!  A quilt made of all fabrics with birds, utilited quilted with the crowfooting (top of second picture) stitch. 

I love learning all of this.  I love the women in my class.  I love looking forward to the years stretching out before me and all of the warm blankets I get to make for my loved ones.

Speaking of loved ones, Elinor and mom and I got to have coffee with one of our very favorite people in the whole world today!  We met up at Redwing Coffee and Baking and caught up over some delicious treats and Redwing's own coffee, and enjoyed the art.

Comments

[Robin]

And then you did it, you tagged my art, 'cause you all ready knew!