It Fits!

Today was plumbers all day, so I worked around them clearing a path to swing the long arm into its new docking site. There is room for me to quilt despite that darn post, and I'm thrilled to have more space to move. I've also lined the wall with my design boards, and started clearing the mountain of boxes.
 

Selective Service

I've been looking at works eligible to submit to some new exhibitions and this was the only detail I have of one of the works, Details should be an interesting composition in theselves as well as show the quilting style and type. This does, but the subject is more the quilting needle than the quilt surface. So, no go.
 

Wonder Team

It was time to reassemble the long arm. Keep in mind that the bed is 12' wide. The wonderful duo from Delightful Quilting and Sewing, Ron and Joyce, spent the afternoon getting this machine in shape for it's new space. I'm so grateful to find this two who answered my call of 'help' and came to put it right.
 

On the Longarm

A friend's request had me suggesting a selection of whole cloth pieces, and I'm now quilting her choice. I love quilting what I've printed, as the road map is already there. Hope to finish soon, and am looking forward to staying in for the snowfall expected tomorrow. 
 

Additional Trick

Missing a bit of the bottom, I've sewed a piece on with the longarm to the last edge. I'll sew starting and ending with a turned edge, then straight stitch, then flip, then sew along the bottom edge. Hope it's worth it when I get to the final trim!
 

Little Scissors

My Gammill longarm has seen a handful of owners, and the last one before me made a spot to keep a small sharp pair handy. With a good snip I can clean the end of the thread and manage to thread it with little trouble. Here is also a peek at what's next on the machine.

 

Staring at the Top

This quilt was loaded before my Tahoe trip. This weekend I planted in front of the longarm and quilted. Glad that the weather was stinky -- cold, rainy, snowy -- and being inside was easy. Tomorrow I'll try to square it up, trim it, face it, and get it on the table to sew the facing and sleeve. Movies!!

 

Under the Needle

My Gammill is not in constant use, and it jumps into action when needed. I've got a small work for the members' show at Rochester Contemporary due in a month, and October is full of 'other'. So, best to get the queue taken down a few. No name yet, I'll have to live with it for that, perhaps.
 

Details

Entries to exhibitions often ask for details, particularly if it is fiber work. I contend that the image of that detail should be compositionally interesting, and show some facet of the work in the medium as well as the finishing. Above is all right, but doesn't show the color work of the piece. Below better.

 

A Quilting-We-Will-Go

I'm happy the dark and cold keep me indoors, I can stand to spend hours at the longarm without the yearning to be outdoors. I've climbed about 1/3 of this piece, saving some for tomorrow. I split my time between studios today, stopped for groceries, then hunkered down to tackle this. Good day all 'round.
 

Gift Giving

A dear friend ordered two yards of fabric she thought her son might like as wall art. On further thought, we asked her visiting son for his choice, and he choose this piece. Today I felt well enough to get to the longarm and get it quilted. I'll finish tomorrow morning, one of the last 'finishes' of the year.
 

Back to Longarming

It was a marathon longarm sprint. I got it set up Friday, and finished Monday evening. Yes, I was gone a day for welcoming the fall, and pleased that this step is finished. Tomorrow I'll trim it and add facings and sleeve. My deadline approaches for installing in October. 
 

Tools of the Trade

That pocket computer that masquerades as a phone contains a gazillion tricks. Visiting a friend who has a Gammill like mine brought out the camera function to take note of the position of the needle through the plate. The text function let me write directly on the image to note what to remember. Technology!
 

Slow Going

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It'll take time and patience for this one, as the colors get switched out left and right. It would certainly be easier if I had the exact color, as now it takes me time to settle on what is at hand. What is enjoyable is following the gestural lines that I'd printed. Always the best road map!
 

Start Your Machines

You would think there'd be a garden of pastel petals in this next quilt, bit it will read as quiet color. Still, I'll be using most of these to quilt on the longarm the Atmospheric River. I might have maybe twice this many cones, not the full spectrum. So, a close match will have to do.
 

Centering

Not having the long tape measure, I grabbed two, started each one at opposite ends and found the middle easily. The pen mark at the very top is the center of the longarm canvas to attach the backing. The batting and top are laid loosely. I managed to get this done today, tomorrow I'll trim and add the facing. 
 

Longarm Ahead

I've got a couple of days into machine quilting this large piece, but as I reach the last few inches I find my longarm won't move. So, I'll sleep on it, check it tomorrow, and then figure out what to do next. Between this and filing taxes, not my favorite mood.
 

A Day's Work

A few hours on the longarm gave yards to work from for the coat. It was difficult to estimate the amount of fabric. I think I had about 80" x 120", joined, pieced, reassembled, but mostly using it for the whole pieces minimally cut. Here it is coming off the machine. I used a burgundy color thread throughout.
 

End of the Run

Split over a few days, this way of adding the quilting is great. I can load the longarm and it will wait for me to return to add. This one was longer than I thought as I switched out the top color frequently. I like to match the thread to the color beneath. And I'm using wool batting. It's light and forgiving.
 

Yes, I Found That Hour

Finally got that machine riding over the last quilt I made, and it's so easy to grab and hour here and there. One reason I have the machine at the home studio and not away. I do love to do this drawing on the work.