Hubby's Monopoly Quilt

Hubby's birthday was yesterday and I made him his own quilt. I wanted something masculine looking, or at least not floral, and I saw this monopoly fabric and just had to buy it. Since he loves our doxie I made the center block out of dachshund fabric I had picked up in Harrisburg a few years back. Since I did not want him to see it I actually quilted it at work on the Pfaff sit down quilter. It went pretty fast but I also decided to use a template ruler for the border and that did not turn out too well. Apparently one needs to practice with those rulers for awhile - anyhoo my hubby does not seem to notice my irregular quilting on the borders!

 

 

 

Making Free Motion Quilting Easier - The Elna 740 Table

I have had the Elna 740 sewing machine for about 2 years now but have resisted buying the Elna table that goes with it. I use the 740 primarily for free motion quilting and usually just leave it set up for that purpose only. The advantages of the table is that the machine sits recessed into the table thus allowing a flat surface for the quilt to slide over. Well I took the plunge and cannot believe how much easier it is to FMQ with the machine in this table.

Notice how the bed of the machine is flush with the table. Plus the table itself is finished with some type of Formica that is extremely smooth and allows the quilt to glide over it without a Teflon overlay. It allows use of the knee lift and has a drawer on the left front for accessories.

The table has adjustable levelers on each leg so I was able to make it the same height as my cutting table. I rearranged my sewingroom to have the 740 back to back with my cutting table which now allows me to have over 60 inches of surface for my quilt to lay on and avoid the drag while quilting. I am more than happy with my new table and have already stippled a quilt with more ease than ever before.

Some Creations From End of 2013

Well I was kind of busy at the end of the year and neglected to post most of what I did before the Holidays. So I will try to get caught up. Here is a pic of my daughter wrapped up in the quilt I made for her birthday in November.

 

 

 

I made this quilt with Moda fabric with The Yellow Brick Road pattern. I actually quilted it with the Pfaff P3 Longarm with a stipple pattern.  I wanted to try a longarm and it is very different to free motion with one. However I free motioned the border pattern on my Elna 740.

 



I also made my first art quilt in November 2013. I read an article about girl quilts in the fall AQS magazine and decided to make one for my daughter-in-law's birthday. we were hosting her 30th birthday party and I thought it would look cute hanging on the front door. My favorite part was the brown suede boots I made and she actually showed up wearing hers the day of the party! I had a great time making it and doing the appliques and will definitely make another.

 

Here's the birthday girl with her hubby.