2 Vintage Floral Appliqué Quilts - Finished 09/23/2012

8/4/2012

Stacy Gilbert is a long time quilter and collector of vintage quilt tops. She prefers authentic hand quilting but is opting for the expedient machine pantograph for these two anyway. Sometimes it is better to have a few quilts rather than just the quilt tops. She did not piece these but aren't they beautiful!!

July 31: I received the quilt photos from Stacy.
Aug 01: Staci has committed to sending her quilts. We are working on selecting IQ patterns.
Aug 04: The quilts arrived at the PO & I picked them up on the 6th.
Aug 23: Spent the day looking for IQ patterns and asking some pros in the business what they thought. Waiting for Staci's final answer. LOL

Quilt 1 - Orange & Purple Pansies - Finished 09/23/2012

Photo by Stacy Gilbert

This quilt has shamrock leaves with embroidered flower centers including lots of French Knots. The white fabric is thick and heavy almost like canvas.

This quilt has 5 rows x 4 columns of 16.5" blocks with a 4.5" white border.

Aug 24: Cut the batting, checked the backing size, had a million interruptions, talked to Staci so we have a final plan. IQ is programmed.
Aug 27: Change of plan. When a Donna Kleinke panto similar to Jumbo Pansy was given to me today just in time, we decided it was better suited for this quilt. Both are so beautiful. Hmmm. It is also much denser. This is because is so large to start with that I cannot enlarge it very much. The image below is at its max size. I give the quilting time only for comparison and no other reason. I also posted an illustration of the difference in density between the two options.
Aug 28: I worked with the new panto trying to alter it so it could be stitched looser. After repeated tries I gave up. Those pattern designer know how to get them to flow just right. Lo & behold during the night an elf came along and simplified my panto. Now it is perfect.
Sept 18: Prepared & loaded the quilt. Will baste & quilt tomorrow.
Sept 19-20: Well, I basted anyway. And started quilting but had to undo it.
Sept 21-23: Quilting. Finished on the 23rd. Will take morning photo and then ship tomorrow.
Sept 24: Final pictures are posted.

Quilt 2 - Two-Tone Flower Blocks - Finished 09/02/2012

Most of the flowers have yellow centers but several have dark centers. Beautiful applique. The white fabric is thick and heavy almost like canvas.

This quilt has 5 rows x 4 columns of 17" blocks with no border.

Aug 24: Cut the batting. I checked the backing for size which Staci thought & told me was in one piece with no seams (like on the other backing for quilt #1). This one has a very thick seam and it needed squaring. Talked to Staci & "ironed" out all the details. IQ is programmed. All is posted. And I am tired and hungry.
Aug 27: First task: replace the thick seam with a 1/2 inch regular seam and press it open. Now backing is ready to load. Ready to piece a few minor fixes on the top. And now the top is re-pressed & also ready to load. Quilt is loaded & ready to baste tomorrow.
Aug 29: Wasn't well yesterday .Quilting and all i going very well.
Aug 39: When I rolled the quilt to start the 3rd row, I had to stop and fix a seam to avoid an ugly pucker or pleat, i.e.seam it by hand with old fashion needle and thread. This kind of work delays the whole show & ought to be done before sending me the quilt top. That said, I did not catch it when preparing to load. This quilt is however worth it, I must say. Very special. Considering how long a quilt will last, I try to keep quilting time in perspective.