Superman Quilt - Finished 07/25/2012

Note that these are appliques on pieced blocks.

Carrie Byrd
of El Paso, Texas pieced this Superman theme quilt.

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We have been talking for a several days about the custom IQ pattern she wants--something that includes the Superman Logo as a block or incorporated in a pantograph.  I sent Sandy a picture of the logo on fabric to see if she was available & interested. Yes & yes. When I received Carrie's photo the block idea was out so Carrie & I via phone went though the various styles of meandering pantos on this site including loops, curves, puzzle pieces, squares and swirls. She liked Vicki Malaski's style of swirls best because they "look like flames". Once Carrie committed, Sandy produced a flawless winner the first time!! (It used to take us several rounds & several hours of testing to get a pattern right.)

June 16: Carrie first contacted me about longarming this quilt.
June 18: Got photos from Carrie (posted below).
June 19: Carrie accepted my quote & Sandy created the custom pantograph for this quilt.
July 02: The quilt is now here complete with batting. The backing is as colorful as the front! What I did not know before is that these are all appliques over pieced blocks!! Wow, Carrie!! A very special quilt indeed!
July 06: Carrie chose a Superior Rainbows variegated thread called Tapestry. I ordered it from Superior as a special order since I just missed the monthly shipment. That is because they worked on the July 4th! Go figure.
July 17: I have been watching for that thread to come in. When I didn't get a package delivered in person, like yesterday, I would go check the mailbox. Hmmm. No thread. Checked the box twice today. No thread. Hmmm. Time to call Superior. It was at the Fleetwood post office yesterday morning. Hmmm. Time to call Bennie & RIta, our carriers. Bennie said there have been other mailbox thefts in this area. Rita described the white box she delivered to my mailbox yesterday. So I filed a police report & reordered the thread. Should be here Monday via UPS.
July 23: The thread is here and preparation for loading has begun. The quilt is now loaded and basted. Just need a nap before I go any further. Now first row is done & gorgeous!
July 24: After quilting the first row, I rolled the quilt and checked the back. While the front looks great, I was not satisfied with the tension on the back in several places. When I tested it, I did it on the black border attached to widen the backing for quilting and not on the backing fabric itself. I chose a light thread for the back which did not blend as well as i hoped and the beautiful variegated thread on top showed through. I am switching to a dark thread on the back, adjusting the tension and redoing the first row ...uh after I take it out today.
July 25: Ready to start quilting again. A successful day & the quilting is finished.