Janet's quilt

I finished Janet B's quilt yesterday. It was a big one. Large enough I had to purchase batting from a quilting friend who carries 120 70/30.  I really don't like to piece batting unless I can't find batting that is wide enough. If am  doing an heavily quilted art type quilt then I have not problem adding or subtracting batting. But for a bed quilt, one that is going to be used and washed and washed and used and maybe passed down to family, the batting should be one piece.  I have pieced batting before, using a serpentine  cut and then stitching it together by hand. I have sewn batting together on my domestic machine and used it. I have client's that bring me pieced batts. I will use what ever the client wants, but my mind set is..... you spend a lot of money on the material, time sewing the top, you pay to have it quilted........ you should put a quality backing on your quilt and have a nice piece of batting. Why chance having the batting pull apart when it won't cost that much more for a nice batting.  I compromise on some things. I have used sheets for backing. If I can find a cotton sheet that is not to densely woven.  That is kind of what the big back are.... .sheets just have hems. 

It is late and I need to hit the sack.

Happy Quilting!

Peggy's quilt

I am close to getting this pattern ready for the shops. I still haven't figured out just how to sell them digitally from this blog or a web site, someday maybe. This wall hanging is 14 x 24 inches. This had been in my head for a long time. While we were waiting for a belt for my Innova I got this one drawn and put together ( it still needs binding). But it is done enough for me to photography it for the cover of the pattern.  I will be making another with different  background and border fabric. Also think I will choose a less, in your face, green for the Yucca leaves. The patterns will be available at 'It's sew Moab' located in Moab, Utah and soon at a shop in St. George. 

I finished Peggy's quilt. I love the colors she choose. This quilt was a challenge, I used 3 batts to fill up the extra fabric areas that I could.  I think she will really like it, I hope so anyway. This was a custom job, so it isn't cheep. For hours I put in it the price is more than reasonable though. 

My Innova had a major problem. I should have paid attention to what was happening, but didn't. I had been cleaning up little black flecks on the table under the long arm for a while. DUH! You would think I would have realized that the belt that operates the hook assembly was shredding.  It took us a while to figure it out. My husband is an expert at timing the machine now.  My Innova was one of the older machines, newer ones have gears not belts around the hook assembly...also a hand wheel that is on the side of the machine and not the top. Anyway....... the belts usually only last 2 years. I don't know if mine had been replaced or not. I was lucky enough to have John to take care of my machine. Now that he and Teryl are no longer the dealers....well.....  Anyway, If I purchase another machine I will look at a different brands before I decide on a machine. Had the current dealer pushed a little teeny bit and made me an offer to trade for a new machine, she probably would have gotten a sell. Now..... the machine is running and sewing great. It is still very loud and has a weird issue that I don't know if my husband has the belt to tight, the timing looks fine to me. Anyway....... I determined I can not live with out a long arm, even if I quite quilting for clients.

I made a couple of cherry pies and now need to get busy. I am taking dinner to a friend this evening, and it is almost noon! Good grief time just moves to fast.

Happy Quilting!

My machine is down for a while

Well....... I am currently with out a working long arm. My Innova was one of the first produced. The hook assemblies in the older Innovas were belt driven. I don't think my belts have been changed and they have sewn a million miles. I have been in contact with the dealer in our district, Renae Haddadin from Quilts on the Corner in Sandy,Utah. She is such a nice gal. Dave called the tech at ABM and he fills he can put the belt on with no problem. Thanks the Lord...  I thought I would just put this out to you Innova owners. If you have a machine that has belts and you are seeing black flecks when you change your bobbins, it's time to change your belt!
I feel so relived that I won't be spending thousands on a new machine !