Monday, December 9, 2013

Celtic Solstice part 2

In the middle of working on the Celtic Solstice mystery quilt, I got 2 special orders.  One is rare enough, but 2? Surprise!!

One is for a Pirate Shirt, going to Canada, and the other is for a Greek Flag quilt, going to Wisconsin.  I need to get both done before I can cut out the pieces for part 2, all 400 squares and 200 rectangles, but I did take a few moments to print out the directions, press the fabrics, and found the GO! cutter 2" square multiples die, to hopefully make cutting the squares faster.  I'll sneak in some cutting soon, or if the power goes out again.  We're in the middle of a few ice/snow storms.  We did lose power for about 10 minutes today, which is why I decided, when the power came back, to iron the fabrics.

I did finish sewing all of Part 1.  I'm happy about that!

A preview of the shirt.


Watch for the shirt and flag in a post soon.  Here's the link to the rest of the Celtic Solstice participants.

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/12/celtic-solstice-mystery-monday-link-up.html

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Celtic Solstice Mystery

I'm doing it!  I have watched the Bonnie Hunter mysteries for a few years, but haven't done one yet.  I started collecting some extra FQ's and decided I would actually cut them and use them.

Each week another clue will be given on Bonnie's blog, and on Mondays, there's a linky party to show what you've accomplished so far.

Well, I've been sharing about rehabbing my recently acquired Singer 15-91, and decided I would use it for the mystery.  You know, since Bonnie collects and repairs vintage machines.  I also crocheted a little spool pin doily to help.  Since every vintage machine needs a spool pin doily.  Right??

So, this week's clue was to make a bazillion 188 Tri Recs triangle patches.  Roughly half in orange, and half with background creams, all with blue sides.  I have most cut (need some more blues) and have pieced 40 orange sets, and 10 cream sets, as of this writing  I decided I wanted to do most of the cutting/piecing upstairs, in the dining room.  Most of my sewing happens down in the basement, in my studio.  My Viking Sapphire is currently set for quilting, and I'm in the middle of that (see the last post about thread, if you want more info), so I can actually spend about 15 minutes at a time working on the mystery, in between other things.  That's good!  I feel like I can accomplish this, just a bit each day.  I already had a cutting mat, spare ruler and cutter in the dining room, since I often cut out on the patio.



Here's the machine in the rare Trapezoid shaped cabinet, with the fancy spool pin doily, and some of the patches.  I still haven't had a chance to finish the "flip out" cover.  It got cold in PA.  My garage serves as the workshop area, and it's not heated.  It is under the dining room, so if I use chemicals, the whole house smells.  I prefer to be able to work with the garage door open, and hope it's warm enough to just get the final coat on the top this week.  The snow we had over the last few days is almost gone, and Monday is supposed to hit close to 40.

You are not seeing things, the cabinet is NOT a rectangle.  It's narrower in the front and has angled sides.  I AM using the knee pedal.  When the top flips, it forms an angle on the side, and the leg pushes out to support the top.  Hopefully I'll be able to show the whole thing next week.  I'm thrilled with the stitches on this machine, and I'm really proud of that shiny finish!  See some of my previous posts to discover the "before."

Thanks for visiting!  138 more patches to go....

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/12/celtic-solstice-mystery-monday-link-up-1.html

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Alex spoiled me!! I can't look at another ...

In most of my posts, you'll notice I talk about the thread I use.  It's an important factor in quilting.  The right thread makes a huge difference.

The right thread is Aurifil.  Alex Veronelli, the brand Jedi at Aurilfi, has spoiled me!  I can't look at another thread!

Over the weekend, I worked on finishing up Leona's quilt, with Aurifil thread, Cotton Mako 50wt in black.  I spent a few hours.  First, with the diagonal lines through the blocks, with a walking foot, then with feathers in the outer border.  I only had to rethread the machine once, in all those hours, because I ran out of bobbins and had to make some.  No breakage, no replacing needles, no snags, snarls, or issues.  Easy and smooth stitching, stress free.  Normally with free motion quilting, you need to stop and adjust the fabric, to make sure you are going where you need.  Some threads don't like when you stop, and they cause knots or nests on the back of the quilt.  That never happens with Aurifil in my machine.  And, once you know how Aurifil works in your machine, you don't have to test out the tension and needle.  My size 14 quilting needle and tension on 4, with the spool upright, is perfect, no matter the color.  Even with 40wt, which is thicker.  It shows more in the quilting.

So, last night, I wanted to start the Snowflakes quilt.  I wanted to use a metallic thread, and I have spools of Coats and Clark's Embroidery thread, which would give the perfect look for this quilt.

I wound 4 bobbins with Aurifil in dark blue, to match the backing.  I put a topstitch needle in, because metallic thread tends to fray, and the groove allows the thread a "safe" zone as it goes through the fabric, so it won't wear as quickly.  I figured the tension should be closer to 3.5, and threaded the silver in the top.  I sewed about 4 stitches, and realized the tension was still off.  Removed that, started again.  Went about 5 inches and the thread broke.  Rethreaded the top, looked at the bottom of the quilt, and needed to take it all out again.  Adjusted the tension and put the spool vertical.  Sewed about 1 minute, and had to stop again.  Rethread, checked bobbin, etc.  I was able to sew then, for about 10 minutes without an issue.  Then the bobbin ran out.  It wasn't full to begin with, but, I decided that was a sign.  I had enough stress.


Today, I spent 2 hours.  Rethreaded the machine, top and bottom, about 12 times.  Broke 3 needles.  Took out two sections of feathers (the design I'm stitching).  Removed 3 sections of "nests" on the back.  Adjusted the position of the spool and tension again.  Finally got into a groove, and the thread popped out of the guides.  3 times!  I decided after the last time, which would require "rethread the machine count 13" that I needed a break.



I love how the thread looks, when it behaves enough to do what I need it to do.  It's exactly the look I was hoping for.

But Alex, I'm spoiled! Please make a silver metallic thread for me!!  Pretty please??  Only Aurifil will do!

I'm an #Aurigirl for sure!!

Monday, November 25, 2013

Leona's Quilt and a recent win.

Hi.  First here's the win.  I do quite a few blog hops, and I'm always surprised that I win.  This is a nice prize. Quiltmakers 100 Blocks is a magazine that has 100 fresh quilt block designs, as well as quilts using those designs.  The blocks come from some of the biggest names in the quilt world, so it's always fun to see their ideas.  I won a magazine, and was surprised to find a bundle of Fat Quarters from Northcott's Starry Night collection in the box today.  I love these fabrics, so now I have the beginnings of a project, and lots of inspiration from the magazine.


Now, about Leona's quilt.  My cousin Liz's mother-in-law was Leona.  Leona was a quilter, a member of the Long Island Quilters Guild and a quilt shop owner on Long Island.  I don't think I met her, but my parents always spoke highly of her and Larry's father.  Leona passed away last August, after a prolonged illness.  She hadn't quilted in over 6 years.

Liz invited the girl cousins to a weekend at her beach house on Rhode Island in early September.  Liz asked me to look at two quilt tops, and suggest a way to finish them.  Leona had made the tops years before, but they were only tops.  This black one had been washed, too, so there was quite a bit of fraying on the edges and in some of the seams, and there were quite a few patches that were severely faded.  Liz wanted to be able to use this top as a table cloth.  I said I would be happy to fix the faded blocks and finish it for her.

Maybe I should have taken "before" pictures, but I didn't think of it.  I went through my fabric scraps and looked for other black floral prints that would work with this.  I needed to replace about 14 patches, so I needed a variety, so it would look like the others in the quilt.  One thing I noticed is that some of the fabrics, including the border solids, are poly/cotton blends, not 100% cottons.  Most of my contemporaries would not mix fabric types in quilts, because of shrinkage in 100% cottons.  I find it interesting that Leona mixed fabrics.  My second quilt was a mix, but that was because I didn't know 24 years ago what I know now.

My friend Bernie helped me "un-sew" the patches and border.  I cut an assortment of 3 1/2" squares from the replacement fabrics, and stitched them back in, re-attached the border, basted it to the backing and batting, and quilted a simple diagonal grid in the center.  Liz had said most of Leona's quilts were tied, so I didn't want to over-quilt it.  I wish I could see more of hers.  This may have been a sample top for her shop.  Liz said Leona taught classes, so this may have been one for a class.  I did add a simple feather border.  I hope Leona would be pleased that her top is now finished, and will be treasured and used by Liz.

It measures about 42 by 60".





So, can you find the blocks I replaced?  They are in this photo.  I can only notice them because they include one fabric that is similar to one of the original fabrics, but different enough for me to locate.  Any guesses?

I'll wash this again, and send it to Liz.  For some reason, the black solid I chose for the backing and binding attracted tons of lint.  I wanted to prewash the backing, since Liz had washed the top.  I didn't want the backing to shrink after quilting, as it would distort Leona's work.  I usually don't wash my fabrics before quilting, and hadn't noticed the solids getting so "clingy".  See by the label?  I wish I knew which brand of solids I bought at JoAnn's for this.  I would not want to buy it again.

I'll let you know when Leona's other quilt is done.  I'm hoping Liz finds more and lets me finish them.  Leona deserves that, and I'm happy to help.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Latest finish

I wanted to add my latest finished quilt!

It stars Sakura Park cherry blossom fabric by Moda.  I purchased a layer cake of 10" squares.  I think it had 42 different squares, in shades of pinks, blues, greens and white.  I used the Piece of Cake pattern from quilt In A Day.  Fun, easy, and fast, and so pretty!


I used a stencil design to quilt the larger sections of the blocks, feathers in the rectangles, and cherries in the small squares, using Aurifil 50wt in white.  I used Aurifil 40wt in variegated pinks for the feathers in the border.  What I love about Aurifil is that it doesn't break!  All of those stitches, over 10 bobbins, and no breakage.  50wt white is in the bobbin, to match the backing.  I used a light pink in the needle and bobbin for the binding.  Yes, all Aurifil.  I'm totally and Aurifil girl!  I need to get more of the 40wt for sewing clothes.  I like the durability in the seams!





So pretty, and large enough for a Twin bed.  It's currently available in my Etsy store.
I love finishing quilts!

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Singer Cabinet Rehab Part 3

Let me just start off by saying I LOVE that I have enough knowledge and a little skill to make something like this happen.  

Cabinet before.
Joe A from the Stroudsburg Home Depot was helping me decide if I should use a chemical stripper.  I was unsure if the top was a laminate or veneer, or just a thick finish.  After sanding and testing some MinWax, we determined it should be stripped.  It's the only way to repair a finish that is this damaged.  
Before stripping.  I used BIX brand.  You spray it on, let it sit, and use a plastic scraper to remove the finish. 

Cabinet top stripped and sanded.
This is hours of work.  After the chemical stripper is washed off, I used a detail sander, hand sanding with various grits of paper, and also steel wool.  

I applied 2 coats of the MinWax Poly Shades, and then remembered that I decided I liked the color/finish of stain and a gloss.  I think the PolyShades can finish a little streaky.  It's never as smooth as a clear finish over stain. Luckily, I had stain in a good color, and had already purchased a gloss clear coat.   

This is after the PolyShade was sanded, before a coat of stain to even it out.  

This is today, after the regular stain, and with one WET coat of clear Minwax Polyurethane.  Challenging photo day! 


Two more coats to go, and then 3 on the bottom of this.  So far, I'm LOVING the look of the wood grain, and the color.  Much better than the PolyShades.  

More on the cabinet later!  

Monday, October 28, 2013

Cabinet Rehab Take 2

So, I've been working on machines, with a little bit of quilting and stuff thrown in.

I got a nifty Singer 15-91 in a rare Trapezoid cabinet (also called Spinet).  I decided to take the machine in to be rewired by Pocono Sew & Vac, my favorite machine dealer, and I would refinish the cabinet, because it was in really bad shape, but hopefully would look good when I finished.  I want a machine I can have available just for piecing, with a good 1/4" seam allowance, plus good straight stitches.  I do almost everything else on my Viking, but sometimes it's set for quilting, and I want to just piece.  It's a different use of my brain and energy, and I need to be able to do both tasks.  So, enter $30 garage sale find.

See my previous post on the stripping part.  After I posted that, I realized I would also need to strip the bottom of the flip top.  So, I got out the chemical again, and went to work.  Then it got colder, just a bit too cold to work outside for a few hours.  Today it was in the 50s, so I decided to spend about 2 hours on this project.  I got the machine back last week, so I want to get it back in the cabinet!

I've also been thinking about this, and how I want this to look.  Since parts of the actual cabinet had a very shiny, thick, finish, I wanted the refinished cabinet to also have a thick shiny finish.  I went back to Home Depot and picked up a can of Polyurethane Gloss, thinking I would use it over the stain/finish I had already done.

BUT, after 2 coats of the all in one, I remembered why I didn't like using that product.  It's very difficult to get a pretty, even, smooth finish with that.  The last restore I did, I used a stain and then semi-gloss clear coat, and I liked how that looked much better!  So, today, I sanded down the stripped bottom, and sanded down the coats of all in one I used.  I had a can of just stain, although it was darker than what I had intended on using.  After applying it, I used paper towel to remove it, and now I love the color!  It shows off the wood grain beautifully, so after the coats of clear gloss, it should be exactly what I was hoping for.

Here's the photos from today.
Side 2 after stripping and sanding.  

Side 2 after the regular stain.  I worked a little more after the picture was taken to make it more evenly colored. 

Side 1 after sanding off most of 2 coats of all-in-one finish.  I used just the stain on this side, too, to make the color 

Friday, October 18, 2013

What have you missed??

I didn't write much this summer.  I'm not sure why, but I was busy.  I had fun, and also accomplished a few things.

I sewed a pirate shirt!  I enjoy doing things like that, and when a friend joked on Facebook that he wanted to be a pirate on the fishing boat, I decided to make him the shirt, so he really could be a pirate.  Hopefully he smiled when he got it.  My friend took his picture, standing in front of his painting of a ship, holding a stein (maybe of grog??) and with his gun.  I'm cutting off his head, so he can't be identified.  Isn't that something a pirate would suffer?  lol
I listed it in my Etsy shop as a custom order, and have already made and sold another.  That's fun.

I also worked on some quilt tops.  I'm in the process of quilting them, so I'll share those later.

And, when I heard my brother John's West Hempstead Kiwanis group was honoring Veterans at the spaghetti dinner on 9/11, I asked if we could also present Quilts of Honor to the vets.  I wanted to give my dad a QOH, for his service after WWII, in Japan.  So, I worked on making his quilt, and obtained 6 more from Team Quiltsy on Etsy, the wonderful seller's group I'm lucky to be a member of.  I contacted Tink Linhart, a QOH rep that I've sent tops to, and was able to get more.  This was all accomplished in less than a month.  I couldn't believe how supportive Quiltsy and Tink were, to make sure I had enough quilts to present.  There was an article in the Long Island Herald about the dinner, with lots of photos.

Here's Pam's quilt being presented.


And John presenting my father his quilt.  It's a Double Irish Chain.


This is what the top looked like, before quilting.


I hope to get another good photo of the finished top soon.

There was also a wonderful Girl Cousins Weekend at Liz's beach house in Rhode Island, and also a day and evening in New York City for Quilters Take Manhattan.  Christine and I had a really good time at the main event and at the cocktail party.  The beginning of October was Airing of the Quilts in Tunkhannock, PA.
The weather was perfect, and the quilts and company were wonderful!

So, I've been busy doing lots of fun things.  There's always quilting in there, too.  More about the quilts later!  Thanks for reading.

Singer 15-91 Find and Rehab.

Back in August, my brother called and said he saw a Singer machine in an interesting cabinet, with pencil legs at a garage sale.  Did I want it??  Hmm.  Pencil legs?  How much?  $35.  Hmm, see if she'll take $30?.  Yes, she'll take $30.  Okay, give me a few minutes and I'll be over.

So, I get to the garage sale, and find this unique trapezoid shaped cabinet, and a vintage 15-91 machine, which dates to 1954.  Both obviously need some work, but I'm happy with the price.  Similar machines alone cost over $150 on Ebay, and although this needs some wiring work, the body is in great shape, and the decals are bright with very little wear.


We got it in the back of my Magnum, and then Dad helped me re-load it so I could get other things in the car, to go back to PA.  At that time, I knew I didn't have time to work on the machine, so it was placed in my garage.  I'll update later what I've been doing.

As the weather started to get colder, I knew I needed to get the machine in a more stable setting, so after a few tries, I got the machine out of the cabinet (with help at Pocono Sew & Vac) and they are cleaning and rewiring it, while I tackle the cabinet.

 I asked a guy at Home Depot, who I've gotten good advice from before, what he thought about the wood.  It almost looked like a veneer or laminate because of the depth of the finish and the scratches, but as we played with some sand paper and tested some stains, we realized it may just be a thick coating of some type of varnish.  If the stripper chemical damaged a veneer, I would have problems trying to fix it.  I decided to try the BIX wood stripper, and went to work on the damaged surface.

Here's how it looked before applying the stripper.  You can see some of the PolyShades test colors.  I picked the lower one, Antique Walnut.  It seemed to match the red undertones of the back side of the top. (See the left section in the first photo, which is the underside of this piece).




The whole left side had no finish on it! I did some sanding to smooth it out.  The right side has a horizontal crack in two places, and I opted to sand that, too.  This wood seems thinner, so I'm more worried about using the BIX there.  If I don't like how it looks, I'll find some pattern envelopes from the '50's and mod-podge them on.  That will give the cabinet some period character!  You can see how much damage there is.  The back and front are just as bad.



So, after 2 applications of BIX, here's the sanded smooth top.  Hours of sanding, with a detail sander as well as hand.  Lots and lots of red sawdust.  BUT, it's beautifully smooth.


And one coat of Polyshades but taken in the garage, without good light.



I have more sanding between coats, and at least 2 more coats to do on this.  I need to strip the bottom of this piece, too, and work on the coats of the rest of the cabinet.

I enjoy doing things like this.  I love seeing the wood grain come through, and it gives me satisfaction to take something so damaged and be able to restore it.  I'm not perfect, but I'm always satisfied knowing I can do this.  More to come!




Monday, October 14, 2013

Fall Destash Sale



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I realized it's been months since I wrote about what I've been creating.  I'll have to catch you up later, but today, I'm linking with the Quilters Autumn DeStash sale at Fingertip Shopping.  

I'm helping friends who own a quilt store in their quest to retire.  I took quite a few fabrics, and their supply of Star quilting thread, and two Accuquilt GO! or GO! Baby compatible Value dies.  These items are listed in my Etsy store.  




Here's the deal:

Fabrics are sold by the yard, unless you want to create a bundle, and purchase more than 3 yards, I'll cut exactly what you want, as long as it's over 3 yards total.  Convo me with your list, and I'll create a listing for you to purchase.

Threads are sold as a minimum lot of 4 spools.  Convo me if you wish to mix and match from the variegated and solids.




I will bundle your items together in one listing, and calculate the shipping on your items, then email or convo you with the link for your listing.  AND I will add a coupon code for an extra 10% off your purchase.  

This may mean a little more work on my end, but I want to be able to share the news of sales with my friends.  They are getting the bulk of the sale price from this section.

Here's the link to my store section.  I hope you find something you need!  Thanks so much for looking.  

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MaryMackMadeMine?section_id=8018070

Just remember to CONVO me through Etsy (Under my store name, it says "contact seller") and say you heard about me from Fingertip Shopping to get your discount code, and link to your listing, so I can get all your items bundled and one shipping quote.  

Have fun shopping!  

This deal expires October 28.  You have 2 weeks to take advantage of this special and get your coupon code.  You can either use Paypal or direct check-out through Etsy. When you purchase the listing, the payment info will be available for you to choose.  It's easy!  

There is another section of vintage fabrics, kits and patterns.  Those can be included in this deal.  Mention Fingertip Shopping and I'll send you a code for 10%.  
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MaryMackMadeMine?section_id=8135057

Thursday, July 4, 2013

One never knows!!

Hi.  I'm never quite sure what I'll be asked to sew.  My friend Paul, who owns the fabric store in Bethlehem, often shares my name as someone who sews anything.  I'm glad we support each other's businesses, but I've gotten weird requests!  The latest was different. 

Kristen stopped by the store last Thursday.  She was getting in her car as I was getting out of mine, and asked if I was the sewing teacher, then followed me back into Enright's.  She took a piece of suede out of a bag, and a pair of chaps, and asked if I would be able to add 4" to the length of the legs.  We discussed a few possibilities, and she put the chaps on to show me how they work and why she needs the length.  I realized I couldn't just add it to the bottom, because there is a godet that shapes the bottom, to accommodate the instep of the boots.  The bottom edge isn't flat, and adding to the bottom would require lots of work.  I asked if I could put a piece in the leg, above the ankle area, and reattach the ankle part, and we decided that was the best option. 

This picture shows the bottom edge of the right leg.  See the part that sticks up?? There is a godet (triangle piece that creates that pleat) under there, and then trim appliqued on top.  This is for the instep of the boot.  The left edge has an angled fringe, and the right has elastic.  It closes with a zipper down the back of the leg, which is hidden by the fringe.  I had already removed the zipper and elastic from the bottom in this picture. 
 
I decided to add a shaped piece to make it blend better with the applique trim on the leg and hip.  I created a pattern that would add the 4" section, plus have a piece I would cut for fringe.  I wanted the point of my addition to meet the point above the godet section. 
 
This is my pattern and the resulting cut section of the applique piece I designed. 
 
I've done work with leather before, many years ago, when I had a tailoring business.  I have a setting on my Viking Sapphire 850 machine, and the special needles and a Teflon presser foot, so this only took a few moments to prepare my machine for sewing leather.  
 
Here is the piece stitched into the leg, with the fringe added, and the zipper and elastic reattached.  Since I couldn't lengthen the zipper, or get the elastic, Kristen agreed that the only thing to do was sew them down as far as they could go, and since it was open, her spurs could go through the opening.  It just needed to cover her boot heels. 
 
This picture shows both legs, with the added shaped piece.  I had to cut above the design on the leg, and sew on my applique with a 4" gap between the pieces I cut. 
 
 
This shows the inside of the section I separated, with the new piece added. 
 
I do enjoy challenges and playing with different fabrics.  Thinking about solutions to challenges is always fun.  One of the things I love most is when I can talk to my father about my ideas.  He worked in an apron factory before he joined the army.  He's great about considering patterns and shapes and adding things, so I was glad this request came when I had planned a short trip to Long Island and could discuss it with him. 
The FUNNIEST part was that I needed to show Dad how the chaps worked, so he could consider a minor issue I had with my first pattern.  I couldn't wear them and show him, so we asked Mom to put them on so he could see how they worked.  Now THAT was funny!!  Seeing my mom, who never even wears jeans, in chaps??? Priceless!!  Dad even buckled them around her hips.  I think he was laughing inside as much as I was.  Mom's a great sport!!  But he agreed with my idea, and helped me refigure my pattern to match the point on the chaps.  I really wish I had a picture of Mom in the chaps!! 
 
So, I never know what challenges I'll get, but fixing something and laughing with my parents are always welcome activities. 
 
I wonder what's next?? Thanks for visiting!

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Exercise!

My oldest brother got married when I was in high school.  His wife is one of my best friends.  My niece, Lisa, their first child, is expecting her second baby.  This time it's a girl.  Noah, her son, is 5, and looking forward to being a big brother.  I made him a quilt featuring Disney Cars fabric a few years ago, and wanted to make something sweet for the new little one.  An online friend was clearing out her supply of nursery prints, and I grabbed this Michael Miller print, plus the white with pink stars, among some others.  The fabric is a sweet shade of pink, with bears and words like "precious, lullabye land, miracle, It's a girl, and Bundle of Joy."  I added a sweet brown with little dots, and lavender with hearts (there are lavender buttons on the Michael Miller print), and used the newest pattern by Quilt In A Day called Girl's Best Friend.  Get it?? Diamonds!!

 
This uses Warm & Natural cotton batting, and a really soft Minkee backing with stars.  It was pieced and quilted with Aurifil.  I used 50wt for piecing, and in the bobbin, and 40wt in variegated for quilting.  I did a simple design through the blocks, and did feathers in the outer border.  The lavender border has freeform hearts. 
 I LOVE how the pink variegated thread works with the colors in the Michael Miller fabric, and the lavender is the perfect blender for the inner border.  The light pink is a perfect match for the backing.  

So, in reference to the title of today's post, how is quilting exercise??  Well, when I started quilting this, I forgot to lower the feeddogs on the machine.  Those are normally what feeds the fabric in straight lines, but when doing Free-Motion Quilting, or FMQ, they are lowered and a special foot is used, so I move the fabric in all directions, and the machine stitches.  I control the size of the stitches and where they land by pushing and pulling the quilt.  Working with the feeddog up makes me work harder to move the quilt.  Adding in the Minkee back, which adds weight as well as friction, makes it even more challenging to move the quilt.  This one measures about 46 by 54", and although it's not as large as other quilts I've done, my shoulders and arms got a good workout.  Normally a smooth muslin or fabric back glides a little better, but this back is so soft and snuggle worthy!  It's almost like velvet, and my new great-niece deserves it.  Once I remembered to lower the feeddogs, it was a little easier, but still a workout.  In addition to that, I had started using my old exercise bike.  I'm only doing a few minutes a day, but it has arms and legs moving.  The combination of quilting and exercise is really good!  Fun, creative and many health benefits!   
 
 
As soon as my great-niece is born, I'll embroider the label and ship it to Lisa.  I can't wait to see pictures of her, and hope she loves this quilt. 

Here's a picture of Noah's quilt before it was quilted. 
Thanks for visiting!!