Wonderful!

I just love log cabins. So homey, traditional and versatile.

You have wonderful light/dark patterns and the purple holds up beautifully to the energy of the center. The quilting is, of course, superb. Such graceful curves that work to fill the space and compliment one another.

What a treasure to be so beautiful and to have such a pedigree and continue a family history of sewing. Lucky boy!

Annie, it's just beautiful! Lovely quilting!

Donna

Thanks for the compliments. My daughter Rachel chose the border fabric; I was leaning more toward hunter green, but she convinced me otherwise. I think it was the right choice.

Beautiful quilt - LOVE the quilting!

I agree. I think the quilting is so lovely you could consider this a reversible whole cloth quilt.

Have you ever done a whole cloth quilt, Ann? If anyone should, it would be you!

Can I ask a FMQing question?

Whenever I read about it or take a class the instructions are always to put the hammer to the speed. But, surely, you're not going all that fast on a treadle machine? What makes your lovely uniform stitches work? And how long did it take you to coordinate your feet and hands?

I'm just in awe.

Lovely. Simply lovely. You are a wise woman to listen to a younger person -- the border gives a nice weight to the whole.

Congrats on a fine job!

Odessa

That's lovely. What a wonderful job.

Very beautiful! You did a great job on the quilting.
Carolyn

Everything about this quilt is beautiful!!!! I love the log cabin pattern, I love scrappy quilts and the quilting is wonderful! Just wonderful!
Shannon

>>Rainey wrote: "Can I ask a FMQing question? Whenever I read about it or take a class the instructions are always to put the hammer to the speed. But, surely, you're not going all that fast on a treadle machine? What makes your lovely uniform stitches work? And how long did it take you to coordinate your feet and hands?

~~Personally, I think the "pedal to the metal" advice is just awful. I tell my students to start at the speed at which they normally sew, or maybe just a bit slower than that. Stitch length is determined by how fast you move the quilt in relation to the needle speed. Basically, the faster the needle and the slower your hands, the shorter the stitch length, which is why instructors tell their students to floor that foot pedal. They want to see those short stitches right away.

I prefer to see my students start at a slower speed and make larger stitches and bring the stitch length down later when they understand the concept better. What takes practice is finding a comfortable needle speed:quilt speed ratio that gives you the stitch length you desire.

This takes a varying amount of time to learn. I was pretty comfortable with it early on; by the time I quilted my third bed quilt I was getting a nice, consistent stitch length without really thinking about it. On this quilt, my stitch length is actually fairly long (8 per inch), which is longer than I'd shoot for in traditional, heirloom quilting (12-16 per inch). However, I like a longer stitch on a big, bold quilting pattern like this one. I think that it's more in keeping with the scale of the motifs.

There is no question that treadling provides a more relaxed, easy speed at which to quilt. Everyone has their own natural rhythm for treadling which then relays itself to the hands guiding the quilt; successful machine quilting is all about rhythm. I hear from many frustrated would-be machine quilters that they simply can't do it on an electric machine. Many find that when they switch to treadling that it was much easier to get the knack on the treadle. Some are then able to transition from the treadle to the electric after they've gotten some confidence at the slower pace.

But, with all that said, there are also people who just aren't cut out for machine quilting, period. My last lesson retreat had six students. Out of the six, two have become very, very good quilters, three gained the confidence to machine quilt their smaller projects, but still send out their big quilts, and one absolutely hated everything about the process. She loves machine quilting-- when it's done by others and in fact she had me quilt a special quilt for her-- but it's just not her cup of tea. That's okay, too. It's not for everyone.

Beautiful quilt, Annie, and your quilting is awesome!

SharonG/FL

What a beautiful quilt!! I love the colors and the border is perfect. I am in awe of the quilting, so graceful and pretty. The different colors of thread add so much to the quilt as well. I love the pattern as well and I think your nephew will have this quilt in his family forever!

Wonderful job. Thanks so much for sharing.

Susan

It's just beautiful as usual. I just don't know how you do it. I'm so envious:)

Your work always amazes me! I hope to one day be half the quilter you are, but that is doubtful. Thanks for sharing...and I agree with the purple!

Another exceptional quilt as usual. Scrappy and log cabin make for a wonderful wedding quilt. Your nephew is so lucky and will be pleased with the knowledge that his GM's sewing machine was a part of it. TFS the pic and the knowledge. Jayne

Annie, your quilting is wonderful!
Linda OH

Annie, as usual, your quilting is fantastic! Where do you live? I want to come take a class from you!

Jackie

Oh Annie I dream to do 1 small project half way close to your work. You are my oh so admired FM queen and I can't wish when I grow up....so I wish I can FM a whole quilt before I die...I think I can, I think I can...and then I sit at the machine and I go....no I can't!!! You are so gracious and patient with our constant FM questions.

Your quilt is just awesome and I love the thread you used. Would you share the make and color? I think I want a treadle and I will toss the $2,000 Bernina!!!
Jean

Beautiful!!!! How long does it take to learn to freehand the feathers? They are so neat! I want to be able to do this some day but my mind can't seem to think as fast as my hands can push the fabric and I get lost. Do you practice on paper? Any advice? Thanks Peg

Jackie--I live in Galveston now and am hoping to host some machine quilting classes (retreats?) down here this winter. We kept our home back in WI as well and I may host one up there next summer, too.

Jean--The thread is just a variegated Coats and Clark Star brand.

Peg--The learning curve is different for everyone. I practiced on drawn feathers first to get a feel for the movements required to make feathers. I prefer to practice on actual quilt sandwiches, so I use fabrics that I don't like very much or just plain muslin for practice pieces. It's not unusual for me to "sketch" a new design this way until I get used to doing it. This creates muscle memory, so that it become automatic eventually. We all have muscle memory--you use it every time you sign your name! And remember to take things slowly at first

Your quilting is just awsome.
Mayme

That's gorgeous!! TFS
Kathi

That is one incredibly beautiful quilt. I love how you ALWAYS can take a simple traditional pattern and turn it into a work of art!
Sue/polardream

It is beautiful, and thank you Annie for taking the time to inspire, encourage, and give tips!!!!

Beautiful quilt & the quilting is just awesome!

You've made me think about getting my old treadle machine serviced & in working order & trying FMQ with it!

Annie,

Brilliant, as always! I can only hope to reach your level of skill and artistry.