Friday Finish - Compass Quilters Bee Quilt

I've not had many finishes so far in 2015, in fact, now that I think about it, this is my first quilt finish for 2015. Good thing I don't have a quota to meet!

Thanks to Yvonne from Quilting Jet Girl for the great tip on how she hangs her quilts for photos.

I really enjoyed the Compass Quilters Bee. I've met some wonderful quilters from many different places, I've learned some new skills like paper piecing, and I've also learned a lot about myself and what makes a good bee block. 

When it came to this particular quilt, I had a LOT of issues quilting it. I chose an overall meandering double loop pattern with a light apple green poly thread but I my machine just didn't like this thread. I typically use Isacord thread for quilting since I like the slight sheen that it gives and it's really easy to work with. I picked up some thread at a quilt show last year that wasn't Isacord, but it looked similar and it was on sale so I decided to try it. It kept breaking despite my efforts to rethread, replace the needle, and change out the bobbin. I had to go at a much slower speed and as a result, my loops aren't as smooth. I find that loops and curves look much better when I can go a little faster and have a fluid motion. Needless to say, I was relieved when I was done quilting. 

This green & pink print is my favorite! I don't know who used it or what fabric it is, but I'm glad it's in the center of the quilt. I just love it!

Then came the issues with the binding. I do all of my binding by machine since I'm not a fan of hand sewing. I put the binding on the back, used my binding tool for the first time which I loved, and then wrapped it around the front to sew it on. I was more than half way around when I realized that my machine was skipping stitches every inch or so. VERY FRUSTRATING! So I had to rip out the entire thing and start over. I found a stray thread stuck in the bobbin case, so a thorough cleaning of it seemed to fix the issue. So while I didn't really enjoy finishing this quilt, I do like the end result even if it's rather small (41 inches square). 



Comments

  1. I think it looks great. You are probably the only one that will notice the quilting isn't smooth.

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  2. I am so glad you found the reason your machine skipped stitches on the binding - I saw your post on Instagram about it and am so happy to know it has been resolved. And yay for taping up a quilt for photographs! ;) I think that the quilt looks great; the secondary pattern from the white stripes in the center of the blocks is wonderful.

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  3. Your quilt is gorgeous. We are our own worst critics.... I'm looking at the gorgeous fabrics and colors! Glad you figured out the cause for your skipped stitches. Great finish.

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  4. I think it looks great. Scrap quilts are my favourites.

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    1. Thank you so much Lynn! It's my very first scrap quilt and now that it's done, I really like it!

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  5. Aren't scrap quilts fun...turned out fabulous. micki@2dogsstudio.us

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  6. At that size, it would be a good baby quilt - in a cot or as a playmat. It is so cheery and happy.
    I am keen to finish mine but I cannot until a few late blocks turn up. I will give them a little longer and then just finish it - with or without them!

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  7. Ugh, I have plenty of experience with those quilting issues - they really suck. Glad you made it through!!

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  8. Isn't it great not having a quota? Let's us enjoy the process and not just bang out finishes! I mean, we're quilters... it's supposed to be a fun hobby. Lovely finish! Thanks for linking up to TGIFF!

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  9. Such a lovely finish... a scrappy quilt always catches my eye! And the placement of the white bits really is very effective here!

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  10. love this quilt so colourful, have pinned it and that is the first pining I have done since the beginning of january, must think abut trying to make a block like you have done for my box of blocks, I do one of new ones when I come accross them as a reference for doing more later!!

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  11. Bright, bold and beautiful! Its such a fun quilt to look at, sorry it wasn't fun to finish.

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  12. Fun finish and glad to hear you like quilting with Isacord -- I have lots of that from my machine embroidery spasm -- never thought to use it for machine quilting!?!

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  13. Lovely quilt... like the colourplay.

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  14. I'm glad you found out why your machine was skipping stitches! Nothing is more frustrating than when your machine won't cooperate I feel like. Awesome finish, I love the scrappy goodness! :)

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  15. I like all of the scrappy goodness of this quilt and how the white pulls it all together.

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  16. This is great! I love me a good scrappy quilt.

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  17. Very pretty and colorful...I thin k the quilting looks great..

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    1. Thank you so much! It's funny how I really didn't like it once I got all the bee blocks and seeing them sitting up on my design wall, but once I got it stitched together, I'm pleased with how it turned out.

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  18. Hi Diana! This is so beautiful quilt! I love the happy colours with white and the string blocks are Super! I haven't tried them yet but you inspired me to do so. x Teje

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  19. Beautiful colorful quilt! I love the quilting!

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    1. Thank you so much Pam. Now that it's done, I'm very pleased with it but not nearly as much as my cat Emma. She's been known to tip over the basket where I keep the quilts in the living room and pull it out so she can snuggle with it.

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