Miriam's Finished Quilt - Part V

This is the final post from a very special friend who has blessed me with sharing her journey in making one of the Kaufman "Down On The Farm" quilts.  The designs are printed from my paintings, and have brought me abundant joy in seeing them used in other beautiful forms of art works.    I appreciate Miriam Reiss, Shirley Liles, and Marsha Cribbs for being kind enough to share images of their quilt creations. They are amazing!

Today we create art in many forms and for different reasons.  At one time not too many years removed women made quilts for practical and necessary reasons.  They kept people warm, and quilting was a way for them to use extra fabric that was left from handmade garments.  In those days many people were very frugal and didn't like waste.  Today we make them to decorate our bedrooms and other living spaces, or for our babies and children to use as throws during cold weather.  We make them out of a desire to master an art that has faded from our past.  We love the workmanship of our ancestors.  We feel closer to our roots, and I can't speak for quilt artists; but I know that creating something that brings joy and usefulness to others bring a satisfaction to artists of all media.

The three photos below illustrate Miriam's text.  Enjoy:)

Hello Cheri,

 

As you can see by the attached picture, I have completed the "Down on the Farm" quilt after several setbacks. The second picture is showing you the type of batting that will go behind the quilt which is called "warm and natural", is just like it says and it makes the quilt feel great on cold nights.  On Friday June 30th, I will be taking it to the "longarm quilter" and she will place it on a very long frame with a longarm sewing machine and will quilt a specific design on the quilt itself. This will sandwich together the quilt, batting and back solid fabric. Once that is done, the binding will go all round the quilt to finish it off. As you know, early on I got the binding all set up and ready to go for when I get the quilt back.

 

A longarm quilter is a expert on these big machines and therefore often most quilters will send their quilts to these experts. In addition, not everyone can afford these huge machines or have the room for them. I have attached a picture of one to give you an idea. I expect to receive the quilt in a week or two. Binding does not take long to sew on. I am hoping to show you the truly completed project real soon.

 

I hope all is well with you and your summer has been a pleasant one so far.

 

Warm wishes,

 

Miriam

 

 

 

Miriam's Quilt - Part III - Post 4

I heard several days ago from my Facebook Friend and Quilter that she had been busy with personal things, but she has resumed working on the quilt made from the Down On The Farm fabric by Robert Kaufman.  If you are reading this blog and do not know then I must tell you that the animals printed on these fabric panels are from my original paintings.  I'm so honored and excited that there are quilters who are using this fabric in some of their projects whom I actually know or have discovered online.  The creative process of their work is very different from mine; however, we have connected in subject matter....the love of country, nature and farm animals.  Thank you again Miriam for sharing your process with me.  Here is her last post message to me.  Enjoy!!!!!

Hi Cheri,

To continue with the quilt, I had to work on the 9 patch block. It is called 9 patch because it has 9 squares that you sew together. However, 4 squares are two half triangles that are sewn together of different colors. A lot of work goes into the 9 patch blocks. In addition, I was able to started to start sewing the blocks together in a row. I now have 4 of the 8 rows done. After all the rows are done I have to start working on the sashings that goes between each row and on the top and bottom of the quilt with their corresponding small gray squares.

I will try to put more time into the quilt as time permits. As I am sure you know, our time is not always ours to do what we want. I will admit, I am looking forward to finishing it soon. Will continue to keep you up to date.

Warm wishes,

Miriam

Miriam's Quilt Part II

This is the second post regarding Miriam's Down On The Farm Quilt (Fabric by Robert Kaufman) designed by Cheri Wollenberg.  I'm sure she is very busy at the moment as last week so I've decided to separate the installments of her process to post here.  This is so interesting and I see that it is very necessary to having a very professional looking quilt.  She is awesome for sharing this with me and I'll continue with Step 3 tomorrow.  Below are images documenting her first two steps.  Her personal explanation is as follows with documented images below:

Hi Cheri,
As luck would have it, I was able to get in a few hours of sewing this weekend (my comment: a few weeks ago - sorry for the delay in post).  This is what I have been able to accomplish so far:

1.  As I get ready to sew, the most important thing is to prepare my machine.   I have to make sure it is clean, has a new needle, the right threads are on top and on the bobbin, use the right foot for the project - Bernina 57D - great for a 1/4"seam project.  I tested the machine set up on a scrap piece of fabric and I was ready to go.

2.  I started with the binding preparation.  The binding is actually the last step of quilting but is the least thing I enjoy doing.  There is always something in everyone's hobbies that is not what you might particularly care to do but is a must.  So, what I learned to do is prepare it ahead of time so I won't have to worry about it later.  I joined the long strips, ironed the seams open and then ironed the strips in half and rolled them up into a ball until I begin to sew them down on the quilt around the edge for the nice finished look - more on the binding when I get ready to finish the quilt!

 Thanks for stopping by.  Please stay tuned.