Saturday, November 30, 2024

Tammy's Quilt

My friend Tammy asked me earlier this week if I would be able to quilt a quilt for her father-in-law. She needed it done pretty quickly, within three weeks because she wanted to take it to him when they go to Montreal before Christmas. Not a problem, I said. There was nothing on the frame, my bear quilt was at a 'contemplating' stage, and the baby quilt I've been asked to make is a 'no rush' make. I got it done for her in two days.


I was a bit hesitant since I've only ever quilted one quilt onto a plush fabric without batting between the layers, and I've never quilted a batiks one onto plush. There was one small issue, which Tammy was fine with.

We talked about thread colour of course, which I was a bit concerned about what with the vibrant batiks and the black areas. I'd originally thought of Aurifil 2600, dove grey, but when I opened my Aurifil drawer, I saw the turquoise variegated spool and thought, I wonder... Turquoise is one of Tammy's favourite colours she had just said. It looked really good we thought. And it does!
I asked her if she wanted me to quilt in her father-in-law‘s name and she said it was entirely up to me, so of course I did!

The tension was just perfect too; I didn’t have to make any adjustments. Love Avril, my Avanté and Bottom Line in the bobbin by Superior Threads. I used a beige bobbin thread, as close a match to the turquoise Aurifil as I have. The issue was that I did find that on the lighter batiks you can see some fibres pulled through to the front. I think this is because of no batting between the layers. I didn’t go up a size of needle as I would normally do with a Minky backing because of the fine batiks. I sent a photo right away to Tammy showing her my concern and she wasn’t concerned. We both think once it’s washed everything will sink in just fine.

Here is the back, a lovely soft velour plush. Tammy bought a plush black blanket to use and said it was up to me as to whether I wanted to cut it to size before quilting it. I elected not to because of the lint! It was a little bit too thick for my liking on the roller bar for the first third of the quilt, but it wasn't long before the bulk was reduced.
It’s a deep black, hard to photograph in indoor lighting 

I think it turned out very well, and I know her father-in-law will find much-needed comfort snuggled up in it! This is only the second customer quilt I've done where someone else has made the top. Interestingly, both were quilted onto a lush fabric: Minky in the first case, and this plush blanket, in the second. No, I am not planning on starting up a quilting for others business! Here and there when a friend asks, I'll consider it but nope, I'm happy to make and quilt my own.
 

11 comments:

  1. Great job and I am sure Tammy was thrilled. I hear ya on just wanting to do your own!

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  2. I am sure Tammy is grateful and thrilled. It is a gorgeous quilt for her father and will give him many hours of comfort.

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  3. I think it was really wise to not trim down the plush blanket! I'm glad that the timing worked out and I understand completely that quilting for a local friend would only be on a case by case basis. Hooray for a successful collaboration.

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  4. Tammy's quilt top is beautiful. Your quilting completes it nicely.

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  5. Lovely quilt top. I think the meander was a wise choice, especially on the plush back.

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  6. What a beautiful quilt. The quilting really looks nice and the thread choice was wonderful. I agree with the decision not to trim the quilt back. All the fluff is the reason I don't want to use the plush backings. And if you were quilting for others, when would you have time to work on all the ideas that keep floating around in your head?

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  7. Love the quilt and quilting. I've never been brave enough to try to quilt minky or plush; maybe one day.

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  8. Well done Sandra & not sure I'd get along with the minky batting (giggle). Take care & hugs.

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