Custom Quilting for Joyce

A few months ago in the checkout line at JoAnn's, there was a lady in front of me who was holding a huge roll of batting, and I offered her the end of my cart to give her arms a break.  I was intrigued to see someone buying batting in huge rolls like I do, so I did my usual and began talking to her.  We waited a long time in line, chatting away, and our conversation eventually came around to the fact that I have a long-arm quilting machine.  We shared where we live, and what?  She lives on the same road as my father-in-law?!  I told her his name, and bingo - it turns out she has known my in-laws for many, many years through their church, and her husband even golfs occasionally with my FIL!

This quilting project is the result of that conversation in JoAnn's checkout line.  This is the second time ever that I've quilted someone else's quilt top.  {The first is here.}  It's a queen size and is a wedding gift for her son.

Was I nervous?  Yes and no.  I have quilted with Mrs.Singer for almost five years, so I'm very confident in how she and I work together.  My biggest worry was running out of batting or backing before the quilting was complete, and I measured everything very carefully to be sure there was enough before I began ... and then I caught myself attaching the long side of the batting to the shorter side of the backing - which would have created exactly what I was afraid of!

I now realize there are many things that can go wrong for a quilter quilting other's work, some of which the quilter has no control over, and it is risky.  The quilter can be blamed when the quilt doesn't lie flat when it didn't lie flat before it was quilted.  Same thing with square corners, puckers in the quilt top, strings that should have been removed by the quilter showing through, etc.  Both of us are putting our trust in each other.  She's trusting me with her imperfect work, and I'm trusting her to not expect perfect quilting.  It's a delicate balance.  I am tickled that all went well!

I'm so glad I watched Angela Walters' video before I quilted this quilt!  Even if you don't long-arm quilt, this video is well worth a watch.

If the video does not appear above, you can see it here:  https://youtu.be/jGyYSJhk0Q.

Please contact me if you are looking for a basic quilter.  I have very reasonable rates because I do not have an expensive machine to pay for, and the only stitch available is an allover meandering stitch in small, medium, and large.  The stitch shown is considered medium.

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