Saturday, February 10, 2007

Happy Days Are Here Again

That's the name I decided on for the Depression Block quilt. It's a take on both meanings of the Depression name -- it was actually referring to the Great Depression, but everyone that hears the name of the block thinks physical depression. Anyway... it's pinned on the machine!



When I took the top to class last Monday and asked the instructor what her thoughts about quilting it were, she suggested a meander in the white parts, maybe a circle in the dark center blocks. I thought that sounded boring. And I thought -- I bought a big fancy longarm machine so I could do big, fancy quilting - I could meander with my Bernina or even with that handiquilter setup. Yesterday I laid the top out and auditioned all my stencils and finally came to the conclusion that meandering was probably the best way to go! The goal is to learn how to do everything on the machine, but you have to crawl before you walk, and walk before you run, and I am definitely only at the crawling stage. I need to rein in my tendency to jump ahead of my abilities!

So, I have the backing made and the quilt pinned and ready to go and it's taken me a few hours to do it. Now I'm going up and spend an hour working on the hour a day quilt.

Gratitudes:

1. Cooler heads prevailed and I see the need to babystep the quilting process.

2. Hershey's Kisses filled with Caramel

3. Corned Beef Sandwiches for dinner (don'tcha just love leftovers?!)

8 comments :

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh how exciting! I love it! And I love the name. I can't wait to see your quilting with your new machine!

Silverthimble said...

I love the name you have given your colourful, cheerful quilt--perfect!

Shelina said...

That's a nice name for a quilt, clever of you to use both definitions. I think the great depression would have been depressing anyway. Your quilt looks lovely on the long arm.
Maybe you can compromise and meander through the one part of it (I was thinking the dark), and put something a tad bit fancier but still simple in the center of the whites. Or vice versa.

Cher said...

that is a beautiful quilt..good to step back and realize what would look best quilting wise-hope the finger is healing ok.

Tracey in CT said...

It looks nice! I'm looking forward to seeing how you quilt it.

ForestJane said...

I like yours in the different colors better than mine I'm working on now... lol

Wish mom had wanted a brighter quilt!

Patti said...

Hmmm . . . I never once thought of a mental state when I saw the Depression block, printed the pattern, and planned to make it. I was very surprised to read that comment from you - how interesting! I figured it was a Depression block because it used up little triangles of scrap fabrics - something that was certainly done during the Depression. I'm sure that's why the block has that name.

Melanie said...

Good luck. Remember slow and steady wins the race. Quilt for a few minutes and take a break. It's supposed to be fun...