Sunday, March 05, 2006

Therapy Quilt

I finished my therapy quilt!!! It was a lot of fun. I quilt other people's quilts as a job so when I quilt my own pieces I tend to do one of two things: I either quilt it quickly and simply just to get it done or I say 'why not?' and try something new. This quilt was a 'why not?' quilt. I tried Superior Bottom Line thread and some 'wonky' quilting (a new word I learned from the blog ring). The Bottom Line thread was nice, yet very, very fine. It worked great in the bobbin but didn't hold up well as a top thread. So, technically, HALF of this quilt is quilted with Bottom Line. I gave up part way through and used So Fine (also by Superior) as a replacement top thread. Superior says that Bottom Line is 'Designed by Libby Lehman for quilting, embroidery, bobbin, binding, and appliqué', but if it only works as a bobbin thread for me, then it's a bobbin thread. My guess is that it's a great hand applique thread, but I do so little of that. As for the 'wonky' quilting, I quilted diagonal lines in each of the logs and made a strange sort of spiral. Nothing new to other people, I'm sure, but something I've never tried myself. All in all, I love this quilt. I'm sure it'll be a gift at some point but I enjoyed having it around. It was truly great therapy. Please notice my darling daughter's fingers and socks as she is stretching to hold this quilt for me. Isn't she sweet?


This next quilt is another Moda University quilt. I'm not 'wowed' by it but it's pleasant and best of all -- it's done. It'll be a gift at some point. This time, please notice my husband's handsome hand and my darling daughter's beautiful red cuff. Such a supportive family!


I realized I never posted about my husband's event. It was wonderful. Truly. After the agony of shopping for a dress and shoes and a wrap and a bag... it was actually all worth it. My husband works for a very, very large company and he is a technology dude. That's most of what I know about how he spends 60+ hours a week. Anyway, he and his group worked on a technology product. They finished on time and on budget and the technology is selling very well. That is what this party was for. The company wanted to say thanks to the technology dudes and to their significant others for all their hard work and sacrifice. It was great to meet the people my husband works with as well as their spouses. The food was great. The music was great. The speakers were upbeat and brief. And there was actually a comedian who specializes in technology humor. Well done. Oh, about the clothes: they fit me well, fit the event well, and made me comfortable enough to speak to 'big bosses' when introduced. To sum up: I overthought the clothing and such, but it paid off in a very nice evening. Now, since I have this great dress, I am planning another great (smaller) event so I can wear the dress again. Convenient time for an anniversary, right?

9 comments:

Cher said...

Debby- bottom line is only meant to be bobbin thread, it is polyester which makes it so fine. Just an fyi for you-glad you stepped out and tried a few new quilting things. I think both quilts look great. What machine do you use to quilt with? Sorry if you have already mentioned this info..my brain is shutting down for the night :-)

Vicky said...

Great quilts - beautiful and finished!! And I love the word "wonky"!! LOL Good job!

Laurie Ann said...

And all this time I thought maybe your DH was in the "movies" and your EVENT was the Oscars. HAH!!

Jeanne said...

I like your wonky quilting -- it's fun to try somethig new and different!
Jeanne :)

Nancy said...

I do like both of these quilts. What's not to like about the first - it's red and white! The second is nice and simple but I like the look. I have a bunch of 7-1/2" cat charms left from another project that I'm thinking of surrounding this way to make a quick quilt for one of my aunts who loves cats but can't have any because of allergies.

Samantha said...

The quilts look great- good for you on the "why not" and trying something new!

Glad the clothes and event were such a success!

Granny said...

Debby - great quilts! I'm not much of fan of Bottom Line thread either. For a thin thread, I like their Masterpiece a whole lot better but I mostly use cotton all the time.

Looks you you're pretty good at getting your family to help out by holding quilts!

Glad the event went well and yes, put that outfit to good use and go out and have a wonderful evening for your anniversary!

Judy L.

Mary Johnson said...

I know people use bottom line in both top and bobbin but I stick to using it in the bobbin. Better quilters than me have used it successfully both in the top and bottom (I took a class with Karen McTavish and she uses it in both).

Kay said...

I used Bottom Line on top, and had no problem. Perhaps it's a matter of machine, needle, whatever. I liked it a lot actually, because my freemotion quilting isn't so great, and I don't always like it to show up.