Several Firsts for Me (and some misc.)

I've done very little machine quilting in the past.  I took 3 different free motion classes, and I stink at free motion quilting.  Oh well, we can't master everything.  I can do straight line quilting on my Janome 4800QC with it's walking foot, and I've made a few small projects on my hand crank using a regular presser foot. 

Well, earlier this month I got a walking foot for my vintage sewing machines.  Here is a picture of both walking feet, together.

vintage walking foot, and Janome walking foot

bottom of vintage walking foot and Janome walking foot

Can you see how much wider the foot on the right is?  That is the Janome walking foot.  Vintage sewing machines have more narrow feed dogs, so, the Janome walking foot is too wide to feed properly on my vintage machines. 

Here is a picture of my new, more narrow walking foot on my treadle.  The practice sandwich is from a long ago long arm quilting class.   I love quilting on a long arm, I just can't afford one.  The light pink line of thread is my practice stitching on the treadle (see the tip of the scissors).

narrow walking foot on my treadle, showing the stitches it made (light pink stitches only)

This is the first time I've ever tried to quilt on a treadle.  Yep, I'm SCARED!, especially since this is a quilt that my Aunt requested for her first great grandchild.  Pressure!

I bought a lovely thread stand several years ago, but, I've never used it.  Poor thing sits neglected on another treadle, with a huge cone of thread on it.  Here it is, threaded, sitting on the back of the treadle, getting ready to be used for the first time.  Isn't it pretty!

thread stand waiting to be used for the first time

To make sure that the thread feeds properly to the treadle, I used an idea I got from other vintage machine users, and threaded the thread thru empty bobbins on the thread spool pin.  I love all the great ideas I get from others.  Thanks!

thread threaded thru empty bobbins

Another first I tried was to use blue tape to mark my quilting lines on the quilt top. 

blue tape to mark quilting lines

 Others may have success with this method, but I did NOT!.  The tape kept shifting across the quilt top.  I had to unsew a whole line of quilting.  After that, I got out my trusty blue chalk marker and drew on the quilting lines.  MUCH BETTER!  My chalk lines didn't move.

quilt being quilted on 'Victor' my post WWII Japanese treadle

Here is the quilted baby quilt (just needs binding now).

treadle quilted baby quilt

up close of treadle quilting

up close of treadle quilting

back of quilt, showing quilting on Minkee

Oh yea, I spray basted this quilt, but, I did add some pins, just in case.  Nothing shifted.  Woohoo!

Now for my Miscellaneous.......

I picked up a treadle pillow at the thrift store on Saturday.  I can't tell what companies name is on the treadle irons but, it's a company I've never heard of (guessing they couldn't use the name of Singer).

treadle pillow

I was busy earlier in the week, too.  I made another set of 21 garden flower blocks for wedding quilts.  I need one more set done to make 2 wedding quilts.  Now to cut out more corner squares.

both sets done

I also cut out 5 sets of strips for my family reunion rail fence quilt.  I'll make blocks, with white in the center, and the family members will sign the white strips.  

5 sets, using 7 colors, plus white

I still needed one more color, to make 8 colors, so, I picked up some lime green Kona on Saturday.  It's washed, and ready to cut into strips.  I got half of one set of strips stitched on Saturday, during the beginning quilting class.  This will be my first all Kona quilt.  Solids are NOT my thing, usually.  I like prints.  This is really growing on me, though.

Wego Quiltin' (my little quilt guild) is tonight.  I get to show off my treadled quilt.  I won't get to show it to my larger guild, since I need to finish it and mail it before the baby comes this month.  Hopefully I'll get a picture of the baby on the quilt.