... making quilts there was no other way to quilt than by hand. After a few years of quilting in a hoop Mr. Goodneedle lovingly crafted me a floor frame which became a permanent piece of furniture in our home through the mid 1990's. Suffice it to say, this trusty scroll style frame hasn't seen much use in the last few decades. This week the borders went on the Centennial Quilts and I went ahead and prepared the first one for hand quilting (by them, this was their choice!) by thread basting the layers together, I fell immediately into that old, familiar, rhythm of the running stitch; I'd all but forgotten how peaceful this process was. Once the basting was complete I worried that I might not even remember how to properly load the quilt sandwich onto the frame for hand quilting; so, decided to give my memory a quick workout. I was relieved to discover that my worries were unfounded, loading the quilt was like riding a bike; some experiences are ingrained. I'm not old, I've simply lived long enough to accumulate a vast cache of skills; they come in handy every so often. Today these quilts will be passed on to, and remain in, the capable hands of the church's members! I can collect my frame when they're finished; there's no rush, it was only standing idle in the closet, but at least I'm happy knowing that if, and when, that time comes I can load 'er up...
just like when I started out!
Who's that peeking out from under the quilt?
Life is Good!
8 comments:
That's how I started out too, only my frame is quite utilitarian, purchased from a Mennonite fabric shop. It used to live in my living room (we didn't have any furniture for it) and was a great beginning to many an adventure with the children. Even though I don't have a longarm it's been relegated to the attic for a couple decades now it still holds many wonderful memories!!
My quilt frame is set up in the sewing room and (horrors) used as a hanger for quilts waiting for quilting. Some of the quilts are basted on the frame and others are just tops.
Awesome!!! I enjoy hand quilting too, but I seem to get sore arms now days from stitching too long. I would love for you to get a pic. of the ladies around that frame.
Why it's sweet little Hannes! Blackberry sends his fondest regards...
I began my hand quilting career on my Mom's quilts when I was a teenager. We had the big, old style frames that took up our whole living room. Now Mom quilts on a frame like yours that my Dad made, and when I hand quilt I use a free standing hoop. I haven't used that hoop in quite a while. I think I need to dust it off and hope the rhythm comes back to me like it did for you. : )
What an EXCELLENT quilt (and frame) . . .
Hi, Hannes!
I've never worked on a quilt frame... Is it hard to quilt from left to right? Or around in curves? I have always wondered how the Amish ladies did their quilting on a quilting frame.
Thanks to Mr Goodneedle for creating this wonderful quilting frame. We at BCUMC are enjoying our part in making this lovely quilt and watching it come to life, as we enjoy working together and watching our stitches put us in stitches!
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