Monday, January 28, 2013

"Every Stinkin' Seam"


Yup, I'm stitching in the ditch, "every stinkin' seam."  

While spending about 8 hours unpicking my crummy attempts at fmq this weekend, I watched Cindy Needham's EXCELLENT Craftsy class on free-motion quilting. 

She makes a great case for stitching in the ditch, and you remember it with her mantra,
"every stinkin' seam."  

So, that's what I'll be doing every stinkin' evening this week!



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31 comments:

  1. not so zen -quilts in ParisJanuary 28, 2013 at 9:25 AM

    I love your quilt and your blog too.
    Wish i had your freedom and so personal sense of color, greetings from Montmartre, Will V

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  2. Elaine MJanuary 28, 2013 at 9:33 AM

    Your trips quilt is a lovely burst of color, wonderful. I'm with you on unpicking crummy (creative) FMQ, have to admit that I have left some in projects.

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  3. JanJanuary 28, 2013 at 9:40 AM

    I think it takes quite a bit of practice, practice, practice to be able to free motion quilt well, expecially on a large piece. I'm terrible at it, but that's another thing on my 2013 list ~ practice, practice, practice. I need to ~ the tops are accumulating faster than I can hand-quilt them.

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  4. imquilternityJanuary 28, 2013 at 9:57 AM

    I'm thinking about doing that with my "scrappy many trips" too, but I must say that I'm not looking forward to it. It will, however, be wonderful when it's done. I wish you patience! :) BTW, your quilt is gorgeous.

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  5. BuffyJanuary 28, 2013 at 10:04 AM

    Think of it as a Zen experience, and carry on. Buffy

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  6. SharonJanuary 28, 2013 at 10:10 AM

    Love Love Love stitch in the ditch. I do alot of it on my longarm and almost every small piece done on my dsm has ditch work.This will be fabulous.

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  7. smazoochieJanuary 28, 2013 at 10:28 AM

    Unfortunately, I've become a fan of dense quilting -- that just translates into WORK! But it is always worth the effort.
    That's a big pile of color going under your needle. Put on some good music & get in your Zone. Eager to see the finished quilt!

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  8. LisaJanuary 28, 2013 at 10:38 AM

    LOVE that pile of color! I'm a big fan of ditch stitching myself. I can't wait to see this comes out!

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  9. KimJanuary 28, 2013 at 11:41 AM

    And how do you keep in the ditch? That is the hard part!
    Love this quilt, did you go for color or contrast when piecing these blocks? Such a nice flow of color across the top.

    Happy Sewing

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  10. RachaeldaisyJanuary 28, 2013 at 11:57 AM

    I think stitching in the ditching is perfect for this quilt. You're doing a great job LeeAnn, it will be so worth it when you have this colourful beauty on your bed!!

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  11. antique quilterJanuary 28, 2013 at 12:06 PM

    and you will be very happy next week that is what you did! LOL!!! for now just keep going and try and have fun :)
    Kathie

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  12. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2013 at 12:09 PM

    haha. But it will be so worth it in the end!

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  13. Cathy @ CabbageQuiltsJanuary 28, 2013 at 12:29 PM

    Wow, that is a lot of stinkin work! but definitely worth it your quilt is amazing!! xo

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  14. JulieroseJanuary 28, 2013 at 12:33 PM

    Yikes--what a job!! BUT, but, but--that quilt is amazing and it will be so beautiful when you have it all quilted...press on, girl!! Julierose

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  15. StaceyJanuary 28, 2013 at 2:07 PM

    You go girl...it going to be fabUlous :)

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  16. audreyJanuary 28, 2013 at 2:26 PM

    I am SO terrible at machine quilting, I cringe every single time I attempt it! Good luck on your progress! Your quilt looks beautiful even all bunched up in the sewing machine!!

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  17. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2013 at 3:35 PM

    BEAUTIFUL!!! ♥

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  18. Sujata ShahJanuary 28, 2013 at 4:30 PM

    I love what Sally said! It is my this year's goal.
    As far as this quilt is concerned, how can you go wrong. It is drop dead gorgeous to begin with!
    Keep calm and sew on!

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  19. fiberchickJanuary 28, 2013 at 5:55 PM

    I can think of a stronger adjective than "stinkin"!!!

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  20. CarlaJanuary 28, 2013 at 9:15 PM

    You're going to love that quilt, you know you are!

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  21. MariQuiltsJanuary 28, 2013 at 10:32 PM

    Its looking fabulous...but I avoid stitching in the ditch like the plaque, thats my story and I'm sticking to it.

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  22. BarbJanuary 29, 2013 at 4:32 AM

    Yikes - that must have painful.
    I'll be thinking of you as I'm starting to quilt my Log Cabin today.
    I, however, will not be stitching every stinking seam - at least I don't think so.

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  23. MarieJanuary 29, 2013 at 4:42 AM

    A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. I'm certain that it will be worth is - your top is beautiful.

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  24. ChrisJanuary 29, 2013 at 6:01 AM

    I admire your resolve for all of that ditch quilting! Not my fave - I think it's harder than FMQ..which I enjoy...just my opinion, love love love this quilt. Thanks for sharing - enjoy some nice music or catch up on your shows/movies!

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  25. Sew Create It - JaneJanuary 29, 2013 at 6:59 AM

    That's a lot of stitching, but it will be stunning when you get it done! Love your trippy quilt! Gorgeous!

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  26. HelenJanuary 29, 2013 at 8:09 AM

    I have been ditching it for years. Love to see all those fabrics along the way. Take your time...enjoy the trek!

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  27. MaritJanuary 30, 2013 at 3:33 AM

    You are so brave to take on this big top! It sounds like a good plan to do in the ditch. Best of luck with the quilting, my friend!

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  28. Mary KeaslerJanuary 30, 2013 at 12:34 PM

    What a woman. I can just hear you roar - every stinkin' seam, every stinkin' seam. Bravo!

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  29. Ailsa (Cape Pincushion)January 31, 2013 at 1:48 AM

    All the best for your quilting! I love your quilt, the colours are incredible! So delicious!

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  30. MulticoloredPiecesFebruary 1, 2013 at 10:42 PM

    Hi, Nifty. Nothing like an old-fashioned scrap quilt--sooo pleasing. I would agree that ditch quilting is the only way to go on something so complex. Have fun with all that quilting!
    best, nadia

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  31. TeodoFebruary 2, 2013 at 3:22 AM

    A beautiful, happy and fantastic quilt. Bravo.
    linda

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