Add another one to my pile of to be backed/basted!
This is my Christmas Bee quilt top...and I LOVE it... and I want to always ask my Bee friends to make big blocks because sewing them together is so quick and easy!
THOUGH -- I can't decide if the top is really finished or not. Should I add a patchwork border? The husband thinks not, and that would be less work; however, I kind of think I *should.*
We'll see.
The backing is a pain, I must admit. I have scraps + a couple random yards, and this is a pretty big quilt. So I'm working on it.
Yesterday, the hubs and I went out to celebrate our anniversary (sans child), and we went to try out some sewing machines. I tried the babylock Espire (which has been upgraded to the Symphony now), and it was really nice. But I still think I'll go with the Juki. But I need to hurry if I'm going to get all my tops done by Christmas! Yipes!
(Christmas Bee friends -- when I get this finished, I'll post all about how wonderful each of your blocks are...because they are...and I ♥ them)
___________________________
I am entering this is SewCalGal's Christmas quilt show... I just wish it was all the way finished! :)
47 comments:
Had a Juki and hated it. Tension problems all over the place. Have a professional quilter Babylock and absolutely love it. Hardly ever have tension problems. Just my two cents!
Lurking Linda
Oh, I had seen bits and pieces of these blocks on the way but put together it is just stunning!!! I love, love, love it!!! I can't wait to see it all quilted up :)
That is such a fun Christmas quilt. Amazing blocks. I like it the way it is, with a colourful red/green pieced binding maybe? (see, I'm trying to save you some time & work).....although, if you did have some sort of border, it might help to keep it clean instead of having to grab the white to pull it up under your chin on the couch while eating Christmas cookies and drinking eggnog.
What a cute quilt. I love all the different tree blocks. I've been thinking of doing some Christmas throw pillows. I might have to copy a few of those ideas. That hexagon tree would make a super cute pillow on my couch.
I love your Christmas Bee Quilt!!! Me personally I love adding borders....but it is so nice and clean right now...the white really pops...adding a border might pull the other colors out rather than the white being so brilliant....I love the size of the blocks...what size are they???
I'll bet you can't stop smiling. The quilt is stunning. I understand the border/no border dilemma. Will be curious to see what you decide.
Also watching the sewing machine debate with great interest.
As Linda says, I dont have tension problems either and its easier to keep my stitches even with my BL than it was when I used my moms Janome which is a lot like the Juki. Either one is a great machine, but I wouldnt trade mine for the world. Glad you tried it out!!!
I Love your quilt!!! I have a BL Espire and I really do love it. It has lots of little features that I didn't think I would use, but now I do all the time I wouldn't give it up for anything!
LOVE your Bee quilt! what a fun project! I think is would be perfect with just a stipe binding, cut on the bias to give it a swirl look, no border.
Simply wonderful top you sewed there Tracey!! *Jealous*
I love it tracey! Some day I'll get mine put together, probably not until after the first of the year :(
I think there should be a border. More work yes, but it will pull it all together.
Fabulous quilt.
If you don't want to put a border on it how about using a striped fabric for the binding.
Love and hugs Gina xxx
holy smokes is that quilt gorgeous! Makes me want to join a bee!
You have one amazing quilt there Tracey!!
Perhaps just add a small white border and then do a scrappy binding?
It looks SO fun!
Wow, all of those blocks are beautiful! The quilt looks awesome as is but I think a scrappy border might make it even better, I just love borders!
Wonderful Christmas quilt! A patchwork border would be really cute but it certainly isn't necessary. I had a Juki and it leaked oil all of the time - Hhd a constant little puddle under the machine all of time. I, like the first Linda, also had tension troubles too.
I don't know if you asked for our opinions, but here's mine - I would do a "keys" border of leftover Christmas prints, and I would find a great 2-color (cream and gold? blue and white?) Christmas print for the back and not do anything fancy there - it's so pretty on the front, you don't want to pull attention away from it! It's really spectacular!!!
I like the idea of a border or a bright binding at least...something to frame it. Happy sewing machine shopping. That sounds fun!
What a great quilt! Regarding your dilemma, I guess it depends on the binding you're putting in. If it's really catchy and colorfull, than it will probably be lovely as is. If not, that I would add some sort of border, nothing too overwhelming because the blocks are just gorgeous and shouldnt take any attention of them :) It's a wonderfull quilt, congrats!
Those are all seriously beautiful blocks. You are a lucky lady!
Wonderful... and hate to say it, but I think a patchy border of color and white would be the way to go, making it fabulously wonderful. Interesting to hear the machine comments. I have not heard so many negatives on the Juki before.... maybe I will be getting the 1/4 inch foot for my bernina and keeping it after all
forgot to ask what is the block called that is round and looks like a wreath....thanks.
Peris, it's a Wagon Wheel.:)
www.happiestwhencrafting.blogspot.com
I LOVE my Juki TL98Q! Make sure if you get one it has a 1/4" foot b/c the regular presser foot is extremely scant. I haven't had any problems with it but I did have a smaller Juki before that was a total lemon...they let me do a full trade in because of it. I am glad I have my Pfaff still for button holes or zigzags. I've never had the issues mentioned above, but I do check my bobbin tension every single time I change thread type.
Your quilt is a very fun holiday quilt! I love the non-traditional colors and fabrics!
The best advice I can give regarding machines is to test drive, test drive, then test drive some more. That way I knew exactly which was the right fit for me, and it was the Juki TL98Q. I've had no problems with it. Just keep it well oiled, which is easy peasy! Love it!
Great looking quilt top. I would do a border.
This quilt is great. What a wonderful collection of blocks. It has come together so well.
Your quilt is amazing. The blocks are fantastic and they all go well together. I'm a border girl so I would add a bright one to make the blocks pop up. But that is me of course.
Love the quilt! It's really unique. It's something you will always treasure!
Very cute quilt. I think a border would look great on it. Where did you find a DH that will take you to look at sewing machines on your anniversary date? How cool is that!
That is a great quilt. I don't know about a border but agree on colorful binding. What a great job. Love Lois
your quilt is lovely, thank you for sharing... New machine in your future how wonderful. I am not allowed to even look at a new machine....LOL...Hubby would disown me...I had quite a few and I inherited my Mom's machines, mine and hers total 9 right now
I think a patchwork border would look nice. It looks great. Love the design.
I love this quilt - it's STUNNING! super great job to you and your Bee's :)
I think you should do some sort of a border like a chevron style.
The white background is perfect - fresh feeling.
Valerie
http://www.PastimesOnline.ca/Vals-Quilting/
What a wonderful quilt. I love all the different trees. I would put a simple pieced border on it. But I like borders , think it looks more finished I guess. This was a great Bee project. :)
What a fun quilt!!! Great job!!
What a super quilt! Each block is really great! Congrats to you and the man attached to the hand on your anniversary! Here's to many more years together...and quilts!
OMG your quilt is absolutely amazing. if it was me I would, like Gina just put on a binding made of the coloured fabrics.
Can't offer any experience with you machines.
Very festive! The variety of fabrics really make it so.
It's going to be wonderful.
Beautiful Christmas Quilt. Fun design with so much creativity. Love it. Thanks for sharing in the Christmas Quilt show. I do so hope you are having fun viewing all the entries in this show. I know I am.
SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
Oh yes it does need something to give it a lovely frame..what do you have in mind?
It is looking so good but don't just finish it up to be done....finish it however the quilt is "telling you" to.
Happy Sewing
great top - whatever you decide about a border - I really like the modern spin on Christmas
These blocks are beautiful. Your quilt is so pretty.
Love your Christmas top. I vote for a scrappy border, but that's just my 2 cents.
xo -El
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