Peggy's DWR, a secret no longer!

Connections... it amazes me every time I meet someone new just how they heard about Lolah and the shop especially when they're from away. In this case, Peggy, who is from New Glasgow, NS, was at a quilting class wondering how she was going to quilt this top in time to gift it. Someone mentioned Spruce It Up Quilt Shop so she called to inquire.

She visited for a consultation just before Christmas. She was prepared to do a heart design in the center of the rings; since I had loaded a sample piece on Lolah, I let her try out her design. She has experience with free motion quilting on her own sewing machine but as those of you who have tried a longarm know, quilting on Lolah is a little different. 

Peggy returned in early January with her gorgeous Double Wedding Ring quilt made for her daughter's wedding present. I was asked to keep it a secret until it was gifted and I gladly obliged! This one is a BIG beauty...

We had some thread issues at the beginning; batiks tend to test our skills with tension. The thread was so close to the deeper shade that there was a chance we wouldn't be able to find the loose threads to tie them off so Peggy learned how to use the side-loading needle and clamp.

Once Lolah behaved well, she was off and running... Hollie fell in love with this fabric. We even researched where we could find some... no luck, but if you know where we could get our hands on some let us know please!

Peggy chose to free motion quilt with Filtec's Glide in Raven, a lovely deep purple. As you can tell, she became quite comfortable with Lolah and soon was quilting with one hand. Basting down the edges was a must in preparation for the binding.

This is a huge quilt, made for a queen bed.

Hollie convinced her to add a little heart and a special message in the bottom ring... a lovely touch!

Basting the bottom edge... it takes a while. Lolah may be stitch-regulated but she doesn't have a programmed basting stitch.

What's not to love about this backing?

A BEAUTY revealed!

Hollie's husband Micheal and friends dropped by so we sent them outside to photograph the quilt in the sunlight!

Peggy was thrilled with her day. I'm sure her daughter and husband were in awe when they opened their gift. It's gorgeous!

Peggy provided this photo of the newly married with their quilt... they look pleased don't they?

I wonder how long it took Peggy to bind it?? Perhaps she'll let us know...

Toodles,

Lorette

Simply Imagine...

When Hollie decides to quilt on Lolah, she comes armed with a bundle of quilt tops. She makes quilts to sell at Keepsake Crafts in Murray Corner when the shop opens for the tourist season.

All three quilts started with the same panel but each was done a little differently. The batik backing was purchased at the Bargain Fabric Outlet in North Bedeque while on a road trip to the island. It did not come cheap but it was a wide backing.

This was Hollie's first time using a pantograph for her quilts. She wasn't too sure she would like it and was worried about the experience... dreaming about it too.

You can see in the photo above that two quilts are loaded close together and the pantograph was worked across both. It requires someone on each side of the quilting bed: one to quilt the panto and one to "spot" making sure the foot doesn't slide under the quilt top as it hops from one to the other.

Tea berry Glide which is a pale mauve/pink has been a very popular thread color and one of Hollie's favorites.

Her husband Micheal came in to check on her progress and was even given a chance to try out Lolah! He did an excellent job!

Micheal is a contractor so he has experience guiding hand tools.

This pantograph is called Hearts in Bloom... it's been quite popular because of the easy design and the open quilting. This fabric has the same flowers in it. 

Once the panto work was done, Hollie decided the third quilt would be done freehand.

This is where Hollie is most comfortable...

She even wrote in the "blank" blocks...

What a sharp eye she has for transforming a simple panel into a wonderful keepsake quilt!! I absolutely love the log cabin setting.

Gorgeous backing...

Hollie you amaze us all! Can't wait to see your next three quilts...

Simply Imagine what YOU can do on Lolah!!! Call us and book your date!

Toodles,

Lorette

UPDATE: April 9th, 2015

Hollie reminded me yesterday that I forgot to include an important photograph because the photo was taken with my phone.

Blair is a good friend of Hollie and Micheal and our contractor who happened to come in while Hollie was working so she asked him to quilt on her top... 

Blair has been known to mark his wife Sally's tops for hand quilting. He is skilled at hand tools so it was no surprise that he did well. Sorry the Lolah's light is too bright to see what he quilted!

Thank you for the reminder Hollie!

Lorette