Thursday, March 4, 2010

Avoiding Tsunamis

I fixed the layers with large basting stitches, and after two rows of quilting, I found that the fabric creates waves -- no, tsunamis! I felt desperate about doing a regular quilting. As I mentioned, this is my first batted quilt. My first proper quilt, so to say. This rayon I chose for the reverse seems to be rather stubborn. Now my strategy is as follows: I started with 1"-stitches in the middle and let them proceed from inside out in squares. Then I remove the basting step by step. It is not at all regular, but you know, regularity is my most difficult task. I guess, most of you will cry tears of pity.  -- Blackbird sings again, the master of improvisation. It is Jazz!  And these birds are innovative, they sometimes pick up sounds of alarm or cellphone rings. I took him with a flash from my balcony; he did not bother to fly away. These birds are not afraid of man at all. And he doesn't mind the cold; it will be freezing again tonight. The sky is full of colors.

5 comments:

ArtSparker said...

I go through periodic breakups with sewing for this reason (that the materials have a life of their own), it's not like drawing.

jude said...

the waves are ok. it will all flatten out with lots of little stitches. start quilting from the center and take the basting out as you go. i find it is better to baste like the spokes of a wheel from the center out. leaving the tails of the thread hanging in the center. you can pull out the stitches as you quilt. and if i get a bubble, i just fold the extra fabric over and stitch the imperfection down. but you know me.

patstudio said...

nice post....i hate those dilemmas.....but it think you've got it covered.....great advice from jude, btw.

Chris Gray said...

We have a blackbird that sits on our garden wall. He sings and sings and sings...and it's beautiful....

Despite some of the actions of man, it's STILL a wonderful world!

Unknown said...

I wonder if your bat might be a little lofty, too? Maybe try a flatter batting next time. And more stitching will help it lay flat. :D