Quilting Practice

 Last week it was FMQ practice on my domestic machine; yesterday it was long arm practice. Lots of quilting accomplished in the last few days! 

I've been gaining confidence in my FMQ skills with each of the panels for my patio pillow covers. Here's the last panel, quilted with vines and leaves.

I used the same variegated thread I used on the other panels so they all coordinate, even though the quilting designs are different. 

Now that all four panels are done - and the weather's getting cool enough to sit out on my patio - I need to hurry up and get these pillow covers finished. That's one of my goals for this month. 

I had time booked on PCQ's long arm yesterday and an experienced helper, so I was able to get the Asian Squares charity quilt quilted. 

The panto is called River Run and reminds me of an Asian sand garden with raked lines and swirls. I thought it would enhance this project, and even though there's a lot of bobbles and wobbles in the quilting, I think it came out okay. I used a pale sage thread because all the golds or khakis looked too red against the metallic gold alternate squares, and cream was too light on the  darker prints. The sage blends nicely with the print squares, and even blends into the backing. 

The backing is a Japanese print of gold metallic on maroon that was donated specifically for this quilt by one of the girls from Wednesday social sewing. Thanks, Hiromi! I'll use the off-cuts from the backing for the binding. It's perfect!

I re-learned how to use the long arm, and I think I'll remember more this time. I can sign up to use it again any time after Nov. 23, so I should probably book time after Thanksgiving to use it so I won't forget what I've learned. Just need to finish a top and make a backing...

Quilting is just one step in the process, so I need to continue to work on both of these projects to get them finished. I'd like to have the Asian Squares quilt done by Monday to donate it at the PCQ general meeting Monday night. I think that's do-able. 

Linking up with Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication