I am really trying to conquer my huge pile of WiPs. Way back in January I sewed some quilt blocks together to get 90% done making a quilt top. A little less way back in March I purchased backing fabric for the quilt. And then started 2 new crochet projects (and many, many small ones). Distracted Crafter Syndrome.
I went back to the poor neglected quilt and found some border fabric I could use in my stash, and got that all ironed, cut and attached, a good first step. Then I cut and sewed my backing fabric to the right size, and got that all ironed. Side note: it is easier to iron large pieces of fabric before you sew them into shapes too wide for your ironing board. Or so I remembered after I sewed them and realized I had forgotten to iron the creases out. Whoops!
Laying out a quilt to baste can be a challenge if you don’t have large floor space, so step one for that process was moving some furniture. I was somehow able to get this done and make my “quilt sandwich” while the cats were both napping, which made the job much easier. I did get some help with quality control from one of them after it was complete.
Trudy approves of the pin placement
I am planning on machine quilting this in the ditch. In the past when I have done that, I didn’t change out the sewing machine foot, but I’ve been reading about how much better and easier it is to do with a walking foot or quilting foot, so I pulled out the little baggie of extra feet that came with the machine, attached new foot, changed the settings on the machine based on the manual and started the first row.
Six inches or so into it, I realized that something had gone wrong. the stitches were tiny, too tiny, right next to each other tiny. In my enthusiasm to finish this up I had not tested the new settings, and instead had to pull out the trusty seam ripper. Sometimes it is better to walk away from a project when you know you are getting tired, and so that is what I did. But once I get the settings corrected, and play with the new foot a little bit on some scrap fabric, it is all basted and ready to go. At least some progress was made, and I am still excited about finishing this.
alookatthelittlethings 
I like the cat basting method to affix your quilt top! 🙂
The cats are even better at constantly checking underneath it. I don’t l know what they think is hiding under there but they must find out!
Kitty approval is a must. I love the flower pattern. I’ve been starting more projects than I have been completing too.
There are just too many projects out there to do, plus you need different things depending on the day or the mood. 🙂
Yes, yes I agree also the time of year.
Useful post as I will shortly be tackling this myself! I’ll let you lead the way!
The quilt is currently in a time out until the weekend is over, but I should be getting back to it early next week. I need a bit more time than I have right now to really play with the settings on my machine.
Started my quilt about 5 years ago! Like you, I can only work on it when I can have a day without distractions. Doesn’t happen very often! Look forward to seeing your progress – keep us posted.
I think getting the basting done is a huge accomplishment–I hate basting! I’ve bought several vintage quilt tops over the years, thinking I’d quilt and finish them, but I haven’t because I get so hung up on the basting!
It is my least favorite part, and the only painful part after crawling around bent over on my hands and knees. I also have had finished quilt tops that just sat because I didn’t want to tackle the basting.
The flower pattern is lovely! I look forward to see the progress! So much time and love go into our hand made items!
So true. And we get so much out of the making too!