Friday, October 5, 2018

HRT logistics


My goal for October is quilt my HRT quilt, made with 720 HRTs of fabric all by Moda Sweetwater.


Typically, I baste a quilt on my kitchen table and use large binder clips to hold things flat.  This works fine for quilts that measure smaller than the length of my table (~ 60").   While I've had occasional success with quilts larger than 60" - including the one pictured below - it can be a real struggle.


My first attempt at basting my HRT quilt on my kitchen table did not go well.  And all the pins had to be removed when I discovered areas where the backing fabric had large wrinkles or gaps on the edges.

So I moved the quilt to the floor.  Since my son is away at school, I could spread the layers out on the floor of his room and not rush myself through the basting process.  The backing fabric was taped down using painters tape and the batting and quilt floated on top.


With the basting done, I've started FMQing.  My plan is to tackle the quilt by working on a small area at a time with the goal of avoiding needing to tie off thread by using something less than a bobbins worth of thread for each section.

Given each HRT measures 2" across, I am quilting a strip down the quilt which is three (3) HRTs wide aka 6''.  This means I will be moving the quilt through the machine 12 times (which seems like a lot!) but it minimizes the side to side movement which usually causes thread breaks.


I've been making great progress this week, just doing a section at a time with a simple meander.  You can see a bit of the quilting on the back.  I was lucky enough to find 4 yards of  a Sweetwater print I forgot I had in my stash and with a little bit more fabric (that fun house print) pieced together the back.


I'll be linking up at Brag about Your Beauties Freemotion by the River,   WIP Wednesday's,  Let's Bee SocialMidweek Makers.  Needle and Thread Thursdays, Finish it Up Friday and Finished or Not Friday.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

10 comments:

  1. Very nice! The FMQ is progressing very well and is lovely. I love the flimsy and it is going to be a terrific quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your progress looks great so far, and I am excited that you have made so much progress on the HRT quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  3. That's exactly how I baste my quilts too!! It's not my favourite, but it is the best way. The quilting looks great.

    -Soma

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi, I just heard your interview with Pat Sloan. Many of my online quilter friends are linking up with your OMG, but I’ve never thought about it. You hooked me and I really need that commitment to get things done. So I will be linking up with you soon.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have been known to baste that way too...your quilt is such an i spy for a sweetwater fan!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm glad you caught the problem with the backing before you started quilting! I had a wrinkle in a little lap quilt and I didn't see it until I was done quilting! Your quilt is looking great! I can't wait to see it finished!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Looks awesome! I'm sure, you will finish it soon!
    Greetings from Germany, Rike

    ReplyDelete
  8. I had completely forgotten about HRTs and after seeing yours I want to start a new project with them! Finding 4 yards of a Sweetwater fabric in your stash? Heaven. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. That's how I baste my quilts as well. Looks like you are making great progress Patty.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Looks like you are making good progress. You'll be done before you know it.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting Elm Street Quilts. Looking forward to hearing from you!