Friday, March 16, 2012

It Was December 6, 2011 When I Finished My First Mug Rug

It took me until today to get up the nerve to try to quilt it!!  Now, I have to remind you that I have had my mid-arm quilting machine for over 3 years and it stayed in it's box for the first 2-1/2 years.  The reason is because I never had the space to put up the 10-foot table in order to use it - or so I thought!!

No, I still don't have room for the table, but about 6 months ago, I said, hmmmmmmmmmm, maybe I can just use it as a table top machine and quilt small quilts.  It infact sits perfectly on a table top and I did finally try some stitch-in-the-ditch on December 8, 2011.   Then, kept saying I was going to try some free motion quilting on the mug rug but I didn't want to ruin it . . .  so I put it off and put it off and put it off - until today.

I did a search on the Internet for free motion quilting and came across a Youtube where the quilter said that using a Quilt Basting Spray instead of pinning the top makes life much easier.  So I tired it.

First you need a wall and some newspaper ~


Then you pin the back to the wall with the front side of the fabric facing the wall ~


And after shaking the can of Quilt Basting Stpray for 2full minutes (well, that's what it said I had to do), you lightly spray the backing and press the batting onto the backing ~


Then spray the backing ~


You then put the top over the batting and smooth it out from the center to the edges ~


Oh, my gosh, and then you have to quilt it!!  Yes, ma'am I did it!!!  Woo! Hoo!!


I am thrilled to pieces!!!  And with practice, my meanders will be smoother!!


Now to bind it and send it off!!  I am ready to try another one!!  


It is hard to express how fun it is to still be learning new things at my age!!  Love it!!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

That looks great! Good for you. Do you know about this site?
http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/p/free-motion-quilt-challenge.html There are some good links to videos there.

Or maybe these tips? http://stitchingcow.blogspot.com/2009/11/easy-machine-quilting-tips.html

Or this favorite, with a design a day for a year! http://www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/

Good luck! Now that you started, you are set to keep going. Love the spray basting. Love a longarm even more. =)

Anonymous said...

Well done, and good for you! I have a longarm and I know the feeling of learning what to do in the beginning. Keep on stitching!

Nancy said...

Very cute. You did a great job with the quilting.

Createology said...

Your mug rug is beautiful and your quilting is wonderful. What a great finish. Happy quilting...

Carol Wood said...

G'day Kris! I finally got to look through and enjoy your latest 'Mug Rug' Blog (with great photos)! I just love the results of your pretty cute teapot- you did a fine job and it looks terrific (especially in those yummy Kaffe Fassett fabrics! I also learned a lot, this was something I've always wanted to try...I now feel inspired. Well done, 'Young' lady! LOL! Keep the quilting going. I think I had as much fun following your step by step instructions on spray basting, etc., as you had... I believe you've already got the 'hang of it' - Thank you so much for posting this blog and sending me your link. I'll be back for more...XXOO &;-)

Miss Hillbilly said...

It is a great little mug rug. I like mini quilts. Easy to finish, easy to quilt...fun stuff!

Denise :) said...

You are a sneaky one!! I didn't even have a CLUE!!!! :)