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Saturday, March 16, 2013

Celebrate Quilting!

Celebrate National Quilting Day !!


My Spinning Wheel quilt is back, and as usual, my friend and quilter~extraordinaire, Ronda, has added her magic.  It's often said that the 'quilting makes the quilt', and I couldn't agree more.  I thought I'd share some close-up photos of her work.


Together, we brainstorm ideas for the quilting designs.  Sometimes, I know what I would like, and other times I defer to Ronda's expertise as we choose designs.  For the background surrounding the center reel block, I knew I wanted what I call 'peacock feathers', i.e., ovals inside of ovals.  Love that look!  Leaving the applique untouched, this tight background fill makes the applique pop.  L O V E!!


For the setting triangles around the center block, I chose a simple design, noting the "diamond" in the center of the quilt pattern replicated the shape in the middle of the reel.  


The border decision was the most challenging.  I wanted something that would not over-run the beautiful border fabric and I also wanted to avoid stitching over the border appliques.  We had a heck of a time finding just the right color thread, and in the end, I decided that simple diagonal lines would off-set the other "swirling quilting" designs, and she would easily be able to quilt around the appliques.
I adore how it all turned out!


For photographic purposes, I must choose thread colors that match the fabrics 95% of the time.  That means that all too often, Ronda's beautiful work isn't seen unless you're able to view the actual quilt.  So, since I've been showing you pictures of the top, here's my chance to show off the back of the quilt where her stitches really show up.  Pretty awesome, isn't it?!!  (I can say that....I didn't do it!)  Ronda quilts full time for her business, Simple Comforts Quilting, and if you'd like to contact her, you can do so at rondadranter@msn.com.

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Many years ago, I had the chance to meet Lynette Jensen (Thimbleberries), and hear her talk about her business, and lots of quilting related stories.  One of the things she said was that our entire quilting industry, and every modern quilter today, owe much to our long-arm quilters.  As much as I love spending time researching and "living" in the nineteenth century, if we had to hand quilt every quilt we made, we just wouldn't be making as many quilts as we do today.  I know I wouldn't for sure!  Times that by a few million quilters in America, and you can see how their talents effect the entire quilting world, from patterns, to fabric, and all parts in between!  Her words really struck me, and so today, on this national day to celebrate quilting, I'd like to take this opportunity to praise and thank all of our long-arm quilters!  Where would we be without you?

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And....what's a celebration without a give-away??


I have an extra copy of one of my favorite books, Great Little Quilts , and it needs a loving home.  So, leave me a comment, telling me how long you've been quilting.  Do you quilt your own quilts, and have you ever used the services of a long-arm quilter?  In my humble opinion, hand quilting will always be the ultimate.  While I've never learned this art, tell me if you have.  Whatever quilting related comment you'd like to share will be fine.  Comment by midnight, Monday, March 18th, and the random number thingy will choose a winner, which I'll post on Tuesday morning.

Wishing you all heartfelt stitches!
Pam

93 comments:

  1. I love your spinning wheel quilt and thank you so much for giving us a close look at the beautiful quilting. I've been quilting for about 4-5 years. I have a friend who quilts professionally on her DSM and she inspires me to learn and practise my own machine quilting. I started hand quilting my very first quilt but sadly have not finished it - yet! Thank you for the chance to enter your giveaway :-)

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  2. Pam, your Spinning Wheel quilt is simply gorgeous! Love the fabrics and the quilting is excellent! Congrats to you and Rhonda for working so well together to produce a beautiful work of art. Thanks for the chance...that book looks like one that would be very comfortable living with me!

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  3. I probably do about half of my quilts by hand quilting; the other half are either done by myself on my DSM or sent to a longarmer. I am lucky that I have four LA's near and depending on what I'd like done, I use the one that best fits that need.

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  5. I have been quilting for 25 years now (I started very young)!! :) I have quilted every quilt I've made myself. I have hand quilted quite a few of them (even king sized) and I've recently been doing them all on my sewing machine. I've always been of the mindset that I want to see my quilts through from start to finish. I don't get as many finished that way, but I get to enjoy every part of the process. That being said, my quilting looks nothing like Ronda's!!

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  6. I've been quilting for about three years. So far my quilts have been utility and charity quilts - so I've just done straight-line quilting on my sewing machine. Someday I hope to produce a quilt worthy of being quilted by a longarmer!

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  7. Your LAQ did a fabulous job! I like LAQ for my fast quick piecing quilts...sometimes. I still love to sit and hand quilt, you are right that the industry is moving fast ahead, but don`t forget when we couldn`t quilt our quilts they would also go to the local quilters that quilted your quilt for about nothing and it was hand quilted.
    I hope that this does not take away from them the hard money they earn for their churches.
    I started quilting over 20years ago and still love to hand quilt, I know I can`t keep up with the industry but isn`t quilting relaxing, enjoyable, where each step should be enjoyed not rushed. We rush doing everything else it is nice to enjoy a process without deadlines.

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  8. I've been quilting for 32 years now. I've hand quilted some projects, I have used the services of a long-arm quilter on occasion, but now I usually machine quilt my tops myself.

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  9. I have been quilting for about 30 years now.. doesn't seem possible. I have never used the services of a LAQ. I do most of mine by hand or a SID on my domestic. My goal when I retire is to learn FMQ on my domestic... practice, practice, practice.

    Thanks for a chance

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  10. I first quilted a bit way back in the 80 when I was in high school, but I didn't really go "all in" until 1995. I will never forget that year because it was the year my husband spent in Korea (he is in the Army) and I started quilting! Quilting has been my sanity and life blood being an Army wife and facing numerous deployments. I do handquilt some of my small projects. I free-motion quilt quilts that are lap size or smaller, but for the big ones, off they go to the long-armer! I LOVE my talented "helpers."

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  11. Your quilt looks wonderful! I think the hardest part of a quilt is deciding how to quilt it! I started quilting in 1999, when a group from my church insisted that I come to their quilting sessions! I use several different machine quilters, but I really do love to hand quilt, and always have a hand quilting project to work on.

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  12. I do not quilt my own quilts, I feel there are some people have a gift for it. That it is their special talent and you can see it in their work. I have tried hand quilting on a couple of small projects, looks like big stitch quilting for me!

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  13. Thanks for sharing the closeups of the lovely quilting on your Spinning Wheel quilt. It's beautiful.
    I've been quilting for about 18 years. I'm so glad we have the talents of longarm quilters to help get finished tops turned into lovely quilts!

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  14. Table toppers and smaller I do myself (no hand quilting) and everything else goes to the longarm quilter.

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  15. I made my first quilt as a teenager and it was hand quilted. Years passed until I quilted again and now I am addicted. Small quilts I do myself. My large quilts are taken to my awesome longarm quilter. I trust her totally and leave the design up to her and I'm always thrilled with what she comes up with.

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  16. My first quilt was a double wedding ring entirely hand pieced and hand quilted about 25 years ago. I didn't know that one pattern was any more difficult than another and so I began. It all worked out fine, ignorance is bliss. I do some hand quilting still on small quilts but the big ones go the quilter and it's always fun to get them back, just like Christmas.
    Grandma Rita

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  17. Your quilt is beautiful and the quilting is wonderful, too. I have been quilting for about six years, every since I retired. I hand quilt most of my quilts because I have never learned to machine quilt. There are a few little quilts I used my walking foot and stitched in the ditch, but I love to stitch by hand. No matter how quilts are made, they are all beautiful!

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  18. Pam, I've been quilting (self taught) for about 4 years. My mother and grandmother quilted, and I learned a lot from them, but they are both in heaven now. I like to mix it up...machine and hand quilting. I have never used the services of a long arm quilter, but I'd love to someday. You have taught me so much! I feel like I know you:) Thanks so much for being my "friend".
    Love and blessings,
    Connie:)

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  19. HI! I'M A MACHINE QUILTER OF ABOUT 5 YEARS(PRIOR TOO BUSY:HOMEMAKER+R.N.). I HAVE NEVER USED A LONG ARM QUILTER;INSTEAD FM QUILTING IS WHAT I DO,BOTH STRAIGHT+MEANDERING>STILL LEARNING THAT! LOVE HAND QUILTING AND HAVE DONE SMALL PROJECTS.IT SEEMS TO BOTHER MY HAND NOW,SO I WILL PROBABLY JUST DO MACHINE QUILTING.MY PASSION IS MACHINE QUILTING BABY QUILTS FOR CHARITY AND I DO A LOT OF THESE! THANKS FOR SHARING A BEAUTIFUL GIVEAWAY!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  20. I've been quilting since 1973 - 40 years. Wow, time really does fly! I'm a hand-quilter, always was and always will be. I can appreciate the craftsmanship of machine quilting but just prefer the look of a hand stitched quilt. I'd love to win this book - little quilts are the size I've been making lately. There are only 'so many' quilts we can use on a bed but dolls can never have too many!

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  21. I love hand quilting but it takes me forever to finish a project so most of my tops go to a longarm quilter.

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  22. I have been quilting for 21 years now. The time has gone so fast. I machine quilt all of my own quilts. Years ago I started, and tried to learn to hand quilt, and that quilt is still waiting for me to finish. I enjoy every part of the quilting process from beginning to end.

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  23. I've been quilting for 14 years. I quilt all of my own quilts. Ones for sleeping under I machine quilt and special ones I quilt by hand. I love how your Spinning Wheel quilt is quilted - your pictures are lovely!

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  24. I've been quilting about 20 years now - and have loved every minute of the journey. I'm so glad to see the young gals who are quilting now - even though modern quilts will never appeal to me - I'm just glad they're sewing and creating! I have done hand quilting and machine quilting on my home machine. Sent my daughter's wedding quilt to be done on a long arm machine.

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  25. I started out hand quilting on my mother's quilts when I was a teenager (do I need to say how many decades ago that was?) and when I started piecing quilts for my own family, about 25 years ago, I either tied or hand quilted. Ten years ago I first used a longarm quilter and loved the convenience, but not the cost. A year ago I bought a midarm machine and have been practicing my FMQ ever since. I still hand quilt a very few small pieces and have one large quilt still to hand quilt--a promise to my youngest child--I've done them for all the others. : )
    I love the looks of this book and would be so thrilled to win it!

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  26. I started Quilting from Hancock Fabrics many many moons ago..they had for $10.00 a year a block of the month,,you got the block w/fabric and brought it back the following month for the next block..then I heard of the Quilting Guild and went to my first mtg..Kathy took me under her wing so to speak and I learned alot from her,,she gave me fabric, notions,books, etc. I was quilting by my machine,,then I worked in our LQS and had a long arm quilter quit my queen/king size quilts..NOW I belong to SQ a yahoo group and have enjoyed making the mini quilts..People ask me do I sell my quilts..no I don't wouldn't know what price to put on them, so I give them to my four dtrs and my grandchildren who I know would appreciate them more and now be found in the back of a pickup truck for moving/hauling things..I would totally enjoy winning so I can add this book to my collection!

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  27. I could give the book a wonderful new home!

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  28. I have been quilting for about 10 years. I do hand quilt but I also machine quilt on my Bernina. I do not use a service to quilt. I think they do a beautiful job I just can't afford it :(

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  29. I had a quilting period about 20 years ago, then I stopped for a while. Now, I,ve been quilting again for 2 years :) I quilt my quilts by machine and by hand, it depends of the project. There are not so many longarm-quilters in Norway.

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  30. I have been quilting 14 years and machine quilt my own small quilts, but trust the larger ones to my good friend who owns a long arm...have to help her earn a living! I have done some hand quilting, but a long time ago, with two young boys I prefer to see the results NOW!

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  31. I have been quilting for 38 years. I have hand quilted quilts as large as queen size. I have also quilted with my home sewing machine. I recently bought a new Bernina with a stitch regulator so I can do a better job of machine quilting. I like scrappy quilts and often quilt them with a larger stitch by hand. I have also used a longarmer when I have a deadline that I cannot meet by handquilting.
    (linesmary1@gmail.com)

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  32. I have been quilting for about 25 years, made quilts for all my family and now I am into small quilts...I recently moved into smaller living quarters and dont have as much room. And smaller quilts make up much faster...I would really like to have a new book. I always have room for books...
    qltnannyx2@metrocast.net

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  33. Loving that block. Have been waiting for you to show it with great anticipation. It came out great!! I've been quilting for over 30 years now. Doesn't seem possible!! I am a hand quilter and do all my own work. Thanks for the great give-away!! Happy Quilting Day, karen

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  34. I made my first quilt in the early 80s, using cardboard templates and scissors. I HATED it and though I love quilts,didn't ever think I would try one again. Then I got cable and saw Simply Quilts-it looked so easy and no cardboard, no scissors. I was hooked and know its still not easy but easier and more enjoyable than that first one. I've been quilting about 12 years, had a lapsized quilt by an amazing long armer. I was planning on hanging my "masterpiece". I machine quilt most of my quilts, but I am not very imaginative,functional quilting but not exceptional.i am so drawn to small quilts and miniatures that I think I will concentrate on those and attempt hand quilting. The quilts take as much time and effort to piece but the quilting could be magic as they are so small.

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  35. I love this block! I have hand-quilted about 20 quilts, and have also used the service of machine quilters. I love all kinds of techniques, fabrics and embroidery (hand). Love, love taking classes, learning new things. Thanks for the give-away...Keeping my fingers and toes crossed! Happy Quilting Day :) Linda

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  36. I have lots of tops finished and lots of UFOs. I've quilted 3, 2 on a domestic machine and one hand quilted. I started quilting about 2001. A longarm is on my wish list, but it looks like it will stay there.

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  37. I have been quilting off and mostly on now for 40 years. I have more time to quilt now that my children are grown. I have hand quilted very little, quilted on my sewing machine and I am trying to find a good long arm quilter to complete a few quilt tops that I have completed. I would love to give that cute book a home because I really love small quilts. Thanks for your blog, I look forward to all of your posts.

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  38. I have just found your site and I love it! I have been quilting since 1985 and at the moment I am addicted to making my reproduction quilt called The English Basket Quilt which is a design by Corliss Searcey of Threadbear. It is all needleturn applique and done by hand. Totally addictive. I love hand quilting but because of our climate I only have a smaller window in which I can sit with a quilt on my lap whilst handquilting. I also machine quilt my quilts on my trusty Janome. Hope I'm lucky. Cheers

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  39. I made my first quilt in 1973 and loved it. The ladies in my home growing up were always sewing something. I have only used a professional long-arm quilter once and she did an amazing job on my quilt. I have used a long-arm myself a few times and I do quilt my own when I can.

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  40. I have only been quilting since 2005 and am basically self taught after only ever using the sewing machine to shorten hubbie's pantlegs. I don't have any winter outdoor hobbies, so wanted something fun to do.....Quilting was it! I do my own quilting and it is basically simple straight lines with hopes of doing stippling and other things in the future. I already have a few stencils just waiting for me to attempt it. Would love to hire a longarmer, but the budget doesn't allow for it. That book would be a great treat for me because hubby mentioned how small quilts would look nice on our hall walls and am hoping to accomplish that.
    Happy Quilting Day!!!

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  41. I have been quilting since 1975, but got serious about 15 years ago. While I do machine quilting, I love hand quilting. Prairie Women's Sewing Circle has been a good opportunity to hand quilt small quilts.

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  42. I have been quilting since I was child.....my mother, grandmother and aunts where all quilters.
    My first quilt....totally by myself....was made in 1967 ( I was 17 ). I am a hand quilter ...but I have had a few quilts quilted by my dear friend Shannon. she is an amazing long arm quilter. I love hand quilting but it is time consuming.....love the beautiful stitches that Shannon uses to bring my tops to life but it is expensive. Pros and cons to both but so worth the time or the money when the budget allows. I am teaching my granddaughter to sew and she really wants to help me quilt. The book of little quilts would be fun to explore with Miss Keely ( she is 8 ).

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  43. I have only been quilting since about 2009. I took a beginning quilt class at a LQS and have learned by this amazing quilting community. Unfortunately, my quilts are not good enough to be sent somewhere for quilting. My sister did give me her longarm machine so I will learn it sometime this year and maybe take a class if possible. It's a lot to load onto the rails so I have been quilting on my Bernina. It has that BSR foot. My quilts lap size right now. I'm learning more quilting blocks right now and love it. Thank you for all you do.

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  44. I have been quilting since 1980. I usually hand quilt my quilts, but I have two friends who are expert machine quilters. They have each quilted a few of my quilts.

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  45. Hi Pam,

    I do a little of everything. First, I have been quilting for about 13 years. Frequently, I quilt my own quilts if they are not bigger than lap size. I finally got pretty good with stippling. Otherwise I use the services of a long armer. I agree with you. I love hand quilting. However, I am not very proficient- LARGE stitches- so I don't do many hand quilting projects.

    The book looks enticing since over 50% of my quilts are small.

    Charlotte S.
    CA

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  46. Happy National Quilting Day. I've been quilting for about 7 years. My youngest sister got me started when she wanted to do a round robin quilt with the 4 of us. My 3 sisters & I live in 4 different states, but we've been staying close by doing block swaps, several round robins, a row robin & this year a mystery quilt. I quilt my own quilts, and have a huge pile of tops waiting to be quilted. My resolution this year is to quilt at least one top a month from that pile of tops. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  47. Hi Pam, Really enjoy getting your e-mails. I have been quilting for 20+ years and have been a fabric lover for longer...ha! I am drawn to the darker reproduction fabrics; I love piecing and love sending my quilts to be long arm quilted. I have quilted small projects in the car, but the long arm quilters are so great and help get the project finished. Thanks for all the quilting info! Jan Dudley

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  48. While I am a longarmer by day....I love hand quilting. I quit smoking and needed something to do with my hands...quilting it is! 10 years later. I never seem to get to my own tops for quilting....hmmmm maybe someday. Enjoy your blog.....

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  49. The quilting and the quilt are just fabulous!!
    I`ve been quilting about seven years.I hanquilting my quilts and have many tops waiting to be quilted.Buy a machine quilting is in my wish list.Thanks for the chance!

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  50. I try to hand quilt something every year but do have some quilts done by a long arm quilter. I just love all aspects of making quilts..

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  51. Pam,
    Thanks for a chance at the book! I love to read and learn things. That is how I self-taught quilt making. Read up on it for about 5 years and then decided to try it and I love it! I do alot of hand stitiching. Never have used a longarm... I love the old fashion quilts, civil war style etc.
    Have a great weekend!

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  52. I restarted quilting about seven years ago. I have only quilted a pillow, so I guess I am really a piecemaker! Appreciate the "art" longarmers do. Thanks for the chance to win a special book. Plus I love the fabric on the back of your quilt!

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  53. Love to sew and quilt! I usually send out my quilts to be quilted. Love Prairie Women!

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  54. I like to hand quilt but my unquilted tops started to pile up so I sometimes use a long arm quilter to quilt for me. I wish I had time to hand quilt all of my quilts!

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  55. I started quilting about 1991 in the middle of a 20 year day care stint. It saved my sanity :0). I have never hired a long arm quilter, but, I did buy a long arm in order to quit doing daycare. I have been very happy!!

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  56. Happy quilting day! L.O.V.E. your quilt!! I have been quilting off/on for 20 some years. I made a quilt for my oldest son when he graduated to a toddler bed, then took a break while raising kids, except for making them baby quilts. Then got back into it when the kids got older. It is so funny to me how my tastes have changed over the years. Some of my quilts I hired a longarm quilter, some are hand quilted, and some I quilted. Thank you for the great giveaway!

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  57. Have been quilting for 20plus years. Really like to piece. I will quilt a small quilt but for anything large, it goes to the langarm quilter, she has to eat to!!!!! Like the label on the back of the quilt, neat idea. Looking forward to another internet quilt along soon.
    Carol

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  58. I've been quilting for 17 years and have loved every minute of it. I love to hand quilt, but don't get much chance to do it. For large quilts, I send them to the long arm quilter, but small, doll quilts, which I love to make, I usually machine quilt myself. I have quite a few flimsys, as there are a so many quilters in blog land with patterns and quilt-a-longs for these sweet little quilts. My 2013 New Year's resolution was to hand quilt at least three this year, and hopefully, quite a few more. So far, none, but the year's not over yet.

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  59. I made my first quilt many years ago, and I tied it with yarn. I became interested in quilting again about four years ago. I have machine quilted a few crib quilts, but I send larger projects to a longarm quilter, who does a wonderful job.

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  60. I have been quilting for the past 10 years. The last 5, it has been an obsession. I can never get enough sewing time in. I try to maching my small quilts, but I am only good at straight line quilting, but I love the look that comes from a great longarm quilter. I actually have a christmas quilt top that I was finally going to take to the longarmer, and I looked and looked - and I cannot find it. I am sure I put it in a safe place and it will turn up. I would love to win the book, little quilts and a little bit of applique - they are the best.

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  61. My sister and I both started quilting I believe it was 1975. Whatever year it was that Jinny Beyer's beautiful "Ray of Light" won the Good Housekeeping quilt contest..yessiree I am going to put it all on Jinny! I started a long arm quilting business in 1998 and retired from it 2 years ago. I still do my own from time to time on the Gammill. Truth be known I prefer hand quilting!

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  62. What a pretty quilt! I've been quilting about 19 years. I quilt smaller quilts on my sewing machine; larger quilts go to my long-arm quilter friend. I have done hand-quilting. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  63. What a stunning quilt - I agree we owe much to our wonderful longarmers! I have been quilting for about 28 years. Had quit for a few years as I didn't want to hand quilt - when I started again a few years ago - there were all the wonderful terms! Fat quarter, jelly rolls and one of my favorite charm squars! It is so much fun! Thanks for the giveaway! Catherine Z from Northern Saskatchewan CANADA!

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  64. I have been following your blog for a long time and everything you create is just beautiful. I have been quilting for about 2 yrs now. I have never done hand quilting and never sent anything to be long armed as of yet but I am sure that I will try both in the future. I love applique the most, although I never thought I would at first. Making small quilts is great practice for the bigger stuff. Would love to have the book and thanks for chance to receive it.

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  65. Hi Pam, I would so love this book! I'm not familiar with it at all, and I thought I'd seen most of the books out there. I started my first quilt in 1974, which is also when I took my first quilt class. I started quilting seriously when I joined the local guild in 1989. I started by hand quilting my own quilts - which is still what I love best. I've had two different longarm quilters quilt various tops for me over the years. I've done a few small quilts using either my walking foot or free motion quilting. I got my own longarm in 2005. I make way too many quilts to hand quilt them all, and the arthritis I've developed in my hands has limited my hand quitling. Lately I've been doing utility quilting on some of my primitive quilts - I love how that looks. It also takes much less time. Visit me at www.quiltingisstillmypassion.blogspot.com if you have time and are interested. Thank you!

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  66. Dear Pam,
    I have been quilting for the past 3 years.I quilt my quilts by machine and by Hand. I'm not a good quilter with my sewing machine.
    Sorry, my english isn't good...
    Thanks for the giveaway! Kind regards, K.

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  67. I took quilting classes about 30 years ago - when we were taught to use templates, hand piece blocks, and hand quilt. However, I really didn't start making small quilts until a few years ago - now that we have thangles, rotary cutters, and sewing machines to help machine quilt. There are times when I do add a binding by hand, or do some simple hand quilting which can be relaxing. I haven't had any long arm quilting done, but certainly can't rule it out for the future. Thanks for a chance to win your extra copy of Great Little Quilts!

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  68. My sister & I took a quilting class in 1989 and I've been loving it since then. I have taken several quilts to a long arm quilter and have been pleased with the results every time. I also make small quilts, mostly wall hangings and have hand quilted on most of them. Still not very good at it, but I keep trying! I've recently discovered the world of doll/little quilts and they're fun, too. I appreciate the chance to win Great Little Quilts.

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  69. I made my first quilt about 15 years ago and I have been sewing since I was 8 years old. I would love to hand quilt all of the quilts I make and I do hand quilt as many as I can. I will also do a few things on my home machine. But, for everything else, I use the services of a long-arm quilter.
    Happy National Quilting Day! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  70. I've only been quilting for about 9 months. I do quilt my own quilts on a domestic machine. Took a class with Harriet Hargrave which was terrific. Still have alot to learn though!!

    ThHanks for the chance to win!!

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  71. I love it when you explain the process of how the quilting is decided. That is one of the hardest parts for me when I try to quilt it myself. I have been quilting for about 8 years...and am so happy that I tried it. I learned from someone who called herself the "Quilt Lady" and was in her 80's. Her idea of quilting was machine piecing, but the quilting had to be done by hand. She did not approve of Machine Quilting :). She also bought her fabric at Walmart :(. I was glad to learn her basics, but don't mind machine quilting and DON'T buy my fabric at Walmart!! Long-arm quilters are awesome and I probably split mine 50/50 with sending out and doing myself. I love to quilt them, but it is very time consuming.

    cjpike at indiana dot edu

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  72. I've been quilting off and on for the past 20 years. My husband's dear Aunt Ruth passed her love of quilting onto me when she gave us a hand quilted quilt for our wedding gift, and then later introduced me to hand quilting around a large handmade frame with her friends (the job of the wee children were to play under the quilt frame and when necessary tap the quilt to roll the spools of thread to the women). Since then I have done machine quilting but have not sent any out yet to be quilted by a long arm (although I am thinking go having a few large ones done this way in the near future). I still love sewing my binding on by hand.

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  73. I've been quilting off and on since the 1970's but really became an avid quilter in the last 10 years. I've only paid to have machine quilting done twice and that was because the tops were too big for me to handle on my domestic machine. Occasionally, I do hand quilt, but it's difficult due to arthritis in my wrists. I purchased a mid-arm machine about six years ago, and I am no where near the talent of a professional, but I like to do my quilts myself from start to finish.

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  74. I have been quilting for about the last 15 years. But, it the last few years have really gotten into it. I love the piecing aspect and am getting into quilting my own quilts----but, I need practice, practice, practice. Most of the quilts that I make are crib size or smaller. I really enjoy taking quilt classes of any kind, so that I can keep learning. I belong to a small quilt group that gets together once a month. And, of course, there is my quilt guild which is fantastic. I have learned so much since I joined this guild. Love reading your blog and following you on Pinterest. You always have such interesting things to read and look at.

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  75. Your quilt is lovely and you are right the quilting really does add to the dimension and richness of it.
    I "made" a couple of quilts before I knew what I was doing :-) but took my first quilting class about 20 years ago and have not stopped since! I was able to purchase a longarm machine about 10 years ago and really enjoy the process of finishing my own quilts (without wearing out my neck and shoulders on my Bernina :-)
    Thank you for sharing this great book!

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  76. I agree with you--I wouldn't be making half the quilts I make without my long-arm quilter(s). I've been sewing all my life, but quilting in earnest for the last 13 years. I finally got to go to Houston last Nov., which was a wonderful experience. I have been on quilting cruises, to quilting camps, and of course, quilt shows. I just can't get enough. I'm truly hooked on quilting! I've followed your blog for years and have made many of your quilts; (Journey I and II). My local quilt store stopped the "Journey" classes, so I was wondering how you can sign up (online?) to get the series. Thanks for all you do to promote quilting!

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  77. Pam, I am from Byron IL and I remeber well when we met at the Forreston Quilt Guild. In a small town close to there(Leaf River) is a longarm quilter who was one of my first teachers and also a longarmer who has done most of my quilts. You are right I do not like to quilt myself so I would have a pile of tops. Thank God someone else does. Patsy Pirnat sewpatsy1@comcast.net

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  78. I have been quilting for three years. I do all my own machine quilting; straight lines for the most part. I have one long term wall hanging project in process that I am hand sewing and I hope to hand quilt when the time comes. If I had to hand sew all the time I would have very few completed quilts! Thanks for the chance at your giveway.

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  79. Hi Pam,
    I have been piecing and quilting since 1990. I have a rich heritage of quilting. Grandmothers and aunts quilted and I remember being under the quilt with cousins and guessing who was sitting where around the quilt from looking at their shoes, stockings, and dresses. We would of course "pop" the spool of thread from underneath and send it soaring. This resulted in us being sent elsewhere to find something more productive to do . Oh... the memories!!
    I would love to receive the book!!

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  80. Ive been quilting 7 years and years Ive used a long armer,

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  81. Your quilts are all so beautiful! I have been quilting or piecing quilts for 6 years. I have used my friend Irene's long arm services for all my quilts. I am trying to learn FMQ now for small quilts. Your book looks wonderful it would be fun to make a few! Thank you!

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  82. Love the quilt and the quilting. Thanks for such a special Celebration giveaway.

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  83. I have been sewing for over 50 years and quilting for over 40 years. I do not hand quilt. I learned to tie quilts from my grandmother. I am slowly getting better at FMQ.

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  84. lovely Spinning Wheel, and wonderful quilting
    BRAVO!

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  85. I enjoy hand quilting small quilts but the big ones will go to a long arm quilter.
    Thank you for sharing your lovely work.

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  86. I started quilting 12 yrs. I have used a long arm quilter, but I work on smaller quilts now and try to quilt them myself. But it's just in the ditch quilting, nothing like your beautiful quilt.

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  87. I have been quilting for over 20 years and am still learning something new every day. I have hand quilted as well as used a long arm quilter. I just hand quilted a tumbler quilt with an overall baptist fans but it took a couple of years since I only worked on it during bee meetings. At the end I spent several days to get it done and finished.

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  88. Hi Pam,
    I love handwork! I have had one quilt long armed, nice part was it was done! Right now I am hand quilting a king size that I made for my husband for our 35th wedding anniversary. What was I thinking!

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  89. Howdy!
    I've been sewing 32 years (started in 4-H) but only quilting for about 8. I quilt my quilts on Bernina 430 but I've never had the opportunity to pay a long-armer or rent one at the LQS.

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  90. Been quilting since the 70's. Do some handquilting, some free motion on my sewing machine and send some out to long-armers. Favorites are the handquilted ones - somehow they feel more personal but am in awe of some of the machine quilted ones.

    Terri

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  91. I may be too late -- have just now found your lovely blog and website and hurried right here. I've been quilting since about 1990, and you cannot imagine how wonderful it is to find a fellow quilter who feels about it all just as I do! I am traditional but can handle a bit of machine quilting. I love things that are old or look old, and I MOST OF ALL love the stories of women who quilted back in the olden days. Thanks for what you're doing to preserve their stories. I live 90 miles from the nearest quilt shop, but I'd sure love to be part of your prairie sewing circle. Please consider how you might implement the circle online. I'd be your first e-joiner! :)

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  92. I, too, just found your blog! Quilting for over 20 years. Only ONE long armed. All others hand quilted.

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  93. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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