So here is what I did to get ready for the Quilt Along Wednesday.
BASTING MY QUILT:
I used 505 spray. I haven't tried this method yet. I will let you know what I think after I have quilted it. You say, why did you baste first? You will find out in a minute.
MARKING MY QUILT:
First, I printed Leah's pattern x 4 and carefully lined them up and stapled them together
Then, I stitched on the lines ( with and empty needle and thread ) This took a bit of time, but I got four done at once. I took a little over an hour.
I then of course taped them together and laid it out on my fabric.
Next, it was time to pounce the chalk.
I decided to use this method because my fabric was dark. Blue pens and chalk is what I had on hand. Blue would never show up, so chalk, it was. I didn't account for my little mistake though. I left overlap paper on the pattern in order to tape it easier. This is what happend.
OOPS! No biggie, I just free handed the rest in with my little chalk thinga-ma-doober with the little spinny wheel thingy on it. I should get up and look at what it's called, but I am lazy right now.
I basted first because because i used chalk to mark my quilt. I have no idea if i did this correctly, but I figured if I marked it with chalk first, it would all disappear when I smoothed my layers while basting. If my thought process is wrong, please let me know! Or, if there is an easier way, please let me know! I can't wait to quilt this sucker up!
QUESTION FOR LEAH: Where the heck did you get that big light box? Did you make it or buy it, and if you bought it, how much would one like that cost? I didn't have a need for a light box this time, but it would be nice to have in the future.
Also, how would you have marked dark fabrics? I know I didn't use any of your purposed methods, but I really wanted to try spray basting, and didn't know any other way to mark dark fabric.
Here is what I learned in this process so far. I would rather skip marking a quilt and just freeball it. I'm not saying I won't do it again. And I have marked reference lines before. But, whew, that was a lot of extra work!
Although the finished product of taking such a step will be magnificent, it is just one more step that slows me from the fun part. The quilting. ;)
It looks great! Chalk is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I really can't wait to start stitching this!
DeleteI love the way you marked your quilt, great idea. I also wanted to mention that you link on Leah's site was not working for me. I know where to find your blog, but you may want to check it out.
ReplyDeleteI've never used the chalk method. Dies the chalk rub off as you handle the fabric when quilting?
ReplyDeleteYes it does. I never quilted such a big area marked with chalk. I'm going to tackle this tonight, so I will let you know how that goes. So far, what I have marked and quilted, the fabric was dark enoug that even if some rubbed off, you could still see it. I do like chalk for the simple fact that it comes off easily. But don' t confuse with chalk pencils. Chalk pencils, may take a little more work to get out!
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