Daffy's Stitchy Friends

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Retreat Fun or En Provence is a Wrap

At the end of March I attended a quilt retreat. This was a Christmas gift from Dash along with gift cards to the store hosting the retreat. I took my Dresden project which was planned and started just for the retreat. I also took my finished En Provence top, batting and backing to quilt on the longarm.

Retreats are such fun, even for me, so shy and bashful. I sewed on my Dresdens the first day (more on those in am upcoming post) but the second day was my appointment with the longarm!


I learned how to pin the backing to the stretcher bars.


And how to thread the machine! I chose this soft lavender thread.


The longarm is nothing like I imagined. The batting gets basted onto the backing at the top, then it and the quilt top just floats. See it all bunched up at the bottom?


Here I am maybe halfway finished. I got many compliments on the quality of my piecing and my fabric choices. All told, it took about three hours to get this quilted.


After I got it trimmed up, I returned to my table, made binding and slapped it on the front. Hand sewing it to the back had to wait until I get home. I was so tired that night! My body and brain had such a workout!


Once home, I spent several hours watching TV and stitching the binding to the back. I wanted to get a photo outdoors but it won't stop raining!


The backing looks fabulous, as I knew it would, and I love the lavender dot fabric on the binding.

I learned so much doing this Mystery Quilt! So many new blocks and how to longarm quilt. I really look forward to this years' holiday season...when the next mystery comes out!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!
xox

14 comments:

Desiree Ehleiter said...

I cannot even dream of ever making something so amazing! I honestly have no words to express my level of awe! Wow!

Robin in Virginia said...

Your quilt is stunning. It sounds like you had a fabulous time at quilt "camp". Enjoy your weekend!

cucki said...

your quilt is so beautiful...i love it so much.
happy weekend x

Vee said...

Beautiful work!

CalamityJr said...

Oh. My. Goodness! That may be the most beautiful quilt I've ever seen. I love everything about it and am just a wee bit envious that it doesn't live in my house. :). Enjoy staying warm and cozy next winter!

deb said...

Your quilt looks fabulous!! And you actually did the long arm quilting yourself? That's so cool! I always ship mine off to be done so really enjoyed your explanation of the way it works.

Jo said...

You have done an amazing job. It makes you feel so good when the quilting is complete...

Jackie's Stitches said...

You are killing it learning new skills! LOVE your top and I wish we could go to a retreat and use a longarm here! Great job!

diamondc said...

Oh my goodness: What a beautiful quilt.
I am happy you were able to learn the long arm, I am not a quilter but find the machines interesting.

Blessings
Catherine

moosecraft said...

Absolutely gorgeous! You make it all look so easy!

Khristine Doiron said...

It is gorgeous!!

valerie said...

Very cool! Your quilt looks gorgeous!

Julie said...

Stunning quilt, it does look so lovely on the bed...well done.

Unknown said...

This is just beautiful, I adore the colours and the backing material is fabulous xxx