My Q20

 Each November Jody, the owner of Raintree Quilting in Juneau Alaska, and her Bernina technician Amy come to Petersburg to service machines and teach classes.  Petersburg has a large group of quilters and each has at least one machine that needs an annual checkup. They rent a space and welcome the all quilters to come in and work on projects.  It is a fun time for fellowship and learning.   They also bring the latest Bernina machines so locals have a chance to upgrade or at least drool over the lovely machines.

This year while Amy and Jody were in town, I made a spontaneous purchase.  Don't even ask me what I was thinking but I always say, go with your gut.  While sewing away and visiting with one of my fellow quilters I learned about the Q20 for the first time.  What?  A quilting machine that you don't need a rack for!  It is a remarkable machine that you can thread from the front and it has a bobbin winder right on the machine.  It can be a sit down machine or a long arm machine.  I went home and talked to my always encouraging husband and he said get it.  I bought a Q20.

I have been thinking about quilting machines for awhile.  I looked at a Gammil long arm machine a local woman was selling, but decided it was too scary for me.  The 12 foot rack and large machine take up a lot of room and I would have to rent a space for it.  I also felt I would have to eventually quilt for other people to justify the cost of the machine and I really don't want to do that.  In addition, we don't have a Gammil technician in our region and the expense of bringing someone to town would be prohibitive.  I have been quilting on my Bernina 430 for years, and I feel comfortable with the sit-down quilting process.  If I decide to purchase a long-arm frame from Bernina, I can do that at a later date.  The price of this new machine is less than half of the used, older Gammil and it takes less space.  I am sure I made the right decision in my purchase.

Note to self...the machine doesn't make you a better quilter, practice does.

Linking to:  Monday Making, Moving it Forward Monday, Linky Tuesday

Ti Leaf

I have always admired Hawaiian quilts because the designs showcase the beauty of the islands.  Hawaiian quilts are made from one piece of solid colored cloth, folded and cut to create design that represents the flora and fauna of the Islands.  The whole cloth design piece is then sewed to a solid colored background using the needle-turned appliqué method.  The quilt is then finished with echo quilting.  The project is very labor intensive.

This example is from Eleanore Burns' Quilt In A Day Shop.

For centuries the Hawaiian people made bedcovers by pounding the inner bark from local trees into a soft cloth like substance called Kapa Moe, which were then decorated with geometric designs.  When cloth became available, the Hawaiian people developed their own unique style of quilting and these beautiful works of art replaced the traditional bedcovers.

This is an example of Kapa Moe from the Ho'okuleana blog.

We like to visit my husband's brother in Hawaii and each time we visit,  I think about learning the Hawaiian quilting technique.  This year was the year.  I purchased a pillow top kit at the Kapaia Stitchery shop, which included a ready to appliqué pillow top, a needle, thread and a book with instructions and many more patterns.  I am not a fan of appliqué so I hadn't done needle turned in my 40 years of quilting.  I was a little intimidated but the shop owner reassured me that I could do it.

I love the beach and swimming in the ocean so we logged in quite a few beach hours during our trip and my new project kept my hands busy while I lounged in the sun.  This activity didn't get in the way of visiting or listening to a good book on my iPad.  It's good to have hand work to pick up when you find yourself sitting around twiddling your thumbs.  Call me old fashioned but I'd much rather get something done than aimlessly surf the web on my phone.  By the time I am done with this block, I will be a master needle-turner and have a lovely pillow too.

 Linking to:  Let's Bee Social,  Midweek Makers, WIP, Finished or Not Friday , Off The Wall Friday, Can I Get A Whoop, Whoop,  Saturday Sparks, Show Off Saturday, Slow Stitchin Sunday, Oh Scrap, Creatively Crafty, Inspire Me Monday

Kauai is for Quilters

     If you've never been to Kauai, Hawaii you may want to put it on your bucket list.  My husbands brother lives in Kapaa and we just have to visit him often, smile.  Kauai has lovely beaches, great hiking trails, fun shops, yummy restaurants and yes...sun!  There are also 3 fabric shops on the island and they are close enough to each other that you can visit all three in one day.  Vicky's is in Kapaa, Discount Fabric is in Lihui and my favoite shop, Kapaia Stitchery is also in Lihui.  They are all great to visit and all have their own unique character.

     Generally when I visit Kapaia Stitchery those chairs on the porch have men sitting in them.  One man cheerfully showed me a picture of his wives sewing room which included her amazingly organized fabric hoard stash.  

Sorry about the glare in the window, but it was unavoidable and I had to share a picture of this amazing Hawaiian quilt.  It is all needle turned applique.

     Kapaia Stitchery carries Hawaiian print fabric and Batik. There is also a smattering of fabrics with a beach theme for children from other designers.  They have yardage, kits, strips and bundles and handmade items.  I love the sample quilts hanging from the ceiling.  Last time I was in Kauai, I purchased a book and a fabric roll to make this quilt. 

 

   This is the only shot I have of my quilt from this pattern and it's already been quilted and sent to a friend in Hawaii.

Kapaia Stitchery carries bags made by Gerry's of Kauai, which I love.  I was using mine at the Road To California Quilt Show last year and met a lady in the restroom who had one too.  We raved about our bags and Kapaia Stitchery.

     These are Kauai's Row by Row patterns. All of these quilt patterns are available in kits.  Check out the link to Kapaia Stitcheries Facebook Page for information HERE about kits and fabrics.

Linking to:  Linky Tuesday, Midweek Makers, Lets Bee Social,