Thursday, August 01, 2013

Orca Bay, "Determination"

This humongous project has been LOOKING at me for many months, waiting for a message from the quilting gods for quilting advice. The finished top appears to have diagonal light, then dark rows.  The two values are so strong, the project looks very jumbled, but I'm having faith that if I quilt the dark areas in dark thread, and the light diagonal with a lot of light thread, I'm hoping the diagonal appearance will be more visible.  Oh well - here goes!  This was a mystery quilt from Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville.com, called Orca Bay, with a gazillion pieces (how many? I think about 3000!)   If you actually KNOW, I'd love to hear your count.  Look at that border!  Surprisingly, it did not take as long as I figured, and it turned out very well!
It is very thick in some places - my machine is "clunking" here and there, with a few missed stitches at thick corners. Grace and fluidity seem to have gone out the window so far.  The dark blocks are quilted one at a time.  I am starting with the strings, and can go from one to the other, until 4 are done, but then must stop and restart in the Ohio Star.  The star can be quilted without stopping.  The pink strings (above) are part of the "light" diagonal.

Below is the project before I started quilting.  I see circular patterns, but the diagonals are not so clear.  Hope this works!

I'm using cotton batting, and even though I basted the edges, that cotton is all over the place, including a lot on the black areas.  It will definitely need a lint roller when completed.

13 comments:

  1. Elaine, it's gorgeous! Good work...

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  2. At least you've come that far. Mine isn't even a top yet.

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  3. It's wonderful! This is one I never got started!

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  4. Congrats on getting to the quilting stage! It looks wonderful! Mine is still in flimsy stage, without borders. I have wondered how in the world to quilt it if I ever finish it. : )

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  5. It's a stunning flimsey. Stay determined and it will soon be a stunning quilt! I don't envy you doing that on your home machine, mine was only 60" square :)

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  6. I still need to add the border to mine. It's one of my many UFOs.

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  7. That is a beautiful quilt, even before you start. Is that your DM you are quilting it on??? Oh, my goodness. Oh, my goodness. You are a brave woman. I would be lost before I started.

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  8. This is stunning... great job, Elaine.

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  9. Determination will prevail and you will triumph! This will be a very special quilt that nobody else will be able to appreciate all of the extent of your efforts. Please say that you will keep it for your own!

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  10. Elaine - it's funny but I saw the diagonals first on the before photo and had to squint to make my eyes see the circles. Great quilt!

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  11. Your quilt is wonderful. Your quilting will add more design as you progress. Way to go! Whooppee!

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  12. This is just beautiful. I'm just now getting to the red strip blocks.

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  13. So nicely done! It does take a bit to do and you so talented to try different FAQ patterns. I just meandered and came out not too bad. Good luck!

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