Last week I began quilting the dahlia panel, putting different motifs in each petal. I had hoped to be done with this by now, but the longarm machine had other plans. Here is where we left off, with the top section nicely under way.
On this petal, I planned a curved cross hatch with double lines. To mark the quilting lines, I used a Clover White Chaco Liner, a chalk lining tool that makes a nice thin line, and my curved ruler.
Then, I used the curved ruler as a guide for the hopping foot, following the lines.
Horizontal lines were quilted, then the vertical ones.
On the right edge, the petal here was both purple and blue. I did part of the petal in the purple thread already on the machine.
Then, I moved to the other side to see what I could do in purple before changing colors. The petal opposite has blue, purple and pink sections.
I went to my plan, and lucky for me I’d planned an easy motif to break into sections.
I marked the leafy shapes with the Chaco liner.
Then, I quilted the middle section with the purple thread.
I changed over to blue thread, and did the left side of the petal along with some of the rays below the petal.
Then, while I was still on blue thread, I went back to the right side. I finished quilting the meander on that petal and more rays below the petal.
At this point, I switched to pink thread, finished off the petal on the left, and began the next row of petals.
These went fairly quickly, all I had to do was look at my plan and go.
Curlicues in a wide petal took up a lot of space in a short time.
A small petal got at repeat of the leaf shapes.
Along about here, I began getting a lot of skipped stitches and broken threads. I put a practice piece on the longarm next to this project, and tried to diagnose the issue. I did everything I could think of with thread track, new needle, new bobbin, Towa tension, you name it, I tried it, but without curing the problem. Multiple calls to tech support, and a new bobbin case was on the way, but it didn’t solve the issue either. My Sweet Babboo reset the needle bar height and re-timed the machine, and that seems to have done the trick. Thank heaven, I’m back in quilting mode! He is a keeper.
I threaded the machine with yellow thread for the next section. Then I quilted a wavy meander in the next petal. I wasn’t that happy with the stitch quality, so went back to the practice piece and fiddled with the bobbin and top tensions until I got it balanced.
Next petal was done with rows of loops.
Then the part I was dreading, the center section was next. It is small sections, and I looked at Pinterest again as I didn’t think I could do the plan I’d drawn. I am not good with pebbles, but wanted to do some here and there.
I outlined the small petal sections, tried some pebbling, did some wavy lines and loop stitches. I’m not really happy with this, as it looks a bit chaotic and poorly planned. The pebbles look terrible and some of the traveling didn’t get stitched where it should have gone.
But, step back and it isn’t too bad. I think in the overall scheme, it won’t stand out. So, here is where it stands. Hopefully in the next week I can finish it off.
Then I’ll start on the one that will be donated to Bullington Gardens for their Dahlia Days auction. It is in the Sunset colorway, very vibrant. See all the colorways for Hoffman Dream Big panels on Fat Quarter Shop. Don’t forget to see what is on today’s Flash Sale while you are there!
Click on this link to see Part 3 – Quilting the Dahlia Panel – Part 3
How are you keeping busy this week?
From My Carolina Home 
You have done a great job. What a shame you had to have machine problems on this particular one. I can see where having a plan on paper would be ever so helpful in doing this one. I sure hope you don’t have any more problems.
Well done; each one you do will be easier. You’ve certainly made quilting these panels look “doable” for sure. I wonder if you could post more sometime about your husband raising the needlebar and re-timing your machine. Is this something he learned from HQ or by trial and error? I think my Avante needs to be re-timed as well. Pictures (or a video, hint, hint) would be welcomed. Thank you for all you do and all you share. Blessings…stay cool…it’s been very hot here!
I have an A1 not an HQ. He just looked on youtube, but there isn’t much, but maybe there would be for your brand. Mostly the tech just walked him through the steps over the phone. It was our first time to do this, and we didn’t get it right. We had to do it again yesterday afternoon. We really don’t know what we are doing yet, so I wouldn’t feel right about trying to explain it to someone else.
That center looks planned to me. You’re being too hard on yourself, and I know I do that to myself, too. Rest assured, it looks great, Carole! Good thing your DH could time your machine for you!
This panel has been fascinating to follow. Long arms can be so temperamental with tensions and thread issues. You’re good to shoulder through it all while shaking them with us. It encourages the rest of us. I think you have done a beautiful job on it.
Gorgeous quilting, it brings the flower to life!
It’s beautiful! Having a plan looks like a good idea, even if you change your mind & try something different.
it all looks really great – I like how you did all petals a little different
The colors are truly beautiful. Yea for giving it a go with the machine ..
BLOWN away by your quilting skills….WOW!
That’s looking just beautiful, Carole! How fun to try different designs in every section! I’m glad your DH got the machine issues figured out – it is great to have a handy guy around the house, isn’t it? My machine went in for her spa treatment yesterday, so some cleaning and organizing in the sewing room is on the list for today!
I had problem with broken to thread and balling up in the back and it was burrs on the stitch plate!
Oh Carole, this is turning out so well. You are truly a talented quilter! I think having it drawn out on a master plan makes SO much sense. Organized and well thought out. This is going to be magnificent when finished. I hope you treat yourself to hanging it as a piece of artwork. I was thinking I would be to lazy to change threads constantly, and would resort to grey or silver. I use a lot of Superior silver in my domestic when quilting as it tends to reflect the colors it is on and not stand out. I’m so glad you were able to resolve the issues with the long arm. Your husband is a real keeper. My brother is called “quilter’s support staff” by my sister-in-law, and my hubby is often referred to as my design/color coordinator! Isn’t it wonderful to have that kind of support? I can’t wait to see how you progress. You are turning into a custom quilter with all your work…..panto’s will be banished! 😉
I love seeing these different motifs, it give me ideas on things to try. The long meandering looks wonderful, and I never would have thought of it. Your dahlia is like a catalog of things I could try!
It amazes me when I have tension problems…all the things I try to fix it and yet sometimes I’m not even exactly sure what did fix it but it stops being a problem. Sometimes the height of the quilt off the machine bed can make a difference. My last episode…I changed needles, checked timing, did a bunch of things but I think the thread was just not seated right in the tensioner…who knows?! I am always just relieved to go forward 🙂 Your Dahlia is looking beautiful!
Just gorgeous. I am still waiting on my panel to arrive, from memory I think I got Dream Big French Blue. Can’t wait to get started. I’ll be quilting it by hand and I can tell you it won’t look anything like your beauty. But you have given me a few ideas! Your’s is heavenly 🙂
A work of art
Truly lovely. You are giving us all the courage to step out of the box and do our own quilting. It may take a few years for me to get anywhere near your level, but seeing the steps you took and how you got there is certainly inspiring. For now I’ll try on the baby quilts we make. Maybe try some ducks and flowers first before diving into the Free Motion Lane – like going on the highway for the first time!!!!!
p. s. Did you hear anything about Craftsy?
I heard about Craftsy,they will reopen in Sept I think.
From an email I received – We at TN Marketing believe in great customer service and I need to ask for your patience as we transition to a new Craftsy website over the next several weeks. I know that you will love it! In addition to all the great video and content that you are used to, we are adding exciting new benefits including Live Events, hobby related travel programs, and additional content to enjoy. This will be a seamless process as you will continue to have access to all the great content on the Bluprint website during this transition. Your subscription services, course materials, and individually purchased classes will continue through until we transition to the new Craftsy website.
Craftsy will launch on or around September 1st. At the Craftsy launch, you will have the ability to once again purchase individual classes and subscriptions on the new Craftsy website. We believe in communication and will keep you posted via email and newsletters. Watch for announcements and special events happening on the launch date.
What a beautiful panel you are making! It is, truly, a work of art. You never cease to amaze me, I can’t wait to see the completed work!
You are an artist with your longarm. It’s too bad you had problems with the machine, but you are your most severe critic. Others will be amazed.
ugh! Putting stuff away from a move to daughters. Not fun putting things away, but a great new adventure.
Hello, once again, my dear friend! I have been sick the past couple of weeks. Just now am starting to feel up to even sitting up once again. No, it had nothing to do with the virus, thankfully. A couple more days and hopefully, I will be back to sewing again. YeeHawww
Carole, Your quilting is always impressive and stunning to me! I believe you deserve another standing ovation just for taking that step away from your comfort zone of using the designs you do so often. Next, clearly deciding what each section you wanted to try and just look at that elegant graceful quilting you have accomplished!! You created a glorious piece of art to cherish on your journey in quilting! I love it and look forward to seeing where you decide to hang it.
It was wonderful reading what everyone was saying about your quilting also. It does seem we all as individuals are very hard on ourselves and then tend to remind our fellow quilters not to do the same. I do hope that all of the problems continue to disappear and that with the help of your great Husband any other issues will be taken care of quickly by your number one supporter and you! Have a great time designing the next panel as you finish this one up! Have a marvelous day!
I’m so glad that re-timing the machine has helped so much. You have gone through a lot getting it setup so hopefully the last portion of quilting goes very smoothly.
Beautiful work Carole…..every petal tells a new story……really interesting to see your patterns all develop.
Your quilting is fabulous, doesn’t look chaotic at all. Most things we dislike are not even observed by most. Thank goodness for our DHs who are good at fixing things. I don’t stamp, but still hand write notes, send cards, etc. It’s a lost art, isn’t it? Sending hugs, m
Thank you for sharing your project. I’ve been teasing myself to have a go at free motion quilting and I now think I should be more adventurous, drop the feed dogs and have a more persistent go at going round the bend!
WOW!!! Carole, that is a stunning piece of art!!! I live the Dahlia panel anyway. Your work moves it off the charts.
What am I doing now – Nothing exciting. Nothing quilting. Doctor appointment Helping friends. Praying lots. Finishing taxes. Hoping to design and do a butterfly baby quilt for a friend.
You are inspiring me. Thanks 😊 💥🌝
Wow – the piece was already spectacular and now with the quilting – super wow 🙂
The dahlia looks amazing Carole, beautiful quilting.
So much thread changing but definitely worth the effort. So pleased you could sort out the machine. Love seeing all the different stitch designs.