This past week, I loaded up a charity quilt and began the quilting on it. My friend said to use whatever I wanted for thread color and pantograph pattern. Auditioning threads, I decided on a light golden taupe with a pantograph that has curves.
I showed this quilt on Sunday, and didn’t know the name of it. Thanks to reader Jannette who commented that is called Bento Box. You can find the pattern for it here – Bento Box.
The pantograph is called Halcyon by Willow Leaf Studios.
Rolled up for the next pass, all was going well.
Rolling and quilting along, blissfully unaware of what was to come.
Oh, holy crap on a cracker. The right edge of the batting isn’t cut straight. I have less than a half inch past the bottom edge of the quilt, where there should be four inches to hold in the clamps.
The left side is straight, so it isn’t that it is loaded crooked.
I had to think for a moment about what to do. There was extra length on the right side, so a pleat seemed to be the best option. I pulled up the edge of the batting just a bit, into a small pleat making the side a bit straighter and allowing more on the edge at the bottom. Then I smoothed the excess batting over the top where the arrow is, to distribute and work it in flat.
OK, that is better. At least now I am sure the top won’t migrate off the edge of the batting.
All done and it worked fine.
I do like the soft curves on the squares and rectangles.
So, it is done and on its way back to the quilter to bind this week.
On another subject, here are the books I’ve pulled for sale so far. All softcover, $5 each plus shipping media mail, $3.50 for first book and $1 each additional. I’ll include a freebie with any purchase of 3 or more. Just leave a comment with your choices if you are interested. Pictures of books sold have been removed.
What are you working on this week?
From My Carolina Home 
Good morning Carole. I’m working on my guild quilt BOM. All the blocks are made, and now I am adding the hand embroidered embellishments. I use Judith Baker Montana’s book Elegant Stitches for a guide for my choices. The best tip she gives for me is to turn the book upside down, since as a leftie, I do see things differently. I was reading with a bit of bated breath when reading the part about the batting challenge you had, and was happy at your resolution. Another good reminder for me to cut and check .
Enjoy your day.
The quilt turned out nice. That was a good tip you had for the batting. Thanks for sharing.
Hi. I’d like to get the Country Fresh Quilts book. Also, thx for the link to the Bento box pattern!
That’s an interesting pattern…….great way to use up fabrics!
“Crap on a cracker” cracked me up! Can honestly say I’ve never heard that one but it will go into my vocabulary. Lovely quilt and thanks for the pattern.
Mary Ed
i need to try out the Bento Box quilt. Looks like a fun one. I’m always looking for different patterns for our Hospice group to work on. I was taken back when I saw the book by Sandy Bonsib. I took a class from her at Houston Quilt Show one time.
Good luck with the book sale. I should probably do the same.
Love how the Bento Box quilt turned out. I really like it when the quilting on very geometric quilts is more swirly and soft. I think it compliments well.
I am working on a quilt called Cactus Wreath. I took a class on it many moons ago and then set it aside to work on other projects. Finally pulling it back out and hoping to get it to the quilter by the end of the month.
I would like the 2 books “Favorite Christmas Quilts” and “Fresh Vintage Sewing”. Thanks for sharing the Bento Box pattern. I really enjoy your blog.
Lovely quilt. I have had the same problems with batting as you and do similar but after it is folded over I cut it and them it lays flatter, less bulk.
Hi, Carole,
Beautiful job on the quilt.
A little longarming tip that I learned hard way. I always run a basting stitch horizontally every 8 inches from the top of the quilt to the bottom when I have the three components loaded. That way I can see any problems in the making before I end up having to potentially tear out gobs of quilting. I avoided a total disaster doing this on stitching grandma’s (Mary Deeter’s) king size quilt that I custom quilted for her. I had forgotten she had told me she had made the quilt wider than it was long, and I had loaded everything as if it was longer than it was wide. I noticed the backing and batting was only about 2 inches wider than the top, not my preferred 4, but just shrugged it off. When I got to the bottom and saw I had run out of backing altogether before I ran out of top, I was shocked but grateful it was only basting stitches I had to tear out.
Being the one block wonder woman, I have a half finished one block wonder on my design wall. It’s for a challenge in the OBW group I belong to.
Happy almost spring.
Carole, thanks for the bento box reference. I went to the site and found the 9 patch version I was especially fond of. Fun and easy. As far as the books you are offering, I am interested in the bag book, machine quilting, and fig tree ones. Let me know if these are still available. Thanks, and oh, we got snowed on again today here in southern Montana.
If Sweet Treats & Bundles of Fun are still available, I’d like to buy them. I’ve always loved Bento Box quilts. Quarter Logs!
A book to read, and look over again and again is a real delight. Love the quilt and your solution to the batting problem. With friends, you are all so generous with your hands and time, and this will be much appreciated.
Have you sold the Sandy Bonsib book? I’d be interested, if not. Crap on a cracker? Love it, never heard that before! I loved the quilting you chose for the Bento Box quilt. I did a similar thing that had to be “improvised” recently. I learn something new from each and every quilt I make; isn’t it great to be able to find solutions to goofs? So satisfying to know there is a fix to most everything in quilting. :o)
Oh, never mind. I see that someone has already dibbed on Sandy’s book. Melanie
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Delightful post today! Outside the weather is perfect and sunny, so my kids (tiny dogs) and I are heading outside to sunbathe and collect Vitamin D. Loved the Bento Box and the site. Thanks for sharing all the tips! You have the patience of Job.
If they are still available i would love the basket bonanza and comfy log cabin quilts. Thanks so mush for your blog and patterns. They are appreciated. Terry
Got my books today!! Thank you
Hi Carole,
Great fix-up with thee batting problem. You helped us all learn something here. With a little thought, all things can be fixed!! Love the curves used on the Bento Quilt top. I am presently piecing the same quilt and now I have an idea on how to have mine quilted. Thanks again for the great virtual presentation you gave to the Borderline Quilters in Canton, NY. So informative…..I am constantly looking how to organize my extra fabrics now!!
Stephanie
Genius solution to the batting challenge!
We bought an antique Ironrite mangle iron that we just refurbished. I prewash all my fabrics and am hoping the Ironrite cuts my pressing time down.
Love your blog!
Carole- i was interested in the Flannel Quilts book. i tried to IM you on Facebook but I don’t think you got it. If still available, please let me know!
Well done sorting out the batting problem when you were quilting. That could have been a big problem. The panto design looks lovely.
I really like the look of this quilt………lucky the batting fitted……..