THREAD GRAFFITI
  • Home
  • Long Arm Quilting Service
  • Shopping
  • YouTube
  • Blog
  • T-Shirt Quilts
  • Personalized Teddy Bears
  • Photo Gallery
  • Contact Us

BASTING?? You mean like a turkey baster?

3/10/2017

2 Comments

 
So, as the story of my first sewing machine continues, I find myself blushing.  It was 2003 and I had this new sewing machine sitting on my kitchen table in a small apartment, and that's it.  I didn't even own a pair of scissors.  So I got my purse, found a local store that had fabric and walked around the store terrified!  I ended up buying a couple patterns, some very ugly fabric, scissors and white thread.   I rushed home filled with excitement for this new adventure.  I read through the machine manual, several times, and decided that I was ready.  I have never been a fan of following the "rules" per say, so the patterns didn't interest me at first.  I decided that I would get my scissors out and just cut some squares.  If Aunt Fanny could do it, so could I, right?  Let me tell you, looking back these pieces were anything but square!  I made a few rows, then I tried sewing them into quadrants, and eventually I ended up with a big piece all stitched up on the floor of my living room.  It didn't look good.  I didn't even have an iron.  Who knew I was going to need thatt!!??  At this point, I decided I would look at those patterns again, to see if they would help me with the next step... Mark the quilt with a pencil, baste the three layers together, Bla, Bla, Bla, hand quilt with needles and tread, Bla Bla, Bla, then hand-baste a scant 1/4 from the edge... WHATS A SCANT????  Why are we talking so much about basting??  So I called Jody.  When all else fails, I always call my BFF, Jody.  There was no YouTube, or tutorials online, no FaceTime, just a phone (I'm too old for that lol).  So I explained my dilemma, I read her a few lines from the patterns and I say to her with all seriousness...
"Does baste mean I have to get it wet to hold it all together, like when you baste a turkey"  OMG, yes I just said that.  Jody laughed so hard, we both started crying!! So after a lot of laughing, and a little coaching by phone with my dear friend,  I decided that I would jump right in.
So I put a flat bed sheet from the closet on top of the quilt front and I sewed three sides together (like a pillow case for the jolly green giant) and then I flipped it right side out.  
Next, I actually got inside the giant pillow case on my hands and knees and shoved the batting stuff inside and tried my best to make the scissor cut edges reach the 4 corners.  Then I flipped the fourth side in and sewed a top stitch.  I then stitched around a few of the squares in the center of the quilt with my sewing machine, and I was done.  It was very ugly, and not square, but I made something.  I learned to do something with very little help, and from that day on I have never stopped calling poor Jody for advice.  
As I sit here this evening in my sewing room, filled with every quilting tool there is on the market, surrounded by machines I never dreamed I would own, I am proud of myself.  I love teaching other young woman that it is okay to make mistakes, do stupid things, and laugh at yourself, a lot!  Have some fun, and don't give up, and someday you will be making things you never dreamed. 
Picture
My first quilt. I gave it to my only niece a long time ago.
2 Comments
Cyndi in Iowa
1/16/2017 09:36:58 am

I love your story! Way to go, sticking with it! Welcome to Iowa, I can't wait to read more on your blog.
PS, I found your website when I was searching for a long arm machine on Craigslist... what a fun diversion! I HAD to pin a few of your quilts - (or your customer's quilts?) I'm especially loving the one-block-repeated quilt in greens/teal/grays.

Reply
Group Sex Western Australia link
11/27/2022 08:29:59 pm

Thank yoou for sharing

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    ​

    Author

    ​Hey Y'all, I'm Gina Tell! I live on Lake Travis just North of Austin Texas.  I'm a full time long arm quilter and lover of all this art and outdoors!! 

    Fat Quarter Shop Quilting Fabrics and Supplies

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    October 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    January 2021
    October 2020
    August 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    October 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    July 2017
    March 2017

My content may contain affiliate links for the products I use and love.
​ If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, I'll earn some extra sewing money, at no additional cost to you.
​
Thank you SEW much, Happy Quilting!!!!
  • Home
  • Long Arm Quilting Service
  • Shopping
  • YouTube
  • Blog
  • T-Shirt Quilts
  • Personalized Teddy Bears
  • Photo Gallery
  • Contact Us