The little mystery quilt has been quilted. Now it’s a matter of figuring out what to use to bind it. I’m leaning towards a deep blue but DH is suggesting white. By the time I get the binding on, I’m hoping that I’ll be able to reveal it.
I learned something from quilting the mystery quilt — that I do much, much better with no hoop. I basted it, tried it with a hoop and was frustrated beyond belief. Took the hoop off and it was quilted in a couple of nights. 🙂
The baby bow tie quilt has been languishing with very little of the quilting done — and I think it was because of the hoop issue. So tonight I tried without the hoop and was amazed at how much faster it was to quilt and easier! I’m sold on the no-hoop method!
Smudge, sleeping sitting up.
Quilt Obsession 
Hey Cathi!!! I think I’m leaning with you on this one. Blue would be really beautiful and would frame this quilt nicely. Hmmmm…well, then again, maybe your hubbie could be right. White would let the design show and leave less attention drawn to the border. Oh, what to do, what to do?!? (Don’t listen to me. I’m not a quilter.) LOLGive the boys a hug from me and Mousie.Aloha!
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I’m with you on quilting without the hoop. I’ve done it with a hoop but have much better needle/fabric control without.
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Ok. I’m confused on this one. I’ve never machine quilted before, so by hand I like to use a frame or a hoop. But I looked closely at your bowtie and it looks like you’re using a machine..? So how in the world WOULD you use a hoop? Anyways.. I always vote for a dark binding. Can’t wait to see this mystery quilt.. whatever color you decide to use on it. 🙂
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Quilting without a hoop really seems to be the trend. I took a handquilting class and that’s how we were taught. Glad you found a way that suits you!
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Wow, Cathi — I LOVE the colors in that quilt. But again, I always love the cheery colors in your quilts! How are you quilting it? Are you using a design, or are you doing the stitch in the ditch?
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I’m thinking blue, because white on the edges might show dirt more quickly if it’s to be used much. ANd because white seems too unfinished; colors seem to really frame items.
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I’m a no hoop quilter too and always have been. People are amazed that you can do it that way! Hey, we’re liberated, right???? Glad you’re enjoying the quilting! And I love your bow tie quilt, very nice.
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I started quilting without a hoop when my hand started cramping from holding on to the hoop. I much prefer the no-hoop method. I do find it best to thread baste the quilt together though and closely baste it as it is easier to pucker the fabric.
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I love that baby bow tie quilt. I am really interested in hand quilting I really should just sit down and try it out one day.
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Smudge looks like my husband at church – only more furry. CuteI have tried hoop and no hoop. The better the basting the easier the no hoop method is. I don’t really like to hand quilt. I need to work on that I guess.
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I look forward to seeing your mystery quilt when done…I would go for a darker binding too…I’ve never tried quilting without a hoop! Never seen anyone do so. I was taught using a hoop… hmmmmm? I think I may have to try that….Happy stitchings! 😎
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Back when I tried hand quilting I just couldn’t do it with a hoop even though I had done hand embroidery with a hoop for many years. What little I have done is without a hoop.
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Would be interesting to find out when the trend to USE a hoop came into the picture. Photos of hand quilting group frames show women in the 1800’s working together on a quilt. But when did quilter’s make the switch to using the hoop? Perhaps it came over to quilting from embroidery? You’re cats are a Hoot!Are you machine quilting the bowties or are those marking lines?
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that’s a lovely quilt……………….Gill
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I have only tried to quilt with a hoop once, but just didn’t know what to do with it, so gave up. I seem to be doing a reasonable job quilting without, so why bother with the hassle.
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Hi, I do not use a hoop, I have been hand quilting for 28 years, nothing I like better than curling up with my quilt on my lap and starting to quilt. I have made little to king size quilts by hand. I love yours, Jane
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Bow Tie quilt – omg so cuteamous!
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wow – your bow tie quilt is gorgeous…and smudge is a doll…=)
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Hellooooo, Cathie ! :)Back from vacations, I’m catching up through Blogland… HeeHee…What an interesting post, indeed !As a hand quilter, I’ve always used a hoop with no problem at all, except feeling sometimes uncomfortable to hold it with a big, heavy quilt… so I think that your suggestion is an absolute MUST TRY for me. How wonderful it must be to cuddle in the couch, working on the quilt all around you !I guess your basting is then straighter ? (I’m using a “four fingers width” between each basting line and I quilt with N° 9 “betweens” needles)….Could you tell memore about your experience ? THANKS for this post. Actually, I’m always learning something new, each time I visit you :)Now, on to your next posts…XOXOXOXOXONADINE
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