Back to this cute little ghost. It's made of over 80 little log cabin blocks. I know. Crazy, huh? I don't think I'd ever have the nerve to give it a try today. It scares the bejebbers right out of me to think about it. It measures 18x24" without the borders.
I've had it folded up and tucked away in a closet, then a box because I've moved a couple times in the last 31 years, but I got it out last September with the intention of hand quilting it. (Okay, I accidentally discovered it and then had the intention to quilt it.) My sister and sister-in-law had been talking about their experiences with machine quilting - another idea that fills me with terror. They both seemed positive about their experiences and so I thought about it. It took me 10 months of brewing the idea before I decided to start practicing. Eventually I felt ready and started free motion quilting the ghost.
I couldn't believe how fast it went. Just 5 minutes and I had nearly half the ghost finished but I was so tense I had to take a break. There was a video that I watched on how to machine quilt and the gal said, "Relax your shoulders. If you don't, it will show in your work." Boy, did she have that right! I think I tensed my whole body and didn't even take a breath whenever I quilted on that poor little ghost. The night I finished the ghost I went to bed so downhearted. I had decided to throw him away and was just sick about it because he so darn cute before I started quilting him.
My sweet little granddaughter pleaded with me to not throw him away. She wanted him. With her encouragement I persevered. I actually thought the ghost looked pretty cute the next day but then I started on the sky. Ruined! I hid it for a few days. When I got it back out I decide it wasn't too bad so I kept going. Eventually I finished and I think, all in all, it looks okay but if I'm going to be passing on to my granddaughter I will need to sew something on the back to keep it from being seen.
I do NOT think I will be attempting to free motion quilt on a larger quilt. I was hoping this experience would lead me to that next, bigger step. It did not. I will be tying, hand quilting, or paying to have my bigger quilts done. Hats of to you quilters who do such beautiful work. I am in awe of you!
