meet my quilter {a picture post}

Lately I have been trying to do more quilting on my quilts, combining straight line machine quilting with hand quilting, and I really like the finished effect. But despite practicing, I still struggle with fmq. and my larger quilts are quite difficult to manouvre around a domestic sewing machine, as I'm sure a lot of you will know. And so today I popped up to Annette's with a couple of my latest WiP's all ready for quilting, and it occurred to me that some of you might be interested in meeting her.

Here's a little bit about Annette of Wild Cotton Ltd. 

Annette began quilting in 1997 as a hobby. She started out making two quilts for her boys, got nearly finished but began wondering if she was actually doing it right. So she attend an applique class and discovered she was indeed on the right track after all.

Annette's very 1st quilt

How did you get started with machine quilting?
I was getting RSI in my hand from hand quilting and I moaned & groaned for 2yrs! Malcolm said if we're going to pay that much for a machine, it has to pay for itself. I have been professionally quilting now since 2006.

Can you talk me through the quilting process?
I use a Gammil Quilting machine, it's computerised and I do mainly edge to edge quilting. I program in the pattern and details, it takes a while to set it all up. Malcolm is my 'technical support person'. We've both done classes in the States and he's learnt how to pull the whole machine apart, oh and maintain stuff!

measuring up the quilt

deciding on thread colour

deciding on quilting pattern

What's your favourite part of quilting?
I enjoy all aspects of quilting, it's my passion! I get to fondle fabric on a daily basis!

What sort of threads do you use?
I use two different brands from the States, one 100% cotton and the other is polyester because of the range of colours available.

such a gorgeous array of colour! 

What sort of batting do you use?
I only stock what I like using, from 100% cotton, wool blend, and a polyester.

55yr old golly

What are working on for you at the moment?
I attended a 'Millefiori" class by Chris Kenna in January at Symposium, Palmerston North, and so I've been steadily making this low volume version.

I did ask her a couple of curly questions too, things I've always wondered about... 
What if you don't actually like a quilt?
I like all of the quilts, 'cos it's fabric! Some of them are not to my taste but they are all lovely. I'm getting the chance to fondle the fabric AND get paid for it! 

Have you ever unpicked?
Oh yes. I'm a professional 'unpicker' especially if I'm not happy with what I've done and it's for a paying customer.    


Can we see some of your quilts?

This is my "girlie" quilt... only got boys in this house!

- all my scraps, the original is on my bed.

... and I see you have a few 1930's quilts on the shelf there, which is your favourite one? 

I'd say this one, "Simplicity"  because it's got antique hand quilting on the flowers

and a scrappy binding. 

Wooden cotton reel collection - from my mum, Malcolm's mum 
and then {a pause} I bought some on Trade Me!

And finally, any tips for us when we bring our quilts to you for quilting?
Well, ensure your backing is big enough (hey, I know I have been guilty of that one!) 
I've noticed that some people, especially beginners, haven't learnt how to do a few things properly - I talk this through with them when they come to pick up the quilt. Also, I've noticed they may have been taught "how to make a quilt" but have no idea about that final process of adding the binding, so I give them a quick lesson.

Thank you so much Annette, it was really great getting to know you a bit better!

Linking up with Lee for WiP Wednesday here 

Happy quilting!