I have just finished piecing 6 of the 9 rows that make up the main body of Tessellated Leaves, bringing the progress up to two-thirds of the way complete. I just love how the colors are blending together.
Tessellated Leaves – Two Thirds
I selected 36 fabrics for this quilt, and I am done using 20 of them. It feels great to be able to clear of the table of the baggies of fabric as they are used up.
Tessellated Leaves – Fabric Prep
Tessellated Leaves – Remaining Fabric
It has taken 38.5 hours of work to get to this point, including design and fabric prep. I am taking a broad range guess of between 20-30 hours for quilting, so it looks like this quilt will take between 80-90 hours to complete. This is a very large quilt at 96.5ʺ wide by 108.5ʺ long without the final 4ʺ border.
In terms of my sewing machine, I have put a lot of thought into what would work best for me in the long term over the past week. I have to say that I am very disappointed in the customer service I have received from Bernina. I had hoped they would be more willing to stand behind the quality of their machines and work with me as this machine is what I use to run my small business. However, even after discussions with Bernina USA, I have come to the conclusion that it is not worth my time to continue trying to quilt on this machine. I am frustrated and miffed, but it isn’t in my nature to be an angry, persistent thorn in their side. So I have chosen to do my best to look on the sunny side. It is a great (although terribly expensive) piecing machine and I will trust it to straight line stitch anything. And if you are in the market for a new sewing machine, I would urge you to carefully consider before purchasing a Bernina. Get to know your local Bernina dealer. Are they friendly? Will they help you should a problem arise (even if the machine is over a year old)?
So, in light of that, I am looking into other options and considering what I want to do for my quilting needs. I am in the market for a long arm, folks. Used is what I can afford with my budget, and I think I have a promising lead or two. But one thing is certain, I am talking with the local dealers and representatives for the brand before I make an offer or commit to anything ever again.
Linking up to WiP Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced and Let’s Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts.
You are too organized! I completely understand your decision, as I am wrestling with one of my own. I hope your search goes well!! It will be lovely for you!
It’s looking stunning, and you are so incredibly organised with all your bags of fabric! Good luck with your machine search.
Awesome progress! Too bad about the machine. It is kind of exciting that you’re going to make the transition to a long arm. Have you taken classes with one before? Looking forward to seeing how this all plays out – good luck!
Love this quilt, and wow, it’s big! I’m enjoying following your progress on this project. So sorry about your machine, but pretty exciting to be jumping to a longarm. I wish you luck!
Yvonne – This quit looks amazing, and obviously has a lot of detail work to it.
This is utterly amazing to me – Yvonne you are making an awesome quilt! I love seeing the shots of how you organize it too!
The personalities of local dealers does have a very big effect on choosing a sewing machine. Good luck in your search!
It looks fabulous!! So fun watching your progress on this one! 🙂
Sux about the machine. . . but looking at a long arm! Now that is exciting 🙂 I have thought about taking some classes at my LQS that sells long arms just to see how I would do with it. . . It just doesn’t seem right to me to move the machine not the quilt! haha
I, too, am in awe of your organization, but your progress looks amazing! I LOVE this quilt! Go, Yvonne, go! and good luck with your sewing machine purchasing adventure. I don’t really have any tips since I’m sewing on a borrowed Bernina and I only own a 50 year old Joann-brand old school machine. I’m looking forward to seeing what machine you choose, and I hope you strike quilting gold with it!
This project is just so amazing. The time you took in designing really shows in the details and the fabric selection. Sad to hear that you’ve had to write off Bernina because of their poor customer service. Good luck in finding a long arm that will work for you.
Looking good! I’m sorry you’ve had such bad luck with Bernina. Good luck finding a long arm. Do you mind me asking where you’re looking for a used one?
Wow this quilt is gorgeous! Can’t wait to see the finish. The colours are so perfect for the theme.
So grateful for your advice re Bernina. It’s really hard to learn about these things unless bloggers share their experiences. Sometimes it just isn’t worth fighting anymore and better to shrug and move on.
This quilt is coming together so nicely! I am so sorry to hear of Bernina’s poor service and hope your next experience with a sewing machine and/or longarm is phenomenal!
So sorry you’ve had all this bother with the beast but a long arm, very exciting! I love your tessellated leaves. It’s stunning and worth every minute spent on it.
This quilt will be just gorgeous Yvonne! In terms of purchasing a new machine for FMQ; why don’t you give Juki TL2010Q a go? I have probably read all the reviews and comments on this machine on the internet and watched dozens of videos showing the machine in FMQ progress. It is sooo good! I haven’t heard one negative thing about it. I am looking into buying one too but my problem is that it is not sold in Australia and if I it from the US, then I have to buy a power converter -which is not a problem- but if anything happens to my machine, there is probably nowhere to get it serviced. I suggest you consider this machine. I have enrolled in a Craftsy FMQ class, The secrets of FMQ by Christina Cameli, and she is using this machine too. The stitching is like a dream and I watch her her like I am in love with her LOL
This quilt is beyond beautiful, and I love how your little baggies are so colorful in the process. I’m sorry to hear of your sewing machine issues. I hope you find something that works wonderfully for you.
Your work on this quilt is mind blowing! Nice to see you are more than half way done. Hope you do find a great used long arm. Sometimes things happen for a reason. Maybe this is the start of something bigger and better!
Your quilt is stunning! I am sorry about your Bernina and wish you luck finding a good long arm machine.
I absolutely love this quilt! I love the fabrics you are using. I’ve found that keeping track of time is a double edged sword. It’s important info, but sometimes it can be overwhelming.
So many hours of work on this one! You continue to wow me with your designing skills – I love everything you make.
A long arm!? SO exciting. I hope you find one thats in your budget and doesn’t have the drama that you’ve had with your Bernina!
The leaves are looking beautiful still.
Sorry to hear about the machine problems. A second-hand long-arm might be worth investigating. I know they occasionally pop up here for sale when people realise they will not use them as much as they thought.
It is looking great so far. Sorry to hear about your machine but it sounds like you are doing the best thing possible.
This is looking great, your organization is amazing. Thanks for sharing that about Bernina. I am in the market for a new machine and that is sound advice because you are right about developing a relationship with the dealership. Sorry that the experience hasn’t been a good one.
Sorry to hear the Bernina has been a bummer 🙁 Fingers crossed that you find a happy solution. Meanwhile- the leaves look AMAZING!