I don’t remember exactly when I got my Diatom blocks that I pieced during the quilt along sewn into a quilt top (it happened sometime in the past month). It honestly didn’t take long to do since I had already sewn the first 6 blocks into the top half of the quilt top, and I’m sure I snuck it in between projects at some point.
Diatom Postage Stamp Throw
As a quick recap, I used 2 Fat Eighth bundles of Meander by Aneela Hoey for Moda Fabrics (a FQ bundle also works perfectly) with Moda Bella American Blue (Background) and Moda Bella Egghsell (Star Points).
I love how easy it is to reconfigure my studio when it’s time to baste a quilt. I simply move my ironing station to the side, roll up my carpet, and then I have plenty of floor space to work on almost any size quilt I can dream up. What I don’t love is how my back feels the morning after basting a quilt – that’s a lot of time on the floor. Thankfully my chiropractor and I have been making good progress and she has given me good exercises for the day or two after I baste a quilt.
- I lay belly down on a yoga ball.
- I use a firm foam roller to roll out my glutes, hamstrings, quads, and IT band.
- I do core ab exercises daily, usually variations of crunches on top of my yoga ball with a focus on strengthening my lower abs.
- I use a tennis ball to stretch and release my psoas (scroll down to the “How To Release The Psoas Muscle” section).
Diatom Postage Stamp Throw – Basted and Binding Strips
So, now that the quilt is basted and my back is happier, I’ll set my machine up and get started quilting this week once this heat wave drops off a bit (the thought of having the quilt piled in my lap right now is not something I am interested in). Oh, and I’ll probably start by prepping and making my binding with the binding strips I cut on Friday, too. What are you working on this week?
Too bad you don’t have wall space or a folding table you can baste on using the pool noodle method. I wouldn’t be able to get off the floor, let a lone walk the next day, if I got on the floor to baste. Beautiful quilt! Love it.
Thanks for sharing the yoga moves. I use 2 folding banquet tables for pinning as the carpeted floors weren’t very effective.
I’m a floor baster as well. I try to take frequent stretching breaks but my back also pays the price! My chiro is my lifesaver! I’ve tried other basting methods but none seem to work as well for me.
Love the play of the patterned fabrics and the navy contrast. Can’t wait to see how you quilt it.
Love those foxes where show up in the blocks! I have a large table to baste on – works out better for me than a floor.
I am so glad your quilt space works well for you, and I am especially glad to hear that you do great self-care after all that floor basting. Keep up that discipline of those exercises, it will reward you when you cross over the 60-something threshold (wish someone had told me that).
Love the quilt, and so appreciate the link to exercises! Very good information indeed.
I love how this one is coming along!
That is such a super cool quilt!!! and thanks for sharing your exercises. We learned about those firm foam rollers when the kids started running and we ALL swear by them now… Especially after horseback riding all day.
Glad you are making progress!!!