Monday, January 30, 2012

Heart Strings Table Mat

This is my heart strings table mat that I made from some of my 3" string blocks as part of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge at Soscrappy blog.  The color for January is red, and it will finish at 18".


First I drew the design in EQ5.



I have a great red and white stripe fabric to make bias binding.

I started to machine quilt using a paisley heart design.    I was having a great time quilting when.......


the cutting mat that always sits next to my machine somehow ended up underneath the quilt and then underneath the presser foot.   The machine stopped suddenly, and it nearly took a pair of pliers to remove the sewing machine needle from the quilt because it was stuck in the cutting mat.  You can see where the needle pierced the mat in the photo below.  My machine wouldn't sew again after that even though I changed needles, bobbins and thread three different times and worked on it for quite awhile.


So on Saturday instead of finishing the quilting and binding on this project, I took my machine to the quilt shop to be picked up by the repairman.  The repairman picks up machines to be cleaned and repaired on Mondays, but he is on vacation this next week.  So he won't even get my machine until a week from Monday.  He will have it for a week after that unless he has to order parts, and then it will be longer.


I still have my Featherweight so I can piece but finishing UFOs will have to wait for awhile.

While I was at the quilt shop, I picked up a few things to console myself.



I hope you are finding some time to stitch today and that your machine is in good working order.  It is probably a good idea to take it in for a cleaning and check up when you are on vacation or when you have a hand project to work on.

Next time I'll post a string block tutorial for the two color blocks and show you how I chain piece string blocks.   I will also show you a string block alternative so you can make the heart table mat without doing string blocks.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!
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22 comments:

  1. Oh dear how frustrating! I hope your machine comes back to you as good as new and soon!

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  2. Hope your machine is alright and you can get back at it soon. I love your paisley heart design.

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  3. Love your mats....and sorry about your machine...two weeks??? Not fun...so you need to go out again to console yourself....yes..more fabric therapy!!

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  4. Great heart mat. do you mind if I link to it in a group blog dedicated to strings? http://stringthingalong.blogspot.com

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  5. I love your heart project! That is adorable! So sorry to hear what happened to your machine! OUCH! My big machine is out of commission right now, too. I need time to run it up to the repairman!

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  6. Wow I love your new heart block!!
    I am so sorry to hear about your sewingmachine.. I cannot imagine to be without .. Very good that you have an extra machine..

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  7. Oh No! Poor machine. TGFF! Thank Goodness For Featherweights. I'm glad some new fabric was able to somewhat console you. I'm anxious to see your tut for string blocks. Some people love them, but not me. I hope there's an easier way.

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  8. Oh how awful! I can imagine your shock when everything came to a halt! Hope your machine recovers and everything will work after the repairman sees to it. What a story!

    And, by the way, I really think your topper is just darling!

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  9. Your heart strings quilt is just beautiful! :0)

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  10. Oh no! At least you have a back up machine. Should machine repair guys be allowed to go on vacation???

    Love your heart.

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  11. Love your project. Your free-motion hearts are super! Poor you. You surely deserved a little self-gifting to make you feel better!

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  12. I love the paisley heart quilting design - it looks really nice! Ouch...your heart must have sank when you realized what happened to your machine. Good thing you were able to find something at the quilt shop to make you feel better!

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  13. Awww, poor machine. I took my #1 machine in when over the holidays and was thrilled when it came home purring. Hope yours is home soon.
    Great string project!

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  14. I think there is a virus loose among sewing machines so many have been in hospital lately.
    Lovely heart table mat--and I love the idea of the paisley hearts. May I borrow it? I have a Valentine table mat to quilt up and have been struggling with a design to use.

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  15. Ok what is EQ5. I have looked for some decent software for designing quilts is that something designed for the job? Can you send me a link to what ever it is.

    http://richardquilts.blogspot.com

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  16. Good consolation shopping, LuAnn!
    I really love the string heart, and being red is even better. It will be a great finish when you get your machine back, sorry ~
    :-}pokey

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  17. Oh LuAnn, what a wonderful heart block. Just in time for the valentines day. Your free-motion hearts are so cute. Great work.
    I hope your machine will be alright soon. Beautiful things you find in the quilt shop.
    Have a nice week and take care
    Roswitha

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  18. I love your heart strings tablemat, Luann! I love strings and the look with scraps. How perfect!

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  19. I like your string heart block. Very cute!
    I am patiently waiting for your tutorial!
    I hate that your machine is in the repair shop for an extended time. I agree with Judy, machine repairmen should not be allowed to go on vacation! It is good that you have a back up machine too. Yes, you needed fabric therapy for that!

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  20. Oh golly, I hope nothing serious is wrong with your sewing machine! That must have been a frightening experience -- thank Heavens the needle didn't fly up and hit you!
    I love how you "console" yourself at the QS. Too funny!
    Love your darling string heart quilt. The stripped fabric looks like a perfect binding!

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  21. MAJOR bummer about the machine! Don't you hate it when something interrupts your "groove?" I hope things are back to normal soon. I love your little heart project!

    In stitches,
    Teresa :o)

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  22. Your heart string is just awesome and I`ll waiting your tutorial.

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