It's not a quilt until it's quilted...

Quilted.

Thank you Kenna.

I did something out of the ordinary.

I got the hose out, and soaked the whole quilt. 

I hung it on the line to let the water run off of it,

and then I threw it in the dryer.

Kenna quilted it with an 80/20.

I did not prewash any of the fabrics used in the top, back or binding.

Here are the pics:

Wonderful quilting, Kenna.

Here it is hanging on the pole bean support in the garden.

"before-hose"

Here it is on the clothesline, soaking wet.

"after-hose"

And finally, the finished product.

"after quilting, hose and dryer"

I feel like I should add the small print.

"do not attempt this at home; trained professional on closed road"

and all that

there are personal choices we make every day about how we handle our quilts

pre wash fabric?  trust the manufacturer?

100% cotton or flannel batting?

batting blend?

hi loft poly?

pucker or not?

wash by hand or by machine?

hang on clothesline or toss in the heat of the dryer?

choose wisely

and the choices you make

will determine how long you enjoy your handiwork

choose wisely

and the choices you make

will determine how long you enjoy anything dear to you

For me, and for this quilt, because it was a utilitarian piece, not a museum masterpiece,

because of the construction, fabrics, and Kenna's hefty quilting

i took the calculated risk.

I chose to 'hit it with the nice fresh spring water of the hose'

and hang it on the line

(oh, and then toss it into the dryer for a little pucker)

BUT

I wouldn't suggest this type of treatment

for anything dear to you

for any length of time.

BeginAgain.

2010

natalie.

Hand wash with care.  If you use the washer, don't agitate.

And air dry your quilts, out of direct sunlight.

quilt kits available

hose optional

www.beyondthereefpatterns.com

New. Fabric. Designs. Lifestyles.

New Fabric.

There's just nothing like it.

It almost cuts differently, doesn't it?

It feels, well....

different.

I am lucky to have good friends - friends that love staying in my home in Long Beach

and friends to stay with while I travel

while I scour every nook and cranny of Hawaii to bring you

New Fabric.

And new designs.

Farmville isn't just for your pc - or for the coast - or for the midwest.

Farm is everywhere.

Chickens are everywhere.

Green is everywhere.

Veggies, fruit trees, gardens.

Chickens.

(and don't get me started on the cow thing...)

How does your garden grow?  Do you have a hothouse?  A moveable chicken coop to keep the bugs off your lawn?

What have you done since the first of the year to 'green up' your life?

I don't mean, recycle bin, I mean healthy, honest lifestyle.

Please share with our readers around the globe.

And we'll do the same.

Thanks for thinking of

b e y o n d   t h e   r e e f

BeginAgain

2010

Natalie.

California Spring

It really is spring in California.

Buddy and I took our first camp trip this weekend, and if you follow beyondthereef on facebook as a fan, you'll realize it was his very first camp trip.

When you live "in the city", getting out into the hills is a real treat.  

For just a few hours of driving, you are rewarded with a whole new set of flowers, scrub, birds, and people.  It's really a treat.  I would suggest being a tourist in your own state, if you have a chance.

For Buddy, it meant a tent, eating in the tent, watching prairie dogs and birds and squirrels and all sorts of things he could never ever catch.

For me, it is a whole new file of flowers and blooms to applique.

And while they may not be tropical, or Hawaiian, the shapes and the structure will lend themselves beautifully to that Hawaiian fabric.

Finally.

I thot you'd like to see some of Buddy's camping pics.

And last but not least, I hope you can see it...

Buddy and a Prairie Dog

(I think.  Or maybe a really small gopher?  Look just 'lower of center' and above the clump of dirt to the right of Buddy's right elbow)

Good dog, Buddy.

BeginAgain.

2010