Zoo pictures - flamingoes

These little quilts are so much fun to make. This one was painted by my daughter, Becky. I think the colours are really pretty.

The original photo with white flamingoes

Becky decided that they were pink and in the water

The back of the quilt

I used a variation on Eyeballs in the border of this quilt.

Quilting detail

Mitred corners on the satin stitch

I have a basic mechanical sewing machine, the Bernina 1080. I used to have a fancy Janome embroidery machine but I like to be able to adjust the stitch width smoothly so I can do things like mitred satin stitch. Digital machines don't have small enough increments - or didn't when I bought my machine.  You can see a step in the stitch width with a digital machine. With a mechanical machine, I can turn the stitch width dial and sew at the same time. By sewing slowly and giving it a gentle tug, I can keep the edge of my stitching in a straight line as I do the mitre. Sometimes it works perfectly, sometimes not. I'm very proud of the the top left corner of the first one!

I had a store owner argue with me about my need for a mechanical machine! She wanted to sell me a digital and when I explained what I wanted it for, she said that in all her years for teaching quilting, she had never had a need for such precision. Naturally, she did not make a sale! I went to Bernina where the machines are more expensive but store owner listened to me.