A Day in the Life of a Longarm Quilter

 Started 'unquilting' a client's quilt yesterday. Now, why am I doing this?

Well.............. I loaded a beautifully pieced quilt top Tuesday morning. The plan, quilt Baptist Fans. Baptist Fans are directional and I knew that.  I spent time looking over the top. Looking for indications of directional piecing. Didn't notice anything ( more on that later). I started quilting the piece on Tuesday afternoon. The design I use I need to relocate after each pass to make sure everything lines up. Worked until about 8 on Tuesday night and then all day on Wednesday. This was really looking good and I was happy.

Thursday morning I started working around 10:00 in the morning. Everything was going great. I was happy and I was more than half way down the quilt.

Sometime around 2 or 3:00 I rolled the quilt and I discovered that I should not be happy. There were some trees.....upside down. Then I saw some baskets, up side down. Remember that I said that Baptist Fans are actually directional?  BUMMER!!! This is not going to work for sure. And, I cannot send this out of my studio like this, so, I called the client. I explained what happened. I offered her a couple of options and told her what I would do if this happened to me. That would be to totally take out all of the quilting, turn the top and requilt the entire top. That is what she told me to do. 

So, I immediately pulled the quilt off of the machine and started the 'unquilting' process. 

That brings me to 6:00 on Friday afternoon. I have worked on this project all day. I still have at least a day of 'unquilting' to do, maybe 2. However, it's time to stop for the day.

I love my job, but there are times that I wish I did not need this income. Then I just laugh at myself and keep on going. After all, this is my fault. Not the quilts or the clients..............Mine.

I'll get back to this tomorrow. As soon as it is 'un-quilted' I'll put it back on the frame, in the right direction, and restart the quilting. 

I really do love my job. :-)

Joyce-One Loose Thread

 

QUILT RETREAT WITH ONE LOOSE THREAD!! LET'S GO SEW!!!

 

August 2026 QUILT RETREAT

3 or 4 nights!! Your Choice

Gravatt Conference Center, Aiken, S. C. 

Wednesday, August 12 – Sunday, August 16, 2026

This retreat is open to ALL QUILTERS!!

We will have WiFi and Air conditioning!!!

 This is a UFO event. You work on your own projects and just have a relaxing good time. Quilters of all levels from beginner to professional.
All meals are provided by the fantastic Gravatt kitchen!  No dishes to wash!!! 
Walking paths all over the camp so that you can get your daily exercise. Walk by the lake and just lose yourself in your surroundings.
Nothing is structured except meal times.
Your fee includes
Neat and clean lodging in either Cole Lodge or Our quaint cottages.
The rooms in Cole Lodge sleep 2 and have their own bathrooms.
The cottage rooms have adjoining rooms, each sleeping 2, with a shared bathroom.
Meals begin with dinner the day of your arrival and end with brunch the day of your departure.

A 6-foot table all to yourself as your work area
Raised ironing and cutting surfaces furnished by One Loose Thread

Snack Area

Massage available

Lots of Laughter
Of course, a few surprises will be thrown into the mix. 
Any Questions should be directed to:

One Loose Thread Quilting

https://oneloosethread.blogspot.com/

oneloosethreadsc@gmail.com

Questions? Call 803-776-5801---the Studio

Ice Storm, Quilters, and Myrtle Beach Quilt Party!!!

 

This is a week I look forward to all year. The Myrtle Beach Quilt Party!!! 3 days of sewing with 200 'like minded' people while looking at the beautiful Atlantic Ocean.

I started attending this event maybe 10 years ago. It is always lots of fun with great classes, but, I usually opt to just work on my own projects. I plan our evening meals at our favorite restaurants. Pat usually goes with me. A couple of years ago, we invited Pam (total non-sewer) to go with us and we started a Sister's week. This year, Pat is cruising the Panama Canal, so it will be Pam and I in Myrtle Beach. Several years ago we had a snow and Ice event on our last night there but were able to leave and get home on Sunday. Now to this year.

It looks like we are in for the armageddon of ice storms starting Saturday. This is so disappointing since that means we will probably have to head home early Saturday morning. Or maybe, even Friday afternoon if this thing moves in quicker. So, it looks like I will spend today doing storm prep here at home. 

If you are from the deep south, you may or may not have ever experienced an ice storm. They are brutle. Broken trees, downed power lines, loss of electricity for days or weeks is possible. 

As long as Pam and I can make it back home, we'll be fine. I don't particularly like the idea of no power and being stuck in a hotel room. At least here at my house I have a generator, a gas fireplace, and a gas grill. This Girl Scout has dealt with this before, but, I 'had a husband' at that time to do the heavy work. This will be a challenge, but doable. 

So, Mardelle, we're coming!!!! I have restaurant reservations for Thursday and Friday night at some of our favorite places. I understand that 'Sara J's' is open (usually isn't this time of the year), so we'll stop there Wednesday night. Thursday night is 'Russell's' and Friday night will be 'Hot Fish Club'.  Have a few ideas for lunches, but, they are not set in stone.

I'll be stitching on 'Tumbling Cosmos' by Tula Pink and Pink Door Fabrics, while I'm there. Traveling lighter lately with several EPP projects and a longtime applique project on my 'to do list' over the next year or two.

So for those of you that are heading to the Party, drive carefully and be sure to say hello!!!!!

PS. remember to register for the One Loose Thread Retreat February 25-March1, 2026!!  Deadline for registration is next week!!

A Day and Night in the Life of a Longarm Quilter!!

 Yesterday was sooooooooo frustrating!!! I spent a full 8 hour day trying to do a quilting technique that I have done at least a dozen times!!

All I wanted to do was stitch wavey or even straight lines across a wall hanging. Something that should have taken no more than 2 hours!

Nope!! 8 hours and did not accomplish my goal!

So, as I do many times, I turned off Penelope Statler and went to bed while thinking about this project and how to solve my problems. 

A recap would be:

 1) I'm using a very light weight thread that I have had problems with before. However, I am determined to use this thread. Anything heavier would be to heavy. 

2) I want to use a design that stitches left to right and then right to left. 

3) I am sometimes my worst enemy!!

Now, fast forward to this morning:  Having finished my coffee and my computer time I am standing at my machine and ready to tackle this problem.

Tricks that I am trying:

1) turn the needle a little more toward 5:30

2) loosen the quilt 2-3 clicks more

3) move the net on the thread down farther

As a side note, I have slowed the stitching down, using a new needle, have a thread net on this Glide 60. I did all of this yesterday.

Now, I have the machine and the design reset. Fingers crossed I hit 'Quilt'......... Off she goes on her merry way stitching beautifully!!

Completion of project in 1 1/2 hrs.

Sometime you just need to take a breath and sleep on the problem to find the answer. I have had success with this technique so many times. 

Now please understand, that the quilt top was not to blame for this delay. It was beautifully pieced and appliqued. My wonderful Penelope Statler was not to blame for this. Nor was the thread or batting. IT WAS ME!!!

However, now I can remove the piece from the machine, trim it up, take a picture, invoice it out, and call the client for pick-up.

All is well!!!

Now, back to this custom wool on wool. I will really be glad to see that one finished and I'm sure the client will be also.

Have a great day!!!

RETREAT!! FEBRUARY 25-MARCH 1, 2026 !! Aiken, SC.

 

February 2026 QUILT RETREAT

4 nights or 3 nights!! Your Choice

Gravatt Conference Center, Aiken, S. C. 

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 – Sunday, March 1, 2026

This retreat is open to ALL QUILTERS!!

 This is a UFO event. You work on your own projects and just have a relaxing good time. Quilters of all levels from beginner to professional.
All meals are provided by the fantastic Gravatt kitchen!  No dishes to wash!!! 
Walking paths all over the camp so that you can get your daily exercise. Walk by the lake and just lose yourself in your surroundings.
Nothing is structured except meal times.
Your fee includes
Neat and clean lodging in either Cole Lodge or Our quaint cottages.
The rooms in Cole Lodge sleep 2 and have their own bathrooms.
The cottage rooms have adjoining rooms, each sleeping 2, with a shared bathroom.
Meals begin with dinner the day of your arrival and end with brunch the day of your departure.

A 6-foot table all to yourself as your work area
Raised ironing and cutting surfaces furnished by One Loose Thread

White Sewing center (Tommy Leitner) on site for one day to service your machines
Optional: Mystery quilt where everyone receives the clues

Snack Area

Massage available

Lots of Laughter
Of course, a few surprises will be thrown into the mix. 
Any Questions should be directed to:

One Loose Thread Quilting

https://oneloosethread.blogspot.com/

oneloosethreadsc@gmail.com

Questions? Call 803-776-5801---the Studio

 

QUILT RETREAT DATES FOR ONE LOOSE THREAD QUILTING--- GRAVATT CAMP AND CONFERENCE CENTER, AIKEN, S.C.

 Dates have been posted for One Loose Thread retreats through February 2027. Check the the important dates listed on the right side of this page.

Please mark your calendars so that you won't miss out on these events. 

Thanks,

Joyce- One Loose Thread

Quilt Retreat Day 4

 This was our last full day of retreat and we really made the most of it.

Breakfast was: eggs, bacon, REAL oatmeal, fruit, yogurt, avocado toast points, and juice.

Brandi was here for massage today for those that wanted it. Her schedule was packed from 9:00 until 5:30. She has been doing massage for One Loose Thread for over 10 years. Don't think we could get through retreat without her.

Lots of sewing was done today. Several 'Frayed Knots' have actually completed everything they brought to work on and are now just hanging around and talking.

The last night of retreat we always have a very special dinner provided by the Gravatt kitchen staff. Tonight was Short Ribs, creamed potatoes, asparagus, tossed salad, and for dessert Churros Cheese Cake. I don't know which part was my favorite. 😋

Tomorrow we will all pack up and head for home. First is Brunch, which is always outstanding. The imaginary banner will be signed and packed away. My truck will be loaded with all of the retreat equipment and all of my sewing stuff and we will, again, say good-bye to our friends and Gravatt Camp and Conference Center UNTIL February of 2025. When once again, we will gather for Fun, Fellowship, Fabric, Food, and Frolic!!

For tonight, we make the most of our left over time together.

Joyce One Loose Thread