A Finish and a Winner

Last week I posted about a pattern I had tested for Amanda called "Don't Touch Me."  Amanda generously offered 1 copy of her pattern to be given away here on my blog.  I received 23 entries and Random.org selected comment #16 as the winner.

Congratulations to Leo on being commenter #16!  I have sent you an email and once you confirm I've got the right address, I'll email that pattern right over to you!

This week I also finished (and mailed!) a colorful quilt I made for my son's friend, Austin.

I shared some WIP pictures a little while back, and mentioned that at the age of only 3, Austin was in the hospital for his 14th surgery.  The poor little guy had a rough time with this one.  He was in the hospital well over a week and had to make some return ER trips.  I'm hoping this quilt reaches him today and that the bright colors and simple shapes will put a big smile on his face.

I made some wonky 9-patch blocks with 3 fabrics each.  I made it up as I went along and was going to do a little tutorial, but then I realized how many of those there are online already, so you probably don't really need another one :-).

For the quilting, I wanted wanted to do something fun, so I did 3 wavy lines through all the red sashing strips, then used a zig-zag around each center 9-patch box, then through the middles (more or less) of the outer boxes.

I tried out some "UnRuly Letters" for his name, though I realize I need to be a bit more "unruly" next time.  These look like they were made to match but aren't quite right.... Next time I definitely want a more "no two are alike and that's the way it's supposed to be" look.

I quilted diagonal lines through the "Austin" section of the quilt, but I didn't use tape or any guides, I just winged it.  Here are a few closer-ups of the quilting:

Question for my quilter friends who do FMQ on a home machine:
My original plan had been to FMQ this.  I've FMQ'd a few quilts and though I know I have a lot to learn, I thought I had the basics down.  I ran into a problem, though, when I tried to do this one.  The first few stitches were OK, then I got a few really long (jumped?) stitches, where it seemed like the top and bottom threads just weren't catching... then a few more good ones, then some more jumps.  That happened even when I was going in a straight line without trying to do any curves.  When I put on my walking foot and stitched with the exact same settings (only change was the foot), it was perfectly fine.  Anyone know why this might be happening or how I could attempt to correct it?  Any and all advice is appreciated!

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Linking up with: 

Confessions of a Fabric Addict for "Whoop Whoop Friday"

Sew Many Ways for "Find a Friend Friday"

Pieceful Life for "Show Off Friday" 

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~*~ May your day be full of Love and Ladybug Hugs ~*~


Thanks for stopping by!
~ Kat ~