Quilting a King on my Janome Horizon Part 1 Planning

I can quilt wall hangings quite comfortably on my Janome Horizon.
Quilting a larger quilt on the DM is more of a challenge. My first quilt for 2019 is a King size quilt for our bed. The secret for success is lots of planning: the sections to quilt and the actual quilting motifs.
 

Step one. Choose a pattern that can be broken up into smaller pieces. 
I fell in love with this years Quilters Planner 2019 cover quilt, designed by Cheryl Brickey. 


The quilt has lots of light background space for quilting!. Reading the directions I realized that I could break this up into three main sections, quilt those, then attach like in old time quilting with a placket on the backing. I did a lot of planning to add extensions for quilting and attaching the pieces front and back. The added borders will be done with a single backing piece and quilt as you go to add the borders on the top.

I am at the ready to quilt stage. The center strip of seven pieced blocks is one section and the left and right sides are the other two sections. Perfect to quilt on the Horizon. 

Now I have started planning the quilting motifs.
I bought a new toy: one of Margaret Solomon Gunn's new rulers, the Arabesque Arches ruler. Very fun and easy to use. Again planning is the key. This is my practice piece inspired by the designs she recommended on her website  
mainelyquiltsoflove.com/main/store/templates/arabesque-arches-template/.

I wish the aurifil Mako 50 had been a bit darker value.
That did make an extra challenge seeing my filler FMQ.
I love using the rulers for the framework for the FMQ.
I made the two practice pieces into a table topper. Love it in person.

Now I am designing my own six rather than eight arches motifs to match the quilt's snowflake design. I will do two rings of quilted medallions to mimic the rings of pieced blocks. Below are some initial sketches of my hexie based medallions.

Quilter's vest and Cocheco Quilt Show Display

Here's the finished vest. It was fun to have a portable quilt sampler
to wear to the quilt show this year.

And here is my "Meet the Quilter" display.
It was neat seeing the quilts displayed together.
On the other side are the beautiful quilts of Jaci and Nancy.

I was so honored to share my quilts with fellow quilters at the Cocheco Quilters Guild
quilt show this year. I was lucky to be a small piece of another fantastic show.

 Quilting done on the back of the vest.
The goal is to finish the vest in time for the
Cocheco Quilters Guild Quilt Show on the weekend of th
October 15th.
I need a fancy vest because I'm one of this year's
Meet the Quilters. 

Vest for Cocheco Quilters Guild Quilt Show in October.

 I'm excited that my guild, Cocheco Quilters Guild, in Dover, NH has
asked me to be one of this year's three Meet the Quilters.
My theme will be this quilt journey the last 12 years of
learning, practicing, doodling, quilting and even teaching.
I've turned in my Bio and picture of me for the brochure and poster at the show.
Now I need to design the floor plan of my display for the show.
And I need to make a vest, kick up my quilt show attire a bit!
Here's my design ready for the feathers I'm going to quilt on it.

A Dog's Life Quilt by Lynette Anderson with a switch

This wonderful dog quilt by Lynette Anderson, A Dog's Life, 
has been on my bucket list for about five years. 
I finally purchased the pattern at VQF last summer and started my scrappy version
on it in the fall at LLQG retreat. 

I finished my version in June.
The bottom block is the block I modified to include our rescue dog Kylie, then Piper our grandpuppy and Beau, Kylie's BFF.
So this quilt is in honor of our dear friend Tim who passed away on Mother's Day
as I was working on the binding.

Patsy Thompson Ruler Work Class

Patsy Thompson's held a Ruler Work class on her blog. I quickly ordered her set of rulers.
I really like how the ruler work makes a frame for the fmq.

This medallion was super fun and great practice. I have to finish the fillers.

I designed a border inspired by the practice pieces for a bench cover.

Charity Baby Quilt

This is a baby quilt I'm going to add to the many quilts my Cocheco Quilters Guild of
Dover, NH are donating at the United Way baby shower in April.
I hope to finish one more in time to donate:)
This is a pattern I downsized to 30 by 40 from Animal Parade by Cheri Leffler.
 I love the turtles.