ONE SMALL FINISH

I completed the small panel quilt first, doing simple free-motion quilting using my Bernina.

I spent the evening hand stitching the binding, and this morning asked DH to hold the finished quilt so I could take a picture for my records.

My next quilt in line is my "52 Blocks 52 Weeks" project from the Canadian Quilters Association in 2019.
This is a much larger project, so I am taking my time, working on it between other chores.  
 I managed to plant 2 more herbs, 2 perennials and some annuals for summer colour in my tiny garden areas in front and back of our townhome, and Mother Nature provided an overnight soaking rain to water the plants in well!

JUST IN TIME & STASH REPORT

I just finished the final stitches in the binding of my quilt for my granddaughter's first birthday, in September.  The whole gang arrives tomorrow for a week visit, and I wanted it finished and hidden away.....

I had fun machine quilting.....

 

Here is the completed quilt, that I'm calling 

"Little Lambs for Ana"

Unfortunately the colours are a bit faded, even with the blinds closed - I shouldn't complain that it is a bright sunny day!

                          Fabric used this week  6.125 yards
                         Fabric used year to date  60.5 yards
                             Fabric added this week 0 yards
                        Fabric added year to date  68.5 yards
                              Net used 2019  -8 yards

I'm still in the red, but getting closer.  I just have to find more hours to sew....... 

WEEKEND FUN

I spent some time over the weekend piecing batting.  I had used parts of 3 queen batts over the past couple of months, and decided to make some "Franken-batts".  I needed one for my second mystery quilt, as I had pieced the backing fabric, and pressed the backing and the quilt top, using a bit of spray starch, ready for pin basting.
First, I used all the smaller pieces of batting to make one the correct size for a panel quilt that I had planned to finish for donation.  I managed to pin baste the quilt top on my cutting table, and I began with all the "stitch in the ditch" quilting on Sunday.
Monday, I completed all the quilting, and added the binding, trimming the back and batting to make sure that my binding will be full to the edge.
Next, I pieced two larger pieces of batting to make one the correct size for my mystery quilt.  I took some time this afternoon to watch an episode of "Vera", a British police investigation series, while I hand stitched the binding on the panel quilt.

Tomorrow is my weekly quilting group, so I have to get my bags packed ready to go!  We are having a pillowcase sewing day in 2 weeks, and I have some samples of the finished products, along with some step-out samples to show everyone.  I posted in our community newsletter, looking for volunteers, those that can sew, and some to just pin, press, fold etc., and we try to show them what to expect before the actual date.  I'm sure we'll have fun, and Cases for Smiles will appreciate the finished pillowcases to give to children in area hospitals.

MY HOURGLASS QUILT PROJECT

This quilt has been on the back burner for quite a while.  I only worked on it as a "leader and ender" project, only at my northern home, and only when I had leftover 2 1/2 inch strips in the right colours!

As you can see, by the picture of the finished quilt "with feet", DH held the quilt so I could get a picture of the completed project.

I made a narrow binding for this quilt, that matches the backing fabric, and I managed to use all but a few inches.  It feels good when I use fabric from my stash!  
Sometimes I have to change my mind on colours, and the amount of scrappiness in a project, but my goal is to use my stash before I go, so my family doesn't have to deal with it!

STASH REPORT

Fabric used this week 1 yard

Fabric used year to date  72.375 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  51 yards

Net used 2017  21.375 yards

I decided to keep reporting my used fabric, even though Judy has stopped hosting the weekly stash report.  I enjoy seeing how I'm doing, and keeping track of finished projects.

My "used fabric" this week was making bindings for 3 of the 4 quilts I've been machine quilting for my guild's community quilts group.  The quilts will be donated to various places in our community.

I just received news that our Godson's eldest sister will be married on September 2.  She is a lovely young woman who we've watched grow up.  Now I have to get myself in gear and decide what type of quilt to make, and get busy!

DH and I went to the garden centre yesterday, and picked up some red and white geraniums for our front planters, especially to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday this year!  We also picked up two cherry tomato plants and a  variety of herbs to grow on our patio.  We've given up planting in our small garden, as the bunnies and babies, along with the chipmunk and squirrel families eat the seedlings as fast as they break through the soil, and even dig up and eat the seeds.  We live in a garden home community, and people insist on feeding all the wildlife, so we are becoming overrun!

We skyped with our son, daughter-in-law and grandson this morning.  Our little one has become reluctant to go to bed lately, and hides.  They've been using the Paw Patrol pajamas that I made, to lure him out, and get him ready for sleep!  Now I'm going to have to look for more PJ fabric.....

 

 

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Nothing on my design wall, but I am prepping pieces for another quilt top made from scraps!!!!!

 Here is my completed half log cabin quilt!  There are 140 five inch blocks in this quilt, and I decided not to add borders.  The red binding was also leftover fabric, just waiting to be used.  The quilt is 50 x 70 inches finished, and will be donated to Quilts of Valour, through my guild's community quilts program in September.

Check out all the creativity shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  8.625 yards

Fabric used year to date  102.375 yards

Fabric added this week 1 yard

Fabric added year to date   63.75 yards

Net used 2015  38.625

I can't believe how tired I've been after the quilt show!  My age is showing, as 6 days of odd hours, physical labour, meals at odd times, etc., has made its mark.  I'm still running at half speed!

I finished stitching the binding on my latest project today - picture to come. 
Nann suggested calling my pink, black and white quilt "Good n Plenty"!  I like the name - they don't sell the candy in Canada, but I've had it when I'm in the US.  Love licorice!  
I was going to take a picture of the finished quilt outside, but the sky turned really dark, and we were having huge raindrops falling, so I guess the photo session will have to wait.

I made pink "piano key" borders, and I've finished it with black binding.

I even added some pieced blocks to the back, choosing ones from my orphan basket that had pink.

I was good and only picked up 1 yard of fabric at the vendors over the past weekend.

Check out all the comments at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

TWO MORE BABY QUILTS

The weather has been hot and humid, and I don't feel like working for long periods - but I still want to quilt, so I pulled 2 more quilt panels from my stash and completed 2 more baby quilts.  I can work on these in short spurts, and I don't have to concentrate on cutting!

I even had some striped fabric to use for binding.....

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Once again, I have nothing on my design wall!  I just stitched binding to two baby quilt panels, that I had quilted, and plan to stitch it down by hand during some TV watching with DH tonight!

Just for some more colour, here are 2 more pictures of flowers from the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.

Now I have to figure out what other small projects I can complete before I have to start packing up to head north!

Check out all the creativity shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

QUILTING AND BINDING COMPLETE

I completed the quilting on Tuesday, and hand stitched the binding down that evening.  I used monofilament (invisible) thread to outline all the cute blocks, then completed the quilting using Superior's King Tut thread in colour 937, called Tiny Tuts.  It is variegated in pink, blue, yellow and green - I use it often on baby quilts.  I stitched leaves in all the sashings, back and forth wiggle lines in all the yellow triangles, and gentle curves in the gray-green triangles. 

It is a shame that so many people think that monofilament thread is bad.  I've never had a problem with it, even in quilts that have been washed and dried regularly.  I love using it to give dimension to areas without adding another design detail.
 
I still have 9 more identical blocks for another project, but I think I'll work on it when I return north - I have more stash there, and can make a totally different quilt.  I'll have to think about this for a while.

Wednesday is my quilting group, and we are on week 5 of an 8 week mystery quilt.  I love seeing the pattern emerge with all the different choices of fabric.  I pin-basted another quilt panel, but DH and I are going out for the day - we need some US time!

ANOTHER FINISH

I spent all day yesterday, machine quilting, and managed to stitch the binding on and trim the excess fabric too.  I sat and hand-stitched the binding while chatting with friends, and watching TV, and was able to complete the binding after breakfast this morning!

I took this picture on an angle, to show some of the quilting.  I stitched a "double stitched" grid in the centre of the panel, then echo-stitched around the flowers.  There is lots of stitch-in-the-ditch elsewhere, as well as accent stitching around the flowers in the borders.

Here is my completed project.  I named it Victory Garden, after the line of fabric.  I had fun stitching the mitered corners on the two floral borders.  I had to add some compensating strips to make my flying geese border fit.  Now I have to decide what I want to do with this project! 

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  6.875 yards

Used year to date  150.125 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date  36 yards

Net used 2014  114.125 yards

 

Finally a finish!  I finished one of the two "disappearing hourglass" quilts, and the second just has to have the binding stitched down.  I decided to do and unstuffed piped binding on these two quilts, so after stitching the binding to the back side, I machine stitch it in the ditch between the "piping" and the binding with monofilament thread.  I'll try to get a picture soon.

 

Friday night, DH and his friend entertained at a "drive-in" for antique and collector car owners.  There were lots of people walking down memory lane, looking a the cars, talking with their owners and enjoying the jukebox favourites.

 

Today we are off to a fund-raiser BBQ, sponsored by DH's music partner's service group.  The guys are entertaining again, and it looks like the weather will be cooperative.

 

Check out Judy's blog, Patchwork Times to see other's progress this week.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  .75 yards

Fabric used year to date  129.875 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  36 yards

Net used 2014  93.875 yards

My only usage this week was for binding on a community quilt for my guild.  Hopefully I'll do better next week.

Check out all the reports at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

DOING A LITTLE CATCH UP

I updated my 2014 quilts page today, as well as adding 2 items to the "Other Items" page.  I still don't have pictures of some of the larger quilts, but hopefully I will by next week!

I spent the past couple of days completing the quilting and bindings on 2 quilts that travelled north with pins - I just ran out of time to complete them.

 Cherry Pie Friends was made to finally use a collection of Mary Englebreit fabrics that had lived in my stash too long.

I used the "unstuffed piped binding" on this quilt.  It was machine stitched to the back first, then turned and stitched in the ditch between the main and accent colour, using invisible (monofilament) thread.

 I really like the tiny accent this adds to the binding, especially when it is matched to the final border.  I missed hand stitching the binding though - it almost felt like cheating!

 I also completed the quilting on another Boxy Stars quilt - pattern from Quiltville.com (Bonnie Hunter).  A couple of these blocks were leftovers from a group project that my southern quilt group worked on a year or so ago.  The 9-patch blocks that I used in the border, were made from my "leaders and enders" - also a Bonnie Hunter idea.

 One of the most difficult tasks I find, is how to quilt each quilt.  Since I hand-guide my quilts, and don't use a quilting frame, I can't do a pantograph style of quilting easily.  I also used an odd colour of thread - variegated between a medium purple to a gray-green.  I find it useful on many quilts!

 The 9-patch flower quilting is a "go to" design that I've used frequently.

These 2 along with a few others, will be donated to the community quilts group for my guild.  The group donates many quilts in our local community - wherever there is a need.

A GOOD START FOR THE NEW YEAR

 I have finished quilting, and added the binding to two more baby quilts.  The first one is square, and the colours look much prettier in person.  (I always have problems with my camera - time to look for a new one I think).
The centre was made with 2 sizes of squares, and I have lots of leftover half-square triangle blocks too!

This one almost took more time to cut than to sew.  I work in an assembly line fashion and finished in an afternoon.  I quilted swirly flowers in the snowball blocks.

More sewing tomorrow!

QUILTING FUN

After quilting all the stitch-in-the-ditch areas, and outlining all the lovely designs that were provided by the panel, I still had 4 larger areas of unquilted polka dots to consider.  Since this panel quilt had numerous animals, I decided to add a few more.

I began with a cat and a dog.

Just in case you think I'm artistic, I found the line drawings in a book called "250 Continuous-Line Quilting Designs" by Laura Lee Fritz 

Then came a long-horn steer and his companion, the horse.

They were joined by a pig and two goats!

And the final area hosted a sheep and a ram.

 Since my only remaining colour of polka dots was yellow, and I planned to use it for a final border and binding,  I decided to try the "unstuffed, piped binding", that I read about on the internet.  This is applied to the back of the quilt, then folded to the front and stitched in the ditch by machine.  It was only a little more work than regular binding, and saved time by machine vs hand sewing.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I finished both quilt tops for my guild's BOM challenge.  Instead of just making blocks each month, the two conveners decided to design 2 quilt tops.  They are in the medallion style, with one having lots of paper piecing, and being a bit more difficult than the other.

Mine finished close to 70 inches square.  I chose this colourway, as part my personal challenge was to make it totally from my stash, and I had enough of all the colours.  I'm hoping to have it quilted to show at the June meeting.

This is version 2.  Once again, it had to be made completely from my stash!  The centre block is paper pieced, but I chose to use traditional piecing for the "square in a square" blocks.  The final "woven" border was also to be paper pieced, but rather than use 40 sheets of paper, I printed one copy, then made paper templates to tape on the back of my ruler for those unusual cuts.  All of the pieces were cut from strips, with the background shapes just using one template, one for the diagonal piece, and one for the small triangles.  They were irregular angles, so the paper template method worked great.

Sunday, I managed to machine quilt 2 of the smaller quilts waiting in the wings, and added the binding to both.  I also packed a small duffle bag full of leftover fabric from finished projects.  Since DH doesn't need my sewing room to store all the train buildings, bridges and accessories this year, I'm still able to sew a bit then pack a bit each day.

Check out Judy's blog, Patchwork Times for creative inspiration from many wonderful quilters. 

CUTTING IT CLOSE!

When I was packing to come south, I chose some Christmas prints to provide backing and binding for my Christmas projects.  I used a black background fabric with candy canes to back the largest of 3 panels on my next "use it up project".  After checking my southern stash and my pre-cut strip bins, I had nothing that would be appropriate for the binding on this project.  I knew that there wasn't much of the backing fabric left, but I decided to cut the strips for binding and hope for the best.

I knew it was going to be close, especially when I completed the 4th corner.  I stopped and measured, and the tiny piece laying on the batting was all that was left after I cut the strip before stitching the final join of the batting!  
Whew.......

TRIANGLE TWIST IS FINISHED!

After finishing the "stitch in the ditch", I added swirls to each of the "melon" shapes in the border units.  

I also used the tiny piping accent between the quilt top and the binding.

 I decided to make a free-form fill design for the rest of the background areas.  

I stitched an undulating line first, completely circling the centre design.  I stitched into the outside area first (toward the border), as it seemed easier to figure out.  Once I began the inside space, I quickly decided how to fill all the unusual areas with quilting.  The centre twisted triangles are just stitched in the ditch. 



 I've enjoyed the challenges that this quilt has provided, but I'm ready for a simple project!!!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  6.5 yards

Used year to date  140.125 yards

Add this week 0 yards

Added year to date   108.875 yards

Net used 2012  31.25 yards

I just finished the binding on my Redwork Fairy Tales quilt, while watching the equestrian jumping in London!  Now I'm trying to decide which project to start next!!!

I added a folded strip between the final border and the binding, as I was using the same fabric for each and though it needed a little accent.

The blocks, featuring dogs as the stars in the fairy tales, are from the Bobby Socks Quilt Co., and were a BOM in 2010, I believe.

Hurray!!! We're getting some rain!!!!  Probably just a shower, but we can use every drop we get.  We've  been trying to plan a short trip, but haven't been able to leave the garden for more than overnight, as it is so dry.  My plants are growing, but slowly.  I'm not looking forward to the next water bill!

Check out everyone's stash progress at Judy's blog here.