TIDY TIME

When picking up the assorted bits and pieces that had found homes on my cutting table, I came across this orphan block.

The centre square was a basket
 set on point which didn't coordinate with the remainder of the blocks that I collected several years ago during a shop hop.
   
Later, a friend made a vest with an Easter panel, but didn't use any of the applique pieces.  I made the block larger, with corners so that the basket would sit upright and I used the flowers, eggs and bunny with paws to fill the basket.

I checked through my seasonal fabrics and found a few that were Easter related.  The corner blocks and the outer border were fabrics that I used in an Easter dress for my granddaughter, and the green print with bunnies was in my stash.  I used the border fabric to make binding, and will put it into the row of quilts waiting for quilting.

It was the most enjoyable "tidy up" job that I've done this year!

NEARING TIME TO PACK

I've been cleaning up my sewing room, as it will soon be time to pack it all up for another season in the south.  I still had one more baby panel, and some coordinating fabric to use, so I spent the past two days making hourglass blocks to add to this pretty panel by Jacqueline Steves.  I can't remember the name of the panel, but I'm calling it Hourglass Farm!

I also worked on my version of Diamond Hill.  I decided to stop after completing the 4 applique blocks, as it will make a lovely large wall hanging.  I made some changes to the design, and added plain borders to the blocks before continuing on.
It has the binding complete, but needs quilting in the background areas.  I have stitched around all the small squares, as well as outlined all the flowers and leaves.  I think the remaining quilting will wait until it is back in my northern home, where I can concentrate of it.  It is currently pin-basted.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY - TUESDAY AGAIN!

I seem to have difficulty meeting my deadlines lately!  DH and I were out all day Monday, and I was too tired (or lazy), to get this posted!

I've been working on several projects, but managed to get the first 20 blocks of my latest partly sewn, and pinned for the final stitching.  I still have 12 alternate blocks to stitch, as well as the pieced setting triangle for this "on point" setting.

Note my "leader and ender" square in my machine.  If I have been piecing, there is always one under the presser foot.

I've also been working on Esther Aliu's Diamond Hill pattern, and just completed hand applique on the 4th block of this wonderful project.

I think I enjoyed making this block the most!

I have been neglecting my guild's Block of the Month, and I'll have to dedicate some time to making the final set of blocks and stitching the centre of the quilt together.  My panel of clamshells is stitched together, and now I'm trying to decide whether to make a pillow top with it, or use it in a tote bag - a suggestion from a member in my group.   

I'm joining others at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, to share my "design wall" today.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week 0 yards

Fabric used year to date 0 yards

Fabric added this week 25 yards

Fabric added year to date 25 yards

Net used 2018  -25 yards 

This is the first time I've started the year in a minus situation!  I only report fabric as used when I complete a project - otherwise I have difficulty remembering what has been reported already!

My guild is always looking for printed panels to make baby quilts - but want them 36" x width of fabric.  Most of the manufacturers have switched to 24" x WoF, and coordinating fabric is required to complete a project.  I shopped online at Marshall Dry Goods, and ordered 25 different panels.  These will be on my stash report until I return home in the spring, and hand some of them over to our community quilts coordinator!

I've been working on an applique project, but nothing to report so far.  

I am also doing a demo of clamshells for my southern quilting group, and have been busy cutting pieces , using an assortment of leftover charm squares (5 inch).  I have stitched two together, and with much pinning, have machine stitched one to the bottom curve.  Next I'm going to try the "English paper pieced method", turning the top edge over a paper template, and then top stitching the shell in place by machine.  Either way is very time consuming!

I'm linking up with quiltpaintcreate to share my weekly report.

A FINISH......

I just finished hand stitching the binding on this wall hanging.  The pattern I used was the centre block from a quilt designed by Esther Aliu, called Oma's Blues.  I knew that I wouldn't make the whole quilt, but I love hand applique, and I had just received a set of blue fabrics from Connecting Threads.  I also pulled some fabrics from my deep stash, including two blue Christmas prints.

Once the hand applique was complete, this hung on my design wall for 2 years, so before heading south for the winter, I selected fabric for the backing and batting, and was determined to complete the project ASAP!

I added machine quilting, using some invisible (monofilament) thread to emphasize the appliques, then white thread for the quilting.  I'm pleased that it is finished, as I am working on another of Esther's patterns, Diamond Hill.  I have appliqued the first 2 blocks and I'm working on the hand stitching of block number 3.                      

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

It doesn't look much different from last week, but I've appliqued all the diamonds and circles on the ring, and attached it along the inside edge.  (The outer edge is still free, until I get the appliques stitched on the four corners - I prepared some of the pieces this morning.)

I still have to stitch the interior parts of the two large leaves, but everything else is completed so far.  Now to make the fabric choices for the next layer of flowers......

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

FINAL FINISH FOR THE YEAR

I had stitched some fan units made from left-over 30's fabrics, so I decided to complete the project before starting anything new.  I added the quarter circle centre to each one, then added background triangles to 2 of the sides.  I stitched 2 sets of 4 fans, and 2 sets of 2 fans, then cut a rectangle of background fabric to fit, along with some corner triangles and came up with a table runner.

The appliques were leftover from a vest panel that I bought about 20 years ago for $1.  I made the vest to donate to my guild for the quilt show boutique and brought the appliques south.  I hand stitched them to the runner, using lovely silk thread.

I stitched a double grid (thanks Inbox Jaunt for great quilting ideas), then stitched a wavy fill in the alternate squares.  I stitched some flowers in the centre row, and echo stitched around the appliques.

Once this was completed, I cut yellow, aqua, black and pink squares and complete part 5 of Bonnie's mystery quilt.  The rest will have to wait until we return south, as we're heading north to assist on the "big move" to DS and DDIL's first house.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

The large floral heart is completed.  Now I just have to figure out what to do next.  I am thinking about making a small wall hanging, with just some simple borders.  It looks very traditional to me!

 I also completed a small quilt, to be donated to my guild's community quilts program.  The 4-patch centres were made from some leftover pinned fabric from a "stack n whack" type project from a few years ago.  There were 4 layers of matched fabric, enough to make 20 blocks.  I used two different fabrics to add triangle corners, then sashed with blue and used white with pink windowpane fabric for cornerstones.  I found the cute "cat" flannel in my stash, with colours that echo the colours of the top...

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

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I love doing applique, and I often wonder why I don't do more - until I look around my sewing room and see the piles of fabrics, chosen, discarded, rejected, etc.  It does reacquaint me with my stash, which is always a good thing!  I just have a few more small flowers, some buds and leaves to complete this block, and then I have to decide whether to make a small wall hanging, or continue on....

Unfortunately, I have some high priority items to work on, including arm protectors for my new chairs, and some baby things for my first grandchild, due in January!!!!!!!

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

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

A few more pieces prepared!  DH is out this afternoon, so I think I'll spend it watching a British mystery and stitching....

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